Happy Birthday Kayla!

I did some digging over at mom's house this week, and this is what I dug up on Kayla! (You need to thank me Kayla, you know it could have been a LOT worse!)
Happy Birthday!!!

Truly, this is the epitome of Kayla!

I love you chica!!!

Zipidee-ay and hi-dee-ho!

Just wanted to say Happy Birthday to Ashley too! And here's a cake in your honor! ...Mmm it was good! ;)

Hello from Missouri of all Places.

Hello Everybody,

My situation has been different from most of the contibutors to this blog. Instead of getting married and having children I have been collecting degrees and getting used to being the old man in the university ward, which is not nearly as fun. I graduated in 2002 from BYU with a B.A. in English. I have been in Columbia Missouri, a place I hadn't even hear of until I moved here, for almost 6 years going to graduate school at the University of Missouri. I received my Masters in English in 2004 from the University of Missouri. I am currently working on a Ph.D in English from MU with a primary emphasis in English and a secondary emphasis in post colonial literature and theory. Exciting stuff, I know. I know it is way too much school, and I am starting to get sick of school, after just 10 years of college, but I should be done in about a year. I just have to writie my dissertation and will start applying for teaching jobs at colleges in the fall. I have taught two lower level classes each semester for the past 5 years. I love teaching folklore and literature, and am ready to do it full time. I usually get back to Mormon acres a few times a year. However, I am not visiting Texas this year because I am going to Provo and Idaho falls the last two weeks of May to Visit Jeff and Lisa and to see Eric off at the MTC for his mission to Billings Montana. Right now I am trying to survive the last three weeks of class, or in other words, my own private grading papers marathon. I have included a few random pictures from my time at MU. Cheers.

My lil bro, Elder Larkin

Kelan reported to the MTC today. Mom seems to be doing fine so far, though she said they all cried. He called me just before arriving at the MTC to say bye and make sure we would be in touch. I barely made it through the call before crying myself. Co-workers for the most part knew what it was about and offered tissues and supportive words. I've got reasons for being a lil more emotionally about it and for finding it harder than I thought I would beyond the obvious reason, but it's along story. I'm super proud of him!

And yes, he's 6'5" and I'm 5'3"...

Some pictures from Shauna...

Ryan and I just went down to Houston last week and hung out with Jared and Abish. It was great! (We also hope that we'll hear from Jared soon on this blog, since Abish knows about it now!) They were superb hosts and we had a great time slipping back into the fun of staying up late talking and having a game night! It was almost like college days again!

These are our crazy kids! They thought it was hysterical when I zipped them into the suit case and pulled them around the house!

P.S. Kayla and Ashley, you should pass along to us the email addresses of everyone you have found. Maybe just do a mass email to all of us so that our emails aren't floating here on this public site for all those crazies out there who search out Mormon or Acres or something! That way I can send invites to my private family blog!

Randomness

Ok, one thing I forgot to mention last night in the updates is that Kelan is reporting to the MTC tomorrow for his Las Vegas West mission. My mom is bittersweet about it as it'll be hard for her without him around (he's been the man of the house for some time now), but happy and proud to have her son serve the Lord.

I was going to update y'all on Alana, but figured we should just invite her and have her do it herself.

Congrats to everyone on all their marriages and babies and other accomplishments!!!!

Going along with Kayla, there are quite a few of us in and around the Houston area. I'm on the south side, Jared's on the north side, Bethany's close enough, and I heard that Sam and Katrina are in the area as well. I say let's get them all on here too so we can all check our calendars and get together!

Also, how do we add dates to the calendar?

Utah Get Together?

Mwahahaha! My evil plot is working! ...okay not very evil, but still! It's so great to hear from everybody! Congratulations to Bethany and Lisa on the preganacies! Marla I'm so excited to hear that you're active again and dating a great guy! Jon, when you're in the Big Apple you need to go see The Little Mermaid on Broadway because Kay Trinidad is in it! (You could also bootleg a video and bring it back to Utah for my little girls to watch! haha!) And I love all the picture updates!

And I am realizing that there are more of us in the Utah-ish area! (Idaho Falls totally counts as Utah-ish, Jeff!) So I think we need a get together. I'm thinking maybe sometime late April or early May. We can get together and have lunch or dinner at a park in a somewhat central location. Let me know what y'all think okay?

Cottle Family

Hello fellow FlowerMounders! It is nice to hear about everybody and get updates. I hope you all continue to have fun. For those that really haven't heard anything about me I am married with two little girls. My wife's name is Marie and the girls are Makenna and Autumn. Makenna just turned three earlier this month, and Autumn is sixteen months. Both girls are my little princesses and remind Dad that they need to be carried and waited upon hand and foot. We are living in Morgan, UT and loving it. It is a little town east of Ogden and north of Park City. In May I graduate from the University of Utah with a degree in Finance. Marie graduated from BYU almost two years ago and keeps me motivated to get done with school. I am working for APX Alarm and will be managing an office in Long Island, NY from May until September. We are sad to leave our new home, but excited to go and experience the Big Apple. After that I'll decide if I want to go back to school some more or get a job that will allow us to stay home for more than 8 months. In case you are wondering about the pictures the one at the beach is in Cozumel, Mexico and the other is hiking in the mountains above Layton, UT. We will be driving through the DFW area on our way back in September so all you that live in or around Roanoke (my parents moved there) will have to clear a spot on your calender to have the Cottle's come visit.

HOLY MOLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited to see an idea that Ashley, Natalie, and I had on the fly come to a reality of sorts! I love the name Mormon Acres too! I've been so out of touch with everyone is sick! Ok, for those that want to know and don't already, I'm now in South Houston and working in Galveston. I'm not a fan of the commute, but it pays the bills. Many of you know I've been inactive for some time. In that time, I was married for a brief period. Not my finest moment or something I enjoy talking about, but it's a part of me and a HUGE learning experience for me. It was also something that helped to bring me back to the church which I couldn't be more excited about! My testimony and appreciation for the church and the gospel have grown in ways I never thought possible! I currently have a boyfriend who's just the cutest and greatest thing ever to happen to me. (Natalie and Ashley can vouch, they met him) His name is Bryce and if I can figure it out, I'll post a pic of us holding Ashley's baby. I've never blogged before so this is all new to me. It's so great to hear about and see so much from everyone! I feel like it's been forever! I'm so excited! I haven't changed much from back then too in case anyone was wondering! hehe I'm not sure what else to say for now, so I'll go before I get too redundant!

Much love to all!
Marla Finn

Bryce, Marla, and Ashley's cutie. This is as recent as it gets with me folks. Feb. 2, 2008. The recent photos don't happen often with me, so enjoy while you can! :P

I never thought I would be contributing to a Blog

I finally gave in I decided to join in on the updates.

After spending two years in Washington, Lisa and I are now in Idaho Falls, Idaho. We were trying to get to Texas, but I think we can only move one state at a time. We are finally home owners. For all those that went to BYU-Idaho and want to go back for a visit, you are always welcome. Of course any one is welcome to come visit.

I am now the operations manager at the local mall. It is kinda of weird because the people I supervise are both 3 times my age. They are very experience and knowledgeable about the mall, which has been very helpful. I am also working part time at Home Depot.

By the way, for those who have not heard yet, we are expecting a boy in August. Both Macay and Kyla are excited to have a baby brother.

Well I think that is all for now.
W e miss having all of you close by for game nights.

Take care
Jeffrey Mitchell

Howdy from Aggieland!

I am horrible at keeping in touch with people too (Sorry to anyone that has emailed me or sent any messages on facebook to me recently). I claim being sick from January to April and the fact that whenever my husband is home, he is on the computer doing homework. He does check facebook regulary since he started it for a class and informs me of any messages from my friends though:) So, some of you might not have heard my good news and might be wondering why I was sick for so long....that's right, I'm pregnant!
Okay, I'll go farther back for those of you I haven't talked to in a long time. I got married to Clarke Farrer in January 2006 and lived in Irving/Valley Ranch until last August when he transferred down to Texas A&M (hence the Howdy from Aggieland subject line). We are enjoying it here, and we love our ward. It is a little different from where we lived before though because we can drive 10 minutes north and be in farm country. I guess Mormon Acres was like that when my family first moved there in the '80's, but at least there was a big city close by. We are about 1 1/2 hours Northwest of Houston. I work at the College Station Medical Center as a unit secretary (so much for a college education) while Clarke goes to school to get a degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Sciences and works at FedEx. I am currently working in the nursery at church (WooHoo for me! Thanks Kayla). I guess it's my preparation for motherhood (we have 4 nursery classes in our ward).
Anyways, I think I'm getting into the whole pregnancy thing now that I'm not throwing up several times a day. It's still kind of surreal though especially since it took so long to get pregnant (a year and a half!). Clarke and I are into camping and plan on going in a few weeks. We'll see how much I enjoy it while pregnant (I plan on bringing my air mattress:) We will find out in a month if we are having a girl or boy, so I will keep you updated and maybe post some pictures of my already growing belly.
It's great to hear how everyone is doing!
Bethany

p.s. I'm new to this blogging thing too, so I didn't even get captions on my pictures:) They are from our backpacking trip to the Grand Tetons last summer (I was obviously out of shape).

I do exist!

Hello everyone! I feel so honored to have been invited to this fun little group, particularly because A. I didn't actually live in "Mormon Acres" and B. I moved right in the middle of high school and seemed to have fallen, at least in part, off the face of the earth for a while. (Kansas was fairly like another world entirely, I must admit.) Fortunately, you're all such great people so I was never banished... what a lucky woman I am! :) :) :)

Ok, so update...

Mike and I got married on February 10th, 2007 at which time, I took up residence in Arlington. (Interestingly enough, our families were in the same ward almost 20 years ago when we lived in Arlington. Mike is my oldest sister's age, so they remember each other... fairly strange and amusing coincedence if you ask me. Who would have thought that Lindsey Whelan would wind up in one of her oldest stomping grounds?) Mike is a chiropractor here and has his own practice that is doing very well. He's a very hard worker and I'm so proud of him!

The most exciting update? Our BEAUTIFUL daughter was born on February 6th. She is amazing!!! It's hard to believe that she's already two-months-old now! Her name is Lacey Nicole Hughlett. (I knew that giving her a name that was close to mine might be difficult for some people to keep straight. I had no idea that it would be most difficult for my husband! :) She has the sweetest and most adorable personality. She smiles all the time and she has recently discovered her beautiful little voice. We can't get enough!!!

As for me, I'm just settling in with my new role. I have the great fortune of staying at home with Lacey full time. Such a blessing! We've recently started venturing out to explore the world around us so we'll see what kind of trouble we can find together. :) Today: gardening! I have no idea what I'm doing with it, but I'm excited to learn. We'll see how that goes.

Ok, I think that's enough of an update for now (or arguably more than enough! :) Thanks to you brilliant people for coming up with this idea! Life is absolutely wonderful and I'm so excited to be able to share it with all of you and to get to see your exciting lives as well.

By the way, Natalie, where did you take the blue bonnet pictures? I want to take some with Lacey and the side of the road just doesn't seem like a good idea!

Listmania

The fam at Dallin's Wedding last March
With friends in Boston
Times Square
Iceskating with friends in SLC

Y'all know that I was always (and will ever be) a fan of a good list, so here's my update, bullet style:

• Working at the Church magazines as an editor. Love it. Also doing freelance editing projects on the side from time to time.
• Living right downtown, two blocks from Temple Square. I'm a huge fan of the neighborhood, the commute time, and infrequent trips to the gas pump. Unless it's snowing (I'm a wuss, too, Kayla) I walk to work.
• Setting New Year's resolutions to travel to a new place (some local, some distant) every month. Started this in '07; it was the best resolution I ever made. Favorite destinations so far have included Moab, Boston, NYC, Corpus Christi, Philadelphia, and Kentucky. Yes, Kentucky.
• Starting graduate school this fall.
• Learning how to quilt. Thought the class would be full of grandmas. Wrong. (They already know how to quilt.) Instead, the class is full of young professionals like me. Really, really funny and really, really full of colorful language as people get used to their sewing machines.
• Feeling super good about this online Mormon Acres business.

I tried really hard to get the photos at the end of my post, but I'm not that blog-savvy yet. I'll work on it. :)

*Kayla comes over to join the kids at the cool table!*

I'm so excited that we can all get together (albeit virtually)! I'm so bad at keeping in touch with people and I figured this would be a fabulous way for all of us to keep in contact with our Texas roots! We're doing pretty good here in Utah. I'm working as a storyteller at the Provo Library, Brice is attending UVSC full-time, Genna's 5 and in Kindergarten, Melena is 4 and fun, and last but not least, Brennan is 18 months and starting nursery on Sunday! Here's a big WOO-HOO for the nursery!!!

I sure miss being in Texas. It snowed yesterday and I nearly puked because I'm so sick of winter and cold! grrr... I'm excited to hear what's new with everyone else! (Be sure to send Ashley e-mail addresses of any former Mormon Acre-ites that you might have!)

P.S. My family blog is private so if you'd like to see it let me know and I'll invite you!

Time flies!!!

Those "back in the day" pictures are awesome! Here's an update on me:

Josh and I have been married 5 1/2 years now (crazy!!!). We built a house in Justin, TX, near the Texas Motor Speedway. Okay, WE didn't build it, Fox & Jacobs did, but you know what I mean. It's awesome having a house. I feel like a real grown up now, with a house and a baby! I've stopped teaching full time to be a mommy. I miss teaching a lot, but at the same time, I wouldn't trade being home with Jacob for grading papers and doing lesson plans. I'm still working, as an online tutor. I just work a few hours a week, so it's nice. Jacob is almost 5 months old, which I just can't believe. He's rolling over and "talking" (and shrieking, which is annoying) and just being stinkin' cute all the time. Seriously, the kid is adorable. Just look!

--Natalie (Deter) Erekson

Back in the Day

20002000

1999199819981998

If you were part of the Mormon Acres clan and haven't received an invite to join this blog please let us know! We'd love updates from everyone. Also, I don't have everyone's email so if you know of someone that should be invited, please let us know!

Howdy to All!

Yay Kayla and Ashley! You did it! I am excited to see what everyone posts!
Here is the Hinckley update:
Ryan and I are still in Lewisville. We have two energetic kids. Ryan is still in dental school, but only has one year left. I am teaching the CTR 5 class at church. Nathan (4) is in preschool and loves it! Aerin (1 1/2) is hilarious and keeps us laughing.
I will post more later, but the heathens are restless right now and I have to go save my house!
C-ya!
Shauna

Mormon Acres e-Reunion!!!

Kayla had the brilliant idea to set up this blog so we can all catch up on everyone. I just started using Facebook for this reason, but I like this way better since I'm more into blogging. It is public, but in order to post you must be made an author. We might eventually go private so only the authors can view it (to protect those who don't want their pictures (or their childrens') posted on the internet publicly). So if you would like to be an author and haven't received an invitation yet, please let us know!
If you have your own family blog or website we can link it from here, too!
Marla mentioned getting together for Mormon Acres reunions in TX- maybe with the help of this blog that can happen!
~Ashley Weaver Isenbarger