July and August

Hey everybody it's Aaron during july we went down to Oregon and had a blast!! Thank you so much for letting us stay with you and for providing entertainment, like the Zoo, the fountains, and the beach which by the way has -10 degree water and a surface temprature of 50. I'd also like to thank Aunt Tanya and Uncle Mike for bringing the cousins over and for letting me stay those couple of nights. I had a ton of fun catching frogs with Ryan, Jason, Josh and the occasional andrew, Isabelle, Jenna, and Noah.

It's now nearing the end of August and Tooele's school is about to start I am going into Jr High and Kira and Elijah are in HIgh School Noah is in 1st grade and Issa is in her second year of Preschool. Kira got her wisdom teeth pulled out and now has the chubbiest cheeks I have ever seen. I went camping in the beginning of August I went down to bear lake and got a tan. Last friday we had our Father's and Children campout at the church with a bouncey house, a popcorn machine, and a fifteen foot blow up water slide. Sure it was fun but it was supposed to be a father's and son campout somwhere in the mountains or something like that...Everyone had fun and my mom finally got a day to sleep.

Life's Greatest Blessing is Family

Dear Family,

It was so wonderful to come to Utah for Pioneer Day and the following week. It was truly the best vacation I've had in while (even though Jason had to go home earlier than me to work). Jason and I stayed with grandma and grandpa for the first few days, during which time we ate wonderful food (Thank You!!!), chatted, and played games (including a game called Quirkle, which we enjoyed so much that we bought it and play it often). It's always fun staying with grandparents =). The remainder of the week was filled with family and friends. Mom set up family portraits, so hopefully we'll be seeing how those turned out soon. It was also wonderful for me to have a long enough vacation that I had time to visit some of my girls from Olive Garden, spend a day reading and playing video games with my siblings, and/or just do NOTHING. How nice to have that option!

The day I flew back to CA Jason picked me up and took me to the beach. The water was cold, and we had fun laughing at each others' faces as we got in deeper. Jason got the biggest laugh, though, when I tried to "catch" a wave, and ended up doing something of a somersault on to the shore. Good times. ;-)

Since vacation it's been back to work as usual, though we did have our first dentist appointments since we've been married (which Jason enjoyed as much as Katie enjoys the dentist ;-). We also used one set of our Knott's Soak City tickets, followed by the most exciting dinner I've ever experienced in my life at Medieval Times. For those of you who don't know, Medieval Times is a place where you eat in a stadium type setting and feast without silver-wear as you watch knights joust - on real horses - in a tournament and fight to be champion with swords and axes (sparks were literally flying off the blades - SO COOL!!!). All the lords and ladies in attendance are sorted into groups to cheer for different knights. Jason and I ended up being on the green team cheering for the "bad" knight that all the other knights were trying to defeat in the name of the King! It was a spectacular show, and I highly recommend going if ever you get the opportunity.

I'm writing tonight because summer break is over and life gets crazy again starting tomorrow. Jason's substitute teaching for the next three weeks at the college across the street (where I start back to school tomorrow), plus painting car windshields with me on Fridays and working at the ice-cream warehouse in the evenings. He's going to be working a lot, but he took the sub job because it makes him happy. The college students are his favorite special-needs students to work with, and they like him too. When he's working and I'm not, I'll be doing as much homework as possible so that we can utilize the time we have off together. =)

I'm realizing as I write that I have put an awful lot of smilee faces in this message. I guess that is just because I'm happy. I feel so blessed to be part of such a wonderful family and have such a sweet husband. I am thankful to be able to serve in the Primary and am looking forward to the Primary program in a few weeks. I am thankful to be in good health and to have a job and a roof over my head. Life is good.

I'll stop my ramble now, but there are so many things to be grateful for and my heart is so full. I hope all of you are well and that you each feel the love that Heavenly Father has for you. We love you too. =)

Brittany and Jason

P.S. I have pictures to post, but I have to scan some of them in, so they will come at a later date... =)

Hi Everyone. We have had an incredible month. It has been so much fun to see everyone. It was especially nice to celebrate my birthday with all the family except Tanya and Julie (we missed you). The month of July just flew by. That is what happens when you are having fun. Thank you everyone for coming and being here for us. We love you and appreciate you. Also, thank you for all the presents and kind words for my birthday. You are one GREAT family.

It was even nice to go to Lagoon. That was the nicest day I've ever experienced at Lagoon. I think we should always order that kind of weather when we go. We also went with Mike, Ryan, Makell, Pauline, and the kids. Dad/Grandpa and I went home early. The weather wasn't quite so nice that day. It was pretty hot. It was a nice day for the kids to ride the water rides, however. They must have had a good time because they got home pretty late. Mike's kid had never been to an outdoor theater, so we went to the Drivein. I was glad we had already seen both movies, so I was able to have a little nap during the show. It was so fun to have the house full of people, but it made it awfully quiet when everyone left. We were lucky though because Brittany and Jason came from California and spent a few days with us.

Dad/Grandpa and I went early to Salt Lake to save a spot for everyone at the parade. All of the good spots were taken, so we had to take a concrete driveway. Luckily it had a big tree by it, and we were in the shade for most of the parade. I really enjoyed the parade. There is something about bands and floats and lots of people. Afterwards, we went to Steve and Lynette's for a barbecue. It was really fun. Jason and Brittany wanted to play games, so we got in some game playing also. Luckily for me they didn't want to play Acquire.

It looks like it is official. Dad/Grandpa will be retiring on September 30. There is sure a lot of paperwork to do. It makes us really feel old, because we have to sign up for Medicare and everything. I guess we are getting old.

We hope everyone is doing well. We love you and miss you. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Love, Mom and Dad/Grandma and Grandpa.

Thank

Happy 4th of July - A Day Late

Hi Family!

Happy 4th of July. =) I'm sure all of you had a blast. Jason and I were originally planning on coming to UT last week, but had a few things come up and had to postpone the trip to the last week of July (we'll be in UT from July23-August 2). We were disappointed to miss the Oregonians, but we still had a good 4th. We had a BBQ/game night at Jason's mom's house and then went and saw a 25 min. firework show, which I'm happy to report had plenty of "willow tree, fairy dust, and twinkle star" fireworks - my favorites. =)

This month we both we mostly just worked, A LOT. We did, however, get to break once in June for a ward hoe-down and once this afternoon for a group date with two couples in our ward. We went to Red Robin's (yum!) and saw Eclipse (for free, thankfully....LOL). We're hoping to have a game night some time in the future.

We did have a stroke of luck with our local radio station (KATY - the station that we one the dolphin-watching tickets through earlier this year) again this month. =) Jason and I won a four-pack of tickets to Knott's Berry Farm's "Soak City." We're both very excited about this, and plan to use the tickets this month.

We love you all and look forward to seeing some of you in a few weeks.

<3 / Britt and Jason

Pictures of some gel toes

Our beautiful model is now showing us her pretty new pink hair. Light pink.

Here are some pictures of the gel toes and hands. Our lovely model is the one and only Isabelle.

Doesn't she have cute toes. She couldn't choose a color so we did them all.

June

Dear Family, Here it is June 13th, the furnace us running, and it is raining outside. I think we have moved to Oregon. The rain has made everything green and beautiful though. We were able to plant the garden on a sunny Saturday in May, and so far it is doing pretty good.

Dad/Grandpa has an official retirement date. He will retire on September 30th. We have decided to go on a mission in the fall of 2011, after the reunion. We are getting excited for all the new changes. Dad is especially excited to not have to take care of problems all of the time. We are working hard trying to get as healthy as possible so we will be ready for the mission.

I received some money from my Dad 's estate, so we decided to put in a gas fireplace downstairs. It is looking pretty good. Hopefully it will be completed before everyone comes for the 4th. We also got a new TV for upstairs. If anyone wants the old one let me know. We may also have some couches available too.

We were able to spend some time in Oregon while Mike, Tanya, and Brittany went to London and Paris. It was so nice to visit the Oregon Hancock's. We were able to celebrate Jenna's fifth birthday while we were there. We watched Makell play a La Crosse game, and we were hoping to watch Ryan play baseball, but it was rained out. There were so many beautiful shrubs and flowers out while we were there. It was gorgeous.

Jared is in England and Scotland right now with the BYU Ballroom Dance Team. They took first place in the World Championships with their team. We were able to watch their performance before they left. It was really good. They used American songs ending with the Battle Hymn of the Republic. If you go to the Daily Universe they have a picture posted. You will be able to see Jared. He is having a good time seeing the world.

We got back from Oregon just in time to go to Audrey's high school graduation. It was really nice. She sang in the choir. Brittany and Jason came up from California, so we were able to see them too.

We are getting excited to see everyone around the 4th. It will be fun getting together. We hope the rain has stopped by then so we can put some tents on the back lawn for the kids. We hope all is well with all of you. Take care and we will see you soon. We love you, Mom/Grandma and Dad/Grandpa.

News from CA

First, may I just say Thank You to whoever figured out how to change the background for this blog. I love Thanksgiving, but that theme was getting old and I couldn't figure out how to update it. =P Second, it was SO wonderful seeing some of the UT Hancocks while visiting for Audrey's graduation/ Isaac's birthday and graduation. We love you all and miss you already! We'll be the last week of July. =D To the Oregon Hancocks and those we didn't see in UT, hopefully we'll see you all sooner than later.

So, about us. Let's see... I finished the semester and passed both my classes (one A, one B - I'll take it! =) and am taking the summer off. I'm enjoying the free time by quilting and watching Star Trek: Next Generation, which I record and watch because a) it's awesome, perhaps excluding Season 1 which is semi-awesome and semi-hoaky (sp???) and b) I used to watch it with my dad and it still makes me happy (awe, the memories, =P). Jason is enjoying having his wife's full attention when we're both home together. Yay for date nights and On Demand nights snuggling on the couch. =) Jason's enjoying his free time playing basketball at the gym (still) and in a league at the recreation center across the street (which he just joined and will be doing for the next two months). He still watches sports, and likes to guess which teams will win and what the final scores will be.

Church is the same, unless I forgot to mention that I am now the ward organist. Yes. I'm glad my mom worked out lessons for me when she saw the opportunity. Work is going well. I'm still mostly enjoying Barnes & Noble, though I enjoyed it more before some very awesome managers left (and now another one is leaving =( .... I'm hoping the replacements will be just as awesome). Jason's done with substitute teaching for now, but is still working at the ice cream warehouse once or twice a week (depending on how many orders need to be shipped out that week) and the flower shop when it's especially busy or someone goes on vacation. Mostly, though, he's working on our newest venture. Our home teacher's wife wants to sell her business and is training Jason (and myself, when my days off at B&N coincide with her work days) to take over. Right now it's mostly Jason's work, but the goal is to have me helping him later on down the road. This job is a HUGE blessing to us, as it will give us more flexibility and allow us to have a family of our own. =) Tithing blessings are real, let me tell you. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for them (and for all the non-tithing blessings too, of course).

That's pretty much it for now. We've enjoyed reading all of your blogs. Aaron, thanks for making me laugh, twice. =) Oh! And may I just say that I very VERY much look forward to the family reunion, and will be thrilled to attend (with husband in tow for the first time, LOL) whenever everyone feels it should be. Grandpa - remind me to write you a check when we're out in July. I haven't forgotten about the reunion dues, I just keep forgetting to get them to you.

We Love You!
Britt and Jason

EM Hancock's Montly Report

Hello--


DAVE HAS A JOB! He'll be working at an LDS private school--American Heritage School--in American Fork, literally across the street from the temple. Apparently they wanted him so badly (must be nice!) that they cobbled together enough subjects to make him an offer of f/t work: he'll teach two debate classes, one journalism class, and do a class of Distance Education for English 9 (he's to write the course this summer), and...you brothers will LOVE this: he's the school's Athletic Director. (I know--you're laughing harder about this than when he was called to be a Bishop!!!)

I am still unemployed--please note, ladies: just because you have a B.A. degree, it will get you NO WHERE unless it's in math or a science, and being a mother gives no credible work experience whatsoever--although I've been looking and sending out app's (50, at this point) for the last four months. At this point my plan is to substitute teach, which will bring in about 1/2 what I used to earn. As I'll have unemployment through December, I figure that I'll whip this house into shape until then. I am applying to AHS to be a Distance Instructor, also (7th grade) so if they want me, that will bring in some extra money.

On Friday morning, we cleaned out our classrooms and were signed off on all details for Rockwell! We were SO EXCITED AND RELIEVED to be done with that school and it's administration. (One of the nice things about AHS is that they value integrity, which RCHS did not.) We both have two classes to finish for our Level 1 licenses: Adolescent Literature (BYU Independent Study) and Teaching Special Education Learners (the first week of August); we should be "official" by August 15, 2010.

BRITTANY and Jason came up for Audrey's graduation, and that coincided with Isaac's birthday and his kindergarten graduation, so he was very happy. THANK YOU to Mom and Dad, Steve and Kelsey for coming as well--the pictures turned out great! Britt is enjoying her job and B&N (my dream job, I think =) and she and Jason are possibly taking over a business and are working on that. She'll be up the last week of July as she gets paid vacation and intends to use it here--she's excited to see whoever is here!

AUDREY graduated and feels...the same, of course! She was excited to be done and is now trying to find a job (yes, all of you Lehites know how THAT is going) and wondering how to go to school. She has her last GIRL'S CAMP in two weeks, and is going on TREK in July.

JAMES leaves for SCOUT CAMP in the morning and will be gone all week; we figure he'll earn 5 Merit badges there, and then plans on earning another 6-8 this summer, so we're hoping he'll manage his EAGLE before he's 16. He is also going on TREK in July.

KATIE doesn't know it yet, but she'll be using the 1-student credit we get at AHS and attending the school with Dave this next year. The academics are high, the spirit is strong, and we're concerned that she's already boy-crazy (at 11?!?!!?) so Dave will be able to keep an eye on her. She's learning some cooking and other household duties this summer, plus writing a 50-page novel as a challenge from her 5th grade teacher.

ISAAC is excited to have lots of "home days" and the chance to sleep in. He was very proud to graduate Kindergarten, and was awarded "Most Artistic" by his teacher. He is riding his bike a lot and visiting friends down the street--I am SO grateful to have friends nearby that are good for him!

The EM Hancocks

It's me, Aaron.......Again

Hi dearest family I'm just posting this because my mom won't, my mom has found another crafty thing (go figure) my mom has started doing glitter toes I will post pics A.S.A.P my mom would like to see how many of you aunts and if you really want them uncles would like glitter toes and or fingers over the fourth of july break that you guys are here. The colors she has are, Onyx, Brownstone, Yellow Barite, Florentine Gold, Silver, Aquamarine Crystal, Turquoise, Lapis Luzuli, Charoite, Peridot, Smoky Quartz, Crystal Fine (or white), Carnelian, Garnet, Golden Beryl, Fire Opal, Tourmaline, and Kunzite. I know this doesn't describe the colors but it's their names. So if you are interested in getting your toes and or hands done or you have any questions inform me or my mom through Facebook or through e-mail my e-mail is airbear_06@yahoo.com or airbear98@gmail.com or you can call us at 435-882-6665 you can also e-mail my mom. (i'm pretty sure you know what her e-mail is)
See you all soon,
The Tooeleian Hancocks (featuring Aaron the only one that will actually write on the blog.
P.S. The toes/nails are free so don't worry about money! :D

Libby's Comment Turned into a Letter

(Editor's Note:  I changed the settings on "comments" and ta-da! found a comment from Libby that had been hidden.  I took her suggestion and posted for all to read!  Also, anyone should be able to comment now!)

Mrs. Hancock (Libby) said...


Great letter, Steve--



I'm sure Mother's Day WAS the best ever with women speaking: sometimes the others don't take into account all of those without and/or who can't have children...other times the speakers just eulogize their mothers so well that us humans feel pretty worthless. I wish I could have heard Lynette's talk!



To the family: you may all really enjoy this blogging of THH, but it sure seems 1) too easy to forget to write to/for, 2) too easy to forget to look at, and 3) to have far fewer contributions than the old-school e-mailed letter.



Since I'm here:



Neither of us have jobs/paychecks after June 30. After 4 months of looking/applying for a job, I have had 5 interviews, and made it to the 2nd part twice; of those two positions, one was revoked (as a result of the teacher leaving NOT leaving after all), and I just found out this morning that I didn't get the other job. So that leaves one other for which I will find out (sometime in the next two weeks) if I make it to the 2nd interview. Dave has sent out a grand total of 5 applications and has had 1 interview; his 2nd interview is this afternoon, and he'll know on that position by Friday. Basically, Dave has the experience and degree but won't use it; I have no experience (being a displaced homemaker doesn't qualify me for any jobs) and no worthwhile degree.



Audrey graduates the 27th; Isaac graduates kinder the 28th; Britt is coming the 27th and staying 'til Sunday morning. That's us.



Libby



PS Feel free Julie to cut and paste if you'd like this to be a "real" letter.