Brenda and Family!

The Bob Brisko family is doing well so far for the first part of 2009. We have all had our share of colds and flu but everyone is feeling great now except for Bart who is suffering from a sore/cracked rib from one of his basketball games that got a little too rough. Bob’s foot is getting stronger and the swelling is not as severe as it has been. So we have been getting back into our old routine with everyone busy in their respective spheres of life. It has been nice to get away little more from everyday chores and enjoy some time together.

We were able to spend some time in Hawaii with Barney and Marielle in the middle of January.

It was a great time to get-away from all of the smog/inversion, snow and cold. We were able to go to the PCC and enjoy the big night show and villages.

We also visited the Arizona Memorial and the Missouri. I like the patriotic and sacred feelings that the Arizona Memorial brings. It was quite windy for 2-3 days while we were there so at the North Shore the waves were huge and some of the locals were out trying/doing surfing which was great to watch. I think it would be a fun place for the Cleverly siblings to go some day when we are fat and old. There are a lot of places to enjoy just sitting back and enjoying the scenery OR for anyone who would like to join us there.

Karla and Family!

Update on the Hamner Family -
We had a foot of snow here and we were totally snowed in for a day. They cancelled school for Tori so that was fun.
Tori also had her 16th birthday and so she can now officially date. She has to wait for a month to get her license, though.
Lance is no longer just being judgmental. He is "officially" judging people now.

Sean is happy and healthy in the MTC. He wrote about a couple of funny things that are below:

"My bed came with 2 elastic (fitted) sheets and no normal sheet, but that’s okay because that’s how I lived at the condo."

"Tell everyone that I welcome any and all packages. I think I can use stuff as currency here... like cigarettes in prison.

"When missionaries are getting ready to leave, they throw out stuff they don’t want and pile it up. The pile is right next to my room, so I get first dibs. Yesterday I got a pile of envelopes and some candy. There’s still some more stuff out there. It was a pretty profitable plundering."

If anyone wants to write to Sean his address is:

Elder Samuel Sean Hamner

MTC Mailbox 83

Nevada Las Vegas Mission

2005 North 900 East

Provo, Utah 84604

Numbers 1 and 2 or 59 and 60!

It was so good to see those of us who were able to make it to the party at Grandma Connie's on the 27th. The food was delicious so thank you all! It is always great to see everyone and catch up on life but, personally, my favorite part of the evening was the gaming. Mafia is one of the funnest and FUNNIEST games that I have played in a long time. . .especially when played with Cleverly's. Nancy is definitely the most involved. Karla is the best liar (I could never call her out) and Tori - you go girl. . you might want to consider a job in Hollywood. Ellen was the most level player I have seen, whether she was the good, bad, or town folk she acted the same with every response. Some favorite game moments included the commentary from Grandma. She would sneak in her tidbits about who was moving or how she couldn't see anyone's heads moving when they were asked to. It was a GREAT time!
By the time the crowd started clearing. . .at 2 a.m.. . .we realized that maybe we played a little longer than we should have. . .I think it was the blank stares the last few games that gave it away. I had a great time and would like to thank you all for coming and playing. I hope we do it again soon!

As a side note - I got a new camera for Christmas and after dropping it - got frustrated with trying to figure out how to use it that night. I only have a few pictures but would LOVE to post more. If any of you have pictures from this night that you would like to add, send them to me and I will put 'em up.

Rhonda and Family

Hello Family,
It was so nice to see everyone! The kids are growing so fast. Would anyone be interested in a family reunion in July or August? I'd like to try to get Nikki and Kelly to attend. Brenda has some great suggestions as far as destinations. If we started planning now it would be a lot of fun. Happy New Year!
Love, Rhonda & Jeff.

Called to Serve. . .

Sean's Mission Picture 08

Well, it arrived the day before Halloween on Alex's birthday -- Sean's mission call! He texted Karla and me saying, "Guess whose autograph I got?" My first thought was it would be some NBA or NFL player he ran into somewhere. He tends to meet those types somehow. We texted back, "Who?" He says, "Thomas S. Monson. It came in a white envelope."

When: January 14, 2009 to report to MTC
Where: Nevada Las Vegas Mission (Spanish speaking)
Slogan: Viva Las Vegas!!