First Day of School

Senior

Sophomore

There are some interesting things going on over at Westview High School with all the budget cuts and teacher layoffs in the school district- some of the classes have over 50 students- with two rooms opened up together and some students not even having desks to sit in.  Melissa got in a Lit & comp 12 class (she didn't get her choice of class and still needed another lit to graduate). Her teacher was a Librarian and had them all write their names on Popsicle sticks for him to draw out of a cup to ask questions.  It reminds her of Primary.  She got asked the question:  “What is plagiarism?”  She is having a hard time dealing with this class- hopefully she will survive- not at all like the AP classes she’s been taking.  Many kids didn't get their choice of classes, and there has been a lot of schedule mess ups- one kid got two periods of seminary, and AP music- which he didn't sign up for, and others that wanted it  didn't get in. Oh the drama of high school and low budgets…  I've heard good things about the new band teacher- Rachel says he is adjusting to teaching High school as opposed to Middle school.  It is weird not having a family member in marching band this year.  More free time after school and on Saturdays.

          

Jennifer headed off to Rexburg  for her last semester at BYU-I.  She has a great line up of art classes, and is excited for her art field trip in October to Washington DC.  Can you believe she will be a college graduate in December?

Jessica is settling in to her new semester at BYU Provo now finishing up her second week.  She texted us a picture of her 3^rd row seat in the end zone at the football game.  She said she got a great show from Cosmo, however the game was long and a little boring (not quite the same as with a sax in hand I guess).

Lazy

The house is quiet during the days now as the fall schedule settles in. Kind of nice:-)

YW Camp Sweatshirts

Crayola (2012), Overture (2008), Myriad (2010), Calico Sky (2005), & Extraordinaire (2007)

In our stake it is a tradition that after completing your 4th year of  Young Women Camp Certification, you are presented with a special camp sweatshirt that has camp patches and a name written on it  that has been selected uniquely for you. This is presented at a special KIT  fireside after the 4th years have completed their requirements. IT IS A BIG DEAL!  The girls are called up to the front one at a time (with a lot of screaming and jumping up and down), and a camp leader reads a wonderful description of the young woman's talents, traits, personality, hobbies, etc.  At the end of this description their camp name is revealed and they are given their sweatshirt. It is always exciting to see what color has been selected for that year. (Leaders get a red one after serving in camp for 4 years). Well Rachel received hers this year, and I just had to get a photo of the Leete Ladies in our Camp Sweatshirts while we were all together!  I had made sure that Jennifer brought her sweatshirt home with her so we could take this picture. Of course we put it off until the last minute.  Jessica was to leave the next morning and her clothes were already packed.  It was late, and it was dark outside.  I had to drag and beg to get everyone together. Brian had a hard time seeing in the camera viewfinder because it was dark outside- but he snapped away hoping we'd all be in the picture frame and smiling all at the same time. He managed to get a few with us all in the frame, these were the best.

Thumbs up for Kevin!

4th of July

Kevin,

It’s the 4^th of July here! Grandma B and Richard came to visit for a day. You will see the picture of the picnic table, with mom’s handiwork in the background.

We started the day with the ward breakfast. We made eggs again, that seems to be the tradition that’s developing. Get up in the morning, and make 5 dozen scrambled eggs. Then we went to the parade at noon. Rachel marched with the Westview band, and played clarinet. That afternoon we had a barbeque. That’s when the picture was taken. After that Grandma B and Richard had to go, so they missed the fireworks.  The fireworks were great, as they are every year.

Rachel went camping with another family. She had a great time, but was so zonked after the trip she missed church.

Jessica has a job with a family watching a couple of kids. Things are going really well – except one of the kids was playing on the trampoline, and she did some donkey kicks, fell over and broke her arm. Jessica was mortified. It’s not her fault though, there was not much she can do. The child was on the trampoline by themselves, under supervision, and just fell on their arm. She had to call the family, have the parents come home from work, take the child to the hospital, etc. Luckily the family realizes it was an accident and she still has a job J.

Jessica seems to be having a great time at the singles ward. The place is really hopping…. Monday FHE, Tuesday institute (sometimes with an activity afterwards), and usually some other kind of activity during the week. Between her job, odd jobs (tutoring , and watering plants), and the ward she seems pretty active. She is also learning to play the organ, so she goes to practice at the church on a regular basis.

Melissa got her AP scores, 2 3’s and 2 4s. She did really well last year, and we are all proud of her.

Jennifer has 2 weeks left of school and she is out for the summer! We look forward to seeing her for the break. One more semester and we will have a college graduate on our hands. She is posting her work in the art building, and working on her portfolio.

Well, that’s  all for now.

Work hard, baptize lots, do the right things.

We are proud of you.

Dad

Mother's Day

What a wonderful Day!  Jessica made a yummy breakfast: waffles, pancake (yes only one with left over batter for Rachel), and fried eggs.  I got some great new metal spinners from Melissa and Jessica for the backyard. (It’s time to throw out the old ugly worn out ones).  Rachel gave me a nice little card book that she made. I got a nice phone call from Jennifer.  I also got a nice Hallmark from my husband.  Church was very nice.  Two nice talks on how great their moms are by 2 college girls home for the summer (my former Laurels), and 2 talks from some wise sr. men of our ward.  One is 100 years old!  Some great stuff.  The ward was also treated to a sweet song sung by the primary kids.  All the RS sisters were given a box with 3 chocolates in it hand delivered by the YM. YUM.  We came home from church to have the table all set and dinner almost ready- that is one advantage of having Jessica attend the singles ward.  She served us up some great curry.  The highlight of the day was to skype with Elder Kevin Leete.  We were all set up so we could see him on the TV, and Jennifer was logged in too and skyping to Melissa’s account- we had that laptop set up so Jennifer could watch and hear Kevin on the TV.  We all sat on the couch- with the laptop on the coffee table pushed out far enough so we all fit on the screen.  We waited patiently for Kevin to log in at 1. . .however we waited an hour- he appeared at 2.  We had a great time talking and seeing him.  All is good in missionland.  His testimony is strong.  He is working hard.  He is happy.  And we are proud.

One of our mother’s day traditions that I enjoy is to have a mother’s day concert where the kids all perform for me.  Well, earlier this week the kids said that no way was that happening this year.  I was bummed, but had accepted it.  Well, today in the kitchen while Melissa was making brownies- I mentioned that something was missing this year.  She said, “You mean your concert?”  And I said, ”yes”.  She then told me that she had prepared to sing something and that Jessica was going to accompany her.  That brought a smile to my face.  So later after dinner, we gathered in the living room for the little concert (little, cuz there was only going to be one number performed).  To my surprise, as Jessica started playing- I started to recognize the song and was so excited.  Melissa was singing the Knot Fairy!!  She was so cute and sounded wonderful (voice lessons are really paying off).  I was a little thrown off, when the accompaniment sounded different- Jessica had made a new arrangement.  I had to listen to it again to appreciate it and accept the fact that they had made it better.  A big thank you to my lovely daughters for sharing their talent with me.

 It was a very nice mother’s day.  I am very blessed.

From Mom to Kevin

Dear Kevin-

Wow, your mission chart is now half filled in!  Time is flying by. It is hard to believe that you have been in Brazil for a year now. It is so good to hear from you each week and of your hard and dedicated work.  Keep it up and you will continue to be blessed and find happiness in the Lord’s work. You must be a great missionary, if you were able to train your greenie well enough for him to be a trainer!!!!!!   Tell us about your new companion and area.

 This week Rachel had 3 lacrosse games.  Her team is doing very well- they are undefeated!  This is their last week with 2 more games- we’ll see if they can hold on to that title.

 The weather continues to be crazy here- raining, raining, and raining, then a sunny day. We are starting to wonder if they will ever be able to pour the cement where they ripped out our sidewalk.  We call it the moat now, because it is always filled up with water.

Me and Jessica have been working a little on building a structure in the back yard that Jennifer and I started when she was here out of the wood from the 4 trees we cut down in the front.  It is starting to look like something finally- and hopefully with the sun out this week we can finish it.  It is an arbor-gazebo type thing we are building on the cement.  We still have lots of tree branches stacked in the backyard- I’ll have to come up with some more projects to make with them or we will just have lots of firewood to burn this summer!

Rebecca came again for FHE on Monday- and the Elders came too.  Dad gave a nice lesson on one of the general conference talks, sent Rachel off to lacrosse practice, then played some liars dice.  Rebecca and Jessica looked up institute classes, and went to one on Tuesday night.  Jessica looked pretty excited to get out and do some socializing- she’s been home a couple weeks now and getting a little stir crazy.  She has been enjoying cooking and trying out new recipes.  I enjoy her cooking- and her cleaning up the kitchen!  She continues to apply for jobs, but hasn’t had any luck yet.  She has done some babysitting though.  Jessica went to Tanasborne Ward today.  Rebecca wasn’t able to- dinner schedule with her folks didn’t make it possible, but she met up with Jessica later for the CES fireside.  Jessica came home happy- had a good time at the singles ward, then dinner linger longer, then the fireside.  Things should pick up socially as the college students start coming home for the summer.

 The Relief Society had a birthday party on Thursday- They had a Jeopardy game, and I was the host.  It was fun.  They also had a cake decorating contest.  At home when trying to decide what cake to make I dug out all our old kid cake pans.  The girls voted for the Cookie Monster.  So I baked it, Jessica made a giant cookie for him to hold, and did most of the decorating.  It won the most creative.  When I was asked to tell about the cake I told them that I had bought the cake pan for your 1^st birthday.  And what a coincidence- it was your mission 1yr bday too!  So here is a picture of your cake:          

HaPpY 1 Year on your Mission!

We thought of you as we ate it.

  Well, Steven W. is now married.  We went to his reception at his parents’ house last night.  He looked good, and Kristi looked very happy.  We enjoyed the refreshments- cake pops (cakes rolled into balls, put on lolly pop sticks and dipped in chocolate). They are quite the rage here now.

Well, that is all I can think of for this week.    Keep up the great work; we continue to pray for your safety, and success. And have faith in you and your new assignment as Zone Leader. You’ll do great.

 Lots of Love,

MomJ

 PS.  Do you get to call home for Mother’s Day?

Letter from Father to Son

April 29, 2012

Kevin,

Jessica’s home from BYU. She is looking for a job, and learning to cook. Apparently her cooking skills last year weren’t enough for her, and she is on the hunt for new things to cook. I think mom and I are going to be putting on some weight in the next couple of months.  Melissa has also gotten the food bug, and has made 3 different kinds of brownies this week. They are taking pictures of their culinary creations so posterity will remember this summer forever.  

 This week was stake conference, Rebecca joined us for conference. She will be attending FHE a little more now that she is feeling better. She came last week, and we had a fire in the backyard. I had to go to bed but She and
Jessica stayed up at least till midnight burning logs.

 The message for priesthood leadership was “lead by example”. One talk told a story by Ghandi. A mother brought her son to Ghandi, and said that her son eats too much sugar, and wanted Ghandi to tell her son not to eat too much sugar. Ghandi said he couldn’t do that, and told her to come back in a few weeks. She came back in a few weeks, and Ghandi looked the child in the eye and told him not to eat too much sugar. The mother was surprised and asked Ghandi why he couldn’t do that a few weeks ago. Ghandi replied, I couldn’t tell your son not to eat sugar, because I was eating too much sugar. Over the last few weeks I have not eaten too much sugar and now I feel I can tell your son to do the same.  Lead by example in all you do.

Jennifer is back at BYU, and taking more art classes. Bookbinding seems to be her favorite class this semester.

Melissa had a violin recital. Keturah Bay played piano. It went well, they both did very well.

I sent  Jessica, Melissa and Rachel to a Coldplay concert last week. They had a good time. There were 2 warm up bands, so they didn’t get home till after 10:30.  I think it was a good experience for them. They had to go by themselves (Rachel was mortified at the thought that Mom and I might come). They had a good time.

 I went to a work retreat for a day at the Skamania Lodge out in the Columbia gorge. It was good, we had a patent think tank for the stuff I am working on. A Patent think tank is where you brainstorm good ideas that you might not normally think of in your daily work, and file patents on it.

Devin Santa is home! He looks good. I think He’s taller now than when he left. His mom and dad are really happy to see him.

 Rachel had a couple of Lacrosse games last week. Both home games at Westview. I think I froze both games, but we won both handily. Rachel played goalie for the entire game on the second game. She let 4 goals go by, but since the other team let 15, I think she did pretty well.

Mom had a birthday last week. I got her a mug, and some flowers and a balloon for her birthday, Jessica made her favorite carrot cake.

Good luck, work hard, teach lots of people and baptize….

Dad

A Heart from Rachel

Bday Cake- 24.5 Candles (half her age)

Melissa after Recital with Keturah her accompanist and friend.

We Finally Made it to Summer Vacation!

We had a wonderful week at YW camp.  The theme this year was RSVP -Return to the Savior Virtuous and Praiseworthy. The scripture was the 13^th article of Faith (this year’s mutual theme).  The camp had a party theme- each cabin a different party. 

 The YCLs (Party Police)  welcome all the YW to the PARTY

Melissa was a councilor over 2^nd years and she had a blast – her cabin was the Harry Potter Party.  Jessica was with the 3^rd years:  Dance Party.  Their 4 cabins were Swing (that is where Jess was), Fiesta, Ballerina, and Hip Hop (Rachel was in this cabin).  I was with the 1^st years helping with certification and was cabin mom for the Masquerade Madames.   Jessica was also a YCL (youth camp leader) and they were the Party Police.  They all did a wonderful job decorating thier cabins.  I'll post some pictures when I get copies.

Counselors of the Harry Potter Party Cabin

Masquerade Madams

Dance Party

The  women leaders at camp were all Superheroes. For this skit I was a chauffeur in the League of Extraordinary Women. (all the superheroes bestowed a super power on the YW).  Instead of cabins doing skits this year each ward did one. Requirements were for the skit to each contain a wig, swim noodle, pose, and movie quote.  Our ward did project runway.  All the designers used a noodle in their design, and of course the models each had a wig.  We had “short people” as our judges (Rachel was a head and feet, and Jessica was a set of arms).  Rachel said the movie quote at the end which was "Alas, Earwax". Pretty stupid but fun. 

The Project Runway, Camp Edition  Judges

As usual, camp was one big party, but extremely spiritual too. A great experience for all.  Highlight for the bishopric of course was winning the canoe race on Bishopric night.  They had a nice fireside with us.  Talked about listening.  Getting away from the noise and distractions of the world and listening.  They had us all find quiet places outside by ourselves and listen and pray.  It was a spiritual experience for us.  Brother Atack gave everyone ibuds (earplugs on string attached to nothing) with this note: “iBud  Inspirational listening device.  Take time away from the world to listen to your Heavenly Father.”  Jessica (and the YCLs) did a great job working and planning the camp this year.  She wrote a nice part in the scripture study program on “Endure”  for the devotional on Thursday night and she bore an inspiring testimony on the subject.  Camp ended on a high with Saviors Eve on Thursday night, and testimony meeting on Friday morning before heading for home.

Leete Ladies

Saturday was relaxing being home.  It was nice to sleep in my own bed and take a long shower.  Melissa and Rachel went to a Teri-stake dance at Seaside on the beach.  Jessica and I went to wedding reception, then picked up Brian from max station as he was returning from Montana where he visited his dad and the two of them toured Yellowstone, and did a quick visit with Jennifer in Rexburg. 

Sunday in Sacrament meeting Jessica was called up from the congregation to share her testimony of camp.  She did a wonderful job telling of all the things that she has learned from camp the last 7 years.  After that the Stake president put a new bishopric and we heard testimonies from the old and the new.  A very nice meeting. 

Now that camp is over, and Brian is on his sabbatical, summer vacation can now begin! The weather is being freaky – we’ll have a sunny day here and there, but  today it is raining again.  A very wet year we’ve been having.  We started by working in the yard Monday morning.  The girls ripped out the bushes by the stop sign.  I trimmed the roses.  We will work a few days in the yard each week. For FHE we planned out  (kind of) what we want to do this summer.  We’ll do day trips. Brian will also take each girl on a short motorcycle trip.   Before the reunion in August we will head down and stop in San Jose/San Francisco area and do stuff.  After Reunion do the southern California stuff- mostly theme parks.  We’ll see how it all turns out. 

June 8-14, 2011

Wed June 8 Me and my folks went to the Jr. Grand floral Parade.  It was in the Hollywood district- on the other side of the river near the residential area (where we parked) and old town stores (kind of like downtown Beaverton).  It was a long parade- mostly all middle school bands and various youth groups.  Unicycles, drill teams, cub scouts etc.  It was fun.  After Rachel marched by I followed to meet her at the end.  They took 3 busses to get there, but only had 2 to get them home so I gave her and 2 of her friends a ride home.

 

That evening for combined mutual activity the priests took us on a hike up to Pittock Mansion.  I was a driver so dropped my carload at the trail head then drove up the rest of the way.  We set up yogurt with toppings by the front lawn of the mansion for when they got there.  They had been sent up with maps on different trails in groups of 4.  Each group had a very heavy back pack to carry up.  Adults were stationed along the way to suggest other trails.   When all the groups reached the top they ate yogurt parfaits, enjoyed the view and Nathan and the Bishop lead a discussion of their journey up the trail.  The theme this month was Endure.  The bishop said the hike didn’t quite turn out how they had hoped- the guys with the backpack were being studdly and didn’t share the burden with their group.  Also everyone stuck to the trail on their map.  However they got some great discussions and thoughts shared.

Thursday June 9^th  was graduation day! It took us a long time to get there with bumper to bumper traffic.  We were to be there at 6:30- made it there after 7.  Melissa and the band took another route than we did , they left at 5 and got there as people were let in at 6:30.  The band sounded good- they were in the bleachers this year behind the podium in the corner.  The Chiles center was packed.  We sat in the bleachers  behind the graduates.  The choir sounded good.  The speeches were nice- the whole program seemed a lot shorter than last year, but the graduating class was huge and it took a while to read through all the names. It was a pretty mellow ceremony- only one beach ball came out and it was quickly confiscated. (Jessica said that her class was pretty boring). We took pictures and made it home with barely enough time for Jessica to open her cards and gifts.  She took a piece of her graduation chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting to eat in the car as I took her to the school to catch the bus at 10:30pm.  I picked her up the next morning at 5- she was tiered, but had a great time.  She won some smiley faced boxers and a camera.

Saturday, June 11, was the Grand Floral Parade.  We met up with Sis Walker at her usual spot to enjoy the festivities.  It was a cold day- but no rain.   Rachel brought her friend Serena- they had fun shopping at Pioneer place and drawing rainbow pony on the street. Grandma and pa now can boast that they have been to a rose parade in both California and Oregon.

 

After the parade, the band had a party at the Oak Hills rec center, and Rachel and Serena went swimming at the pool.  The clouds cleared and it was a beautiful sunny day.  Jessica and Melisa went to another grad party that evening.

Grandma and pa left here Monday morning- next stop for them at Uncle Jon’s, then off to Uncle Jim’s to meet up with some cousins visiting from Australia to tour the Disney studios and go to Yosemite. 

Things are calming down here now that the concerts, parades, and graduation is over and that company is all gone. Melissa has been doing finals.  Must not be too hard cuz I haven’t seen much studying going on around here. Jessica has been sleeping in and then spending time with Nate.  Today she, Lanea, and Chelsea kidnapped the guys  from the band room after finals and took them blindfolded to OMSI for the Narnia exhibit.  They are now upstairs playing Mario carts.  Brother Chin and Adam are now our Home teachers and visited this evening.  Melissa and Jessica have been spending her spare time preparing for girls camp.  Grandma helped when she was here painting.  Rachel has been exiled from the bonus room where all the camp secrets have been stockpiled and worked on.  Tomorrow is Rachel’s 8^th grade graduation party.  I will be going to help in the BINGO room with Mrs. Kennefick.

It's Back to School Again!

Well, its off to school again! Jessica is a Senior, Melissa a Sophomore, and Rachel is beginning her last year in middle school as a 8th grader. The other night when Rachel was off getting her schedule and I sat there at the middle school talking with a friend, we counted up my consecutive years at Meadow Park Middle School: 10! And half of those had been with more than one child there. It is the end of an other era. Time flies by, and the kids keep growing up. Two kids in college, two in high school, and the youngest not a little kid anymore. They are all growing up to be wonderful young adults. I am so very, very proud of them!

Rachel ready to head off for the 8:35am bus.

Melissa ready for her Sophmore year.

Jessica eager for her Senior year- one AP paper already written and ready to be turned in.

Jessica gives Melissa and Kalia a ride to school in our new kid car "Ozzy".

Have a Great School Year Kids!!

Jessica turns 17

On May 17th Jessica celebrated her 17th birthday.We had a quick scripture time at 6:15am and then got right into the gifts. She got some pretty things: necklace, earrings, and scarf. A Snuggie (a fake one- but much nicer color and softer!)She also received a keyboard notepad and a female beta fish (from Rachel). In the mail she received a Book of Mormon in French from Jennifer, and card and $ from Grandma & Grandpa Greenall.What a Beautiful Young Woman!!!!!We had baked French Toast for breakfast.She was surprised to get a bunch of balloons from Kevin tied to her chair in Symphonic Band when she got to class. Melissa took her to Jamba Juice after school. Later in the day she received a package from Grandma B and Granddad: A nice tote bag which she now uses to carry her piano music. For dinner we had her choice of Chicken Broccoli Casserole. And Chocolate Cake (made from scratch) with Sea Foam Frosting. Served with Cherry Chip and Mint and Chip Ice cream. YUM!Lighting the 17 candles. . .

Blown all out in one swoop.Rachel contemplates which piece she'll get. Kevin and his nice short hair. He was giving himself a buzz and asked me to touch up the back for him- oops the comb had fallen off the buzzers and I gave him a nice stripe up the back. He said not to worry about it and cut the rest to match.

It was a Happy Day for Jessica.