Open House and FHE Night.

Andi and Ed Ficher had an Open House, farewell party for us before we moved on Friday. It was awesome. I really didn't expect anyone to come, so it shocked me when so many people came. The food was amazing too, but of course it was, if you know Andi she is quite the chef, and goes all out. I really am glad for the time we had in Salinas and for the great friends we made, and the wonderful memories we will have forever with family, friends, and the wonderful ward. We have been blessed by all of you, Thanks.

Linda, and Molly.

Nick, Max, and Jordan.

Rachael, Lauren, and Jordan.

Katrina, Mary and Miley.

Carrie, Aaron, and Gaven.

Jessica and Lauren getting tickled by Ed.

Chelsea, Rachael, Nate, Ashley, and Madeline.

Johnathan and Andi.

Bishop Ficher...aka Dad... and Sister (Kris) and Brother Word.

Our Family.

The Jones. Janette, and Andi helped me so much in packing and cleaning and helping with the kids. Thank you both, I owe you.

Thank you Andi, and Ed (aka Mom and Dad in Salinas) for this wonderful farewell party. It was so nice to be able to say goodbye and see and talk to everyone who came. Thanks for making us feel loved.

Jared and Bishop Varney saying goodbye. The plate of goodies was actually the Bishops but he made Jared hold it so he wouldn't look like he was pigging out.

Monday night before we moved the Von Forell's invited us over for dinner. It was so good, pot roast and mashed potatoes, and then some apple crisp for desert. We had a wonderful time and we sure will miss them. The guys hung out in the living room and talked while watching TV. Jared watched Miley for the most part which was nice and Nate played with the kids, so I got to talk to Roxanne. It is aways nice to talk to a woman.

Jared, Miley, and Alex watching the Big Bang Theory. It is so funny, if you haven't seen it you need to. Jared always says, after we watch it, that he would be just like one of the guys on the TV series, if he didn't have me. It is so funny.

Dan and the thumbs up.

Brianne doing a little jig.

Nate and Taylor.

Roxanne making desert, (apple crisp) it was so good. I need the receipt.

Me and my Angel!

Nate, me, Miley, Brianne, and Roxanne.

Nate and Miley ready for the move.

10-24 and 10-27

Places We'll miss in Salinas!

First Awakenings........... Salinas High School

My late night donut shop. Salinas Memorial Hospital where Miley was born.

The Street all the doctors were on. North Main St exit to get home.

The broken play ground.....Cypress Creek Apartments.

The Ocean And the Beach

Its so pretty..................

Carmel.......... Monterey

Driving home..... The fields, and fields of strawberries, lettuce, and spinach.

The giant people and truck in the fields.... Our KFC and the memories there.

Going to the Movies on dates with my wonderful husband.... And Casentini St....

Of course we will miss the people more but these are just some of the buildings.

Getting ready to move.

I know we have already moved, but before we moved I didn't have time to post much so I am going back to post them now.

This is the wall we have been marking to see how much Nate is growing since we moved to Salinas. As you can see he has grown almost a whole heads length. He grows so fast.

Daddy got home for lunch and was able to get our little Miley Moo to sleep on his shoulder.

Here is Nate watching Star Wars Clone Wars while I pack and clean.

10-25 Our last Saturday here. This is us in the morning before we went to eat at First Awakenings, our favorite breakfast joint.

Nate took these 2 pictures of me while I was packing and cleaning. Our house looks so empty. We will miss our apartment. We have had so many good memories here.

Pictures of Russell, aka Elder Smart

This is the letter I got from Russell my brother serving a mission in Guatemala.

RENA,
How are you doing? How is Jared? How is your family doing? I am doing fine down here. Spanish is coming, but it is always a struggle to learn a little more every day. Just in case you didn't know, I've been called to the mission office, and might be leaving this next change. It is fun in the office, you get to work pretty closely with the mission president, and know the inner workings of a mission. But it is a little more stressful, and you don't get to spend a lot of time working as a missionary.

Guatemala is fine. The people here are really friendly for the most part. the members are really nice, and always welcoming. The food is good, sometimes a little bland. The main base food here is corn and beans. I rather enjoy black beans now, in fact last night, I was hungry and just heated up some puree beans. i was too lazy to cook myself anything bigger.

Thank you for the package that you sent a couple months ago. I really appreciate it, and thanks for the email. I love the pictures. You really seem to be enjoying it in California, but hopefully you do get to move a little closer to home.

How are Cordell and Nancy doing? they don't write very often. Every time they do write, it seems like a ton of things have happened, like Chris joining the National Guard, Mike and Megan getting married, Persephanie hanging out in Wellsville.
Thanks for the love you send, I hope that all is well in California with you guys. Congratulations with Miley. I am sure he a bundle of fun (Nate sure was).

Till next time,

Elder Smart

PS, I have filled out a little bit. I have gained about 10 pounds here in the mission. Don't worry, there is just a little bit more of me to love :D

You can email him at rusmart@myldsmail.net, I just thought those of you who know Russell might like to see him.

Chips and Bungie Bears

Miley loves to play with Chip bags lately and Nate's bungie bears. She is getting so good with her hands and being able to grab things and hold them while she looks at them and tries to put them in her mouth. Both items are ones I have to watch her at all times to make sure she is safe. She is so cute, curious, and fun. Nate and Miley have been so good while I have been packing and getting ready to move. I can't believe how fast time is going. We are on the last full week that we will be living out here in Salinas. We have had a lot of good memories and this has been our home for over 2 years. We love our ward and the beach. We sure will miss it when we are gone even thought Vegas is looking so good. It will be so nice to have a temple in the area and to be so close to family. Also living in a home and the cost of living will be such a blessing. We are so lucky. I just love my family and I am so grateful for the wonderful memories and the experiences we have had to grow and learn. I will miss our apartment and even the home we have built in it here in Cali, I will miss our friends, and the ward, but I can't wait to start our new adventure in our new home. Thanks to the people in Salinas that have been a part of our life and memories.

Well Elder Swallow did get transferred this last Sunday so we took our last look at him and said goodbye. It was good getting to know you. Thanks again for your service and friendship.

Our cute kids.

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