first letter

 We finally heard from Elder Thacker!! He made it safely to the Philippines MTC and survived his firt week there.  Here are few of my favorite snippets from his first letter:

"Let's just say that the 10 hour flight to Tokyo was a really long flight in a suit."
"I got a haircut right as I walked in and it's a bit of a struggle."
"There is so much information, I feel like I am back in American Studies or AP Lit, but now it's AP GOSPEL."
"There is always rice in every meal.  Tons of it.  But you can't go wrong with soy sauce."
"Oh, and mom, I have enough medical stuff in my luggage.  Still waiting to be the MTC paramedic."
"Mahal Ko Po kayo, sa lamat po kay mga pangalan! (I love you guys and thank you for your prayers!)

Ok I BAWLED reading this!! It's totally Cooper--witty, sarcastic, a picky eater, and just totally game for an adventure.  He is totally rolling with the punches.  He is totally a missionary now!!

Castle Dale with Pops

I don't know if I've ever introduced you to Myer's grandpa, Jake's dad, but he has worked for the LDS church in their Lighting Design department for 27 years.  He is the guy that sets up all the lights for the pageants in Manti, Nauvoo, Hill Cummorah, and Castle Dale.  (He designed all the lights in the Conference Center and controls them each and every General Conference)  So Jake and Myer took a trip down to the Castle Dale pageant and hung out with the expert himself.  Myer eats all of this stuff up and loved being by Papa's side.  He felt pretty official riding around with Papa on the four wheeler checking on stuff.  He also hung around the pageant site, riding horses, made a prairie diamond, and ate pioneer bread. 

The next day they jeeped Little Grand Canyon.  And the most exciting thing, according to Myer, was finding a dinosaur footprint.  This kid.  Always on adventures and finding cool stuff.  It helps to have cool grandparents.

see you in 2, Elder

First up was Cooper's farewell.(and a very cooperative Myer).  All of my siblings were there, even Jessie who flew in that morning from California. It was a special Sunday. And Cooper gave a great farewell talk.  It was full of the spirit and just powerful.  He is going to rock this mission thing.

 Set apart as an official Elder.  After he was set apart, we each got a turn to tell Cooper why we thought he will be a successful missionary.  It was special to share our hope in him and the faith we already had in his calling as a missionary.  All that I have been able to think about is that night and what comfort I felt.  He will be taken care of.

 Goodbyes at the airport. At 5 AM.  By this time, my eyes have had enough!  From all the tearful goodbyes and early rise to the airport, they were a swollen mess.  But Cooper looked calm, confident, and just ready to go.  He lead the pack of missionaries flying with him and initiated the goodbyes to all of us.  He didn't want to wait anymore, he was ready to go!

On his way!

I've never cried so much in 3 days.

Be safe Elder.

Let the countdown begin.

post reunion blues

 Last weekend we had our Annual Thacker Family Reunion (my dad's family) with 60 of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and their kids.  It was a big loud group!  The first day they spent at Seven Peaks and then stayed the weekend in what we called "The Mansion" in Mapelton.  It was huge and had every kind of room imaginable.  But it fit all of us which was quite the endeavor.

 We spent the rest of the weekend playing games, cheering on the talents in the talent show, ate loads of food, swam in the indoor pool, played in the indoor gym, laughed at the lip sync contest, and slept just a little.  I love this huge family of mine because they treated my kids like one of their own.  They held Lennon as often as she would let them, and played with Myer hours upon hours.  Myer felt like one of the immediate cousins.  I mean look at this family!  I love them all!

She turned one! That means Lennon is next....

So we've been there for each other in almost everything like college, boys, marriage, work, but my most favorite thing we've shared is motherhood.  I feel extremely lucky that we have girls the same age (and that they are girls, duh!) and that I have such a friendship with Anna that we can share every step together. We're constantly exchanging tips or questions about diaper rash, solids foods, playtime ideas, footed pajamas, having play dates, or even getting a girls night out.  This amazing mama has been my rock.  And I can't believe it's already been a year.  Happy Birthday sweet Emerson girl.  So happy you're in our life.  And kuddos Anna and Casey, you've raised a beautiful little lady.  And to Anna especially, motherhood looks good on you.  So lucky that we'll keep sharing this road together and that I'll have my sounding board every step of the way.