MICHAEL'S IN MISSISSIPPI

Michael called this morning at 5:30 am. He was in the airport waiting for his 7:30 am flight out with 13 other missionaries. We were able to talk for 8 minutes. He said that it felt strange to be out in the "real" world and that everything went well at the airport. He had to put some of his stuff in another missionaries bag to be under 50 pounds. He sounded like he is doing REALLY well and was excited to get to Mississippi. He said that they would start teaching when they arrived. He told us that he visited with Austin Smith (an old friend of his that moved when they were younger) while in the MTC. He mentioned that he went to the Provo temple twice and really enjoyed it. He said he would get us his e-mail and address as soon as he can. We said our "love you's" and our "goodbyes" for now.

Taking Michael to the MTC in Provo, Utah

We left for Utah on Tuesday the 5th of January. We stayed at Michelle's house that night. The next day Michael didn't feel very well. He tried to eat lunch, but it didn't last in his stomach very long - Michelle made accompany sounds (what a duet). We went to the Provo temple and took some pictures. Then it was time to drop him off at the curb. We drove up, they take out his luggage, we hugged him, got one picture and off he went.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS!

Michael becomes a FULL TIME MISSIONARY

At 8:30pm on Jan. 4, 2010 Michael was set apart as a full time missionary. President Hepworth, with Mitch and Steven standing in, set Michael apart. The blessing included: Michael's ability to reach out to others, his strength, leadership and compassion. He blessed him to be safe and recognize the spirit.
Michael will be a great missionary!

CHRISTMAS IN UTAH

Steven, Michael and I (Laurene) went to Utah on the 23rd of December and stayed at Michelle's house. On the 24th (Thur.) we met Mitch and Brittany at the Marriot Hotel at Thanksgiving point. We did the following:

Dec. 24th: Celebrated Kyle and Brittany's Birthdays (They selected the place to eat). Went and drove through the lights at Thanksgiving Point.
Dec. 25th: Opened gifts. Went to the movie "Sherlock Holmes". Went to Temple Square.
Dec. 26th: Went shopping. Went to a Jazz Professional Basketball Game.
Dec. 27th: Everyone traveled to Idaho. Michael talked in church. Went to Lawrnel's home for Harrison get together.
WE ALSO PLAYED A LOT OF GAMES - STEVEN AND KYLE WERE THE CHAMPS!
We had a great time and loved the chance to be with the whole family before Michael leaves.

ELF DANCE -MHS ASSEMBLY

This year, instead of the faculty practicing a dance for the Christmas Assembly at Madison High School, we just allowed technology to do the dancing for us. The video is below:

GOOSE HUNTING Nov. and Dec.

Michael also went goose hunting in December. It will be the last time for a while - but they did really well!

Michael went goose hunting with Dee Klingler . They got 4 geese and had a good morning.

THANKSGIVING DAY 2009 (Nov. 26)

We went to Lawrnel and Julie's home and had Thanksgiving dinner. There was great company and a lot of great food. It was a great day! We missed not seeing all of our kids, but we get them for Christmas.

Michael - Rexburg TEMPLE

Those that went to the temple with Michael Nov. 14, 2009: Mitch and Brittany, Michelle and Kyle, Steven and Laurene (Mom and Dad), Lauralyn and Bryce, Melissa, Lawrnel and Julie, Lawrnde and Elisa, Nesta (Grandma), Sally Ashton (teacher), Claudia and Dan Mecham (friends).
Thanks for being at the right place with Michael. We know he will be a great missionary!

Michael Going to M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I

Doesn't it make you want to spell it? Michael is going to Mississippi on his mission. He will leave Jan.6, 2009.

Hayden Trick-or-Treat

Our little neighbor boy (we claim him as our grandson) came trick-or-treating Saturday night. He is the cutest pumpkin ever. He walks, really runs, everywhere and he is so-o-o cute.

MICHAEL'S Halloween = duck hunting

Michael, Trevor and Ryan Perkes went duck hunting on Halloween.

Michael opening his mission call.

This is the video of Michael opening his mission call. It was great having Grandma Nesta, Mitch, Brittany, Sid (Michael's girlfriend), her sister and friend, Michelle, Kyle, Brayden, and of course myself and Steven supporting Michael. We know that it is where he needs to be for the next two years. He will leave Jan. 6, 2010. You will have to watch the video to find out where he is going!

MICHAEL'S MISSION CALL

Michael received his mission call today in the mail - the next post will be the results. Right now we are waiting for Steven to get off work and for Mitch and Brittany to arrive. Michelle, Kyle and Brayden will be on skype. It will be opened at 7:30 pm.

THE LAST OFFICIAL GUESSES:
Michael - Japan (Dec. 9)
Michelle - Australia (Jan. 6)
Kyle - Chili (Dec. 23)
Grandma and Grandpa Harrison - Texas (Dec. 23)
Mom - California (Jan. 6)
Kaylynn Harrison - Boston (Jan. 6)
Brittany Woolf - New York (Jan. 15)
Mitch - Canada (Dec. 10)
Dad - Oregon (Jan. 15)
Grandma Nesta - Montana (Dec. 2)
Lawrnel - Florida (No date guess)
Lauralyn - Arizona (Jan. 6)
Elisa - London (Jan. 13)
Dee Harrison - Tennessee (Nov. 18)
Dee and Elisa's Plumber - Brazil (No date guessed)
Dee Klingler - Africa (No date guessed)
Bryce Sargent - New Zealand or Australia (Dec 30)
Tyler Sargent - Massachusetts (Jan. 3)
Bryant Sargent - Florida (Jan. 10)
Jared Sargent - North Dakota (Dec. 1)
Nathan Sargent - Missouri (Dec. 11)
Mark Malm - Pennsylvania (Jan. 27)
Melissa Malm - N. Dakota or Texas (Nov. 18)
Ryan Sargent - Flordia (Dec. 23)

HALLOWEEN AT MHS

This year the English Department and Social Studies went with the mythology/Greek theme. I was Helen of Troy and you can decide for yourself who the others were suppose to be.

OUR DOGS.

April, Sammy and Mochie - Our Three Dogs.
April was really cold after her hair cut so I put a blanket around her and she went to sleep that way. Sammy loves to be held by Michael and Steven; he will jump on their leg and beg them to hold him. Mochie is such a sweet heart, she just wants lots of love.

Fishing AGAIN - Sat. 24th.

Steven, Michael and Mitch went fishing on Saturday the 24th. Michael gets everyone to go and then he has a really bad day. Michael caught the smallest fish (only caught 1) and lost his pole in the water (couldn't retrieve it). Mitch and Steven wouldn't stop teasing him because they caught the big ones. We are still waiting on Michael's mission call.

Laurene will be REXBURG'S BIGGEST LOSER

I entered Rexburg's Biggest Loser tonight. I will be in it for 9 weeks. I plan on losing at least 18 pounds and looking thinner that I do in the family picture above. I weigh- in and get measured each week and we take a nutritional class. I am going to do it!

MICHAEL GOT HIS BUCK

Michael and Steven went hunting on Saturday and Monday.
Monday, the 12th, Michael shot a buck. (sorry Michelle).

MICHELLE AND BRAYDEN VISIT

It seems like Michelle and Brayden just got here and had to leave to go home. I will really miss them. It wasn't that eventful of a visit, but it was just great having them around and doing little things. I even got to see my two other grandchildren by ultrasound. Looks like Brittany is having a girl and Michelle is having a very shy child that keeps its legs crossed. (Visit 10/3/09 - 10/10/09).

MITCH AND MICHAEL GO FISHING

Michael and Mitch went fishing Friday (Oct. 9). Mitch only had 4 hours of sleep because of his shift work out at the site as an engineer. They both caught some nice fish. Mitch got the big one (19 inches and 3 1/2 pounds) and the other rainbow. Michael got the two beautiful browns. Michael had a couple of other "big" fish on, but they got away - at least that is the "fish story". It is great that Mitch goes fishing with him. Brayden couldn't believe that Mitch would come without Brittany - but he got to play with her later that night! What a fabulous aunt!