Christmas Package to Mexico

 These are all of the packages that were in Elder Horlacher's Box to Mexico, until I contacted the shipping gentleman and he told me that I needed to unwrap all of the packages due to customs. At least I got a picture of the box before I unwrapped everything. I also had to take out the Nerf Guns that I had wrapped for him and his companion. The ornament is what will be on my tree this year, representing our son on his mission. She even did the kakui nut lei with flowers around his neck. Michelle Lott did an amazing job!!!

 These are the ornaments that the family
all got together and made for our two missionaries. They were so cute and fun representing all of our family who loves them sooooo much!!!
        This is the Christmas tree that we sent them and the ornaments will go on the tree to give them a little festive feeling. This is the ornament that we sent to Elder Horlacher to let him know how much we miss him.
  These are the stockings that I sent to Elder Horlacher and his companion and the big one will be Trevor's for the next 2 years on my mantle. This has been so much fun to put together, I just hope he knows how much he is loved and missed. I hope this helps him with his homesickness especially during the holidays.

We had all of the family come over for a potluck and an evening to make ornaments for our missionaries. 

 It was such a wonderful night being together and enjoying each other's company.

 My mom was so cute she bought the boys Christmas ties and Dad's favorite chocolates.

Pictures from My Missionary

Elder Horlacher is still in Esperanza and LOVING every minute of it!!!

 

 
 

Air Supply Concert

I have ALWAYS loved Air Supply since I was in High School. I remember going to Tuacahn and watching them in concert about 10 years ago, little did I know that I would someday be a housemanager at Tuacahn and have the opportunity to work the concert.

I love my job!!!

Volunteer Thank You Luncheon

We had such a wonderful day celebrating our Volunteers for the job well done for this past season.

We had approximately 150 volunteers come to our luncheon and we had so much fun with them.

(LtoR) Maren, Sara, Shannon, Tonya, Reese and Kareen

Shannon and I LOVE Selfies!!

4 Housemanagers (Reese, Kareen, Shannon and I-missing Rebecca)

Heather sharing with the volunteers the successful numbers for this season and plans for next season.

They love that kind of information, because THEY LOVE TUACAHN!!!

Newscast on KSL about Britton

ST. GEORGE — A Southern Utah teen remains in a coma weeks after a four-wheeler crash before a school dance.

Since that accident, the community has rallied around him, raising more than $50,000 to help with medical costs.

Inside one of the classrooms at Snow Canyon High School in St. George, students busily print shirts they hope will be top sellers.

"I know some people that don't know Britton that much and they're buying T-shirts,” said sophomore Gracie Bracken.

Britton Shipp wears jersey No. 7 for Snow Canyon's football team.

“Seven was his number since he was a little boy,” said senior Kellen Poulson.

Shipp loved playing football. His friends describe him as a warrior on the field. Now, they're hoping that he keeps fighting like a warrior.

"Life is very fragile. You don't want to take life for granted,” Bracken said.

Two weeks after rolling his four-wheeler, a utility-type machine, Shipp is still in a coma. His family is at his side every day.

"He hasn't gotten any worse, and that's a plus every day," said Britton’s father, Jesse Shipp.

Shipp's vitals are stable. He's showing some movement but there's no timetable for traumatic brain injuries.

"Just a matter of inches. Six inches changes this whole game," said Shipp’s father.

There are signs of encouragement on business marquees, doors and signs throughout the family’s hometown of Santa Clara.

So many people want to help that Shipp's sister started a blog on his progress. So far, it has over a million and a half hits.

"It’s just so cool to me that people care that much,” said Britton’s sister, Autumn Shipp.

"Never in a million years would I ever imagine the community coming together like this,” said Shipp’s father. “Coming together around the state, around the country and the world. It’s been amazing.”

It was so cool to see Jesse and Autumn sporting the T-shirts that were given to them from KALAMITY from the Benefit Concert on TV. Sydnee helped sell shirts and has spent many hours making shirts and delivering them to customers. I would have to say that these kids are amazing working together to raise money for their friend. That's what Friends are For!!!

#BELIEVE4BRITTON

Sydnee has been involved with a lot of her friends in selling and making these shirts

to raise money for their friend Britton. They were on the news.

YW in Excellence

Sydnee is now a Laurel and she had YW in Excellence and participated in a skit

with the Laurel class. "Jazzercise"

Thoughts!!!

Dad's Headstone

Oh my goodness, I didn't know if this day would really get here, but

dad's headstone is completed, now we just need to get it placed.

I think it turned out absolutely beautiful. My dad would TOTALLY Love it!!!

Funny Boy - Dad Pants

I asked Trevor in his last letter, "Why haven't you worn your tan khaki pants yet?" He replied, "They remind me of "Dad" Pants". So one night while he was at the church for mutual he took some pictures of himself in his "Dad" Pants and sent them to me. "Mom, Look at my pants, I am wearing them because I LOVE YOU!"

What a sweet boy that I have!!!

That guy that is in back of Trevor cracks me up, because Trevor is supposedly the BIGGEST guy in his mission!!! This might be proof. 

Celebrating Princess Natalie

The Petersen family is hosting a Toys-for-Tots drive in memory of their sweet Natalie who would have turned 3 today, November 11, 2014. Natalie loved everybody and what better way to honor her then to help other children.

Donations will also be taken at Albertson’s on Sunset, Dutchman’s Market on Santa Clara Blvd and the Petersen’s Home.

If you can’t make it to the fundraiser but want to help, the Petersen family ask you to consider making a donation to Natalie’s cousin who is fighting leukemia. You can do so at www.youcaring.com/hugsforhank.

For more information please email cjetpetersen@gmail.com ormegthunell1@gmail.com

 It was such a beautiful night, such a selfless act of Natalie's parents to pay it forward to the community to collect Toys for the upcoming holiday for Toys for Tots.

It was decorated so cute by so many wonderful friends of Jen's who love her so much.

For them to be in so much pain from the loss of their little girl and turn it around to be 

so positive, is such a great example to everyone around.

Jen and Chad were both interviewed by the TV station.

The Ivins Royalty was there to represent the princesses, Natalie was a princess.

Jen was given a cutout of Natalie for this beautiful night as a gift.

She was dressed so appropriately for the evening. What a beautiful gift.

 They collected 6 boxes and bags of toys which filled 2 full size trucks.

 It was absolutely incredible to see the community come together & celebrate Princess Natalie.

Neighbors unite, serve following tragic death of 2-year-old girl

ST. GEORGE — Family and neighbors in St. George held a memorial party celebration for a little girl who would have celebrated her 3rd birthday this month.

Natalie Petersen died last month after a car backed into her while she was playing her driveway.

“We miss her so much. Today is a really hard day, being her birthday. I added it up today, how many days we got to be blessed with such an angel," Jennifer Petersen, Natalie's mother said.

Rather than focusing on the tragedy, the community found new appreciation and strength through the life of Natalie.

Neighbors and friends not only celebrated the girl’s life with cake, signs and pink ribbon to commemorate her life of 1,068 days, each also brought a gift to be donated to the St. George Toys for Tots program.

"I think it's really important, because if she were here, she would love to have a birthday party,” Emma Petersen, Natalie's sister said.

But her real legacy is what she taught others around her during her short time on earth.

Following the news story about Natalie's death, Primary Children's Hospital received a huge response to its Spot the Tot safety program. Since the accident, nearly 10,000 complimentary reminder stickers were requested and mailed out across the state.

"Hopefully this story will save many lives," the hospital’s spokesman said.

Natalie's legacy also continues to bring a community together through cards, flowers, meals and prayers for the family following the tragedy.

"She's an example to me not to waste a day. It's still hard to say we're thankful for the way things turned out, but the blessings that have come from this are amazing," Chad Petersen, Natalie's father said.

"We just wanted to make sure we celebrated her and share with the community how grateful we are for their support,” Jennifer Petersen said.

Surely there will be hard times ahead. But those 1,068 days of that Natalie's life will remain in countless hearts during the days to come.

“Everyone just felt for them and wanted to do what they could to help and support them,” family friend Kally Campbell said.