A Little Uno

Here is a nice photo of the Elders having a little R&R on a Preparation Day. Didn't know they liked Uno in a place so far away from the good old USA. Most of these young men are from Utah and nearby western states. Tyson is pictured on the left. Wish I could hear their conversation!

T B Phone Home!

Customary for LDS Missionaries, they are allowed a phone call to home on Christmas Day, and Mother's Day. It was so good to talk to Tyson today. His Portugese is amazing, and he sounds so grown up! He is serving in Brazil and has been out just a little more than 7 months. He is having a ball and is so grateful to have the chance to serve the Lord in this capacity. We really miss him, but know he is where he needs to be right now. Way to go, Elder!

Most Brazilian people are Catholic and not interested in learning about a new religion. Tyson says teaching some of those folks are about like teaching this statue, you don't get much response. But there are some that are so humble and ready for the gospel. Fantastic experience for our son!

Uncle Butch

We mourn the loss of a great man today. Glen W Taylor passed from this life at 2 a.m. due to complications from vascular surgery. He will be sorely missed by many friends and family. Funeral services to be held Saturday Nov 21, 2009 at the Cub River LDS meetinghouse in Mapleton Idaho.

Super Den Meeting

These two young men are our Webelos Scouts, and we are in the process of Den Meeting. With only 2 we went lots of unique places this summer. They had a ball on this day! We toured the Hill Aerospace Museum and then Adam gave us the royal treatment at his work. This is his helicopter that he works on every day, and makes sure it is in prime condition. Ryan (blue shirt) and Jorgen (red hat)

said they would both like to be pilots, (right after they become world champion bull riders. These two are cowboys!) But we saw 2 Apache helicopters and and 3 Blackhawks take off while we there. Not too many Cubs can say they sat in the gunner seat and pilot seat of an Apache that has been to Iraq. Great day for all of us! Thanks Adam for your patience and expertise!

Adam's Assignment

This is Adam's baby. He is the mechanic in charge of what happens to this airplane. He is great at what he does, and loves his job! We took our Cub Scout Webelos Den to visit, and he gave us a fabulous tour. Thanks Adam for sharing with us that day, it was a great memory!

Fish Tales

We noticed this sign in the corner by our table after the fact. We all insisted Jesse get the hat back and pose again. He doesn't really look all that thrilled, but it was pretty funny anyway. Happy Birthday Jesse! 24 on June 6, 2009

Got Fish??

Jesse is always a big ham, and we couldn't let his birthday go by without posting this shot! We were having dinner in Layton with Adam and Kara at McGrath's, (good fish to be had by all, I ordered chicken...) Of course we couldn't NOT tell the waitress about Jesse's big day. They arrived enmasse with this funky fish hat. I think the rest goes without saying!

Temple Day

Tyson had the priviledge of taking his endowments in the Logan Temple on May 2, 2009. It was such a rainy day, and the crowd was huge, we had to come back another day for photos. He doesn't look official, but many will appreciate the John Deere shirt!

Ready to Roll

This was taken the day Tyson left for the airport. It is becoming one of my favorites! I had fun changing and making it into something more than just a snapshot.

Escalator Wave

There he goes! What an adventure awaits for the next 24 Fast Sundays! We are counting the time already when we can hear some of those great stories...

About Their Fathers Work

We were the first ones to arrive at the airport today, and check-in was a breeze! The place was not crowded at all. Tyson got through the baggage phase in record time. Pretty soon another Elder showed up with a grin, announcing Brazil as his destination, different mission, though. We stopped counting when there were 12. Could have had our own Sacrament meeting right there! Four were headed to Porto Alegre South with Tyson. Comforting to know he wasn't traveling alone! Don't they look prepared and anxious? Mighty fine young men we send out to the world to represent their Savior!

Update: Tyson called from Dallas as they landed there about 4:45, there are 17 that boarded in Salt Lake, they picked up 2 more from Colorado and were waiting for 5 more. That will be a protected flight!!

Elder for sure

Wow, this hits it home doesn't it?

Thanks Jesse, for this photo!

The Spackman Guys

Our four sons with their cousin Shane, he is such a goof! He was excited to see Tyson ready to go on his mission, and was anxious to have a photo of the whole group. Notice who is the tallest?

Watch out Brazil

Tyson's Missionary "Farewell" was today, Mother's Day. He spoke about Patriarchal Blessings, and did a great job. We had lots of friends and family there to enjoy that special day. We had a nice lunch at the park afterward. Jordan was able to come and be with us, that was a great suprise. Dannielle, Natalie and Grant will come in June when her brother gets married in Salt Lake. We are so blessed to have a great family, four strong fine sons that make any Mama proud! Way to go guys!

When Jordan left on his mission, his farewell was also on Mother's Day, his homecoming was as well. I guess the Bishop should pencil us in for2011 when Tyson comes home, we can make it a tradition.

Mommy and Grant

I love this photo of Grant and Dannielle. She is such a beautiful woman and a teriffic mother to those precious grandbabies. We adore her!

Grandma's Boy

Isn't this a handsome little man? Grant is a snuggly baby and will let his indulgent Grandma squeeze him for a few minutes at least! This is a real treat, since we hadn't seen him since he was 6 weeks old. Here he is 6 months! He looks a lot like his Daddy did at about the same age.

Got Priesthood?

Sweet blessings today. Tyson was ordained an Elder! Giant step for him! Proud parents of this young man!

Elder Spackman is an Elder

Tyson has had the priviledge of being ordained into the Melchezediek Priesthood today by his Father, Robert Spackman. This is an important step as he comtinues to prepare to serve as a representative of Jesus Christ.

From left to right, Mike Spackman, Elders Quorum President, Tyson, Bob, Bishop Rob Smith, High Councilman Mark DeGraffenreid and Jason Downs, 2nd Counselor.

It's Official!

Elder Tyson B Spackman has been called to serve

in the Brazil Porto Alegre South Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He will report to the Missionary Training Center in Sao Paulo Brazil on Wed May 20. He will teach in the Portugese language. He is thrilled to be an ambassador of the Savior and be "Called to Serve." Here he is texting his buddies letting them in on his news!

Grandma Beth with her Greats

Great Grandma Beth enjoyed the visit to Jordan and Dannielle's home in September. That was the day we welcomed Grant Jordan and he was named and given a blessing in Fast and Testimony meeting there in Peoria. Natalie is a big sister!