Alexis

So. Almost five years since London. Does it seem longer than that to anyone else?

Last August Gabe and I left the Prov and moved back to Las Vegas for a good/cheap housing opportunity and to be close to family. Certainly the most exciting thing to happen in our house in the last two years was the birth of our son just this past April. Heidi and I almost had twin Maxes because Max was one of our top name choices, but we decided we couldn't give our son the same name as my father-in-law's dog. So, we named him Theodore after my great-great-great-great grandfather (Ted Williams and Theo Epstein of the Boston Red Sox didn't hurt in Daddy's eyes). We call him Theo, and we think he's pretty cute.

Other than that, I FINALLY finished my thesis and will graduate with my English MA in a few weeks (Thank you Phil!). Right now I am a full-time momma looking for a part-time teaching gig. Gabe is working very hard as a store manager/new EQP/new Dad and is applying to MBA programs this year.

Can't wait to see what all of you are up to. You can blogstalk me at: lexoncabbagesandkings.blogspot.com.

Kristen L.

I honestly can't believe it's been five years since London. It feels like just yesterday. Sigh.

I'm not sure a whole lot has changed since my last update, but here goes: My husband Jason and I are living in Portland, OR while Jason gets his doctorate in Physical Therapy. He will graduate next May (finally!) and then who knows where we'll be! We've loved exploring and getting to know our new home and we're hoping to stay put for the long haul. I'm still working at Nike, just plugging away for our little family, which now includes a Mini Schnauzer named Fritz. One highlight of the last year was going to Las Vegas in March where I met up with Caroline and Lisa for an impromptu girl's weekend/baby shower for Lex. Now if only we could meet in London next time! (Girls, forgive me for this picture...) I've just started a blog, so if anyone would like to keep in touch, visit me at pdxgoughs.blogspot.com.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Love Kristen

Heidi

Hello London peeps-

Since the last update, I continued to work full time at the newspaper and enjoyed living in the Reno-Tahoe area. Last month we moved to Las Vegas where my husband is completing his third and fourth year of medical school through the University of Nevada (years one and two were in Reno). We are still adjusting to the heat!

My biggest news is that in April we added a baby boy to our family. His name is Max and he is the sweetest thing we have ever experienced! He was actually born on my birthday- what are the chances? Being in labor on one's birthday is not the most fun thing but the outcome was such a thrill. I am now loving staying home with Max and also doing some freelance work online for my former employer. Life is good. I miss London and think of our time there frequently. In December I met up with Lindsey and Jen for lunch in Sacramento. Linds was in the states for the holidays. It was a nice afternoon. I also see Abby frequently on my visits to Utah. Someday we need to plan a reunion in London! I hope to hear from you all soon!

-Heidi

Visiting Back East

I visited kimi and erin in DC a few weeks ago. We had a grand time! This is a photo of us at the Maryland State House in Annapolis.

Love Leslie

Carly and Steve

The wedding was on June 5th at the Salt Lake Temple.

Dainan's wedding

Dainan got married in Utah to a beautiful, sweet girl named Romney!

Love Les

Danielle's baby girl

This is our new little girl Olivia Bailey Walker! She was born on Friday, July 6, 2007 at 7:44 am. She was 7 pounds 8 ounces and 19 inches long. I think she is the cutest thing ever, but I may be a little biased. Dan and I are so excited to get to know her better every day. We love her so much already.

-Danielle

Caroline's married!

This past spring Caroline tied the knot!

Leilani's second!

Hey Londoners! Just wanted to tell you about little William Arthur. He was born on Sunday, June 17th at 9:30 AM. He was 9 pounds, 2 ounces and 20 and 1/2 inches long. This is a picture of him with his older brother, Bryant, who just turned 2. Hope you're all doing well!
-Leilani

Marianne

So, the big news of this summer is . . . I'm going BACK TO ENGLAND! That's right, although I'm not going to London, I'm going back to the Motherland. I'll be in Cambridge at Cambridge University for two months (July thru August) for a research program. I'll be studying European Art and Politics as well as 17th Century Lit. I'm excited and a little nervous. The program is supposed to be rigorous, but also very helpful in preparing for a post-graduate degree in the UK, which is what I'm aiming for. I'll come back in September (after school has started. . .) and teach Jr. High English in American Fork, UT while applying for grad schools and taking the GRE. Sound like fun? Oh, it gets better. I'm also running my FIRST marathon (26.2 baby!) two weeks after getting home. I hope I live through the summer. Anyway, I love you all and hope things are going well. Also, look for some great pictures of our London reunion in D.C this summer. Megan R., Kim M., Erin U., and I met up in old Alexandria for a little N'Oleans cookin'. It was so fun. Have a GREAT summer. I'll give an update when and if I survive this next European jaunt. Ciao!

-Marianne

mini reunion back east

Marianne Lind and Megan Reese visited the area last week. Erin Urry and I met up with them and spent a lovely evening together in Old Towne Alexandria.

-Kim

Baby Announcement!

After 9 long months (and over by one week), Mikayla Ann Brodegard was born on April 30. She was 8 lbs. 4 oz. and 21 inches long. It has been fun to have her in our life, and it's quite the adjustment in becoming parents. It's such a joy.

- Becca

The Marshalls

Life is never fair and neither is the assignment that Sis. Marshall and I have to accept this summer. We will be returning to London and living in the center for summer term as that group will only have two faculty for their program rather than the usual three. Study abroad was willing to rent us the little flat for six weeks of Tina’s food, all the art the city has to offer, and no responsibilities to 40 students. I do have to do a couple of things for my department here, but primarily we will have no obligations except to ourselves. After directing over 10 study abroad groups we deserve the city without the stress of being in charge. Yes, you were all wonderful, and we will think of you often while there, but....

Next year will probably, ok I think definitely, be my last year at BYU. We have decided to retire Jun of 08. That will make 39 years at BYU. I have loved every minute of it and leave with some trepidation and anxiety.

While I don’t think I have to worry about being called as a mission pres. , we will definitely initiate mission plans shortly there after. That is if Janice can stand to be around me for that much time.

We thank all of your for keeping updates with your lives.

The Marshalls

Janice and the Randalls

Here's proof that the President and Sister Randall see Janice once in awhile in Edmonton

James

Past three years... wow. Can you all believe it's been that long. We've all grown and moved on with life so much in that time. I've been so busy I haven't had a lot of time to do this blurb - but now I can. (In fact, I am still trying to get over to the blog and finish reading everyone's stuff.)

K, last three years. Still doing school at BYU. Switched majors and am studying Studio Visual Art instead of Graphic Design like I was doing when we left for London. I should really just finish and graduate. I'm feeling that now. I guess I've just been dragging my feet. (And trying to decide on what to do/where to go).

I'm running my company - Aliuqis Multimedia. It's a multimedia & design company, and handles a lot of video work, dvd authoring, graphic and web design, etc. I do a lot of consulting as well. I also work for Apple Computers as a Campus Rep, and I really love that. (Whoever nicknamed me the computer slut in London was so totally right it wasn't even funny!)
For those who knew-remember Angie, we stopped dating about 6 or so months ago, but continue to hang out and work together. 2 years is a long time to date someone, and it's working out good this way. (Haven't found anyone yet to start dating again. Is it just me or are most all the girls around campus like 19?) I take that back. I kinda have been dating a girl. Nothing serious, and I'm not really sure that it's going anywhere, but there ya go.
Gosh, really that's about it. I am toying with the thought of moving to California or Maryland in the next several months. Probably LA, or DC or something. I guess it'll depend on what & when I finish up school, and then what I want to do with the company. Until I get that figured out it's here in Provo for me, so if any of you all are going to do something, or wanna do something - let me know for sure!

K, guys. Awesome to hear from everyone. Heidi - I think this was totally an awesome idea to keep everyone in touch, way to go. Hopefully I'll talk to or run into you all soon.
James Wakley

Kristen D.

I received a very short letter from Kristen and this picture was included. Kristen is currently on a mission in Taiwan, and this is what she wrote for the blog (-Heidi):

I have a few more months left on the mission. I love being a missionary and serving the Lord. It's been a really special experience that has molded my thinking and pushed me and taught me more than I could say.

My homecoming talk is December 31st, 2006 in Park City. My parents number is 435-658-1702 for people who would like to come.

I miss and love you all!

I also got this little update from Lindsey Iorg on Kristen's life other than the mission... So, before her mission Kristen decided to major in Sociology. She hopes to go to grad school at some point possibly in London. She lived with me before her mission and was working as a server at Magelby's. I think she has another year left at BYU. Kristen and her sister went to Guatemala in summer 2004 to help in orphanages. Before her mission she went to Costa Rica on a vacation with friends for a couple weeks.

President and Sister Randall

How wonderful it was to hear from you. Because of the opportunities that we have to meet with Janice, we do get some opportunity to catch up on what some of the London students are doing. This Blog will be great for us to read in order to stay in touch.

Sister Randall and I have been serving as President and Companion in the Canada Edmonton Mission since July of 2004 -- perhaps some of you will remember that we received our call while in London. Never in our wildest dreams did we realize the great blessings we would receive from doing such service. We have been blessed with over 250 additional members of our family (missionaries). Our lives have been touched by their service and dedication. We have also been blessed to see many join the church and several who have come back into activation because of missionaries and members working together. What a wonderful experience it is to see the changes that come into peoples lives as they grow in the gospel. We will ever be grateful for this marvelous experience we are now having. Unfortunately it will come to a close in June of 2007, but there is still much to do and we try not to think about coming to the "end of the middle of our mission."

Our family at home has grown. Brock is now married and they have a little one. Since we left home we have also been blessed with additional grandchildren -- we now have 18 1/8. President hasn't met Brock's wife and has only met one of the new grandchildren.

We remember fondly our time together in London and will look forward to reading the posted material. Thanks to each of you for the wonderful memories.

President and Sister Randall

Michelle

Has it really been three years? At times it seems like yesterday but a lot has happened to all of us and I love that we have been able to catch up again. I cherish all the memories I have with all of you from our adventures. Since London the main thing that I have done is serve a mission. I went to Italy! The Catania mission- consists of the island Sicily and a bit of the mainland. I spent about half my mission on Sicily with the Mafia! It was quite interesting to see it at work sometimes—very subtlety of course!

I returned this past summer and am now at BYU finishing my Art History degree. I am debating on weather it would be better for me to graduate in April or August. It all depends on what goals I want to pursue afterwards. Decisions, decisions! I’ll figure it all out one day right?!

I am now working at Hope Gallery. I wanted to see if I enjoyed Gallery work. From what I’ve seen I think that I would enjoy running it but right now I am just a sales person so basically just answer questions and sell the art to the FEW that are actually interested in buying something. Slow going definitely as is the art market almost everywhere but most especially here in Provo. I am hoping one day the owner will take me with him to Europe on one of his acquisition trips—I think I could convince him to let me be his Italian translator. J High hopes right now.

Well, there is not much else for me to say. I miss you all and wish we could just turn back the time, even for a day! Take care and let me know if I can ever help you out.
Love you all! Michelle

Erin U.

After London, I went home to work, but had a hard time finding a job for two months. So I made bread and folded lots of Origami. I went back to BYU for Fall 2004, and then in April 2005 I graduated from BYU with a BA in Visual Arts and a Minor in Art History. That summer I went to Vermont to work at a summer camp for girls on Lake Fairlee, called Camp Lochearn. (It slightly resembled The Parent Trap.) It was a lot of fun, but probably not something I will not do again. I lived in a cabin with a co-counselor, she was from England, and 6 girls ages 10-11. I was part of the Outdoor Adventure Program, so three days a week I took campers on hikes, canoeing trips and twice to a waterfall, to paint water colors. (I did dump a camper and myself in the lake by accident the last week of camp. But I now know how a canoe over canoe rescue works.) On the days I wasn't hiking I taught quilting and basket weaving. Camp Lochearn is 45 miles from Sharon, VT, the birthplace of Joseph Smith, which I was able visit during the year which marked the 200th Anniversary of his birth. I thought that was pretty cool.I spent most of my time off in Hannover, NH, where Dartmouth College is located. I made quite a few phone calls from Dartmouth Green waiting for the van to take me back to camp. I also consumed lots of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. There was a flavor called Chocolate Therapy. Which was very therapeutic.

After camp, I went back to my hometown of Cheyenne, Wyoming. I started looking for a professional job, while working at Little America Hotel as a desk clerk. Finally in April I was interview & hired by the Wyoming Society of Certified Public Accountants. I am the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Coordinator. I also do the newsletter and make brochures to promote our Educational Fund. I am pretty creative, and CPAs really are not, so just about anything that passes my standards of quality flies. When I was in London, I didn't imagine myself back in Cheyenne. But it's actually been a good thing. My Dad was diagnosed with MS this past May. So I’ve been helping my family, mostly by being a chauffer. I’m getting really good at transferring my Dad’s wheelchair in and out of the trunk of my car in a skirt and heels, which I consider something of an accomplishment. I never thought I’d be helping an ageing parent in my 20s, but I’m glad I’ve been able to be of some help.

Eventually I would like to get an MBA with an emphasis in Art Management or Nonprofit. But I need more work experience first. I am currently housing sitting, with a roommate from my singles branch, for a couple who are on a mission in New Zealand. I loved our London experience and am going back sometime, I just don’t know when yet. I don’t miss the alarm clock chorus, waking me up every morning, but every once and a while, I do crave a Sandwich from Pret and the National Gallery. It’s been fun reading everyone’s update!

Erin

SaraMarie

I got married Dec. 17th 2005 to Jake Barber, who is from Nebraska. (I met him through Diana and Lindsey V.). We are living in Spanish Fork, UT while Jake finishes school at UVSC and I work. I am teaching English and Historyat Provo Canyon School. PCS is a residential treatment center for troubled teens. I mostly work with the 7th and 8th grade boys, but I do have a class of girls on the girls' campus. I really enjoy the small classes, the structure of the program and free lunch. I am serving in the Young Women's in my ward and really enjoying that.

SaraMarie Barber