Swainston Family

Daniel's Leaving on a Mission (AKA Farewell)

2010-01-22T08:53:00.000-08:00

Daniel is Leaving on a mission on the 27th of Janurary to Serve in San Antonio, TX. He and Dallin will be speaking in Church on January 24th at 11am. Fruivalebuilding. (Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints. 5500 Fruitvale Ave., Bakersfield, CA) We will be having a little open house (5-8) at our home(If you need the address ask me or email me). If you didn't get a chance to talk to him. We hope you will come and enjoy the day with him. He will board a plan from Bakersfield on Wednesday the 27th, so this will be our last Sunday with him for two years. HE will be a great missionary!

P.S. If you were in the Rosedale ward and are now in a new ward please tell all our dear friends, WE dont' have their emails and would love them to come too!

Christmas letter

2009-12-18T11:42:00.001-08:00

Mandy: Received Bachelor's degree from BYU-Idaho
Certified Medical Assistant for Podiatrist
Making money.... finally
Can't Wait to leave the nest again

Dallin: Return Missionary- Puerto Rico
Health Improving
Freshman at Utah State University (January)
Can't wait to leave teh nest again

Daniel: Graduated from High School
Worked all summer to have money
Attended one semester at Utah State University
Mission Call to San Antonio TX -Spanish Speaking
Leaves the nest for two years, January 27, 2010

Nathan: Sophomore at Liberty High School
Lineman of the year for JV Football Team
Almost 6'3... growing just like his older brothers
Learners permit.... driving us crazy
Can't wait for older siblings to actually leave the nest

Sarah: Middle Schooler - 7th grade
Swimmer and Soccer Player
Straight A's
First year at YW Girls camp
Would love all to leave the nest so she could have
mom and dad to herself

Tucker: Black Lab. One year old
Back yard a disaster
Loves to play fetch and swim

Dan & Handing out money continually
Annette: Trip of a lifetime to Russia, Romania, Germany
Czech Republic, Austri, Switzerland, and France
Living, Love, and Laughing everday!

Fall 2009

2009-08-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

Wow, I guess I haven't been very bloggy lately. The past few months have taken me and I am not sure where it left me. We are at least still intact and residing in Bakersfield, CA. The weather is beginning to change and I feel that fall is in the air. It is my favorite time of the year...probablly because I fell in love in the fall...Anyway here is what has been happening in the Swainston household. Daniel Graduated from High School in May! Yes that is three down...two to go! We had a great weekend with family and lots of food and sun!

June found us focussing on preparations for girls camp, helping with a friends wedding and starting the summer out with swim meets and small odd and end jobs. A nice month...I do say so myself. The one Great Accomplishment was that Nathan did his Eagle Scout project. Yes we have almost accomplished a long goal of having all our sons all receive their Eagle Scout reconigition. It was a great project. Nathan refurbished some bleachers at Rio Bravo School. It was done very quickly inorder to have it completed for their annual Swim Meet. Nathan had great help and it was even a nice cool day when we finished. He now just needs to complete the write up and bide his time for a few months. Great job Nathan! We are proud of you!July found us up at Girls Camp. As soon as it was over we headed to Idaho to see Mandy Graduate from BYU-Idaho. Yes we have a college graduate again in the family!! We are so proud of Mandy! She is such a great example to all of us. We spent the week or so in Idaho and Utah playing to celebrate her graduation! A Bachelor of Science in Health and Science. She plans to go on to nursing school in California and to pay back her mom and dad.

Dan and I resting on the 2nd year hike ( girls camp 2009)

Dallin returned home from his mission with health problems. We are anxiously engaged in helping him feel better and to move on with his life. He is such a great guy! He did a great job while serving in Puerto Rico. We know that Heavenly Father will bless him! He plans to find work and then move to Logan and go to school at Utah State

The fall has been great! We have been at many football games. It has been fun! The most esciting news about the fall was our trip to Russia and Europe. Dan and I traveled on business to many countries. Russia, Romania, Germany, France, Austria, Chec Republic, and my favorite Switzerland. We were gone for 21 days. It was long and so much fun! We really enjoyed our time together. We wished the kids were with us, but someday they can spend their own money and travel. Dan's job takes him to many different places and I have been waiting for him to go to Europe. It was amazing!After our trip...well before our trip I was released from my stake calling in the YW's to chair the Bakersfield Youth Pioneer Trek for 2010. So Preparations are underway for that. More details later. With the fall comes all the fun holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We had a great time together!

Halloween 2009

Christmas with the Morris up at their cabin

. It has been a great few months. We seem to keep moving!

May Madness

2009-05-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

The month came and has gone by too fast. It started fast and kept getting faster and faster. I am not sure if we were even able to have a sit down dinner this month at all. Well here it is....Pictures tell alot. Between a Football bowl game, a visit to Utah, a funeral, a trip to Europe for business, a 12th birthday for Sarah, and Graduation for Daniel; we need to take a long rest. Well the summer looks promising after Yw's camp, Ym'w camp, and College graduation for Mandy. We sure have fun! Maybe we'll rest in September!

US Army Bowl Game

May 1, 2009

Midway in the Spring

Clifton, Idaho

Grandma Zenda McDermott's Funeral

Liberty's last Choir Concert with Mr. Mac

The House after Sarah's Birthday Slumber party!

Graduation Week

The Month still has two days left... A swim meet for Sarah and Seminary Graduation on Sunday for Daniel. More to come....... One thing is that I am very grateful for my busy life and the people that are a part of it! We love you all!

23 YEARS!

2009-03-31T12:05:00.001-07:00

4 day Curise to Catalina and Ensanada for our anniversary. We left out of SanDiego Harbor. It was a little windy! Look we even got some sun! Color!

Taking a little boat to Catalina from the Cruise Ship. We went golfing and cruised the beach side street. We also went on a glass botton boat. Fish!

Fish! Fish! Fish!

Ensanada Mexico...I was a little nervous to get off the ship..so Dan convinced me again to go golfing. He golfed, I rode in the golf cart and got a sunburn. The view was fantastic! We had a great day! Dan golfed with a pro and loved every minute of it. The best part was the authentic lunch (beans, rice and a burrito!)

It was the best! I love you Dan and am so glad you picked me 23 years ago! There is more to come......This story doesn't end!>

March Madness

2009-03-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, I believe March came in like a lion. So hopefully it goes out like a lamb. We are off to another wild month. We are still in limbo on the fact of curing Dallin and getting him off to Puerto Rico. We pray this status will change soon. Mandy surprised us this weekend and came home to go skiing. Isn't that Ironic? Ski in California where she had apple snow fall in Idaho to ski there. It was a great Weekend! All smiles and laughs! We all needed some time together! We headed to the green hills of the San Juaqin Valley the weekend before and shot a few clay pigeons for fun. Dallin tried to kill a Badger, but they are fast critters and dug his way out of that mess as soon as he heard the bullet fly past his head. Sorry Dallin maybe next time. We learned that Sarah shoots with her left hand and that Daniel has the talent of throwing clay pigeons. Nathan will watch a Badger hole for hours if his brother tells him too. What love and dedication! Oh the things we do!

Tucker, the new lab, loved every minute outside with the family. If only he would come when we call his name. I hope he learns it soon. The month will produce a Church Prom and anniversays, and birthdays. We hope all goes well and that we have a soft landing by month end.

A better start....February!

2009-02-02T12:01:00.000-08:00

So the Month of Febuary is here. Time really flys when you are having fun!

So here is the latest in the Swainston household. Dallin had his gallbladder removed 10 days ago and is recovering very well. Thanks to many who offered prayers in his behalf. We see the hand of the Lord in all we do. He will be returning to Puerto Rico as soon as he gets his doctors approval of good seal. (That means he can jump high buildings in a single bound!) That was a big relief to him, to be able to go back to the people there in Puerto Rico. He is standing next to a Elder from Haiti here while in the MTC in the Dominican Republic.

Life has truly been spent on getting healthy at our home. In between,we have fed 500 at a Tri-Stake Youth Conference and watch a few soccer games. This is a picture of the amazing women that I serve with in the Stake. They have so much to give and always do it with a smile. I love working with them and serving in the Stake.All goes well when you put your trust in the Lord.

2009 has arrived!

2009-01-21T10:07:00.000-08:00

A new year has surely come to the Swainston home, I'm just not sure if I like they way the new year rolled in. As you might all remember that last year when the month of January came, I had my share of strange events involving my health. Well all I can say is that Juanary has come again and yes it seems to be that we are experiencing the same sort of things.

Our first event was that of our missionary, Dallin. He returned home because of some health issues. We thought it was his gallbladder and have come to the conclusion after many tests and even getting sick at home that "yes" it is the Gallbladder and they will take it out on Friday! Boy the things you have to do to find out you are really sick!

Upon coming home and becoming missionaries( the entire family is Dallin's companion)We started the daunting task of taking many tests. One day while fufilling the need for nourishment, Dallin and myself went to get something to eat. "Yes" the worst happened, we were contaminated with a form of disentary. "Camphloybactera" Dallin because of the tests he took and a collon clense, happened to pass by the worst of it, as for myself I was caught with my pants down and got really sick. Two IV's later and some good drugs we are both rid of the pest. So that has started the new year out. We are still progressing forward, But I would really like to get back to normal....I am not sure what that is anymore.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

2009-01-03T14:12:00.000-08:00

You are the best example to me, and I love you so much. You sacrifice so much for me and for our family, always putting us first, and we appreciate all you do! You are so kind and loving and I value our friendship!

Love ya lots!

Love ,

Mandy

Football, Football, Football

2008-11-21T10:15:00.000-08:00

I know this sounds redundant, but yes one more coment about football. Who knows you might get two more coments...It seems to never stop(I mean this football season) We are off to our first playoff game today. We travel to Fresno, CA( 2 hours away) to play the #2 seated team, Clovis West. We played them our first game(practice) this fall and lost by 2 points at the end. We are hoping to change that so that our Thanksgiving won't be in vain. I once again with my good football moms, fed 90 players and coaches last night(thinking that last week was the last week). It is amazing how much food, growing boys can put away.

We are all just a little tense today...That is a good sign...That means we know we have to work hard to get what we want. I was thinking just yesterday...We have watched this group of boys play together for the last 7 years. They are all good boys that come from good families. They deserve just a little glory.. the paper makes them up to be a losing team, but they have a good heart and are good. I know they can do it...They just have to want it badly enough.

Sarah....She is changing daily!

2008-11-21T09:45:00.000-08:00

I find the time is going by so fast. Sarah only has 6 months and she will turn 12 and that makes things a lot different in our home. Sarah started to play soccer this fall and she is so fun to watch. She was invited to try out for Spring Select. She did good at the try outs and even had a coach from a club team come up to me and ask if she would be interested in playing for him. Yesterday the same man called our home and asked us again. I am not sure if we want all that just yet. This weekend She is playing in the fall tournament for AYSO. We will spend the day at the soccer field. It has been fun for her. During the season, as she was playing the goalie, a girld kicked her finger and broke it. I thought "no it can't be broke, just a dislocation"...but sure enough it was broken. She would tape it up and still continue to play. We didn't tell the doctor that we kept playing.

Sarah has a great friend, Mckenzie White. They hang out together all the time. Their latest escapade was Halloween. They went to two different parties together and a spook alley. What fun to be had!

What does Dan really do in China?

2008-11-20T11:40:00.000-08:00

I finally decided to upload some pictures of what Dan really does in China. I know we think he just goes shopping, but he really just eats the food. He's secretly creating a Eating tour for anyone that wants to eat bugs, and heads, and eye balls, etc. Enjoy! If you have questions call him.

He does work though, It looks a little boring to me.

Thoughts on life as it is....

2008-10-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

Wow life can throw you all kinds of different balls. Some of these balls are good and some are bad like in the game. How do you Swing? Do you just kind of tap it or do you put your whole heart and soul into the swing and give it your all, not matter the outcome?

Well I have decided to swing with all I have because you really only get one shot at each ball. Why not give it your all!

1. Proposition 8 Without a doubt that is a "yes" for me and my family. There is nothing more important than saving the core unit of society...the Family! The world wasn't made with two men or two women together...It was made with one man and one woman (together). California and the world needs to realize the importance of this sacred calling! Get out and Vote..Vote 'Yes" on Prop. 8.

2. Sending a missionary off. Boy my heart! (as tears come to my eyes this very moment) Yes I am swininging hard. I have never prayed so hard and steadfast in my life. Just not knowing every minute if your Child is okay is a hard thing. (Even though I know he is) I am mostly praying for him to be able to learn a new language and have the spirit to teach the gospel. I have the faith that the Lord will bless him, if he puts his whole heart and soul into this great experience that will increase his testimony of this great work. "Faith without works is dead.."

3. Being Prepared. That is the hardest swing. Prepared Phycially. Prepared Mentally. Prepared Spiritually. Prepared Financially. A reality check is here. After hearing about the death of a dear Bishop in Idaho. Dan and I both stopped and said are we ready to meet the Savoir? We always have more to do.... That is the great part of this great plan. The learning and growing never ceases. We can always become better. It's all about our attitude. We as a family are united. In Docterine and Covenants 38:27 is says "If ye are not one ye are not mine." We are univid in purpose and action. We will face many challenges in our life, but together we'll grow in love and understanding as we work together or in other words, "hit the ball!"

Game day is here...I don't think we'll loose...No infact we'll win! Go Team!

Football Season

2008-09-25T10:51:00.001-07:00

Yes that part of our lives has started again, well actually I don't think it ever stops...just the part of spending every Thursday and Friday totally involved with the team. We love every minute of it. This year is a little different. We have been at Liberty for years watching Dallin and Daniel play ball, but this year Nathan has joined the ranks but at Frontier. Yes it seems really weird, but Nathan has worked hard to have a starting position. so each week we go to Frontier on Thursday nights and then to Liberty on Friday nights. By the way both boys have their Dad's old number "61"

Daniel is a starting offensive lineman (I know I should actually know the position but I don't) and is one of the team captains. He is doing great! We are excited for him and his possibilities. We have heard from a couple of Universities and are hopeful someone will pay for his food bill in the future.(hahaha)

Dan is their biggest fan! He brings a cow bell that is well worn and known by all. In fact some prefer not to sit by him because he is too loud. But he doesn't care, He wants the teams to know when they are great!

We love our boys, not only for their talents, but for their strong values they share with their team members. They are not afraid to stand for the right, to be honest, and to show itegrity. They will succeed no matter what, even if they lose a football game. They are like the stripling warriors. Ready to stand, to be steadfast and immovable. Go Patriots! Go Titans!

Taking a Family picture

2008-09-18T11:30:00.001-07:00

Will taking a family picture ever get easy? That is my biggest question!

Sending off a Missionary

2008-09-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

So it has finally happened...We have sent our first missionary off into that big world. (just to the Provo MTC, and in two months to Puerto Rico) It was a great experience. I was worried that it might be awful, but after arriving and having spent the last three days with Dallin, we were ready to say our goodbyes and get on with the unknown. Dan and I both felt so good as we left Dallin in Provo. Dallin left with just a small tear in his eye and a big smile saying " a peice of cake, Mom... I'll be just fine."

We were able to spend three days with him and listen to all his thoughts. He is ready to serve. We know he'll do a great job. We recieved a short note on Tuesday saying that in 3 days he had already had 3 years of high school spanish. He is able to (in broken spanish) bare his testimony and say a short prayer. He was made a district leader the first night. It was a short note because his P-day is on Wednesdays and will write us more later. Dad called me yesterday and said that when he arrived at the temple, Dallin was there waiting for him to do sealings with 3 other Elders. So that might be neat for him to see Grandpa for the next couple of weeks while in the temple.

We are trying to be missionary minded now more than ever. We had the Elders for dinner on Monday and it seems I am always talking about Dallin and our experience while in Provo. We share it with all our friends. We will write and wait for letters weekly. one week down just 103 more to go.

Family Vacation 2008

2008-07-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

It is always a treat to get away and spend time with the ones you love. This year Dan and the kids were able to go to Idaho for a week right as Dallin was finishing his semester up at BYU-I. They enjoyed being in the Idaho Mountains, fishing, swimming, hiking and just seeing the things they love. One of our favorite things to do is to climb down into Bloomington Lake. This year Dallin, Nathan, and Sarah actually hiked from Idaho(Willow Flats) over the mountain range into Bloomington lake. They then slid down the Glacier into the lake. They even jumped off the cliffs there into the cold lake. They went 4-wheeling and fishing too.Another favorite is to drive over to Bear lake and get a Raspberry Milk Shake.

I joined the party 10 days later after completing Girls Camp. We spent one day at the lake and broke the boat. So that was not too fun. The next day we drove to Logan to start our missionary preperatons for Dallin. Dallin would prefer not to shop and it was a long day. We ended it with a pizza dinner down at the Pizza Factory below Gia's and a malted shake at the Casper plant in Richmond. It was a good Day!

We headed to Midway a few days early because we learned that Grandma Prost was not good. Upon arriving the next day we admitted her to the hospital. It has been a long week. Dan and the boys left on Sunday for Home. The boys started football on monday So they needed to go. Sarah and I stayed to help Grandma. After a week now Grandma came home. We will be here a little while until she is good to go on her own. She is very tired and weak. Our Father in Heaven has blessed her though. Tuesday night while staying with mom in the Hospital i get a phone call from Ben saying they were coming to visit. I insisted it was too late. He said no he was bringing Sarah into the ER... She had cut her hand open on a barbed wire fence and it needed stiches. It did. 6 Stiches later and 1:30am we were back in bed in Midway. Mom had a so-so night ant the next day she finally came home. We are hopeful and happy to have her back. So we can't do any vactions without going to the ER somehow.

It has made me think how blessed we are as a family. We each have trials, but it is the way we handle these trials. Are we happy and accept what comes are way? Yes, We need to be, We owe all to the Father and his Son, We are only trying to live rightously to return to their presence some day, the way in which we handle our trials proves how well we will endure to the end. It has been a different vacation that is for sure, but we have been with the people we love and that is all that matters.

One of the best parts of the vaction was attending the temple with our first Son, Dallin. On Saturday, July 26, 2008 Dallin received his endowments in the Provo Temple. It was a beautiful day. Grandma and Grandpa Swainston, Grandpa Prost, Uncle Mark, Uncle Joe and Aunt Marsha were there along with Cousin, TJ and good friends Cheryl and Drew Burton. Sarah, Daniel, Nathan and friend Jon Burton waited outside by going to the mall. Dallin has grown alot. This mission will be great for him, he will grow even more. Congratulations Dallin! We love you!

Fourth of July

2008-07-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

To day is the Birthday of our nation, but even more important it is the Birthday of our Mandy Pandy! She has grown into a beautiful woman, now at the age of 21. I remember not too long ago when she was totally dependent upon her father and myself. Now she asks for advice and sometimes even takes it. We love her so much. She is all I wanted to be, but never was. They say your children will most likely be better than you. Well She is and more. We can't believe how blest we are to have her as our daughter. She is my best friend! Happy Birthday Mandy!

We will continue to watch you change and enjoy every minute of it! Have a great year Mandy, and never forget that you are a daughter of God. He loves you as much as we do. Make this world a better place, we know you will! Love you, Mom and Dad

Spending Time with My Girls

2008-06-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

It had to be on of the best weekends in a long time. Sarah, with my dear friend, Carla Hugie, drove to Sacramento, CA to spend the weekend with Mandy. Mandy will turn the ripe old age of 21 on the 4th of July! Where did the time go!

We had a great time doing those things that only girls enjoy. Carla and I first started the weekend by attending a session in the Scarmento Temple. It was beautiful! I fell in love with the entire experience. From driving up the small hill to the lush landscape, to the waterfall in front of the temple and the beautiful ettched glass to the beautiful murals on the wall inside. We enjoyed every minute there.

The next moring we leasurly awoke, dressed and found ourselves eating breakfast to fuel our bodies for a long, fun-filled day. We then parked ourselves at a nail shop and got pedicures for our beautiful feet. The seats we set in proved to ease all our aches and pains from sleeping on the floor and couch the night before. Mandy had to watch the little asian man who was working on her feet. We all felt he was a little creepy asking too many questons and putting her chair on vibrate. hahaha
Then we were off to IKEA a fun store! Yes we spent plenty of time and money there. Buying the perfect items to supply our home with. Next on to San Francisco! It was so crowded! Ouch too many people. We picked our way through the crowds and had a great time. Sight Seeing and shopping. Trying on funny hats and glasses and catching in all the sights. From Sliver and gold men to the sealions sleeping on the docks. Our Favorite was theClamChowder in a sourdough Bread bowl from Boudin's. It was a day worth remembering. Too bad the boys weren't there, but thats okay. You only get a day at a time with your girls! I love them to pieces! They change everyday! Better models than the one they have in me!

Making Plum Jelly

2008-06-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

Our plum tree is over flowing with plums this year. I realized Sunday that this week was the week to do some jam if at all. Some how fruit is ripe just when you don't have any time to take care of it. So I tried to multi-task the past few days. I picked plums, worked on my sun tan, weeded a few weeds and also juiced two five gallon buckets of plums. That day produced a sunburn, less weeds, and 5 gallons of plum juice. Now I am sure you're all thinking wow! now the work really begins.

Yesterday the hot work began. Sarah and myself are proud to say we bottled 31 pints of plum jelly. We worked hard and really had a great time together. We had a flow going that only took us 3 hours to complete. The boys have all left for scout camp and we are taking every minute to be together. So I guess you could say we are having fun, even if we have to take care of fruit. We are planning to go an see Mandy in Sacramento, we miss her a lot, so it will be a girls weekend. Who could ask for anything better!

Girls Camp is vastly approaching. Two Weeks to be correct. Yes I am doing the food again! I have a great team of ladies to help! It is over whelming at times, but I feel my most accomplishment is when someone is happy about what they are eating! That is not too good from a person that insistently worrying about what she is eating and how much she weighs. Oh well If I can make someone happy, then I am happier. I will be even more happier when it is over. Wish me luck!

June 19, 2008

2008-06-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

So I was so impressed by so many people that write down the happenings of their lives, that I thought why am I not using this as a journal for my family. So here goes... the happenings of the Dan and Annette Swainston family.

We, as many may know, are a family of 7 and lately that number seems so small. I guess I say that is because all the kids are growing up and going away. This week it has been very aparent to me that we are changing and moving on. Mandy didn't come home this summer, instead she moved to Sacramento, to find wealth and the northern Califonia Boys. Dallin is still up in Rexburg waiting to finish his first year of college and then to come home for just a month, to leave for a Mission to Peurto Rico. We are so excited for him. We know the Lord will bless him with the ability to speak a new language(Spanish) and to share his testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ while in Peurto Rico.

Daniel left this week for a football camp at BYU in Provo. That leaves Sarah and Nathan home with Dan and I. I think I have only cooked dinner once. Nathan has cooked more than myself. We are changing and it is a good change, I just think I now realized that my kids are not little any more and don't need me as much. ( they just need our money hahah) But every once and a while one will surprise me and call me for help, or just show up at the right time to help me. One even wrote me a nice poem to let me know that he misses me. I love you guys! You are my world! There is no better calling than that of a mother. We have had a busy spring and the summer is just beginning to get even busier. With Swim meet, Young Men and Girls camp and hopefully a quick trip to Idaho and Utah we will drink up that important fuel---gasoline-- and in turn it will drink up all our money for the cause of happiness. Wish us good luck! Here we come Summer!