Lataun N' Family

Dear Family,

It’s been a joy for the last 3 weeks babysitting my wife. Heeding to her every request. Can’t wait until the next time I get to do that. I’m currently slaving over the stove preparing dinner for my family while she sits in front of the TV watching Oprah reruns. It’s been 3 weeks, but the recovery process is 2 to 4 months. Hopefully by Christmas she’ll be able to prepare a meal for me.

I just got home from the grocery store buying groceries and saw Sicilee’s, I mean Lataun’s, Halloween poster. She was the winner of a contest, 25 free tickets to the carnival.

I spent all fall being a slave to soccer. Sicilee had games on Wednesday and Friday. Haddi had games on Tuesday and Saturday. I had to call some of my friends to see what kind of a commitment level I had support soccer. I don’t think I’ll be able to live up to the standards set by my mom and dad. Sicilee’s team won the championship and Haddi won the award for having the cutest pig tails at each game.

Well, Chad started this newsletter but never finished so I guess I’ll wrap it up. I’m cutting and pasting a portion from my skidmore newsletter to the Williams. Sorry, I know it’s not as entertaining as your brother’s side of things.

We have had an eventful fall season. Not a pleasant one, but eventful none the less. I had surgery on my sinuses a couple of weeks ago. I hope that the second time is a charm. After suffering for a few months, we went to my doctor hoping to convince him to let me be on steroids, the miracle drug. But with look, he told me that surgery was inevitable. I had a CT Scan and that confirmed his findings. So we scheduled it soon so that Chad could baby-sit me during his week off of school for Fall Break. I am still recovering and trying to be patient because it is a long recovery. I knew this after the first surgery and was not looking forward to another go of it. My mom and Chad’s mom have both been great help. My mom came and stayed for a week and we had a good time. I wish she could just come live with me more often. She helped me get Mia’s stocking finished and some other projects that have been staring me in the face for the last year or so.

We loved our Labor Day weekend. That was the highlight of the Fall Season in a good way. I don’t know if any of you know how terrified I am of bears. But I am. I’m TERRIFIED! I don’t really enjoy the great outdoors for that reason. WHAT IF? What if I came face to face with a bear and it attacked me? We went to Leigh Lake in Grand Teton National Park with Faren and Avery, Val and Megan, and Mom and Dad. My girls and Mom and Dad and I went to check out this waterfall that we could hear. We came around the corner on the bank and THERE WAS A BEAR! A GRIZZLY BEAR!!!!!! My legs turned to jello, my heart was racing! The kids were all in front of us and we got their attention and pointed and they saw that bear and came running. They fell down a little and Indee was crying, she couldn’t stop. It was crazy! We did live through it. I don’t know how we survived but we did. (The bear didn’t even look up, he could have cared less that we were there) We canoed, hiked, floated the river, went down the slide at Darby Canyon, climbed flagpoles, and my favorite…played Scatergories. We heard elk bugling (sp?), saw a huge bull moose on the river bank as we passed, saw a baby bear (another one) in the campground, and had a great time.

Thanks to everyone for thinking of me and helping me out. Melissa you are a life saver for taking a one year old who is still nursing and hasn’t spent much time away from her mother. I hope she was good for you and you didn’t feel too used and abused. I had no one else to ask but I knew I could count on you and I appreciate it. Jan, you have saved my sanity by coming up and spending a few days. Thanks for making my life a lot less hectic. I hope I can repay you sometime.

Can’t wait to read your letters. We love you all. Lataun and family

Birthday Girl

I am thirty! I heard that in your thirties you can be saucy! So I guess I will start acting saucy or maybe I will just start acting MORE saucy! Good Luck to Eric on that one. I think I may have just had my best birthday so thanks for all the nice things that were said about me. And you know Chad, Eric only asked for like two nice things you didn't need to submit all thirty on your own. You know the birthday is going to be pretty good when your husband gets up early to make you breakfast and the five year old starts out with, "What do you need Birthday Girl?" Waklee didn't refer to me as Mom at all that day, just "The Birthday Girl". Once again thank you to everyone. And yes it is official I am a control freak! Eric had quite a bit of planning going on for my birthday and if you want to keep something a secret never tell Eric. Waklee did a better job of keeping things on the down low than he did. But Eric started getting me worried that he was going to throw a big birthday party. Now if you don't know this about me...I hate birthday parties. I just don't like having to go to a party and hang out with people that you really don't want to be hanging out with. I mean if I want to hang out I will call you. (Whose daughter do I sound like????) So Eric has me going that there is going to be a party and I seriously every night was almost in tears. So finally on Saturday, my birthday, I freaked out and made Eric tell me how many people were coming to my party, just so I could relax. I am such a bum because I ruined the surprise and felt bad about that. But there were some fun surprises I didn't know about like 30 roses and the nice thoughts and some fun gifts. What have we been up to?

We did host the Elder's for General Conference. Now when the Elder's ask if they can come over for conference does that mean one session or all four? No, we had a great time. After watching them sleep through most of it; the final session I told them that if anyone was found asleep Waklee would squirt them with her gun. It was pretty funny but we didn't listen so well cause we were all laughing so hard. We love the Elders and were glad they like to come to our humble little apartment to hang out. Oh and yes Halloween is almost here! I can't wait. Please know that pictures from Halloween better be arriving to my email within days so I can post on the blog. Reese is going to be the cutest little lion you ever saw and Reese is a lamb. Get it.......a lion and a lamb. Fun Fun.

I had to post this pix of Rees'e cute hand-me-down from Melissa and I am not sure why Waklee is sporting so much attitude in this pix.

Hope you are all doing well and I am jealous of those getting to go and visit Grandpa in Texas.

And Happy Birthday to Robbi, Dad, Chad coming up and Happy Anniversary to Lex and Melissa!

Herring Family

It seems like these newsletters are coming around way too quick. You guys must think a lot happens around here.

Let's start with youngest first. Jack Henry will be 8 months old on the 27th. He's growing like a weed. His favorite thing is to play catch and after he throws the ball he likes to clap for himself (we like to start them early) he isn't quite crawling but he likes to roll and scoot to his destination. I'm afraid I'm in big trouble once he starts crawling, this kid wants to go go go. He loves when I put him in the jogger to go anywhere.

Joshua has 2 soccer games left. John has been his assistant coach this year so that has been fun for both of them. Josh is loving 1st grade and of course his favorite part is lunch and recess. Go figure! He's quite the kid. The other day I asked him to quit doing something 2 times and on the 3rd time I said "Josh, which part of don't do that aren't you getting?" he said, "I know mom, I'm just now starting to get it." I also told him he needed to get ready for soccer or he was going to be late. He said, "mom, I need water, quick go get it for me, hurry up lady." I'm still uncertain at this point who he was referring to. :) He's our little comedian. He turned 7 in September and we had a little birthday party for him with his friends. He thought he was the coolest kid ever. Kimbri just finished competing in her jumper shows. She had her best show of the year. She will still jump in training shows all winter but this was the last official UHJA show. I was so proud of how well she did and very excited that she didn't eat dirt. She has fallen off quite a bit this year. At one of her training clinics she lost her balance over the jump, fell off and Ivy stepped on both her thighs. Her legs got so black and blue. She would get mad every time I pulled out the camera. I just couldn't believe how nasty they looked, I had to take pictures. Fortunately she was back up and riding within about a week and a half. She's a trooper, we were just glad nothing serious happened. Kimbri is attending a pitching clinic once a week for the next 3 months. She is working on the basic fundamentals of pitching right now. It should be really good for her.

Logan's been busy with football. They have only lost 1 game in their division and lost 1 game out of their division which they classify as a cross over game. The teams are getting bigger and bigger. To give you a little perspective on what I mean by big his last game there were 4 guys on the other teams line that were huge. 3 of them were 5 ft. 11 inches tall and they weighed 185 pounds (yes they are only 12 years old). The 4th guy was bigger than that. Our line held there ground but we still ended up losing by 4. Our offense really struggled. The center kept snapping the ball over the quarter backs head. It killed us. Anyway, they have 2 games left then playoffs then championships. We have skunked everyone else other than this last team so we shouldn't have any problems at playoffs (only 4 teams play in the playoffs) and we should play in the championship game. Logan has been doing awesome in Scouts. He just had a court of honor where he was awarded around 8 badges. I don't know how he keeps up with himself, luckily he loves having a busy schedule. (I think he wishes he didn't have piano right now) He is enjoying Jr. High and keeping his straight A's thus far. He was picked as the student of the month at the Jr. High so we are very proud of him.

I'm busy being mom. Jack keeps me occupied most of the day. I've started walking every morning with my girlfriend Heather. We power walk 4.7 miles everyday except Saturday and Sunday. It's great for the body and mind and Jack sleeps the whole time which is a nice break. I'm so excited for football to be over so that we can start basketball. I'm putting together an accelerated team for Logan to play on. I'm going to head coach it and Heather is going to be my assistant. She is going to head coach Kimbri and Natasha's team and I'm going to assist. I can't wait. I'm getting the basketball itch. Chad and Tagg I will be calling you for some play tips. I want some good plays to use, they play by high school rules. I haven't started playing basketball myself, I had to quit running because my back has started bothering me again so I resort to walking until I can strengthen it again. What a pain. That about covers the excitement for me.

John has been traveling out East to visit his mom and to work our Xango business. He's headed to Oregon for a big Women's Health Expo. It will be a suicide drive over with Tom, 3 crazy days at the expo all day long and a suicide drive back because we have our Xango National Convention coming to town so John's sister and one of our friends from Ireland will be staying with us. It'll be a crazy 2 weeks for John. Besides working at the golf course, golfing, coaching Josh's team and Xango he's keeping busy.

The kids are excited for Halloween. I know you are all Halloween fanatics and I really don't care for the holiday but my kids get excited. Josh is going to be the hulk and Kimbri a clown. Logan doesn't go trick-or-treating anymore but he said he would take Jack. I think he wants the candy. Anyway, Trick or Treat to all of you! We look forward to seeing everyone over the holidays.

Nerdaball and Cute Wife

Well the newsletter is here and we have tons of news. We actually have had so much occur in the last weeks that we have decided to skip this newsletter due to the fact that I don’t really want to type it all. So everyone have a great month and we will keep in touch….

Ok seriously I will apologized before hand about this newsletter because I am currently suffering from writers block so If it doesn’t make sense or is really boring now you know why.

Darci has just started a new job working at the Salon and is enjoying it very much. She has been bringing home pretty good tips and I like that because for those of you who know I rarely have cash on me. Darci also just got promoted at her other job and goes to work form 7 to 3:30 and likes that a lot. She also gets to work from home on Thursdays which is extremely nice for her to finally be able to stay home sometimes.

I, Tagg Williams Jr. the third, am still working for XEL Electric. My boss is pretty cool you should all meet him sometime. Although, he can’t seem to stay out of trouble with the law. Something about methamphetamine with intention to sell and conspiracy to 1st degree murder. I really didn’t understand all of the charges. That is pretty much all I have been up to.

As many of you know Darc and I have been trying to procreate and to bring the next “good looking, intelligent, strong, athletic, charismatic, charming, loving, caring, found on the side of road….. Nerdaball into this world. We have been going to a doctor and trying the medical field to get pregnant. Now I wanted to be able to explain what is going on and since most of us were raised on a ranch this is what I could compare this to. They pretty much just herd us into a pen like a herd of cows. Tie up the legs and you can imagine the rest. “Darci doesn’t know I am writing this and she probably would not approve but this is pretty much what it is like.” No luck yet but we have faith that it will work and if it doesn’t I am on my way to the Bahamas. Saddle up partner!!!!

Now on a more serious matter. I know everyone right now is like, “ya whatever Tagg is full of B.S. 85 % of the time” but there is something that Darc and I would like to ask. First of all we would like to thank the entire family for having us in there prayers and in there thoughts and there worries for how we are feeling. I know that Darc and I came out and told everyone what we were doing or everyone heard somehow, “AKA Penny” that was because we were very optimistic about the procedure so we called and told everyone. Anyways I don’t want this to come out wrong but we could go through this procedure 5 or 6 more times before it works or even if it will work and so we would like to try to keep it a surprise if you know what I am trying to say. We love you all and know that you all love us but we hope you understand.

There seriousness over. I am looking forward to going down and seeing G-Jack especially since I think there will be snow around here. My birthday is coming up as is Penny’s and Chad’s but supposedly Darc has a great surprise in store for me so if anyone hears about it before me you can reach me at 208-716-1412 and give me the low down. I love this newsletter stuff because I can get info out without Darci knowing until it is too late!!!!!!

My thought: Why did I not become a Doctor or a Weatherman???

Holding Strong at Sixty Something........

Well, for having an empty nest it sure seems like we are busy all of the time. Let’s see-----what have we been doing? Dad and I went to Colorado to hook up with Becky, who was one of my best friends in high school. She and all of her brothers and sisters were all going to be home in Fairplay at the same time and I didn’t want to miss out so we headed to Colorado. First, we stayed a night at Herring’s and Logan and Gpa Jerry went golfing then we stopped in Grand Junction to see Aunt Pam and Michael and we spent the night with them and had a good visit. The next morning we stopped to see Pat, Jerry’s Mom and her sister for a couple of hours. Then we went to the Bordenville Cemetery and then we went down and were able to spend the night in the house that Gpa Jack built----that was cool but it wasn’t the same because Gpa Jack wasn’t there so it was just a nice house with a lot of memories on the ranch. I always forget what a beautiful place I was raised in. The next day we went to Hartsel to the places where Jerry was raised when he was a kid. Went to the school he attended (a one room school). Then we went to Becky’s and visited for about 3 hours----it was great to see all of them. Then we went to see Aunt Vickie and Rich and had a good visit. Tried to see Aunt Ann but she wasn’t home so we missed her.
The rest of our life has revolved around our cows and being out of feed, and high hay prices. But we finally found somewhere to move them and after all of the boys and some of the Grandkids came to help build fences the cows are looking fat and sassy again. Thanks to all of you, we think you are great!!! We know you were reminded why you all chose different professions besides ranching-----helping us once in a while is a good reminder. The rest of the time Dad and I have been searching for missing cows. Last newsletter I got the award for the best face plant in the water trying to wakeboard-----well Dad had a pretty good face plant getting bucked off his horse. He recovered okay but I am not ready to be an EMT. His horses are on probation because the next one that bucks him off is going to the sale.
Dad and I had planned to go to Texas for Gpa Jack’s 80th birthday but then we had calves in the feedlot to feed because we weaned early this year. I decided it just wasn’t right for Gpa Jack to turn 80 and me not be there so I jumped on a plane and surprised him for his 80th birthday. I may become a world traveler someday (not likely)-----I’m getting pretty brave. At least I found my way there and back.. Enjoyed visiting with Gpa Jack and of course Robbie’s good cooking. The week went by too quickly.
We love you all and pray for your health and success and are proud of the things you are accomplishing. Be seeing you over the holidays!!!! Love Gpa Jerry and Granny Janny