A Hard Farewell

The night before Trenton was scheduled to leave on his mission was definately a family night. Everyone made sure they had work off - and all other dates and appointments were cancelled. After he finished running around getting last minute things done (like um packing), we all went over to Grandma and Grandpa Talbots house before dinner, so that he could say goodbye.



After we left Grandma and Grandpa's we ate at the favorite Texas Roadhouse for a "last supper." The eight St George officers sitting at the booths behind us (who were celebrating a deployment), sure didn't appreciate the loud peanut fights going on between us.

After eating some of us were pretty drowsy and lounged around the house.

The other half of us must have had something special in our food because we were a bit over-energetic and started trying to take pictures of each other mid-air doing stupid things.




After our extra energy wore off, we went home and to bed, knowing it was going to be an early morning. Trenton stayed up late finishing packing and visiting Dad. At 7:30 the next morning, we were up and packed into Misty's car, ready for the 4 hour drive to Provo ahead of us. We weren't sure what the roads were going to be like - patchy rain and snow were forcasted.



Thankfully the roads were nice and clear, we arrived in Provo at 11:00 and it was lightly snowing - the mountains looked beautiful! We killed some time walking around the mall before making to our destination - the MTC! Once we reached the MTC, it finally really hit us that Trenton was leaving. We had to wrench his cell phone away from him (not really, he forgot it was in his pocket). He began to look pretty nervous as we parked the car and began walking him toward the building, luggage in tow.




Trents badge and "dork dot" being applied by his beautiful and tough-as-nails Mom.



Once we got inside the building and dropped off his luggage, the tears started. Me and Kyle were able to hold them back until the final goodbye and "parting of the ways" but it wasn't easy.


We made a quick stop at the Post Office in Provo and dropped a bunch of Valentines off for him from extended family, and another stop for Kyle to pick up two dozen Krispy Kreme's, and then hit the road again. The trip home was much harder than the trip up. I couldn't help thinking how sad it was that we wouldn't be seeing him again for 2 years. I broke down crying again as we passed Spanish Fork when I started wondering who was going to go hiking with me this summer. Even though it is sad to be parted from Trent, we realize it is an important sacrifice. We are so proud of him and the decisions he has made. I know at the end of two years it will seem like the time has flown by, but right now it seems so far away.

Big Families Rock!

Today was a special day. Trenton went through the temple for his first time! Me and Kyle were lucky enough to be able to go with him, and Kyle had the privilege of being his escort. We were also pleased that all the people attending our session gave him special attention and congratulated him on his mission to Scotland. Everyone was very eager to shake his hand and pat his back, much to his embarassment.
We've had an enjoyable couple of weeks. Here are a few of pictures taken last week from our hot dog roast up at Pioneer Park and from our swim at the clubhouse in our subdivision. I don't care how much they criticize - having a big family is the best! I don't ever feel lonely for friends because I have plenty to do having my family around. Thanks guys!


Tim enjoying his favorite past time - texting. And Matt his favorite - eating.


No, I am not below posting unflattering pictures of myself. Here's one of me scarfing up a hot dog. Gracious eh? :)

Yet more grazing....

The Man-of-the-hour and his momma enjoying a hot dog and a sunset.

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Swimming until much later than Shirley would approve of. (Shirley is/was the pool lady that used to give us warnings that the pool would be closing in X number of minutes.)

Kalin and his best buddy, Joe Jarvis

Called To Serve!

Trenton opened his missionary call Sunday morning and has been called to the Edinburgh, Scotland mission! Congratulations!!! He received a call from the Stake President Saturday night asking him where he had been called to. When he told the Stake President that he hadn't yet received his papers, the Stake President said, "Well you should have. They were sent Monday!" Trenton began searching the house for them early the next morning. Mom pulled them out and gave them to him; they'd arrived in the mail on Kalin's birthday and she (understandably so) didn't want to take away from that. Trent ripped them open promptly.



When he submitted his papers a few weeks ago, we started a contest to see if anyone could guess where he might go. The prize was a barrel of treats/money/gift certificates, and everyone made their guess by putting "their" magnet on an area of the map. Here were the guesses:

Mom guessed Canada
Tia guessed Eastern US
Trent guessed Australia
Tim guessed Vietnam
Dad guessed Germany
Kalin guessed Western US
Rachelle guessed Countries below Mexico
Matt guessed Argentina
Misty guessed Brazil
Kyle guessed Mexico
Grandma T. guessed Montana
Grandpa T. guessed Florida
Chantel guessed Japan
Sgt Bithell (WCPD) guessed Chile
DJ guessed Alaska

No one guessed Scotland, but Mom had guessed Canada and the edge of that country was closest to Scotland so she got the barrel. She, of course, gave it away for everyone to share. He leaves in February.