Holland in Washington

Holland 1995

Britton age 4

Britton and Colton 1995

Mt Vernon Washington 2010

Elder Odle and Elder Peterson

Elder Odle 2010

Elders 2010

Mt Vernon Washington

Elder Odle "The Field is Pink and Ready to Harvest."

Last weekend Britton sent us these pictures of Mt Vernon Washington. He and his companion, the assistants and the Mission President went there for Sister Showalter's birthday. He is working in the office. He was remembering our trips to Holland. I thought I would show you both Holland and Washington to see the difference.

EASTER

Who does Eva look like?
Yep Grandpa Baa

Firth Family Easter Egg Hunt has come and gone. Each year we have a great time. Some years it seems that we are few in numbers. This year was one of those years. The only "older kids" that we had to duct tape together were Colton, Nicole and Kenny. Here are some pictures.

The Wedding Singer and "Office" Elder

Colton and Tara Smith
Colton and cousin Devanee and Aunt Sandy

Well we have been without "the play" for just over two weeks now. I truly miss it as does every member of the cast that I have questioned. Actually the cast members say that they miss "ish" the play. They are grateful for the time that they have and then they miss the time performing and being together as a cast.

I thoroughly miss the play. As an obsessed mother I saw it every performance except one, the matinee. Colton, I felt was meant to act. I just thought he did great for his first acting debue. A few funny things happened, Colton came out for one scene with his zipper undone and gaping. Luckily Landon told him, but he could fix it until the end of the scene. Another funny was when did an somersault and ran into a chair. It will be a great memory of his high school years.

Britton sent a letter today and he is now what they call an "office ELDER" He is working everyday in the mission office from 10 am- 5 pm. After that he goes proselyting with his companion Elder Peterson. He was released as Zone Leader.

Look Closely

***When Britton and Colton were little they used to try to get each other in trouble by doing bad things and blaming each other. One time Colton wrote something on his dresser drawer about Dave and I and then signed his own name so that we thought that Britton had written it. Earlier last month we took his old dresser to the dump. This was our memory that we found. ****

MR LANCER COMPETITION

MITCH (Ambassadors- car on road going places)

LANDON (Productions- Cinderella and Prince Charming)

COLTON (Yearbook- a LANCER STORY)

So along with nightly play practices, Colton was asked to compete in the Mr Lancer competition to represent the Yearbook Staff. The competition is 5 or six different activities that are scored and then the top 10 compete in the assembly until they crown Mr Lancer.

On Saturday he had to run, bike and swim. He came in 14th out of 26th. He was ok with that because everyone that finished got 60 points. The winners got more. On Monday they had an eating competition. Some of the items he ate were liver, garlic, wahsabi etc. There were only three that kept the food down and got full credit. Colton was one. On Tuesday they had leg decorating contests. He decorated one leg as THE LANCER STORY (like the Christmas Story) and the other with yearbook pictures. He got 100 points. Next up he has an improvisational story where he has 90 seconds to tell a story and use certain "chosen unknown" words. On Thursday it is Lip Sync. Friday is the assembly where the top ten finalists dance and are escorted down to the stage. Here are some pictures.

Basketball Day

Since January, every Saturday has been basketball day with the Odles. Today was no exception. We had 4 games today and have a record of 2 wins and 2 losses. Each boy won one and lost one. It began with Church Ball for Colton. They had only 5 players so it was a long game for them. They beat the other team. Then off to Jackson's game. Dave is the coach so it is fun for both of them. Jackson game was very close but they lost by three. Next came Colton's Jr Jazz game. They lost. They only had 7 players so by the end Colton was beat. Lastly was Jackson's comp team. This was a super close game and they won it at the very end. It was really exciting.

Jackson has some strengths that he uses to play hard. He is very aggressive and extremely good on defense. He was one of the best re-bounders on the team tonight. Two weeks ago we cut off Jackson's hair where his bald spots were showing. We ended up giving him a marine haircut. Jackson was really upset about it so we went out and bought him a head band to wear at the games. His one said NBA. Last Saturday he was playing in the comp game and the ref blew the whistle and made him take it off. The reason was it could not say an organization on the apparel, it had to be a manufacturer. So Jackson was horribly embarrassed and took it off. So this week Dave and I bought him a NIKE one. He wore that today and I think it made him more aggressive. (Not to mention the new shoes that we bought him for Valentines Day.)


Colton strengths come from his height. He is super at rebounds. Every time he comes down with the ball. Over the last few years he has worked so hard at rebounding and then back up for the shot. It is fun to watch them. At one time he fell and landed on the ground. He tried to act as if he was fouled. The ref didn't go for it. Colton said to him, "I guess I wasn't being a very good actor." The ref laughed and said, "Nope". They probably could have won that game, but they were pretty tired. FYI: Colton got a Dean's Scholarship from Utah State this week. It is full tuition for 2 years. (WHOO,HOO)

By the end of the day, I am exhausted after sitting through 4 games, shopping at Sams, Dicks, and Famous Footwear (twice). Dave is home from Ohio and all is well here.

Britton's letter came yesterday and he informed us he has another baptism this week. His investigator has been learning about the church for 5 years. The missionaries went and provided service for him this week. It was a very hard and long project. Afterward Britton said to him if he ever decided to be baptized that he could call them. (Britton joking). He said, "well it looks like I'm gonna be." So the baptism is scheduled for tomorrow. Britton was thrilled.

A piece of advice that came in Brittons letter a quote from Elder Richard G Scott in a talk to mission presidents. "If you want to accomplish things that you've never accomplished before; you have to do things that you have never done before."

FYI: Colton, Landon Horton, Austen George and Kendra Quass are all in Layton High School's Musical "The Wedding Singer" It will be playing March 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, and 20th. If you would like to buy tickets, they are selling them at LHS Thursday Nights from 6:30-9:00pm until March 1st. Then the box office will be open daily beginning at lunch.

Pictures from Elder Odle

ONE YEAR DOWN!

Today is Britton's one year anniversary of his mission. He has loved every day of it. He loves serving a mission. We are so proud of him. He is a great missionary (so I say). Time is flying for us at home. We miss him but cannot think of another place that we would rather him be. Only 365 days to go. Woot!

Colton is speaking in Stake Conference this weekend.

Jackson starts Jr Jazz games this week.