But wait, there's more!... (posting twice today)

Total Derek wack-i-ness! Baseball hat, red ryder bee bee gun, cowboy boots, bandit mask, and his favorite levis!
(click the picture for a closer look at Blythe, her face says it all!)

Giggly kisses

And yes, baby brother in the doll buggy! Blythe would tote him back and forth a billion times, up and down the hall. She only tipped him over a couple of times, ha ha! Sounds like we might be getting pictures soon! We're excited!

I’m posting some of Derek’s letter to Blythe first (which made me laugh, then cry - and is the reason I dug out these pictures to post)… Happy Birthday this week Blythe! And it’s OK that he’s trying to make you one year older than you are – ha ha! After all, apparently me and your dad are ancient – bless his heart! Tee-hee

hola mi hermana! how is it going this week for you? hope all is well with you guys. all is going good for me, in my new area now. its about the same - lots of dirt and really hot but its good. loving the work and learning everyday! but just wanted to wish you a happy birthday and what, now you are like 23 i think, no? ha ha but ya i told mom that her and dad are old - you are turning 23 and your baby brother that you used to push around in a doll cart and know exactly what i wanted without me saying anything is almost 20 ha ha crazy i don’t feel 20, i feel like i am still 16 just learning to drive - crazy how fast life hits you. its not a year to year thing, it’s a 5 year thing that things pass in, its crazy but i love you with tons of love you don’t even know about (how much) its so deep it will never show, but its there. love you and happy birthday and have fun - go to dinner and stuff but have fun and love life ha ha - love you sis! Elder Reid

And, some of our e-mail this week… one week into his new area (El Carrizo)

- On Ms. Boberg’s passing (wonderful teacher at RHS)… ya i had her, she was the teacher for AP history - she was cool and really nice so that is sad to hear

- Weather? it is like 100 degrees today ha ha and its hot as a pistol here! ha but ya i got a cool tan on my arms and face! nada mas..... (going to have to translate that one)

- How is the new place, and the people? Any interested investigators? How's your new Ward? And do you like your new companion? the new place is nice, its a house thats above another so less bugs which is good. its just me and my companion and it’s a pretty big place so its nice. it has tiny stairs to it and the first day i cracked my head on the corner Aaaa! i will send you a picture and yes it is the same house as elder baker and ya i know him ha its the second picture i will send pictures too but ya its good. my area has alot of little towns like 30 min away so lots of gordos or rides ha ha but it is cool and ya they have 11 fechas for bautismal but they have a problem of not coming to church so we will see and we have a house of prayer not a church. its nice though, small ward but good people......and my companion is one that was in la cruz - my first change so its cool, i knew him before but ya he is cool and ya just working hard!

- We need to send your birthday package out soon - do you have anything on your wish list? i dont think that i have anything as of right now but i will think and make a list of things and send it to you so you can send me a package for my birthday! ha ha! wow 20 years old mom. ha ha you and dad are old and blythes, wow - you are ancient now! but i am good and just getting used to the area and people. they all have weird names here and i can never remember them, but i am working on it. i just call them hermana y hermano (Brother & Sister), it works, but its good and i am liking it although its hot hot hot! but what can you do - they say just wait till july august, oh boy, can i just tell you i cant wait? ha ha my birhtday i am going to fry! i could bake me a cake on the cement outside ha ha but love you tons and tons and take care this week. love your son that’s almost 20 - Elder Reid