July 24th

Cam,

Andrew flew in Monday at 4.  He was here Tuesday at noon but dad and Bug were the only ones home. So, dad told him to come back at 6:00.  I guess dad just hugged him in the driveway for a way long time.  Andrew told me he was pretty emotional. I think it brought those Bubba feelings to the surface, which is an ok thing...  Andrew is awesome. He has change but in a good way.  He is still the good ol' Bott!

Well today Austin had his farewell.  Aubrianna and Macie talked prior to him about camp and the whole young men sang "Armies of Helamen".  All those set a very good tone for a great sacrament meeting and apparently I looked very funny in the harness etc. flying across the obstacle course at camp.  Austin and his family when back east on a church site trip.  He was very touched by Carthledge Jail and the spirit he felt there.  It was very nice to see Austin so humbled and emotional.  He said he is only like 6 miles away from Texas but there is a huge drug war going on between two cartels where he is at.  SCARY!  Andrew did amazing.  He talked about how the first six weeks of his mission he was miserable but he plugged through and how he was able to gain a stronger testimony. He talked about repentance and how that is about changing and everyone should be doing this everyday in their lives.  He said we have a very active religion as in we need to be doing things to daily and to not sit idol.  It was good for me to hear.  Dad came in his uniform and stood in the kitchen at Bott's church but missed Austin's because he is training a new guy and they were on something.  He had a pipe line he let the newbie take on his first day.  

We took cookies to the Hardy barn for Austin's lunch.  We took salad for Andrew's lunch.  We didn't get to eat at Austin's because we had to be to Andrew's ward.  We went to Andrew's and it was in someones yard by Horsely Park.  

OH! HA...  Last night Annie came running in at like 11:30.  She had been to the rope swing with J.R. Kalekini, Mike Davis, Seth Bott, Hallee Warr, and Malorie.  She told me they had a problem and it freaked me out.  Well, Seth was leaving and he had left his window unrolled.  The cat got in his backseat.  So, he is driving down the dirt road and a cat comes to his left side of him and puts his paw on him while he is driving.  He freaked out!  He didn't know if it was a raccoon or what.  He swerved and went in the ditch.  The kids were on our tramp and went running.  He was all shook up and said, "take me to Jason".  Annie had come and told me and we had got dad out of bed.  Then, they came and said the other boys helped him get out.  We talked to him today and he said it totally freaked him out.  Ha!  He said he hates our cat and is going to run over it.  I think I will get a picture of snicker the cat for him in a frame...

I went to the dermatologist and had some spots removed.  They called me back and told me they are bacel cell carcinoma which is slow growing skin cancer.  Unlike when I had melonoma and that is quick and gets in your blood stream.  So, moral of the story....  Protect your skin in Brazil.  Wear sunscreen and watch if spots change on your body.  The experience I have had is when they look nothing like moles.  Weird marks and red dots etc.  

Marge and Leon are in Smith More house with their friends.  Marge gets so excited for this and the Hatch Reunion.  I am glad she gets to get away and Leon will go.  They seem to always have a good time and it is nice and cool up there.  Grandpa loves this head in his long sleeve flannel shirt and Marge can't stand it.  Dad told Leon that is why he should take Marge to Arizona in the winter.  Ha!

I told you Aimee Wells is teaching 2nd grade this year, right?  I am so happy!!!  Then there is Allison Montgomery that is only about 24 single and nice.  Then, the other half of the dual is another younger girl that served a mission and has great spanish skills.  She is dating Mr. Rasmussen's (principal) son.  I will get a long great with her.  

Halle got her braces off. She looks really good.  She has been riding the horse like everyday.  She saddles it and everything on her own.  Dad got her a new horse blanket and reins for her birthday.  She also loves to drive the tractor when hauling hay.  I am not her favorite right now and I just try to let her know I love her...  

It is trek this Wednesday.  Dad has suddenly gotten all excited.  We have been to Al's Sporting Goods and Smith and Edward's a few times.  He bought the girl's these Under Armor hats that are quite cute and everyone else will be wearing straw like pioneer hats.  We all need pads to sleep on too and I convinced him and that he and I could sleep on the foams we have.  He bought the girl's these ones that you put air in and get very small.  He is so dang funny!  He even said, "I am excited, this is going to be fun"!  Last week and prior he didn't even want to go.  I am excited but a little nervous too.  We all have ugly skirts and stuff to wear.  I got shirts from Claire for dad to wear.  I didn't think he would wear them and he will!  I will try to get some pictures but we can't take phones so it will have to be disposable camera. 

I had Lexie a wedding shower Monday.  It was nice. She took the cutest picture with Gordon and said she was going to send it to you.  I love her!

I can't wait to hear from you.  I hope you had the baptisms you'd hoped for.  Tell me how things are and don't forget to write a letter for your buddies that Becky Bown  sends out. 

I love you a lot and I can't wait to hug you but until then  I am proud of you and think about and pray for you everyday!!!  BE SAFE and CTR!

love you,

mom

Cam: hahahaha dad and how he gets excited about things. I hope this experience helps e testimonies grow.  So, I am early cause we have p-day with president. I won't have as much time. We are going to play basketball. The baptisms didn't happen but we are still working with them. My new comp is good. We get along so what more can I ask for?!

Mom:  How are you?  

Cam:  I am good.  Sorry I gotta go.  Have a good week.  I love you!

Mom:  I love you too son!