The story behind Dink C (Part 2)

Months passed and there really wasn’t a way to keep in contact with each other.  Sending letters through the pouch was not allowed and the distance between us made it so we never saw each other at conferences.

After several months I was moved to Plaza Huincul, another ten hours on the bus.  Plaza Huincul is the city where Lane and I were reunited.  He received his transfer to our zone and lived in a nearby city.  It was great to catch up on the adventures and experiences we had up to this point of our missions.  (It was also nice to be able to speak to each other in Spanish and not English)  After a few weeks, and due to the a large group of missionaries going home, my companion and I were forced to close down our apartment in Plaza Huincul and move into Lane’s apartment in order to work two both areas and save on costs I suspect.  This is where Dink C comes into the picture.

Because of the funky tasting water, most missionaries would buy flavor packets, like crystal light, in order to mask the taste.   Just like in the US, consumers had the choice of different brands at the store.  Dink C was always the cheapest and only a nickel per packet if I remember correctly.  The next closest drink mix in price was about $.15 cents.  So like all poor missionaries did, I started out buying Dink C early in my mission but soon realized after taking the first swig that the granules of Dink did not dissolve in the water.  It was horrible.  First, you got the nasty tasting water in your mouth and then the flavored sand would slide down slowly till it hit your taste buds.  Was it really worth saving a dime is what I had to ask myself.  It was a no brainer for me; I switched and paid a dime more. Every missionary realized that mistake and switched...well, everyone but Lane.

The story behind Dink C (Part 1)

Lane Cutler and I were companions in the MTC.  We became instant friends from the first time we met.  Our first meeting came right after saying goodbye to our families.  I went straight to my room and chose a bunk and as I was walking out, I ran into Elder Cutler.  We both felt instantly that we were just resuming a friendship that started before this life.

Lane is from Highland, UT and went to Lehi High School.  He has been in the Army now for at least ten years flying helicopters.  Lane was enrolled at Army University and studying when he received his mission call.  I remember being amazed at the sacrifice that he and another Elder in our group made by having to withdraw from the Army and Navy in order to serve their mission.  Withdrawing from school is almost disgraceful because of the long and complicated process it is to get in.  Last I had heard Lane was in Hawaii after spending several years flying Apache’s in Afghanistan. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our time together in the MTC.  The night before we left for Argentina, we stayed up the whole night and talked.  The next morning we were the last to board the plane because of all the people who came to say goodbye to Lane.  Three plane changes later we touched down in Neuquén, Argentina and were picked up by the AP’s and taken to a home with a ton of bunk beds before meeting the Mission President.  The next morning, we all stood in a circle as one of the AP’s read out loud where each of us were going and how long of a bus or plane ride it would take to get there.  When it was announced that Lane would go to Choele Choel and he would be on the bus for another 4 hours we all laughed.  When it was said I was heading to Esquel and I would be on the bus close to 12 hours everyone laughed...I felt sick!

Door Stop

We ate at a little restaurant about 15 minutes north of us called the Door Stop.  They are featured on Diners, Dives and Drive-thrus.  The one dish they feature on the show is french toast battered and dipped in corn flakes so that its crunchy on the outside.  This will be a must eat when you come to Pittsburgh to visit.

We had a good time with Bracken's family over Thanksgiving.  We had turkey, yams, potatoes, cranberry sauce and pie. 

Our stuff arrived yesterday and I spent all day at the house pointing where things went to the movers.  I also took some time to switch out lights throughout the house.  The only problem I ran into was an exposed wire in the master that threw up a flame ball in my face and made my thumb go numb.  Here is a picture I got a Lils dressing up like a Tinkerbell.

Eagle Scout Dinner

Erin and I attended the Pittsburgh area Eagle Scout Recognition dinner last night in downtown Pitt.  CONSOL purchased a table of 6, as they do each year, and passed tickets out.  Normally, the tickets never get lower than the Vice Presidents of the company but this year Cody was not able to go.  He flew out last night to attend a conference in Paris, France.  He gave me the tickets and said this is a network meeting.  We had fun and the meal was pretty good.  I was able to rub shoulders with others from the company and it was nice getting away from the kids for awhile as well.

Erin had a good birthday.  Thanks to everyone who called and wished her a happy day.  I didn’t get her a gift; she asked instead that she be allowed to buy some things for the home once we are in it.

Kena is feeling better, but now Lils has the fever.  This is a weird flu virus that includes symptoms like sores in the mouth.  

They are painting and laying the floors in the house.  We have built a good relationship with the guy and have invited him to church.  He has kids our age and a boy on the way in December.

Afternoon Drive

We went to Mingo Creek Park this past Saturday and were planning on letting the girls run rampant, but they were both fast asleep when we got there.  So instead, Erin and I drove through the park and visited the two covered bridges in the park and enjoyed the afternoon talking while we drove.  We first drove over Ebenezer Bridge.

 

Then we went to Henry Bridge. Henry’s bridge was built in 1881. I don't know who built these bridges, but they are amazing and the park is nice.

Turning Cold

The leaves are all falling and everyone is raking.  That is the general feel of the neighborhood right now.  We met our next door neighbor and had a good talk.  They are from Ohio, but have been in the neighborhood for years now.  She is really nice and loved meeting Kena and Lily.

The day I arrived for work, I was put in charge of a documentation project for Materials and Supply Chain Management.  It has been difficult so far trying to track people down in order to get them interviewed and the different processes documented.  I am sure it will continue to be a challenge going into the end of year.  I was told in a meeting I needed to be ready for the first training class about mid November.  That will be fun, me doing training for employees that have spent their whole lives in the industry and companyJ

Our house just got a facelift, the roof, soffit and fascia have all been completed and now they are working on the inside of the house.  The builder says that they still plan on being done mid-November right when our stuff comes out.

This was the before picture, I will post the after soon.

Halloween

I went to the trunk o treat for our ward two nights ago.  I was surprised by the turnout.  We had about 30 cars there and lots of kids as well. It was a lonely night without Erin and kids though.  Erin was nice enough to send me some pictures of the girls.

 Cuteness!!!

Settling In

I went in to Pittsburgh and snapped some pictures.  I stumbled across Primanti Bros restaurant, home of the coleslaw, french fry burger.  I also went to the Fort Pitt museum.  It is weird to think that this area was well inhabited by Europeans well before we were a nation.  George Washington fought his first battle here against the french.

There are lots of bridges that cross the three rivers to lead into Pittsburgh.  The rivers are the Monogahela, the Ohio and the Allegheny.  These rivers are massive, like the Mississippi in Nauvoo.  We are about 20 minutes from Pittsburgh following I-70  going SW.  The ward building is about 10-15 minutes SW in Washington, PA going down I-70.  Work is only 4 minutes from Cody's and since we are moving in next door, it will be nice to come home for lunch and not having to worry about commuting into the office.

My office is located on the first floor of a 4 floor building.  The building is shaped like a C and is only a few years old.  I report to a gal who works out of an office in the middle of nowhere in VA.

Bridalveil Falls

We went with Erin's cousin Matt and his family to Bridalveil Falls.  The kids enjoyed building a dam and playing in the freezing cold water.  It was nice to spend some time with them before leaving.

PA

It was a crazy-long drive from Utah to Penn.  I drove along I-80 and passed through Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa, then decided to take another route and continued on through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia before crossing into PA.

I took this while the car was moving because I wasn't going to waste my time stopping.

I also stopped to get a looksy at our closest temple. This is the Columbus, OH temple and is about 2.5 hours away from us. Very pretty and very mini.

The most exiting thing about having a boy...

TOYS.

I mean buying dolls, barbies, strollers, and hula hoops is great n all...but now we get into the good stuff.  Stuff like: Hot Wheels, Nerf toys, Balls for every sport, and toy guns.  Not to mention having someone to play Xbox 360 with.  Check out the Nerf Vulcan Gun...gotta have it.

What were your favorite toys when you were a kid?  My favorite toys of all, not that I had a lot compared to my kids now-a-days, would have to have been these little plastic wrestling characters.  I had a bunch and Omai had some as well.  The best of my lot was this one I called Ninja.  He was tall and wiry and dressed like a ninja. (Creative name huh?)  I would set up wrestling matches every day even having battle royal where everyone would enter the ring.  Fun times.  HOLY MOSES, I FOUND THE ACTUAL WRESTLING GUYS WE USED TO HAVE.  WE HAD THIS PACKET OF WRESTLERS!!!!!!

Thurs

This Thursday we find out if we will add another girl to the family in January or if we forge new territory with the addition of a boy. I have heard that boys are easier to raise, but all we know is what we have now. Lils and Kena are getting to be a handful as of late, but are so cute.

For FHE last night, Lily was telling us the story of 'Daniel and the Lion King'. She had all the right details except the title and the fact that the lions were biting Daniel. Still, even though the story changed a little, it's still amazing the amount that kids retain from their Sunday classes.