We got them yellows, got them purple, got them greens

And the whole tops diamond and the bottom row's gold...our Christmas tree, that iz. It's Christmas Eve and there's not a lot to say other than I'm doing laundry and I lost the cap to my Spray n' Wash, shoot! Thanks for the presents everyone! I don't know what's in them...cause I haven't opened any of them yet. I'm a write a letter tomorrow though, so that you know how my Christmas went. Oh, you should send me some numbers so I can call people when I get to the airport. I think ours' is still 295-4395, and Ben's is 558-8891, but yeah, I need some numbers 'cause I can call anyone I want at the airport. Not on Christmas. You never told me what the "scare" was with Simba, by the way, and yeah, I have a coat. I'm glad to see Chase will enjoy his last Christmas. 'Kay, I have nothing cool to say today sooo feeeeel lese Navy Da! I'm terrible at Spanish.

New photos from behind the MTC curtain.

Christmas tree - MTC style

Aaron and Blake Jensen our long lost neighbor
reunited on their way to different missions.

da DA da DANCE in your FORbidn

Hey kidz, how's it going? !MERRY CHRISTMAS! Mom, thanx for the Christmas present. I swear I haven't opened it yet. Sorry, I don't think Paul ever got my email I sent him cause I just got a weird email return notice or something, but I emailed him just saying thanks so much for the yo-yos 'cause I love playing with them, and it's so good to have something that distingwishez (no idea how to spell thatt <--) one person from another around here. That's hilarious that kids are mistaking Peter for Jesus! And that's cool he's sliding into home plate (graduating) next spring. Um, I hope Adam has been building GUS, I'm waiting for the picture to be sent to me. Chase is going to live, and no you didn't tell me about the scare you had with Simba. Um, that's cool that Matthew's doing so well with his job, and even cooler that he might be able to move back to Atlanta. Sorry, I forgot everyone's emails today. I have a list, but I forgot it so just one for today. Um, tell Becky I'm drawing her a picture of Jesus. Tell Ben that finals are the worst, but don't worry about them too much cause you should know before hand if you are going to have to retake the class and you'll do fine on the other ones. I'm jealous of Liza and Jeff and Rozzi. They always go on vacation. Thanx Grandma for the Christmas Card, thurz glitter all up in my grill! Ha! It,s cool, and thanks for the money. I don't know what to tell you guys, I'm just doing the same stuff everyone else is.. so I don't know why you continue to express any interest in me.. I wake up as late as I can, go to class, try and figure out what the heck my teachers saying (but I have really cool teachers, Hermano Minle y Nilsen). I'm sending you something one of my teachers wrote, and it really hits me home ( cause I feel like it's the same story for me so far, and going to be in the future.) then I eat as healthy as I can, but I still gain weight, more class, gym, play with my yo yo, sleep. So that's it. Boring. Um, my new companion is really good at Spanish. He took it in college so it's way better. Um, we have a new kid in our class (the one that replaced my awful companero antiguo) and he's crazzy. He was in the army, and I feel bad for his comp 'cause he's exactly what you would expect coming from the army. We are in the same room, but I kind of like "Commander Sheely". I feel bad though, he hasn't ever got any letters from home. Anyways I'm trying to get really good a the Jump-Rope in gym. I'm trying to learn Spanish. I'm sending you guys my micro SD card pretty soon, and all of your Christmas presents that I got for everyone! MERRY CHRISTMAS! I'll tell you about President MONSON's talk, 'cause I'm pretty sure he always comes on Christmas. Have a good one without me!! suckas!!! Luv you kidzzz.z.z...zzzz‏

Received December 15, 2009 by snail mail

Dear Fam--How is everyone?... Adam? Ben? Grandma, Mom, Dad, Chase, Paul, Tiger? Newz. What's New? Sell my car? Um...yes the pictures are great! Time at the MTC dragzzz, so I'm glad it's going by fast for you! I'm just going to hand write the letters to those nice people that won't stop giving me money, and you guys can give it to them/ send it. Pay the tithin' on it too if you can--Thanx. That Luau sounds like a good time for the kidz. Nothin' better than a bunch of white people doin' the hula, not to mention Glen. Anyways, this marker isn't workin', so orange it iz. You asked me if I would tell you my comp's name... NO! Is the answer, 'cause I got a new one 2 dayz ago--his name's Matt Wagner. We're both tall and skinny, so naturally we are friends. My old comp got moved out of our district 'cause he bugged everyone, and he got replaced by this kid who waz in the Army. He's freakin' weird. Lucky he izn't my comp so IDKare. We are in the same room though, w/"Commander"
So thanks again for the toyz, and pictures. My life is a little more fun thanks to you. I'm just trying to have as much of that as I can, which is easier 'cause my district is a little more irreverent than most. I love (heart drawing) Yo-yos. Um...is Chip-Chip's pro skiing career still on track, or iz hiz knee still messed up? Ben/Adam out of school? Iz Chase alive? Let me know. Build Gus--"If you build it...they will come" (Field of Dreams, dumb show!) Love you, Aaron Daniel Howard

P. S.

P. S. Tell Camilla, Nikki, and Becky Thank you & I love them and I'll write them better next week.

My Crew...

Sorry. This is a crappy letter. Anything for Christmas. No. Thank you so much for the package Paul and Mom, and for the letters from everyone. Sounds like another killer Thanxgiving--Thanks to Paul. I'm jealous of you all seeing Fantastic Mr. Fox, Thanks for the Box! So you're having a Charlie Brown Christmas...sounds like you're really letting yourselves go for the holidays. Skiing better be a lost sport by the time I get back. Oh nothing could EVER replace Gumdrop--but I still love the kanga. Adam, Great Job on wearing the purple shorts. I'm trying to follow Peter's advice, eating as little as possible, but it's hard, cause there is always so much food available! Ben, I do kind of H8 mi comp, but yeah I love my district. Tell everyone sorry I've lost like two hours of my p-day so I couldn't really write anyone. But things are getting better,....again, thank you for everything in the package. Toys are so Great! You know me well. Um yeah. So Sorry. I will spend way more time on your letter next week, K? Luv U Mom, Adam, Eliza, Dad, Ben, Laura, Grandma, Matthew, Peter, Jeff and everyone
Aaron Daniel Howard

Note: Aaron sent a great picture of "His Crew". He sent it with a fun map that tells all about everyone in the picture, but it didn't scan so great, so you just get the photo. Here are the names and descriptions of his district.


Front Row: Left to Right: Elder Kaka from New Zealand, lived in Hawaii went to BYUH, but we didn't know each other. He's hilarious and good at fire knifing. My Great Companion, Elder Parry, bugs the crap ouda me sometimes...I'm getting used to it. From Sokom, WA. That's Me, your son! Elder Tialavea, Great Leader, hilarious, 1/2 Samoan, From CA, went to BYU. Super Smart.

Back Row: Left to Right: Elder Gillmor. He's fun, from Seattle, WA. His parents didn't write him till today so everyone wrote them hate mail. We room together. Elder Brannelly. I think we have the most in common. He's cool... so naturally. He's from Draper, UT. Elder Wagner. We run together. He's scrawny--also from UT. Elder Reeves. Thinks he's Indie Music. Funny. From Gilbert AZ. (Two people missing: Elder Bowthorpe "Choirboy" SLC. Elder Wild "Homeboy" from Hooper, UT.

yo I got that Black AmX card dat aka thro it in da bag card

So, this, this is my seconddddd weekkkkk.....I h8 e-mail, so I'm just going to hand write you kidz and I'm sendin' a pic of my crew. <3 U guyzzzzzzz a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z can't wait for those pics you're sendin'. Try and send me a good one of our family if that exists. Aaron