The Defection

Hello Joseph,

I hope this email finds you well. You know the news about the Utes. To add insult to injury BYU won their game, and are up in polls. Utah has completely fallen out of the top 25. It was bad Joe, Rising sucked. 

Even before the cougs game, your brothers decided that they didn’t want to face the ignominy of having a bad Utes team for the rest of the weekend. So Saturday morning they got in the car and left the country. Yes, they headed for Canada. I’ll let them tell you the details of the trip. They ended up in the little Southern Alberta town of Lethbridge. They are home now. They returned with the famous Tim Horton donuts and assorted Cadbury chocolates. It was fun telling the brothers at church that they fled the country due to their team shame. They’re big dorks.

This week was fairly standard. The elders were supposed to go to visit Fynn with the stake President, so Tuesday night I went with the neighborhood dudes to wing night at Buffalo Wild Wings. I sat at the other end of the table from the super republican guy so it wasn’t too bad. I don’t really like the wings there so I ordered a burger, which was pretty good. But I woke up with the worst headache ever so I wondered if it was the burger. I think twice a year is plenty for that activity.

Wednesday night we had pizza night. Friday night was the game, it didn’t start till 8:30. So I took your brothers to Astro burger. Only the Bergs came over for the game, which was probably okay since the game was so bad.

Saturday morning after your brothers left for Canada your mom and I were shopping. We came home for I while for mom to work so I went and got tires for her car. They do a good job at discount tire and even though they were expensive, I’ll feel safer if you’re moms not driving on worn down tires this winter. On the way home I noticed that there was a little car show at the Riverton town hall so I spent a few minutes checking it out. It was such a pleasant day I was happy to be outside.

After, that mom and I went for a super early dinner. I was thinking of going to park city, but I can never decide where to eat up there. I know your mother likes the Cheesecake Factory so I took her to the one in the mall in .murry. We timed it right and there wasn’t a wait. Mom had a giant salad and I had the fish and chips, both were satisfying. We split a slice of banana cheesecake for dessert. After, we walked around the mall, we bought some Kitchen stuff at the Crate and Barrel store and walked around a little more. On the way home mom wanted a Halloween shirt, so we stopped at target, Walmart, and that junky store she likes by the taylorsville temple. I didn’t care, I just really like being with your mother. Oh, and she found no shirt. When we got home, we rented the movie Twisters, and it was just as dumb as your brothers predicted.

Today was fairly busy. Church was normal. Mason Alger announced his mission call to Ft.Collins, Colorado. The same mission Peyton Hatton was in. Yes, was. It was announced today that he’s home for health reasons, I have no further details. Bishop announced that there were two mission calls received, but I’m not sure who the second one is since it wasn’t announced.

Due to your brothers temporary defection, mom had to lead the music in sacrament meeting today. So she invited me to sit on the stand with her. Let me tell you Joe, when a girl that attractive gives you an invitation, you take it. It was kinda fun sitting up there with her too, it’s fun to watch the congregation. Because of stake and general conference, we had fast and testimony meeting today. During an extended quiet time in the meeting I was compelled to bear my testimony, compelled by your mother that is. After the meeting bishop Snarr came up to me. He told me that brother knight had said in ward council that if any one was in need of a blessing that they should call on the Rivera boys. Apparently, last week Ben, who is the Knights home teacher, was invited to give brother knight a blessing because he had been hospitalized for blood clots. I only knew that Ben had taken Jacob with him because Jake told me after. You boys make it too easy for me to be prideful, even though I know i deserve no credit for your awesomeness.

We had our ward mission huddle after church as normal. Then as we were headed home I was informed by your mother that we had been invited to dinner at our new neighbors, the Snow family. I really wished I had been invited to go to Canada right then. But it was good, they are a good family. The oldest boy, who is jr high age, really reminded me of young Ben. It cracked me up. After that we had another Treats in the Street in the neighborhood. We’re getting a good turnout, good enough that we’re thinking of doing one this winter, with fire pits, hot chocolate, and scones. It could be fun.

When we got home your brothers were home and mom made them breakfast sandwiches. I’m happy they went, but I feel better that they’re home. 

That’s all for this time kid. I really love you. Talk soon,

Pops