A MEXICAN THANKSGIVING....

This is my ESL class. I have truly enjoyed teaching adult night classes over the last few months. The students come from all over (Sudan, Africa, Central and South America, Burma and Vietnam...to name a few) but primarily Mexico. Since Thanksgiving is an American holiday, we decided to celebrate Thanksgiving Mexican style (random, I know). At the beginning of class we passed along a sign up sheet for food assignments. One of the students from Mexico blurted in his broken English, "Tell Vietnam no can bring rats". I immediately shot him a look and explained that we needed to be respectful of all cultures in our class. The man from Vietnam then responded in his broken English, "It ok, rats make you strong." Apparently, in Vietnam, eating rat is not only common, but seen as a great source of protein! Needless to say, we did not have rat on the menu.

MORE FROM MONTANA...

My sister Brittany and her little Ella Bug

My fun sisters Alyssa and Natalie

My cousin Sarita and I hanging out on the floor

Little Ella all dressed up and ready for Halloween

My sister Alyssa and our neice Ella after the funeral

My cousin Sarita's little girl Averie and my nephew Porter. It was so fun to watch them play together. These little guys are just one day apart

Grammie Mangus

Grammie Mangus...what a beautiful woman. This is a rare picture of Grammie and all her grandchildren at Grandpa's funeral.

GRANDPA MANGUS

My sweet Granpa Mangus passed away last Saturday morning. He was a man who dedicated his life to loving and serving those around him. Grandpa will be missed for his uplifting and unconditional love toward all people. He lived a great life and is now resting from the long battle of this past year. The funeral was beautiful and in many ways a sweet celebration of his life. I know my grandfather would have wanted nothing more than for his family to all be together. What an incredible legacy he has left for us grandchildren.

Bert Mangus, 78, of Billings, passed away at the Valley Health Care Center early Saturday morning, Oct. 25, 2008.

Bert came into this world on April 8, 1930, in Lovell, Wyo. He was the second child of four born to Charles Choncie and Violet Berthelson Mangus. He is preceded in death by his older sister, Peggy Jean, and his youngest brother, Charles Wayne. Bert's brother Jay Mangus survives and resides in Worland, Wyo. He attended public school in Byron, Wyo., where he was selected as an All-State athlete for his State Champion junior- and senior-year football and basketball teams. Bert later attended Northwest Community College in Powell, Wyo., on a basketball scholarship prior to transferring to Billings Business College in 1949. While attending BBC, he met Evelyn Frickle of Hardin, and they were married in the home of Evelyn's parents on Oct. 27, 1950. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

To this eternal union were born three sons, Marlon Dean (Susan) of Noblesville, Ind., Bryan Kirk (Colleen) of Warner Robbins, Ga., and Shon Clark (Honey) of Billings.

In addition, Bert has been able to enjoy the lives of eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Bert worked as a bank teller in Laurel prior to accepting a position with Marathon Oil Company's, Byron field office in 1951. He later accepted a transfer in 1952 to Marathon's Regional Offices in Casper, Wyo., where he worked for 35 years until retirement as a Human Resource Representative. He enjoyed his early Casper years by participating in the community church basketball and softball programs. In addition, Bert served his community as Marathon's United Fund liaison as well as Treasurer for the Casper Community Recreation Program. He was a meticulous record keeper. In 1997, Bert and Evelyn moved to Billings, where they have been able to be closer to their siblings and relatives.

Bert was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in a variety of capacities such as early morning seminary teacher, gospel doctrine teacher, ward and stake clerk, counselor to the Bishop, and Temple worker.

Bert's greatest joy was being a father and attending all of his son's activities. He rarely missed a game, graduation or church ceremony where they were involved. He was a great teacher of sports and spent countless hours practicing with them. Above all, Bert was a kind man. He will be remembered by his peers for his service to others and making sure that their temporal needs were met, and that they felt welcome and comfortable regardless of the circumstances. He loved his grandchildren and they loved him. They have all traveled from the far corners to attend and pay tribute to his passing.

The Mangus family wishes to thank the healthcare professionals at the Billings Clinic, Valley Health Care and RiverStone Health Hospice for their dedication and support as well as family and friends who made periodic visits to Bert's home and bedside.

A FUN SUPRISE...

Last week my little friend Amberlie came into town from San Diego. It was fun to see her and meet the finace Brady. We went to lunch at Pei Wei and had a fun time reminiscing about the good ol days. Always a good time with Amberlie, I miss that girl.

CUTE AS A BUTTON....

Here is a PREGO picture of Alexis (on the left). We have been friends since I was in second grade. She is going to have a little baby boy named WILL and I cant wait to meet him! She looks amazing and I am excited to see her in a few weeks.

WELCOME ELLA KATE CARROLL

Friday night Brittany and George welcomed Ella Kate Carroll into this world. What a beautiful little girl! She has dark hair and long fingers and toes (not a mangus girls trait!) I think she looks a lot like George and Collin, but that can always change as they grow. It is so fun to have our first little niece. Congrats Britt and George!!!

ps. thanks nat for letting me steal your pics...ha!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAT!!!!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO NAT!!! (Needle) I have been behind the eight ball on this one, but I just want Natalie to know how loved she is. I hope your birthday was special and you had some fun.

Nice to everyone
Animals.... Need I say more?
Terffic mom to Porter
Always fun for a good laugh or mimic
Loves easily and often
In style and always knows whats up
Encouraging and loves to uplift and support all

Thanks for being such a wonderful sister and friend!

BLANDING, UT

A few weeks ago, Ponkey, Trevor, Grandma and I went down to Blanding for the weekend. It was really fun to see where Ponkey grew up, and the rich family history there. One of the highlights for me was seeing for the first time, Great- grandpa and grandma's grave sight. It was fun to meet up with Jick and Judy and enjoy some fun bonding time with them. Grandpa was eager to show us "everything" and we did just about that, covering Blanding, Monticello and Bluff. We got so ambitious, we almost ended up at Lake Powell! Southern Utah is absolutely beautiful. I really enjoyed stopping at an the Navajo Indian reservation and of course looking at the indian jewelry! I have an even greater appreciation for our ancestors and the sacrifices they made in our behalf.

FREE BIRD...

This past sunday I was released as RS President. It was a bitter-sweet thing for me. I felt much the same way I did upon being released as a missionary. It is a feeling of having some sort of burden lifted off your shoulders at the same time sadness for not being able to serve in this capacity anymore. I will miss serving the girls in this ward, but I feel like it was time. I feel a sense of peace and gratitude for a wonderful year spent in the service to the sisters in our ward. I am not sure what is next, but I feel like a free bird flying around for a moment. I know this will last a week and I will be left scratching my head as to the next thing....

The Newest Cousin...

It's a Girl... Olivia Nicole Redd is here weighing 5 lbs 12 oz.... she is tiny and so adorable!

LAX

This was taken on my trip to LA. This is an old friend from Salt Lake, Amberlie, she is so much fun. She is now in law school in San Diego and I miss her. It was so fun to see her! We only took one pic.... from LAX airport.. lame!

Hol Chan Suba Diving

SAN PEDRO, BELIZE

Oh you better BELIZE we had an amazing time on the beautiful island of San Pedro! After landing in Belize City, we took a jumper flight over to the island of San Pedro, Belize. The pilot let me sit co-pilot and fly for a bit (it's scary I know...but welcome to Central America). I belive the door was shut and locked only to find that a napkin was holding it safely shut (once again, only in Central America). It was amazing to look out over the ocean and I have never been in an airplane that small before (okay minus the time I studied Amelia Earhart, and talked a flight student into a plane ride at the Fishers airport)....We had such an amazing time. Belize is a culutral mix and they speak Spanish, English and Coreal. Most people on the island drive golf carts for transportation. I will not bore you to death, but some of the highlights were, snorkling, zip lining, eating good food, meeting random funny people from all over the US, My first scuba dive (which was unreal and I can't wait for the next), river floating, a visit to the island branch (oaky twig, only 10 people including kids), reading and relaxing at the pool, the best ice cream ever, and being away for a fantastic break.... I wish I could show some pictures of the dive. Joc and I saw nurse sharks, eels, angel fish, turtles, sting rays. The underwater world is beautiful and so peaceful. What an amazing place, I would go back in a heart beat!