guess who's back!!

ok... so July 12th came! It FINALLY came! his flight was to come in from Dallas, TX at 8 pm! I was doing anything possible to keep busy: wrapping his presents, cleaning my room, watching tv, going to the store.
Around 7 I got a call... his flight was delayed.. 8:45 pm. not too bad! I can manage.
Then another phonecall, and another, and ANOTHER.
12:25am on July 13, 2012!
what was the world doing to me? I had waited 2 years already and I was getting antsy. 
All the rain in Miami did some serious damage on his, elder alleys, and elder martins travel day.
Around 11 me, my mom, and my sister headed down to SLC International Airport. 
We met up with his family and not so patiently waited.
at 12:30 am.. the words on the flight screen changed from "enroute" to "arrived"! I jumped! I cried!

now as the goodfellows, alleys, and martins gathered around the exit we all waited.  Peering down the aisle trying to catch a glimpse of boys in suits and ties.
When I saw his cute smile turn the corner it took my breath way. 
I moved to the end of the line behind his family.
When he got to me we shared a semi-awkward hand shake (he wanted to be obedient to the end).

he.is.home. those words kept playing through my mind. I was in unbelief. 
I drove my mom and sister home and headed down to Chad St. for chocolate mousse with the goodfellows.  We waited for him to get home from being released. 
When he walked in the door his family made us hug in front of them. first hug in TWO YEARS. 
Following that he handed out gifts and showed us things he picked up in the mission.  As the family filtered home around 2:30 am it was just me and him. 
me and him.
he hadn't been alone with a girl in two whole years and I imagine he felt a little uncomfortable. 
We sat on the couch and started to talk. Honestly I don't really remember what we talked about but before we knew it-it was 6:30 in the morning! we were leaving for bear lake in 5 hours. So I headed home, showered, packed and drove right back down. By the time I reached my nap on the way to bear lake I had been awake for 30 hours.  I was past tired.  the day had felt like an entire week.
By the time we hit bear lake me and him were right back in our element. 
He still was getting used to things but we could talk like we didn't skip a beat. 
It was a rainy weekend but we made it onto the lake a few times! it was great to have a combination of family time and alone time all in one weekend! This weekend was very good for us but also personal.  So you don't get ALL the details. Just know that it is so nice to have him home! It feels good to pick up where we left off as two stronger people.  I haven't smiled this much in a very long time and I can only hope it keeps going like this.
Welcome back Elder Bryce Goodfellow!

a true love story.

My grandparents met at a seminary barn dance on November 12, 1938.  My grandma was 15 and my grandpa was in his first year at the University of Utah.  He danced with her all night and then drove her home.  He asked her to the Military Dance at the U.  He then made it a habit to call her every saturday night to ask to take her on a date that night.  My grandma decided one day that she would tell him she couldn't go and that she needed more notice.  In response, my Grandpa being the charmer that he was, said "Okay, how about a date every Saturday from now on?".  The rest is a love story that would take them from high school to a 70 year long marriage and eternal love.  A love story that doesn't end with the passing of my grandfather. This love story is eternal.

My dear Oenone,
       This is the last time that I will be able to write in your high school yearbook of south high.  It was one year ago that I wrote in your book as a Junior at South, and now you ahve blossomed into a fine Senior and on the threshold of graduation.  In the year and a half that I have known you, dear, I have been the happiest boy in town, and who wouldn't be.  South high is losing a very fine individual, a person who any boy would be proud to have for his friend.  Your personality beams about you with a golden radiance.  That certain little way you have and that smile which beams with friendliness characterize your personality.  Your hair is beautiful as it drapes over those little shoulders.  And your eyes sparkle with the radiance of youth, sweet seventeen. 
       In the time I have known you I have never had a better time.  We have been many places.  And those dances with my arms around your slender waist as we glided to the soft music will always be pleasant memories.  How proud I am of you my sweetheart.  I just have to have all of my friends meet you, and challenge them to find one better.  A girl who doesn't smoke nor drink, who is an excellent Mormon and who I hope loves me as much as I do her - they just can't be found any better. 
       Oh darling, I can't begin to express my feeling toward you.  But I can say that I hope with all of my heart that the day will come when I can ask you for your hand in marriage.  If that day comes I will be the luckiest boy in this city.  Because I know that you are worth more than your weight in gold for your charming individual personality and all of those hidden traits that slowly appear.  There are two objectives I have in life.  They are: 1. To become a successful dentist; and 2. To win your love and make you my wife for life and eternity. 
With loads of love and may our love last forever.
Bob Fairbanks.

teenie grandpa.

Robert L. Fairbanks
1920 ~ 2012
Our beloved son, husband, father, and grandfather, Robert L. Fairbanks, age 92 passed away Sunday, July 1, 2012 at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah from causes incident to age. Robert was born June 12, 1920 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ethelbert and Vera Larsen Fairbanks.
Bob attended school in Salt Lake City, including the University of Utah after which he studied dentistry in San Francisco. Two years into Dental School, he married his sweetheart Joy Oenone Slack in the Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple on May 7, 1942 and together they had five wonderful children. 
He loved his profession, and his patients loved him. He worked long hours at the office for 50 years and loved it. He honorably served his country in Alabama during the Korean War. He also had many hobbies that he enjoyed including fishing, hunting, jeeping, building his boat and china closets, traveling and painting, jewelry making, and many hours in his shop helping others.
He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints fulfilling many callings, including Scout Master and serving a full time mission to the Liberty Stake Mission with his wife Oenone.
He loved his wife and family and they loved him. He was always cheerful and fun to be with and will always be remembered as a friend to everyone. He will be greatly missed.
Preceded in death by his parents; son Barry Robert Fairbank; brother Frank Fairbanks; grandchildren Joshua Lowell Salmond and Zachary Paul Barlow.
He is dearly loved by his survivors; wife Oenone; four children, Robyn (Brian) Salmond, Sheryl (Lorin) Poulsen, Tammy (Dave) Swenson and Deanna (Craig) Barlow; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother Bryce (Madge) Fairbanks and sister-in-law Connie Kinsey; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 9 at 12:00 p.m. in the Monument Park 17th Ward, 2795 East Crestview Dr., Salt Lake City. Friends and family may call Sunday from 6-8 p.m at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, with an additional viewing one hour prior to services at the ward. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery.


My grandpa is a man that leaves behind a lot.  Every person that knew him has said, "I will miss him waving at me from his porch when I would pass by his house".  That is the kind of man he was, never letting someone pass him by without them seeing him smile.  I will always remember him singing to me off key while he would work on my teeth, squirting me with his water sprayer, and pretending the teeth cleaner was a snowman.  I will do my best to carry on the joy that he brought into my world.  It has been so nice these past few days to talk about his legacy and the impact he made here. I will remember him always and am so grateful to know that I will see him again. love you grandpa. you will be missed.

CHI town!

so my family is known for staying on the WEST side of things when it comes to travelling.
wyoming, california, nevada... the usual.
This past weekend, however, I decided to switch things up!
I headed to the great state of ILLINOIS!
a friend of mine (dusty wynn) sells security and home automation for vivint in Champaign, IL. (a few hours outside of chicago) and he invited me to come visit.
how could I pass this up?
he gave the invite on a Sunday evening and on Thursday morning I was flying out.
DAY 1-THURSDAY
It was my FIRST time flying BY MYSELF! (my mom was so nervous)
I had a layover (only 1 hour) in Phoenix and then I headed off for Ohare International Airport.
I headed out the terminal 2 doors... and automatically started melting! first day it was 106 degrees. Now in Utah we have what we call a "dry heat".. well they don't thave that there! it is HUMID!
you feel automatically sticky right when you step outside.
Dusty pulled up to the curb, we loaded my luggage and headed off on our first day of adventures!
We headed to a CTA parking lot catch the rail system! This system is so genius! It puts trax to SHAME!
After riding on the rail and going 30 minutes past our stop and then doubling back we knew how to work the system! first stop? Pizano's Pizza! a nice deep dish chicago style! we ate out on the padio as the Chicago rain began to fall. 
Time to hit Navy Pier.  We caught a taxi there! There was live music and breathtaking views of this skyscraping city! Once dusk started to set in we headed over to the river (that connects lake michigan and the mississippi river).  We boarded a tour boat! The sun was setting as we were toured through the beautiful architecture of downtown chicago.  We learned fun facts about the building i.e. the sears tower can sway three feet in any direction towards the top.  As the sun faded all of the lights of the city were lit up and made for a beautiful site! After a long (and HOT!) day in Chicago it was time to head back! we jumped on the blue line to the car and headed to champaign.  p.s. this first day I.. flew on a plane, rode in a car, took the train, took a taxi, and rode on a boat.

DAY 2-FRIDAY
The next day Dusty had to work so I hung out with the "wives"! we went to the city pool and floated the lazy river for HOURS! They were very welcoming and it was nice to have some girl talk.  The boys got done selling around 9pm ( I don't know how they do it!) and we all headed to texas roadhouse for dinner! It had been a long hot day in the sun for everybody which meant it was time for sleep!

DAY 3-SATURDAY
The boys were selling in Monticello that day and they were having a parade through the city! so of course vivint boys registered! that means us girls were on candy and balloon duty! we got lunch at sammies and headed over! We had two vivint cars, a vivint poster, SO MANY ORANGE SHIRTS, and candy for the crowd! it was a nice impromptu parade that made for an exciting day! Dusty stopped selling early so we could see the movie Brave.  SUCH A CUTE MOVIE!!! afterwards we met the whole team at Ruby Tuesdays to celebrate one of the salesmans birthdays.  We didn't eat much-we ate LOTS of popcorn at the movie! Then... what else would we do after besides go to the club???? This town is a complete college town so night life is loud and active.  We hit up the red lion.. no cover charge! which meant it was totally free since we don't drink. The people in champaign.. it is like they are 5 years behind. pooka shells, hollister, they have a funny look! we are the ones who looked like we were dressing weird. There was an awesome dj that made for a great time!

DAY 4-SUNDAY
Time to go BACK TO CHICAGO! we stopped at a sports authority to pick up some cubs apparal and it was off to Wrigley Field (of course using the rail system.. only way to get around)! we scalped some fairly decent tickets and headed in.  Bucket List item-check! we got peanuts, chicago dogs, we cheered for the cubbies, and sang the songs! Even though the cubs team is HORRIBLE... the fans don't care which is what makes them so great! It was unforgettable! after that it was time to explore! we walked down the streets around Wrigley field and then caught the rail Millenium park to see what we called "the silver bean thing"! it is AMAZING! That whole park was beautiful with fountains, gardens, and art! Then we took a nice stroll over to the Sears Tower (Which is now actually named the Willis tower as of 2009).  We took a surprisingly quick elevator ride to the 103 floor where we got to look over the whole ctiy! After we wanted to eat somewhere that had been on "diners, drive ins, and dives"! so we headed to White Palace Grill where we enjoyed good food and hospitality! It was the last night :(! I did not to leave this BEAUTIFUL place with buildings that climbed, lights that twinkled, and people that love and know their city! I flew out the next morning bright and early! I miss that place, and the friends I have and the friends I made there! I will definitly be returning there! (p.s. there is NO WAY ferris bueller did all of this and more in one day.)