Dave's birthday trip...Green River/Moab

At the beginning of the year we sat down and mapped out a "getaway" a month on our calendar.  Some of these were dictated by soccer tournaments or holidays, but others were just random dates  we made sure to put on the calendar so we would plan on them.  This month the kids were out of school for the end of the quarter and it was also Dave's birthday, so we decided we would go down to southern Utah which is alway so much fun!

We left super early on Friday morning so we could get to the area for a morning hike.  We made it there by 10am and started out on our first hike, the Fisher Towers.  It was a nice hike with beautiful rock towers surrounding us.  We made it to the base of the Titan tower and then decided to hike up the path that the rock climbers use to actually face the towers.  We ended up watching a couple people rock climb up the side of a tower and we enjoyed the amazing view of the surrounding area from there.

After that hike we ate our lunch under a shade tree and decided where we wanted to go next.  We headed out towards the Grandstaff Wash area and found a fun hike to a natural rock bridge that was over 240 feet long.  The hike was partly along a small stream, which was a welcome sound and sight in the normally arid dessert.  This hike was a bit longer and a bit hotter, but we enjoyed it all the same.  It was fun to reach the bridge and sit in the shade for a while before heading back to the car.

After our long drive and a couple hikes we headed to our hotel room in Green River to have a little rest before deciding where to grab dinner.  We went to Ray's Diner in Green River which was really yummy!  After dinner we had a quick swim and were ready for an early night.

Saturday David had been searching for a slot canyon in the area that we could explore.  Slot canyons are our favorite hikes and the kids especially like them.  They are so beautiful and take some skill getting through and around all the skinny places with the rocks too.  We headed out a dirt road for over 30 miles to find the Moonshine Wash that promised a great slot canyon.  It did not disappoint and after a little hike we entered an amazing slot canyon that was so fun!!   It was one of the longest slot canyons we have hiked and it just kept going and going!  Some places seemed like we weren't going to be able to get through, but we all made it safely through!  After reaching the end of the slot we turned around and headed back out.

After leaving the slot canyon we followed the wash in what we thought was the way back to our car.  But somehow we missed a turn and eventually noticed that the only footprints we saw were animal tracks...there were no other footprints where we were.  We were lost!!  It was kind of surreal to be out in the middle of now where and not know where we were.  But like good scouts, we decided to go back to where we knew we were and see where we missed the turn.  We had gone quite a way off the path, but eventually made our way back to the right trail and out to our car.  After that long hike we decided to load up and head home...what a fun time!!

Norco Soccer Showcase

Evan had a soccer showcase in California and I decided to take both kids and have a great California weekend with the beach, friends, and soccer!  It was so nice to go and feel a little bit of warmth.  And of course, the beach is always a great place for a soulful visit.  Evan enjoyed 3 games of soccer and we love watching him at his passion.  We also got to visit a few old friends and spend time together.  All in all it was a wonderful weekend get away!

Sledding fun!

After the busyness of Christmas we took the morning to clean up the house a bit and then decided to take advantage of the snow and go sledding!  It was a perfect day, with plenty of snow and sunshine, and a big hill!  We did lots of runs and had a great time.
 

Christmas 2016

Christmas time is always a magical time of year and this year was no different.  Christmas eve we spent the evening with Nana and Granddad having our breakfast for dinner Christmas eve meal.  We also helped Susan with a project of redecorating Jessica's room for a Christmas surprise.  Of course we opened our Christmas jammies, played a game and settled in for It's a Wonderful Life!

Christmas morning couldn't come soon enough...as we were waiting to Skype with Elder Smith!  It was definitely the highlight of Christmas to be able to see and talk with him all the way from Brazil.  It was so great to hear his voice and hear what he has been doing and experiencing in Brazil.  He is doing so well.  He had trouble with some English words and would use some Portuguese while speaking English.  We were all able to visit with him for almost 2 hours, which seems like a long time, until you realize that's all you have for 5 months!  We had no trouble finding things to talk about and kept the conversation going strong the whole time.  We took a family photo, heard his testimony in Portuguese, and shared a family prayer right before we hung up.  It was all perfect!

After that emotional time we took some time out and used our new snowblower to dig out from the 8 inches of snow we got overnight.  It was fun to try out the new toy and eventually that will make it quicker to plow our driveways!

Finally we were able to open presents with the kids here at home.  It was fun to carry on our traditions that you don't get to get your present from under the tree, but you can give a present to someone from under the tree.  We all took turns opening a few presents and enjoying our gifts.

After presents we were able to attend church and enjoy a wonderful musical program, which included McKinley playing a musical number on the piano.  She did so great!

After church we fed the three Elders serving in our branch and went next door to visit with the Smith family who was gathered there.  It was fun to see aunts, uncles, and cousins and wish them all Merry Christmas.  It was a long, emotional, wonderful day that was just about perfect!

Smith family Progressive dinner 2016

  This year for the Progressive dinner we added elements of the Pearson family party since it was not going to be held this year.  It was determined that the Pearson reunion will take place during the summer where we can all meet outside in a park setting.  So we keep our Progressive dinner tradition alive and added the nativity story and Santa's present to it.  It was a great evening!

It was a great evening and I love the new elements added in to our growing family!

Evan's eagle project - Christmas for refugees!

For Evan's eagle project he decided he wanted to do a Giver's Christmas for our community.  He wanted to have a get together where everyone could come and visit and donate items for the Utah Refugee Center.  He contacted the center and found out what the most needed items where and created an angel tree with ornaments that listed the different needs.  He asked those who wanted to take an ornament from the tree and donate that item to his project.  He also had sign up sheets in the three congregations in our church building, an email through the school, and a neighborhood email and flyer that all went out to advertise for his project.  

 The collection night was Monday, December 12th and he had a nice area set up in the circle behind our house.  He had 2 fires, 3 propane heaters, hot chocolate and treats for everyone to come and enjoy.  The response was fantastic and he had a very successful event and collection drive.

The final count was 100+ hoodies, 90+ toys, 50+ books and a large amount in gift cards/cash.  We are so grateful for such a generous community and for all the support.  He is so excited to take the gifts to the center and to know that many, many refugee children will have a good Christmas this year.  It was a good project, he learned and planned a lot, and showed great leadership and organization skills throughout.  Way to go Evan!!

Thanksgiving 2016

Thanksgiving this year was at the Fitlows and it was great!  We had a great gathering of friends and family...wonderful food...with Gluten free, Paleo, and Vegan diet's all accomodated!  It was a wonderful afternoon of eating, visiting, and cheering on the Lion's...who actually won!  I love my family and it's fun to spend the day being grateful for them and all my other blessings.