We sure loved the opportunity to catch up with family members. Seeing Shauna is always something we look forward to. If I were to sum up Shauna in one word, it'd be 'LIFT.' Each time we visit, she's sure to introduce us to a new friend or tells us about amazing things people are doing in their lives. She remembers and asks about specific details most people would forget. She is an incredible example of lifting those around her. Because of her years of lifting others, we've gotten to know Katrina (a former roommate), and although Katrina smiles every time we walk into her room, the real joy is seeing her. We are so grateful for all that Shauna teaches us through her example.
Of course the joy of vacationing to a ski destination when no one in our family skis brings opportunity to create and discover new types of winter fun. Mike's sister had the awesome idea to drive up to Crystal Hot Springs for the day. We of course all packed a picnic lunch because we were headed out for Mexican food later that evening. Turns out eating a picnic lunch in the cold of winter makes for a fast lunch! The toughest moment was when you actually took off all the layers covering the swimsuit and making those first steps before getting into the hot springs! But goodness, once we were in, it was SO fun to feel the sunshine, hang outdoors together and get a warm recharge. The kids went down the waterslide about a bazillion times, and of course talked Mike and I into giving it a whirl.
New Years Eve day we soaked in more sunshine tubing up at Soldier Hollow. Just cold enough to keep the tubing tracks fast and just warm enough that we were ready to peel off some of the layers. Oh, and the sunshine...so beautiful! The kids all had a goal to stay up through midnight with their cousins. We had a blast playing games together, eating way too much, watching the Utah bowl game (until we just couldn't keep watching it any longer!), and laughing. I don't know if I can blame it on the time change, but staying up to midnight was brutal! I probably nodded off at least three times leading up to it!
New Years Day we transitioned to my parents for the annual homemade noodles and potatoes dinner. Making this pioneer dish on New Years feels like we're welcoming the New Year with our ancestors in mind. I loved celebrating it this year surrounded by so many extended family members.
Thursday we took our older two kiddos to the Bountiful Temple! Alexis has been so looking forward to going, and we planned ahead to time this experience in conjunction with the holiday break. The temple was SO busy and filled with all kinds of awesome youth. So fun to see them just beaming. I am so grateful we were able to share this experience together and that my brother was able to join us! While we were at the temple, my parents took the younger two girls on an adventure. They took Tayler to pick out her very own set of "real" scriptures. They said she knew exactly what she wanted, even to the type of font she wanted her name engraved with. She was bursting with so much excitement that they let her bring them home with us (as an early birthday gift!). She has absolutely loved turning the pages and getting started in them with the Come Follow Me study this year. And Abby, of course talked them into a new book of her own and of course some a treat. When we met up with them, Abby had this pink box, and inside was a slice of a cookie she'd saved for Mike and I - wanting to be sure we got to try how awesome the treat was. Of course we all met up for lunch - more Mexican food!
That night we went to the Utah Basketball Game at the Huntsman Center. And boy, Mike and I had so much fun telling the kids about this place and all the memories we have of our college years together. This place will always hold a sweet spot for Mike and I. We were SO grateful that the schedule aligned so that we were able to connect with my former coach and mentor AND one of Mike's former coaches (who's now at Oregon State). The Rupps are a true example of empowering those around them, and we are so grateful for all they did to mold and refine us in the college years and cherish their friendship!
Friday was the big event - Kristen and Chad's wedding! It was simply beautiful and we were so grateful to be there, to reconnect with so many family members and old friends. So so excited for them!!
For Christmas, my parents gifted Mike and I a date night together at an awesome steak house. They even made us the reservations! It was a bit magical to spend some 1:1 time together without a pressured time limit.
The next day Mike flew to China for work, and the kids and I enjoyed one last day in Utah. The movies, playing outside in the snow, and of course more Mexican food to complete the trip!
Of course the joy of vacationing to a ski destination when no one in our family skis brings opportunity to create and discover new types of winter fun. Mike's sister had the awesome idea to drive up to Crystal Hot Springs for the day. We of course all packed a picnic lunch because we were headed out for Mexican food later that evening. Turns out eating a picnic lunch in the cold of winter makes for a fast lunch! The toughest moment was when you actually took off all the layers covering the swimsuit and making those first steps before getting into the hot springs! But goodness, once we were in, it was SO fun to feel the sunshine, hang outdoors together and get a warm recharge. The kids went down the waterslide about a bazillion times, and of course talked Mike and I into giving it a whirl.
New Years Eve day we soaked in more sunshine tubing up at Soldier Hollow. Just cold enough to keep the tubing tracks fast and just warm enough that we were ready to peel off some of the layers. Oh, and the sunshine...so beautiful! The kids all had a goal to stay up through midnight with their cousins. We had a blast playing games together, eating way too much, watching the Utah bowl game (until we just couldn't keep watching it any longer!), and laughing. I don't know if I can blame it on the time change, but staying up to midnight was brutal! I probably nodded off at least three times leading up to it!
New Years Day we transitioned to my parents for the annual homemade noodles and potatoes dinner. Making this pioneer dish on New Years feels like we're welcoming the New Year with our ancestors in mind. I loved celebrating it this year surrounded by so many extended family members.
Thursday we took our older two kiddos to the Bountiful Temple! Alexis has been so looking forward to going, and we planned ahead to time this experience in conjunction with the holiday break. The temple was SO busy and filled with all kinds of awesome youth. So fun to see them just beaming. I am so grateful we were able to share this experience together and that my brother was able to join us! While we were at the temple, my parents took the younger two girls on an adventure. They took Tayler to pick out her very own set of "real" scriptures. They said she knew exactly what she wanted, even to the type of font she wanted her name engraved with. She was bursting with so much excitement that they let her bring them home with us (as an early birthday gift!). She has absolutely loved turning the pages and getting started in them with the Come Follow Me study this year. And Abby, of course talked them into a new book of her own and of course some a treat. When we met up with them, Abby had this pink box, and inside was a slice of a cookie she'd saved for Mike and I - wanting to be sure we got to try how awesome the treat was. Of course we all met up for lunch - more Mexican food!
That night we went to the Utah Basketball Game at the Huntsman Center. And boy, Mike and I had so much fun telling the kids about this place and all the memories we have of our college years together. This place will always hold a sweet spot for Mike and I. We were SO grateful that the schedule aligned so that we were able to connect with my former coach and mentor AND one of Mike's former coaches (who's now at Oregon State). The Rupps are a true example of empowering those around them, and we are so grateful for all they did to mold and refine us in the college years and cherish their friendship!
Friday was the big event - Kristen and Chad's wedding! It was simply beautiful and we were so grateful to be there, to reconnect with so many family members and old friends. So so excited for them!!
For Christmas, my parents gifted Mike and I a date night together at an awesome steak house. They even made us the reservations! It was a bit magical to spend some 1:1 time together without a pressured time limit.
The next day Mike flew to China for work, and the kids and I enjoyed one last day in Utah. The movies, playing outside in the snow, and of course more Mexican food to complete the trip!
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