Snowboarding

I went snowboarding for the first time yesterday. For having lived in Utah for most of my life, and Utah being known for its snow I could not wait to try it. It was for my birthday, my brothers and I to Brighton to snowboard under the fireworks. Other than starting my very first time on the intermediate hill, kind of important to know how to turn, how to stop, or how to tighten my own bindings. I could just go straight full throttle, or fall which there was a lot of. After a short break after my first run through, to catch my breath, and watch the fireworks, a worker suggested I go to the easier hill (some of you might call it the bunny hill) that was much shorter and I could learn the basics. I loved that bunny hill and after only a couple of times I could go without falling and without going full throttle. I could turn, stop, and tighten my own boots. I loved the ski lift, quiet, peaceful, and just long enough to catch my breath. I was even the last chair for the night. I had a great time and can't wait to do it again.

Now that it is a day later and every muscle in my body hurts. I will have to wait for the aches and pains to go away before I do it again.

My brothers Justin and Cody

Look at me "no hands"

Snowing while we were there

Fireworks on the Mountain

Wii Reaction

This says it all!

Family Night

Zach appointed himself in charge of the family night activity. He wanted us to go as a family to Classic Skating for their family night deal of $10. Zach had recently gone Roller Skating for the first time a few weeks ago and ever since as been dying for us all to go. We even got to wear the "old skates" these are his words, meaning they weren't roller blades.

I loved roller skating as a child, but as an adult Kevin and I have been only once when we were newly married. That was 14 years ago. Last night was fun, and it is always nice to show your kids that you can do things they didn't think you can do. We played all their skating games, including a game called wipe out which is like the word implies you wipe out, crashing on purpose I do not recommend. Lexie struggled at the beginning and by the end she was really getting the hang of it. What was intended to last for just an hour turned out to be 2 1/2 hours later.

Girls Can Play Too!

As a parent I have spent many games on the sidelines cheering for my kids at their different events. Today my family came to watch me play football with a bunch of girls. It was a beautiful day for football. We were competitive and we had several touchdowns, but we lost in the end. Wait till next year and we actually have a couple of practices they won't stand a chance.

We ran

We blocked

We kicked

We tried to entertain

We can't breathe

We had fun

A new perspective

I mentioned in the previous post that while visiting Kevin's parents we were able to go to church with them twice. This time I was particularly observant and noticed a few things. One thing I noticed was that they only had 53 people counting all the babies, kids, and us. This is a ward, not a branch. Everyone has a calling. Kevin's dad is the Young Men's President (only one young man) no counselors although he is hoping to get one just so they have two leadership. Kevin's mom is a counselor in Relief Society and his sister is a counselor in Young Women's. Carson and Lexie were in the same Primary class along with their cousins. They have one sharing time all together Sunbeams to eleven year olds. They are extremely under staffed yet they do their jobs the best they can. They pray for growth. Zach passed the Sacrament with the one other Young Man and they had two adults help them.

I noticed almost ALL the members are converts to the church. I noticed that the lessons in Sunday School focused more on application, because they are questioned daily by co-workers, friends, and even family members who are not members why they believe in what they do. They are examples of the church everywhere they go. They sacrifice so much more, many drive long distances to even come to church. Not to mention any activities, visiting teaching and home teaching are sacrifices in money and time just to do what they have been asked to do.

Everytime we have visited people come from out of town visiting the area, they do not want to miss church. This time we had two truck drivers who came in regular clothes as they were passing through the area. They did not just stay for the Sacrament block they stayed for the whole meeting. I was so impressed.

I enjoyed the lessons, and really had a new perspective. I am thankful for the gospel in my life and I am grateful for where I live and the conveniences it brings. I also am grateful for the members in the mission field and the examples they are to me in dedication and committment. I loved that everyone knew we were visiting and welcomed us over and over. I loved the overwhelming feeling of being needed.

I did not mean to go on and on, I have been spoiled by living in Utah almost my entire life and it is good to experience new things and realize the blessings in our lives. The gospel is a good thing and it requires committment, dedication and a strong testimony no matter where we live. There are good members and good examples of the church everywhere.

10 days Off

Here is a fast recap of our last 10 days. We went to the largest Gold Mine in the United States. We saw Grandpa's new Cabellas. We spent an afternoon at the park followed by a hike that ended at Dairy Queen (my kind of hike). We played Wii all week. We saw Reindeer at a local Reindeer Ranch, and a ton of wild turkeys in the city park the day before Thanksgiving (ironic). We had Thanksgiving Dinner at Kevin's Grandma's Ranch for the first time since we have been married. There was just a few of us (43!!!) My kids absolutely loved having so many cousins so close to there own ages. I of course went shopping at 4:00 am the next day, and was so successful. So successful in fact that I had to vaccuum seal all our clothes so that I could put gifts in the suitcases to bring home I wish I had taken a picture of our little car so full. I still had to ship a box. We decorated Grandma and Grandpa's house for Christmas including all the yard decorations. We went to our first Hockey Game and loved it. We went to church twice with Grandma and Grandpa and including us there were 53 people all together counting all children.

Lexie at the Gold Mine

New Cabelas

At the Park with Cousins Jordon and Breanna

The leisure hike

Zach hula hooping his way to a NEW record

Real live Reindeer

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Thanksgiving at Grandma Pearl's

Decorating for Christmas

Hockey Game where I caught this free t-shirt

Now after all that I still consider the past 10 days a break. No cell phones, no church callings, no blogging, etc... just spending time with family and enjoying each other and new adventures.

Now I am back at it laundry, crazy insane schedule, decorating for Christmas, grocery shopping, although thanks to Holly A. there will not be a repeat milk episode she so kindly brought us a gallon of milk and cinnamon rolls shortly after we got home last night. Thanks Holly!