snowboarding!

So we went snowboarding last night. It was Luke's first time.
He was the best I have ever taught, he picked it up so fast!
I only took one picture ... but there will be many snowboarding trips to follow ...

Haiti.

22 January 2010
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement today:

Our hearts are filled with sadness as we have watched the suffering in Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake. We turn to the example of Jesus Christ who reached out to “lift up the hands which hang down” and “strengthen the feeble knees.” We are keenly aware that many in America are dealing with economic challenges caused by the recession. However, we are appealing to members to donate to Church Humanitarian Services as their means allow in order to help our Haitian brothers and sisters. Many have already contributed and others are anxious to do so.

Money is not the only need in Haiti. People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation. We invite our people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people as urgent aid and reconstruction efforts continue.

article found here

donate here

If you haven't helped out, think about it.



*google images

happy.

I'm feeling really happy lately.

Even though I'm working a ton this week. Even though we just had a little vacation last week and our next vacation isn't until ... who knows? May? Even though it's snowing a whole bunch this week and I can't even take a day off to go snowboarding. And even though Brok ate all the cookies that were specifically designated for my cub scout troop last night and is consequently grounded to the kitchen until further notice ...

I have several great jobs. I get to go on vacations (speaking of which - second annual Valentine St George trip? Gillries? Anyone?). Our sickening inversion is getting totally cleaned out by the wonderful wonderful snow. I have a Brok. And a scout troup. Both are awesome.

I'm happy.

TREK

So I went on Trek with Lucas this week.

Trek: hiking and camping in the freezing cold for several days with a bunch of juvenile delinquents and my wonderful husband.

It was a total blast. I mean, I had the best time ever. We went to the San Rafael Swell for 4 days, and it was gorgeous. Here are some of my favorite shots (I'm really sorry for a million pictures):

This was my view most of the week ... boys pushing the handcart.



We saw lots of cool scenery ...




This was our first campsite - under a huge bridge, it was completely awesome. All of the boys stuff, the other staff tent, and smoke in the rafters.



My boys hiking.




Brok was my favorite. He totally thought he was in charge, and went to bed super early every night. He loved the tent, and he always had to be hiking in front of everyone else.






And here are a couple of my very favorites.





Brok, 4 hours after getting home, he hasn't moved from this spot on the couch.

unexpected ....

So you know when you have to buy something expensive ... you don't really NEED it, but kind of you do? Like maybe you're going on Trek with your husband next week and your sleeping bag just isn't warm enough? And he tells you to buy an expensive one because you'll really love having it and you'll use it for a really long time .... but it's so much money so you don't really want to ...
That's what happened to me yesterday. Well all week really ... I've been looking all over for the best sleeping bag for not a million dollars. And I found this one:



It's completely awesome, you can look at this if you want all the specs: sleeping bag. But it's also almost $400. I went to REI yesterday to pick it up, I had come to terms with the price and was determined to use it to death. But then Mike R at register 4 told me the total (including a map of the San Rafael Swell, $12) was only $295.85. I told him there must be some mistake .... nope, that sweet bag was totally on sale. Almost a hundred dollars off! It was Christmas all over again. I love unexpected sales.

I love Dwight.

What is my perfect crime? I break into Tiffany's at midnight. Do I go for the vault? No. I go for the chandelier; it's priceless. As I'm taking it down, a woman catches me. She tells me to stop. It's her father's business. She's Tiffany. I say no. We make love all night. In the morning the cops come and I escape in one of their uniforms. I tell her to meet me in Mexico but I go to Canada. I don't trust her. Besides, I love the cold. Thirty years later I get a postcard. I have a son. And he's the Chief of Police. This is where the story gets interesting: I tell Tiffany to meet me in Paris by the Trocadero. She's been waiting for me all these years. She's never taken another lover. I don't care. I don't show up. I go to Berlin. That's where I stashed the chandelier.

Christmas in Michigan

Here are some highlights from our wonderful trip home to Michigan - we had the best week and were so sad to come home...

First order of business: babies.



And a whole bunch of other family ...








We spent a day driving up to check out lighthouses (in the freezing cold)




Luke took me to Notre Dame ... awesome.





This is one of my favorites from the trip: Luke - Dad - Andy



Happy late Christmas!