Club Soccer

Abby, State Cup 2015

Club soccer (Utah Storm) took us to Phoenix and Las Vegas this Winter.

Vermilion Cliffs Highway (Arizona)

Navajo Bridge (Arizona)

Navajo Bridge

Traveling is always more fun with Alex and Kellie.

Abby has loved her team. They are a great group of girls who work so well together on and off the field. Here they are at the Las Vegas Temple after they were baptized in behalf of those who have died and did not have the opportunity.

Twinners

It's our time of life when both Brian and I get to travel with Abby, and we're so grateful we can.

First Year Med Student

A week before Travis left, Kellie and Brian flew to New York City to get Kellie settled into her new apartment at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

(Kellie in Central Park)

This is what Kellie sees when she looks straight out her apartment window:

This is the view when she looks down:

This is Kellie's view when she walks out of her apartment building each morning--the tall brown building is where she has class every day:

 This is where she goes to church:

The Manhattan LDS Temple is about a 2.5 mile walk through Central Park from her apartment.

She took these photos from atop an apartment building adjacent to the Manhattan Temple:

(That tall brown building on the left across the park is her classroom building.)

Kellie is one brave soul to come to New York City all alone! I don't think I could have done it when I was her age. Classes started last week and she loves the exhilaration of learning so much in such a short period of time. She's already been in the anatomy lab doing dissections and what an emotionally challenging yet fascinating experience that has been.

She has explored the city on foot and on bike and even joined in on a pick-up soccer game one afternoon.

She was asked to play in a league game another night on Roosevelt Island under the lights. 

and rode the tram back home.

In a week and a half I fly to NYC for Kellie's Class of 2018 White Coat Ceremony. I'm excited to get a first hand view of her life for the next four years. We miss her so much, but know this is where she needs and wants to be.

Travis

A month ago Travis graduated from Timpview High School. He graduated with honors (gold cords) and with a Regents' Scholarship (medal). 

Travis and I

There is no question who is taller now.

Travis and Brian

Look! They really do love each other.

Abby and Travis

Even though high school was officially over, track would continue for Travis for a week or two. After his impressive performance at the decathlon at BYU, Travis was invited to compete at the Great Southwest Track and Field Classic in New Mexico.

He was amazing--PR'd (set a personal record) in six events and came in 6th overall.

Travis just keeps getting better and better. No wonder he received this award at the track banquet this year.

Kellie and Brian cheered him on in New Mexico. They took the "scenic route" home and drove through the Petrified Forest.

Kellie and Travis

Kellie and a petrified log

Atop windy Navajo Bridge on Route 89A in Arizona

There are lots of changes happening in Travis' life right now. Next step . . . preparing to leave in August for his LDS Mission.

Off to Medical School

Guess who is off to Medical School in New York City?

Kellie has been accepted to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai! It is a top 20 medical school and Kellie is very excited. She leaves the first week of August--a week before Travis reports to the Missionary Training Center.

We are all very happy and know that this is where she needs to be. So proud of you, Kellie!

Another BYU Graduate

A week ago (on my 50th birthday) Kellie graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Chemistry. She will also receive a teaching certificate in June when her internship at Springville High School is completed. Kellie began her undergraduate degree at the University of Utah as a collegiate athlete on their women's soccer team, but eventually transferred to BYU. Her undergraduate degree has been six years in the making and Kellie was ready.

(Brian and I before BYU's Commencement in coordinating UC Berkeley attire--unplanned)

(Brian and Kellie)

It was a unique experience for Kellie to have her dad on the chemistry faculty. He claims he tried to convince her not to major in chemistry, but she ignored that advice and loved it. She is one smart girl.

(Kellie and her Grandma Stoker)

(Kellie, Brian, and I after Convocation for The College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)

Congratulations Kellie!

Kellie's Day

Kellie received her Endowment in the Provo Temple a couple weeks ago.

(Brian, Kellie, and I)

The Endowment is a special spiritual blessing. It is a sacred ordinance for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormons). This day was just as significant for Kellie as the day she was baptized (if not more so.)

(Kellie, age 8, on her baptism day)

It was wonderful to have family and close friends join us.

(Kellie and Whitney)

(Alex and Kellie)

Rachel flew out from Atlanta and

(Sisters: Rachel and Kellie)

my sister, Renee, flew in from Washington.

(Me, Renee, and Kellie)

Joyful Day

To learn why temples are so important to us watch this 15-minute video. Or, here is a 5-minute one if you prefer.