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.

He is now a Mormon missionary.

What a summer we have had! It has been a summer of change for our family. The latest is that Travis is now a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Travis with his two grandmothers

Travis with his sister, Abby

In the wee hours of the morning last Wednesday (August 13) we dropped him off at the airport en route to the Mexico City Missionary Training Center. I was surprised at how tough it was to say goodbye. I will miss him so!

Off he goes!

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.

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. 

Soldier Hollow

It was a chilly but gorgeous day when we arrived at Soldier Hollow on the Friday morning between Christmas and New Year. I'd been wanting to try out their tubing hill for years.

Once we were checked in and tubes acquired everyone was towed to the top.

We then chose a lane, held on tight, and enjoyed the ride!

The kids had a great time racing each other down.

Abby claims she came in first.

Brian must have been in on it too. He's there on the far left.

I took a token "selfie" to prove I was indeed on the mountain as well.

We had a really fun morning going for speed and going for air. I loved when we would slide down in groups of two or three. I usually ended up screaming or laughing all the way down.

Travis and Kellie went down together for one of their last runs of the day. I wish I had recorded their skilled take-off, but at least you get a taste of the action.

December Days

December and the old year are quickly coming to a close.

2013 has taken these two down very different paths than the ones they anticipated.

Travis, too, has had a significant let-down, but my kids are OK and generally happy and I couldn't be more proud of who they are and who they are striving to become.

Travis built a roaring fire on Christmas Eve.

Evidently he is the master pyrotechnician at all scout campouts.

The kids insisted on roasting marshmallows. They had a tough time keeping a comfortable distance from the white-hot flames.

Christmas morning we woke the kids up around 8:00 am, texted Grandma S. to come on over, ate homemade popovers, and opened presents. In the afternoon we ventured to Grandma W's and visited with lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

(Grandma W.)

(Mark and Susan)

(Heather and Kellie)

Smiles for 2013 and smiles for the new year to come!