Ski Day

Another ski day for B & Boston. We're glad they're getting so much use out of their IKON passes.  

It's been a great ski season the IKON passes have been totally worth it for everyone.

 

Soccer Morning

Got to go watch Chase play soccer this morning

Kurt is the coach and Chase is a great little player

Fun to see him have so much playing,  We sure love their family.

 

Facetime

I LOVE that I get to Facetime these kiddos and see their cute faces.  They add so much joy to our lives!

 

Chinese New Year

Richards Family celebrating Chinese New Year! 

Weston & Boston performed at the district celebration in Herriman and Brenna always loves when she gets to see Boston use his Chinese.

 

AZ Visit

A few highlights from our trip to AZ this week.  We got to see almost everyone over the 4 days we were down there, and even got to be part of Talon & Sissy's big reveal. 

Talon & Michaley sharing their 'Best News'

So glad we got to be there and visit with everyone!!!

 

IKaika riding Olaf

Olaf is Kenzie's horse that she got for her 4th birthday. She was so kind to share him with Ikaika so her could ride hi around the yard. Cowboy Ikaika!

 

Homestead Crater

Brenna gave Boston a trip to the Homestead Crater for Christmas. Tonight they went up and swam in the warm water, watched the scuba divers below them, and enjoyed a fun night together.

 

Tough Workouts

January workout have been TOUGH

Running the halls 

Playing in the snow

and freezing temperatures.  Good she's got awesome teammates to keep her going.

 

John Hilton III

This was just such a good fireside.  I think everyone I talked with after agreed that the spirit was palpable in the room. 

He talked about control, worry, fear, & anxiety & how to hand our lives over to Jesus with Faith & Trust.

It just seemed to hit every person sitting there in whatever stage or situation they are currently in.

I included some of my favorite thoughts/quotes so I can look back on them. 

Thank you to John Hilton III for taking time to come share his wisdom and testimony with us.  It was also a special night for me, as I brought my friend Jill with me, and I got to hear about her life has intersected over the years with so many of my close friends and neighbors.

 

Cleared?!

Today Brenna was 'cleared' by her Primary Care Physician to resume all normal activities - including lacrosse. When she was diagnosed less than 3 weeks ago, we were warned this could take several months, even up to 6 months, for her symptoms to pass and for her spleen to return to it's normal size and slide back under her rib cage.  Though she was soooo sad, and pretty discouraged.....we were prepared for the long haul.  

She started feeling better and thought we'd just check on her spleen to see where it was at in terms of swelling and then decide from there how often we should return for regular check ups.  When Dr. Witt said it had returned to it's normal size and positioning, I couldn't believe it. Not that I didn't want to, I just wasn't expecting this miracle.  

I have seen the Lords hand in our lives and the lives of sooo many others over the years, why did I not expect it in this situation.  I knew that He was watching over her and blessing her, and He always does, I just didn't expect this result so soon.

  I definitely recognize all of the people who have been praying for Brenna by name and fasting on her behalf.  THANK YOU!  The Lord hears and answers prayers, and for reasons and purposes not fully known at this time, she will now be able to go back onto her arthritis medications and move forward in life with great joy and happiness.

 

2nd Generation Gale Center Fans

The Gale Center is a South Jordan Gem - that captures & teaches  the history & culture of the city we live in.  I brought the girls here all the time when they were growing up:

Gale Center Fun

 It's super fun, has lots of different interactive displays, and its free.

Now Aubrey brings her boys here and they get to explore the mine

Go to class at the old school

Play games

Watch the trains run the materials in & out of the mine

He loves the trains!

And just have fun looking out windows and playing.  It really is such a gem and we love knowing the rich history and culture of this special area.

 

Temple Time

Got to do some male & female baptisms and confirmations with this crew tonight.

Boston & Brenna with the wet hair in the rain.

 

Mini Golfing in January

There was no rain or snowing fall from the ski, so we decided to go mini golfing

Brenna was happy to see how her skills were looking 

Robert & I both shot a 'hole-n-one' on the first hole or two, and B was a little discouraged.

But then we hot the 'cave' hole. One shot was all it took!

This is now her favorite hole at Mulligans

 

It did start to rain on us, but we stayed strong and finished off the course. 

Pretty good golfing day for all of us.

All Around the Globe

Travelers.....we were all in different places today and I my heart was full of gratitude for how connected we can still be even when we are in different parts of the country or world.  Though we didn't all talk today, just being able to see pictures of where everyone was and what they were doing brought so much joy to my soul.  We love these girls, and we love that go take full advantage of the many opportunities 

life offers them.  Here's to a great Friday (Saturday/Sabbath for Em) wherever you are.

Emily's in Jerusalem

Kayla is reffing in Palm Springs, CA

Lins & Jer are exploring the Grand Canyon

Dad, B & I are mini golfing in South Jordan

 

Toastique

Charley works at a fancy toast/smoothie shop called Toastique out at Mountain View Village, so we surprised her with a visit.

She made us delicious smoothies and we got to chat with her for a bit. We sure love her and are grateful to her in our lives. 

 

Cookie Bake Off

For young women tonight, the girls divided up and competed in a cookie bake off

The girls at my house were making a Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookie recipe, though they chose to alter it slightly as they went.

We joined together later and had Bishop chose the BEST cookie for the night

The Mrs. Fields knock-offs did not win, but we did all get to have some of the winning teams cookies.  They were amazing!  I now have a new favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe!

 

Donor Appreciation Luncheon

Donor Appreciation Luncheon was a total Success this year.  

I always get soooo nervous before these big events, but it could not have been better. 

Theme was great. Food was great. Presenters were great. Video was great. A lot of really good conversation in the open house area of the event.  I hope we can capture all of the conversations and interests so we can have solid follow up that will result in additional donors and donations.

I'm not sure how I got chosen to chair this event, but I'm really happy with how it all turned out and look forward to an even bigger and better event next year.

We invited members of the Bingham 'Shark Tank' class to share their experiences of developing and pitching products to real investors and starting real companies as high school students.  The partnership between this entrepreneurial class and the foundation board has been incredible.  

These students have been partnered up with literally the best of the best in terms of successful entrepreneurs in this area and I'm so proud of the work they have done.

I snap a picture of this years winner, Mary Christensen (minus her business partner) who also happens to be the sister of my son-in-law Jeremy. 

 

Jerusalem Bound

Final dinner with the Fam tonight

We will miss this girl, but are so excited about her n ew adventures

Leaving the 'blue house' for the last time.

I loved reading about the girls on the 'red wall'

Final hugs from Kayla and lots and lots of tears.

This girls worked hard to keep her suitcase under 50 lbs.

47 lbs Baby!!! This trip is off to a great start!

And I love the new hat

Ans she's OFF. She will come back changed and an even better version of herself. 

 I have no doubt about that.