Hiking the "Y"

We had a great time hiking to the top of the "Y" this morning with the Anderson cousins. Busy, busy morning on the trail--guess the rest of the county had the same idea!

Josh and Seth on the left with the Andersons, sitting at the top of the Y

Sweet Annie

Some of the boys.

Josh (center) and Zach


Tami and Blake


Seth and his walking stick (this stick came with us from California--it's a special part of our family)

Blake had the most energy of all of us when we returned home.

Thanks for making the trek down Cindy and family!

And thinking of our California friends at 15th St. beach today--a big hi from the Y!

Stephen's Gourmet Hot Cocoa

I'm grateful our Costco sells my favorite hot chocolate in bulk. Since we just used up the remainder of a four pound can over the weekend, I ventured out into the snow this morning to replenish our stash. Because on a cold, snowy day in late May, you just really need a steaming cup or two of Stephen's.

A New Adventure

Packing up the Irvine home

On a Tuesday afternoon in mid-March, we received news that quickly changed our lives. The boys' piano teacher was over for their weekly lessons when Chris called to tell me that he was offered the job he had recently interviewed for at Brigham Young University in their General Counsel office. He started the new job two weeks later, and by April 10 we had listed our home, arranged for the move, said goodbye to our friends, and left California.

When we first heard of this opportunity a few months ago, neither of us could stop thinking about it, and we both felt that Chris should pursue the position. We were so happy in Irvine and couldn't ask for better circumstances there, but this was one of those dream jobs (for us), and we wanted to go for it. After a months-long process of applying, waiting, interviewing, and waiting again, the day finally came that he received and accepted the offer. I had felt all along that Chris was very well-qualified and would be a really great fit for the job, but I also knew that he had a lot of competition. So we were surprised and couldn't believe it when that call finally came. We still can't believe that we are actually here. But we knew without a doubt that it was the right thing for our family, which made it easier to close an amazing chapter in our lives and open a new one.

So here we are, six weeks later. So much has happened in such a short time. We've been in Utah for three weeks now. For the first two weeks we stayed with our generous and kind family and friends until the home we are now renting became available. Now we've been in our rental home near BYU for a week. We will be in this home until August, by which time we hope to sell our California home and buy one here.

Josh and Seth started at their new school the day after we arrived here. They are doing well, and we've been very happy with the school and their teachers. We are thrilled to have their good friends (that moved here from Irvine a few years ago) in the same school. The kids have done well with the move considering the chaos, being unsettled for weeks, bouncing from place to place, and all the big and quick changes. They've loved having snow a few days since we've been here, and it's a good thing we had winter coats handy. A few days ago when we woke up to snow, Seth declared "It worked!" I asked him what worked. "I prayed for a blizzard! . . . I can't believe it really worked!" I told him to stop praying for snow and gave him a list of other things to pray for, like selling our house! Oh such faith. We love our children.

We are so grateful for nearly seven wonderful years in Irvine. We were blessed with so many great experiences and priceless friendships, and we will always treasure our time in California. Driving away was one of the more difficult moments, and we miss it so much already. But it was time for that chapter to close and for a new one to open. We are grateful for Chris' new job and for the opportunity to work in such an uplifting environment. We are also grateful to be closer to more family and to have good friends already here. We look forward to settling down soon and to all the experiences our family will have. Many, many thanks to all who have helped us during this time of transition--we couldn't have done it without you!

A Fun Presidents' Day

We visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley to celebrate Presidents' Day. Quite an interesting, educational, and fascinating place--well worth the time. It was a beautiful day, and the views were gorgeous. Here are some of the highlights:

Posing with George Washington

This is a section of the Berlin Wall. The west of side of the wall is pictured. The east side was unpainted and simply gray. Seth just learned about the Berlin Wall in a report he recently completed about Germany, so this was especially interesting for him.

Air Force One, used for seven presidents over 28 years and retired in 2001. Flew over a million miles, over half of which carried Ronald Reagan. We walked through the plane, but no photos were allowed inside. Fascinating to think of the many places this has been, the people it has carried--so rich with history.


Josh and Seth playing around while enjoying the gorgeous views and the sunny, warm day.

This portrait is a mosaic of jelly beans--apparently President Reagan loved jelly beans, and we found them throughout the musuem. Of course we had to enjoy some of our own after a stop to the gift shop.

We also enjoyed the Marine One helicopter, the presidential motorcade, the Oval Office, the extensive collection of items from President and Nancy Reagan's lives, a collection of unique and valuable gifts received from Heads of State, exhibits about the Cold War and the assassination attempt, and much more. Wonderful day!

Recognition

"A Super Thing"

Crafted by Sweet Annie

Presented to Mom

For being "a super girl today" and "being nice today."

Although I feel undeserving, I am honored and will wear my award with pride.