Random Catch-Up Part I

While hiking with my older daughters this morning, they unexpectedly thanked me for keeping this blog.  I deeply appreciated their gratitude.  This blog is a time-consuming labor of love. While public, it's not created for the world.  Rather, it's meant to unite our family and help us remember the special moments we share together.  I was glad to hear that it does just that.

Speaking of special moments, here's a conglommeration of random photos from our recent lives.  This one was taken from the bedroom window of the dormitory.

This one came from the raspberry bushes in our garden.  

And this one was taking during a walk around the neighborhood.  

Annika loves watching all the dogs in the neighborhood pass walk by our house.  Possessed of a sixth sense, she invariably runs out the front door and hollers "I like your dog!"  It's unusual for her to hop in the dog's buggy, however.  Our friend Klaus is getting on in doggy years so he travels the block in pampered luxury.  Apparently Annika fits as well!

Inside the house, Annika loves to read.  Here she is pouring through all the books our cousin Alesia sent.

Reading Harry Potter with her Dad. They recently finished Book V and are onto VI.

Exploring This is the Place with a toothless grin.

We were on a reconnaissance mission for Girl Scouts.  In charge of leading the Letterboxing patch, we were hunting for hidden pouches.

This handcarved Headless Horseman was beautiful.

Annika signs the logbook and leaves her own stamp.

The scheduled date for leading our Letterboxing badge happened to fall during our trip to Alaska, so my wonderful hubby led the Brownies instead.  Thank you, Jason!

Other family adventures:  Les Miserables.  We took the entire family to a remarkable production at the Hale Centre Theatre.  Brooklyn and Talia ranked it right beside seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway.

Around the neighborhood, Brooklyn, Talia, Eli, and Jason hiked up to the U for a youth activity.  I feel grateful that bishops have been charged with overseeing the youth since it gives my kids more time with their Dad.

Our friend and neighbor Jared Wright happens to be the bishop of the neighboring ward, as well as principal of West High.  He likewise gets to spend more time with his kids as bishop.  His eldest son Grayson will soon be leaving on a mission to Mozambique.

Here's Nick Hardman, who has his mission call to Estonia.  We also have a Young Woman, Whitney Banz, who has been called to Thailand.  It's easy to worry about our tiny youth program in the Avenues, but these kids are strong and remarkable.

They also have plenty of fun.

Here's Eli enjoying himself at his first stake activity, a socially-distanced line dance.

Here are the youth again at the Bountiful Temple participating in proxy baptixms (Eli's very first time.)  I was a bit sad to miss this milestone, but so happy for all the youth to be back in the temple after so many months.

Nothing like frozen custard to end the evening well.

Looks like Eli has a bad case of Deaconitis, but Grayson's there to straighten him out.

We love you Eli!  We are so proud of the great choices you make.  Keep enjoying Omaha, but know that we miss you out West in Salt Lake.