Where Work Meets Play

My sweet husband works so hard. Between responsibilities at work, church, and home, there are never enough hours in the day to get it all done.  Still, I'm glad to find evidence on his photo roll that he takes time to enjoy life a little bit too.  For example, every month his office throws together a delicious potluck.

Iranian desserts anyone?  Yes, please!

How about a lunch break with Adam at Pretty Bird?

Or Caprese Salad from Cucina?

Jason treated me to an amazing birthday meal at the best neighborhood restaurant.  I'm still dreaming about the tuna.  Heaven.

Opening a few birthday presents.  I felt so loved!

Singing with my kids--the best present of all!

Back to Jason's work, it sometimes takes him to some pretty beautiful places.

He's doing some work for the town of Springdale designing a patio for this historic granary.

The coolest part is that when you get on the inside, you can see the pencil markings recording what was dropped off to this Bishop's Storehouse by the early pioneers.

While in Springdale, a mighty rain squall passed through.

Jason sought refuge in the Bumbleberry Inn.  Naturally he sampled some pie as he waited for the storm to pass.

Afterward, he drove into Zion.  The water streaming from the cliffs was remarkable.   You can sure understand why you wouldn't want to get caught in a slot canyon during one of these downpours!

On his way home, he passed through Southern Utah University and checked out their Museum of Art.  Pretty cool structure!

Plus, who wouldn't love these dancing ladies?

While many people get to interact with Jason as an architect or ecclesiastical leader, not many people get to see this side!  Here he is working at home.  One Sunday morning I was doing the dishes as Annika was taking a bath upstairs.  All of a sudden I started to feel water dripping on my head.  Unfortunately our tub had cracked beyond the point of repair.

Here's the before.  I feel like I didn't fully appreciate this bathroom while it existed.  I miss it.

Starting the process.  At first we were hoping for a minor fix...

...but digging in we discovered three different layers, some of which were crumbling, so everything had to come out.  Literally a ton of debris.

Nothing like a major home improvement project to keep life interesting!

Since the bathroom won't fix itself in a day, it's important to take time off to play.  Here's Jason biking along the Great Western Trail with Stephen James and a couple other guys.  

Utah is a pretty amazing playground for kids and adults alike.  So glad to live, work, and play here!

Autumn Blessings

While Jason biked around Bear Lake at the beginning of October, Talia and I embarked on our own adventure: hiking Mount Raymond.  This cute girl wanted to make it home in time for General Conference, so we left well before dawn.  It might be scary to trek through the dark all by yourself, but it was inspiring to hike beneath a sky full of stars with my daughter.  Here we are just as the sun started to rise.

The miracle of a new day.

Working our way up the fin.

Worth it!

Talia kept getting annoyed that I was taking so many pictures, but I couldn't help myself.  I wanted to capture every magical moment.

Back at home, we enjoyed a weekend of General Conference in appropriate fashion:  PJs, puzzles, and cinnamon rolls.

Talia always takes the best notes.

Come Sunday Jason was back.  We snagged Eli and went for a hike in between sessions of Conference.

I love that we can leave our urban home, head up Dry Creek, and feel like we are in the wilderness forty minutes later.

A peek around the bend with its sweeping vista reminds us just how close the city is.

Heading back down by the U.  Look carefully, and you can see three beautiful birds of prey circling above.

From the cemetery to the Foothills, I really do love our neighborhood.  Right now we are staying in a spacious AirBnB out in Saratoga Springs for Thanksgiving.  The living is definitely easier in suburbia with large closets, a walk-in pantry, a roomy kitchen, and plentiful bedrooms.  It's perfect for accommodating our crowd.  On the flipside, it lacks charm.

I don't know if this is charming, but it's definitely Annika!  She invented her own recipe for slime.  It's a bit goopy.

Here she is bouldering at a rock climbing class taught at The Front.  We've been working hard to help Annie discover her "thing."  Climbing seemed to fit her personality, but after one session she was ready to take a break.

One thing we do know: Annie loves to read!  Like her siblings before, Annika is currently on a Keeper of the Lost Cities kick.

So where are we hanging out?  The Tabernacle on Temple Square.

Why?  Brooklyn was performing in the All State Choir.  Congratulations, cutie!  Lined up by height, she earned a front row seat, courtesy of my genetics.

A couple pictures from before the performance.  This one was taken in front of the Assembly Hall where we have Stake Conference.

From tallest to smallest, Scott, Jacob, Talia, and Eli.  I love Talia and Eli's expressions here.  Talia's only sort of checking out the boys and Eli seems to be lamenting his life with all sisters.

Back to Brooklyn, she was named one of West High's 25 National Merit Semi-finalists.  Congratulations to all these scholars!

This poor girl is not enjoying the whole "where are you going to college" question.   She's torn between wanting to fly far and wanting to stay closer to home to be more involved in the lives of her siblings.  

Not that they're ever annoying...

Here we are roasting dogs with the Wilhoits up Millcreek Canyon.  Fall really is the best.

More fall pictures, this time taken up City Creek Canyon.  Brooklyn joined Jason and I for a Sunday afternoon stroll.  It can be hard to get all the kids out the door at once, so we're happy to hike with whoever is available.

Best feeling ever.  Can't believe this gal's already a Senior.

So much to be thankful for.