Sunday, December 15, 2013
Swiss Christmas
I love living in a small town! Have I said this before?! Midway has a mini Swiss Days the first weekend in December. It's called "Swiss Christmas". Cute! They have a craft fair, live performances on the town hall stage, a huge Creche display (nativities from all over the world), live piano music, Swissy food, and a live nativity photo shoot! Nora and James only live 25 minutes away (for now) so they came down. It was snowing really hard, but it just added to the Christmassy feeling! We walked the craft fair, ate some bratzeli cookies, watched Tom and Kim's kids perform, and stood in for the nativity. Dallin of course had to be the baby Jesus and Nora had to be the pregnant Mary (pregnant AND a baby?!) We had good stand-ins for angels, shepards, sheep, and a star! I'm so glad they let me tag along.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Thanksgiving, Illness, and a New Tree!
November 28, 2013
It WAS going to be a great Thanksgiving... but I got totally sick! I hate stomach bugs because you're completely useless! No energy, no appetite, no fun! We planned on running the local Midway Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. I was going to push the kids and Bevan was going to win it (according to him). I had to give away my bib number/ shirt because I didn't want to waste it. I could barely walk up stairs! I did manage to mosey over to the finish line and cheer him on, and Lindsey, and Leland, and Lisa, and her kids. Wow, I guess we did have good representation!
Getting ready to go to Thanksgiving diner, I had a complete dinner roll FAIL! How did it happen?! I got greedy and impatient. They LOOKED done, I swear! The checker lady at Smiths was very sympathetic... as I forked over money for (gag!) store-bought rolls. Oh well. It was a wonderful dinner and I was able to eat a little bit of everything. The rest of the weekend was a blur. Bevan had to work on Friday, so we saved the real fun for...
Monday! My good friend, Kristine, saved me a Christmas Tree permit. That meant we got to go cut down our own tree! Sounds perfect right? We live in the mountains and Bevan has some mad chain saw skills! We left the kids at the cabin and went snowshoeing in the woods. Of course the perfect tree was about 200 yards up a steep embankment, across an icy creek, surrounded by sharp rocks. It's the challenge that pays off! Now we have an amazing Christmas tree and it only cost us $10!... and some sweat, tears, and a little blood.
It WAS going to be a great Thanksgiving... but I got totally sick! I hate stomach bugs because you're completely useless! No energy, no appetite, no fun! We planned on running the local Midway Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. I was going to push the kids and Bevan was going to win it (according to him). I had to give away my bib number/ shirt because I didn't want to waste it. I could barely walk up stairs! I did manage to mosey over to the finish line and cheer him on, and Lindsey, and Leland, and Lisa, and her kids. Wow, I guess we did have good representation!
Monday! My good friend, Kristine, saved me a Christmas Tree permit. That meant we got to go cut down our own tree! Sounds perfect right? We live in the mountains and Bevan has some mad chain saw skills! We left the kids at the cabin and went snowshoeing in the woods. Of course the perfect tree was about 200 yards up a steep embankment, across an icy creek, surrounded by sharp rocks. It's the challenge that pays off! Now we have an amazing Christmas tree and it only cost us $10!... and some sweat, tears, and a little blood.
Friday, December 6, 2013
November Birthdays!
November 17-27, 2013
Bevan is 35!
I had to post his age, because frankly, he just doesn't look it! He looks like the day we got married. Sure he has a few more grey hairs (it's genetic... there is VERY little stress in his life), but I think he's aging very well! I decided to do something clever for his birthday and made him a display case for all his race medals. I wanted a combination of a shadow box and hooks. They don't exist... until now. I think it turned out pretty well. Now I can get all those medals that were draped all over our bedroom into an organized functional space. Other birthday festivities included a BYU football game, bowling, games, cake with friends, and a combined party with his family.
Anna is 3!
We also celebrated her birthday with our Hawkins family. She got a new tricycle from grandma and grandpa and is so proud of her new "bike"! A week later, on her official birthday, we had another party with my family at the cabin. She opened MORE presents and ate her favorite meal of pizza and cake! I can't believe my little girl is 3! She is the sweetest thing ever! She still sleeps well and eats a little better and is so good to Dallin. I can't believe she's going into Sunbeams. We love our little girl!
Dallin is 6 months!
Too many November birthdays! I know this isn't a real birthday, but to a baby, every milestone is special. His checkup isn't until next week, but I'm sure he's almost 20 pounds. This boy is so solid! His favorite hobbies are bouncing in the exer-saucer, rolling over, and eating our junk mail. He's tried a few real foods, but only likes rice cereal, for now. He broke his first 2 teeth a while ago and I'm sure there's more in the works. His blond hair is starting to thicken up and he smiles at anyone who looks at him. Our favorite nicknames for him are Boogie Boy, Buddy, Mr. Wiggly, Elmer, and simply... Boy!
Bevan is 35!
I had to post his age, because frankly, he just doesn't look it! He looks like the day we got married. Sure he has a few more grey hairs (it's genetic... there is VERY little stress in his life), but I think he's aging very well! I decided to do something clever for his birthday and made him a display case for all his race medals. I wanted a combination of a shadow box and hooks. They don't exist... until now. I think it turned out pretty well. Now I can get all those medals that were draped all over our bedroom into an organized functional space. Other birthday festivities included a BYU football game, bowling, games, cake with friends, and a combined party with his family.
Anna is 3!
We also celebrated her birthday with our Hawkins family. She got a new tricycle from grandma and grandpa and is so proud of her new "bike"! A week later, on her official birthday, we had another party with my family at the cabin. She opened MORE presents and ate her favorite meal of pizza and cake! I can't believe my little girl is 3! She is the sweetest thing ever! She still sleeps well and eats a little better and is so good to Dallin. I can't believe she's going into Sunbeams. We love our little girl!
Dallin is 6 months!
Too many November birthdays! I know this isn't a real birthday, but to a baby, every milestone is special. His checkup isn't until next week, but I'm sure he's almost 20 pounds. This boy is so solid! His favorite hobbies are bouncing in the exer-saucer, rolling over, and eating our junk mail. He's tried a few real foods, but only likes rice cereal, for now. He broke his first 2 teeth a while ago and I'm sure there's more in the works. His blond hair is starting to thicken up and he smiles at anyone who looks at him. Our favorite nicknames for him are Boogie Boy, Buddy, Mr. Wiggly, Elmer, and simply... Boy!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Pocatello Half Marathon
November 1-3, 2013
I guess Bevan didn't get his fill of races this year. I didn't want to pay for any more, but it never hurts to just run for fun. He has enough medals and shirts. Vanessa runs a "Just 'cause" half marathon every November and she invited us up! We also needed to mix up our halloween candy consumption.
Vanessa and Trent are wonderful hosts! We ate well, watched good movies, Anna was entertained, Dallin was held, football was watched, and the big race was ran (runned? had been ran?). Bevan and Vanessa both did well and got around 1hr 40min-ish. Their race got me realizing: I need to start running again. I have no excuse. The weather is perfect, I have more free time, and I need my pants to fit again. Maybe next year I'll be running along with them!
Good job Bevan! The final race of the season!
Vanessa and Trent knew about half of all the people there. So popular!
We "park"ed it up a lot. The weather was really nice!
Aren't her daughters so beautiful?!
I guess Bevan didn't get his fill of races this year. I didn't want to pay for any more, but it never hurts to just run for fun. He has enough medals and shirts. Vanessa runs a "Just 'cause" half marathon every November and she invited us up! We also needed to mix up our halloween candy consumption.
Vanessa and Trent are wonderful hosts! We ate well, watched good movies, Anna was entertained, Dallin was held, football was watched, and the big race was ran (runned? had been ran?). Bevan and Vanessa both did well and got around 1hr 40min-ish. Their race got me realizing: I need to start running again. I have no excuse. The weather is perfect, I have more free time, and I need my pants to fit again. Maybe next year I'll be running along with them!
Fall Photo Shoot
None of these made the final cut, but still deserve some attention! The finals will be posted on the Christmas card.
Anna's friend, Levi, came with us for moral support.
I love this boy and his BLUE eyes!
All the bribing in the world couldn't get Anna to pose with her little brother. "Just hold him up, Anna!"
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Halloween!
October 31, 2013
It was a great Halloween season! It seems like this holiday (like many holidays) lasts an entire week! We went to the Scarecrow Walk over at Zermatt Resort. The wind had taken a toll on the exhibits, but it was still fun to see what people come up with, and then call them "scarecrows". Eh, it was something to do for mud-season week. We also ate lots o' candy and carved pumpkins... and the highlight was taking kids trick-or-treating! Anna, dressed as a purple unicorn, made a haul! It was all good stuff too! There were few tootsie rolls and no bubble gum! My friend lent Dallin a cute Dumbo bunting outfit. It was perfect for the cold weather. It also makes a good picture to show his future prom dates. Hehe!
A Day in Goblin Valley!
October 27-28, 2013
Our "mud season road trips" have shortened over the last couple years, both spring and fall! Why is that? Hummm... 2 kids?! This latest trip takes the cake. I couldn't believe how much planning went into this trip, and it was only for 2 nights! We decided to take mom and dad with us, since it had been decades since they had seen Goblin Valley... and it was nice having extra baby holders.
We left after church on Sunday and drove down through Price and the Book Cliffs area. I'm always blown away with how beautiful it is, but then again I've always been partial to that area of desert. The last stretch on SR-24 going south parallels the San Rafael Reef. Gorgeous! I reserved our campsite ahead of time. I've learned my lesson about camping with kids and just ASSUMING a spot will be available. I will NOT play that game anymore! It's sad because, back in the day, we used to camp out against Little Wild Horse Mesa and built bon fires up against the butte walls (good times, eh Megann?). For being in a campground, our site was pretty cool. It was up and around a fin, away from everyone else. No bon fires, no loud hippie music, but the stars were incredible! Anna had a blast throwing sand in the fire and Dallin just stared at the flames.
Monday morning we headed out for Little Wild Horse Canyon. You can't come to this area and NOT hike it. It's just as cool as Goblin Valley. I knew some weather was coming in, but I assumed it would only be a little windy... and our tents were staked down. Good enough, right? I thought it was funny how everyone else was packin' up and LEAVING. Humm... Anyway, Little Wild Horse Canyon didn't disappoint! Red rock, slot canyons, sheer cliffs, and once again, not a soul! Where was everyone? We hiked up a couple miles until the slot canyon ended. We didn't make the loop around Bell Canyon this time. We'll save that for when the kids get older. Coming out of the canyon we noticed the wind had really picked up, and driving back to camp, it turned even worse. Our tent blew away! We found it 100 feet from camp! I left our bags all open and the tent had tumbled in the sand. Augh! The rain fly on mom and dad's tent had snapped, and we think a good samaritan had come by to release their poles and flatten their tent. They fared better than us. It was so windy we couldn't even eat without getting sand in our mouths! How were we supposed to make tin-foil dinners? I couldn't even use our tent to peel vegetables! Poor Dallin was miserable. I really wanted to stay one more night, but everything was stacked against us. We left. Fail! We did stop by to see the goblins and Bevan thinks he even found the one that got toppled. It was even more windy by that time so we didn't stay long. I felt alright about it. We came and saw what we wanted to see! It turns out that it did rain that night. Whew! It felt like we were gone for a week, but it was really only about 30 hours. I'll have to plan a REALLY good mud-season road trip for April to make up for this!
Our "mud season road trips" have shortened over the last couple years, both spring and fall! Why is that? Hummm... 2 kids?! This latest trip takes the cake. I couldn't believe how much planning went into this trip, and it was only for 2 nights! We decided to take mom and dad with us, since it had been decades since they had seen Goblin Valley... and it was nice having extra baby holders.
We left after church on Sunday and drove down through Price and the Book Cliffs area. I'm always blown away with how beautiful it is, but then again I've always been partial to that area of desert. The last stretch on SR-24 going south parallels the San Rafael Reef. Gorgeous! I reserved our campsite ahead of time. I've learned my lesson about camping with kids and just ASSUMING a spot will be available. I will NOT play that game anymore! It's sad because, back in the day, we used to camp out against Little Wild Horse Mesa and built bon fires up against the butte walls (good times, eh Megann?). For being in a campground, our site was pretty cool. It was up and around a fin, away from everyone else. No bon fires, no loud hippie music, but the stars were incredible! Anna had a blast throwing sand in the fire and Dallin just stared at the flames.
Monday morning we headed out for Little Wild Horse Canyon. You can't come to this area and NOT hike it. It's just as cool as Goblin Valley. I knew some weather was coming in, but I assumed it would only be a little windy... and our tents were staked down. Good enough, right? I thought it was funny how everyone else was packin' up and LEAVING. Humm... Anyway, Little Wild Horse Canyon didn't disappoint! Red rock, slot canyons, sheer cliffs, and once again, not a soul! Where was everyone? We hiked up a couple miles until the slot canyon ended. We didn't make the loop around Bell Canyon this time. We'll save that for when the kids get older. Coming out of the canyon we noticed the wind had really picked up, and driving back to camp, it turned even worse. Our tent blew away! We found it 100 feet from camp! I left our bags all open and the tent had tumbled in the sand. Augh! The rain fly on mom and dad's tent had snapped, and we think a good samaritan had come by to release their poles and flatten their tent. They fared better than us. It was so windy we couldn't even eat without getting sand in our mouths! How were we supposed to make tin-foil dinners? I couldn't even use our tent to peel vegetables! Poor Dallin was miserable. I really wanted to stay one more night, but everything was stacked against us. We left. Fail! We did stop by to see the goblins and Bevan thinks he even found the one that got toppled. It was even more windy by that time so we didn't stay long. I felt alright about it. We came and saw what we wanted to see! It turns out that it did rain that night. Whew! It felt like we were gone for a week, but it was really only about 30 hours. I'll have to plan a REALLY good mud-season road trip for April to make up for this!
Sunday, November 17, 2013
A Weekend in Vernal
October 18-19, 2013
Our good friends, Devan and Teresa, moved to Vernal over a year ago. I'm ashamed to admit we haven't been to see them... until now. I was surprised how scenic the drive was. The red rock and full moon made for a beautiful evening. We got there slightly after dark, thankfully. Baby Freddie is now toddler Freddie. He and Anna played so well together. We got caught up, ate some good food, played some late-night games, watched the BYU football game on tv, and visited the sites of Vernal! I really wanted to see the Vernal temple, as well as some dinosaurs. We were tempted to drive out to Dinosaur National Monument, but we were short on time. The pink dino with the "welcome" sign was good for us!
Our good friends, Devan and Teresa, moved to Vernal over a year ago. I'm ashamed to admit we haven't been to see them... until now. I was surprised how scenic the drive was. The red rock and full moon made for a beautiful evening. We got there slightly after dark, thankfully. Baby Freddie is now toddler Freddie. He and Anna played so well together. We got caught up, ate some good food, played some late-night games, watched the BYU football game on tv, and visited the sites of Vernal! I really wanted to see the Vernal temple, as well as some dinosaurs. We were tempted to drive out to Dinosaur National Monument, but we were short on time. The pink dino with the "welcome" sign was good for us!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Baptisms and Football, a Typical Saturday
October 12, 2013
It was such a fun Saturday! We attended the baptism of our nephew Trey! It was a perfect time for a baptism: 11am. Not too early, not too late. It still doesn't explain how we barely made it in time. I can't believe how fast those kids are growing. When they joined the family, they were all still little kids. Now there's an 8-year-old and a couple borderline teenagers. Tina, Treyson, and Tate were in town from Mesa and Beverly and Lloyd escaped from Cove Fort for the day. I love family!
Later that day, we went to the BYU football game. We took Dallin, as an experiment. He slept through the first part of the game. During half time we went and found the stadium "mothers room". Only in Provo!!! I decided if I was ever rich and wanted to donate money to BYU, it would be towards a decent nursing facility. Recliners, curtains, etc. Just like the one in Disneyland! But then again, how many people take infants to football games? We won the game and Dallin stayed moderately happy (with ear plugs). It was a good evening and we got some good pictures.
It was such a fun Saturday! We attended the baptism of our nephew Trey! It was a perfect time for a baptism: 11am. Not too early, not too late. It still doesn't explain how we barely made it in time. I can't believe how fast those kids are growing. When they joined the family, they were all still little kids. Now there's an 8-year-old and a couple borderline teenagers. Tina, Treyson, and Tate were in town from Mesa and Beverly and Lloyd escaped from Cove Fort for the day. I love family!
Later that day, we went to the BYU football game. We took Dallin, as an experiment. He slept through the first part of the game. During half time we went and found the stadium "mothers room". Only in Provo!!! I decided if I was ever rich and wanted to donate money to BYU, it would be towards a decent nursing facility. Recliners, curtains, etc. Just like the one in Disneyland! But then again, how many people take infants to football games? We won the game and Dallin stayed moderately happy (with ear plugs). It was a good evening and we got some good pictures.
Conference Weekend!
October 5-6, 2013
I always look forward to a weekend at the cabin, especially if there's oodles of family there! This time didn't disappoint! Paul and Stefanie even made the drive (in their new car) from Logan. There was lots of food, lots of hiking, lots of noise, oh, and the conference talks were amazing! Saturday morning, Bevan and I trail-ran the "big loop". We used to do it a lot when we lived there. This time took a little longer, and Bevan was so kind to stay with me. It was a little blast from the past and it felt really good to get out in the cold, mountain air.
I remember when this BIG parking area seemed unnecessary... and now we fill it up!
Sister's hike to Rocky Point during the priesthood session.
I always look forward to a weekend at the cabin, especially if there's oodles of family there! This time didn't disappoint! Paul and Stefanie even made the drive (in their new car) from Logan. There was lots of food, lots of hiking, lots of noise, oh, and the conference talks were amazing! Saturday morning, Bevan and I trail-ran the "big loop". We used to do it a lot when we lived there. This time took a little longer, and Bevan was so kind to stay with me. It was a little blast from the past and it felt really good to get out in the cold, mountain air.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Ode to my clogs
Dear clogs,
You were always there for me.
I remember how it started..
An institute teacher in the singles ward where I was serving on my mission had a daughter who was a Dansko rep for western Washington. She "donated" shoes to both me and my companion. We walked many miles in Washington. We stood in many rain showers.
When we got home...
the fun never stopped.
We tromped around Jackson Lake Lodge waiting tables.
Remember that long summer internship with those engineers? You made me look so tall!
We moved to Logan together. How many hundreds of miles did we walk across campus? We never seemed to live anywhere CLOSE to my classes.
You were the perfect shoe.
No socks, no problem.
You went with skirts AND pants.
Your super traction never let me slip.
I've worn you to church, work, rodeos, hiking, studio, construction sites, line-dancing, and skiing.
You've been cracked and weathered, soaking wet, covered in mud, filled with snow, and scratched to heck.
So what's been happening to our relationship? Well, for starts, your toe box is completely collapsed, your insole keeps falling out, your outer sole has worn so much on one side I keep rolling my ankles, and no matter how much Uncle Seth shines you up... it just doesn't last. After 9 years of wearing you almost daily, it's time to part. Thanks to Ebay, you're reasonably replaceable. Thanks, clogs, for the memories!
Sincerely,
Me
You were always there for me.
I remember how it started..
An institute teacher in the singles ward where I was serving on my mission had a daughter who was a Dansko rep for western Washington. She "donated" shoes to both me and my companion. We walked many miles in Washington. We stood in many rain showers.
When we got home...
the fun never stopped.
We tromped around Jackson Lake Lodge waiting tables.
Remember that long summer internship with those engineers? You made me look so tall!
We moved to Logan together. How many hundreds of miles did we walk across campus? We never seemed to live anywhere CLOSE to my classes.
You were the perfect shoe.
No socks, no problem.
You went with skirts AND pants.
Your super traction never let me slip.
I've worn you to church, work, rodeos, hiking, studio, construction sites, line-dancing, and skiing.
You've been cracked and weathered, soaking wet, covered in mud, filled with snow, and scratched to heck.
So what's been happening to our relationship? Well, for starts, your toe box is completely collapsed, your insole keeps falling out, your outer sole has worn so much on one side I keep rolling my ankles, and no matter how much Uncle Seth shines you up... it just doesn't last. After 9 years of wearing you almost daily, it's time to part. Thanks to Ebay, you're reasonably replaceable. Thanks, clogs, for the memories!
Sincerely,
Me
circa 2004
present day
Friday, October 11, 2013
Dallin is 4 months!
Oh, how I LOVE this boy!
Sure, he cries a little more than Anna did, and eats a lot more than Anna did, and sleeps less than Anna did... but he is such wonderful boy. And he's growing! A lot (that's probably why)! At his 4-month checkup he was about 60% for weight, but 95% for height and head circumference! He's a total Ackerson boy.
His favorite hobbies are laughing at himself in the mirror, sucking on his hands, and smiling at anyone who looks at him. His 2 lower front teeth should be breaking through soon. He loves to be upright and looking around. Needless to say, he spends time in the "excer-saucer" to give my arms a break. Anna takes such good care of him. She holds the binkie in his mouth and loves to give him kisses on his big, bald head. So cute!
Sure, he cries a little more than Anna did, and eats a lot more than Anna did, and sleeps less than Anna did... but he is such wonderful boy. And he's growing! A lot (that's probably why)! At his 4-month checkup he was about 60% for weight, but 95% for height and head circumference! He's a total Ackerson boy.
His favorite hobbies are laughing at himself in the mirror, sucking on his hands, and smiling at anyone who looks at him. His 2 lower front teeth should be breaking through soon. He loves to be upright and looking around. Needless to say, he spends time in the "excer-saucer" to give my arms a break. Anna takes such good care of him. She holds the binkie in his mouth and loves to give him kisses on his big, bald head. So cute!
Lagoon!
September 20, 2013
I haven't been to Lagoon in YEARS!
Seriously, it really has been 11 years.
We've been thinking of going anyway when Allen offered us his family guest pass. Wonderful! It was during Frightmares and only open for 5 hours, but it was long enough. We took our kids, Nora and her kids, and Grandma and Grandpa. It was a blast!
More laughing than a comedy show,
More thrilling than a roller coaster,
and more screaming than an episode of "Call the Midwife"!
My favorite ride was Air Race. It was pukey, but incredibly smooth! I couldn't get Bevan to go on it with me, but that's okay. That's what 9-year-old nephews are for. Thanks Ben! I really did scream on "Samurai". How is that ride even legal?! Anna enjoyed the kiddie-land as much as I did when I was little. All the same rides too! Dallin slept mostly. The zombies carrying chainsaws didn't even phase him. The weather was nice and cool and there were NO LINES anywhere!
It was a wonderful evening!
I haven't been to Lagoon in YEARS!
Seriously, it really has been 11 years.
We've been thinking of going anyway when Allen offered us his family guest pass. Wonderful! It was during Frightmares and only open for 5 hours, but it was long enough. We took our kids, Nora and her kids, and Grandma and Grandpa. It was a blast!
More laughing than a comedy show,
More thrilling than a roller coaster,
and more screaming than an episode of "Call the Midwife"!
My favorite ride was Air Race. It was pukey, but incredibly smooth! I couldn't get Bevan to go on it with me, but that's okay. That's what 9-year-old nephews are for. Thanks Ben! I really did scream on "Samurai". How is that ride even legal?! Anna enjoyed the kiddie-land as much as I did when I was little. All the same rides too! Dallin slept mostly. The zombies carrying chainsaws didn't even phase him. The weather was nice and cool and there were NO LINES anywhere!
It was a wonderful evening!
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