The last three months in Utah -Making lifelong friends

One of the hardest things about our time in Utah was the difficulty in making really good friends.  We tried, but it was just hard.  However, our season there ended with some fantastic friends.  Sometimes things don't happen on our time schedule. ;) When Shanan turned 12, she was old enough for youth group, and since parental involvement was required & we had a new baby, Steve filled the role.  It really was a great thing, and they both met some really awesome people.  Steve even asked to "bend the rules," so Alyssa could attend, even though she wasn't technically old enough.

Brianna and Alyssa were born on the exact same day.  How cool is that?

We also met another family new to the area, the Valdez's.  I can only say I wish we'd met sooner.  I love how sometimes God surprises you with amazing friends that nearly instantaneously become family.  It is uncanny how quickly some friendships can form!  Joel & Jona' have the gift of hospitality, & they bless so many with it, including us.  In the last few months in Utah, we shared lots of good food & fellowship.  Alyssa & Brianna became fast friends, as well as Genna & Aida, & Jake & Jude.  I think even Shanan & Josh had fun playing poker. ;)  We miss you all so much, Valdez's!

We also met an awesome family, the Cameron's. This was taken at Hannah's 13th birthday.

Hanging at the Spring concert.  I promise they weren't all trying to have creepy eyes.  They are just naturally that creepy! ;)

Headbands were required to attend the party.  Note the large vat of carrot juice, every teen girl's party beverage of choice! ;)

Just another chance to play with makeup

Aida reading Genna a story in a toddler bed

Linda and Jona

Best buddies & biggest mess makers

We loved the Rock Church

Joel speaking at youth group

At youth group: The kids were supposed to make a house out of food

The kids were part of an amazing youth group that we'll certainly miss.

Love the skiing in Utah

Written by Alyssa Zavocki (age 11)

Dad invited me to go skiing with him one last time in Utah.  I felt a little sad about it, just because I knew it would be my last time skiing for a long time since we knew we were moving to Florida soon. Last I checked, there's no skiing in Florida. ;)  Dad & I rarely do anything together, just the two of us.  Going skiing, just me & Dad, makes me feel pretty special.    

I love seeing the houses along the drive up to the mountain with three feet of white, puffy snow piled on top! It almost looks like clouds blanketing the houses. The mountain glistens with yesterday's snow fall.

We pulled into the icy parking lot at Brighton ski resort. This is the same place where dad first taught me to to ski last year. I remember the first time I went skiing with dad and Shanan. I thought the bunny slope looked really steep, but now the bunny slope doesn't even look like a slope! The past few times I've also been willing to do a few jumps.

I love how the snow sits on the pine trees

The night before we went skiing they had 1-2 feet of powder snow, so we had great skiing conditions!

It felt like skiing on clouds! Dad and I tried going through some drifts off to the side of the trail. Unfortunately, we got stuck in the snowdrift!! When we finally got out I had lost my ski, unbeknownst to me!! I somehow managed to ski a bit down the mountain on one ski without even realizing it!!! I might not have noticed even then if the man next to me hadn't pointed it out!! Dad had to take off his skis and hike up the mountain in ski boots (a very difficult task!) to find my ski!!!

Dad hasn't fallen at all in the two winters that we have been skiing in Utah! He broke that record on our last time skiing, though. He was being a little ambitious and strayed from the path to go around a tree and he turned too quickly, and before he knew it, he was lying on the ground!!!

Proof that Dad does fall sometimes :)

I am happy that dad and I were able to go skiing one last time before leaving Utah!!!  I'm really glad Dad taught me how to ski. Just like Dad, I enjoy the sense of danger involved and the thrill factor.

Me at the very top

I am going to miss skiing when we are in Florida next winter

Pocatello and Lava Hot Springs, Idaho

Ever since we moved to Utah & browsed through the information from the welcome center, the kids (& I) have been begging to go to Lava Hot Springs. For some reason, it just wasn't as high on Steve's priority list, so there *may* have been some nagging. I suggested that we go for a weekend away for Shanan & Alyssa's birthdays, & Steve consented. :)

There was a lot of steam since the outside temp was +17 degrees

We spent the most time in the pool that was the least hot, although plenty warm

We truly had a great time! We stayed at the Red Lion Inn in Pocatello, which was a great hotel with an awesome indoor pool.  We spent one day playing in the hot springs. They were very hot, so although I was hesitant about the temperature being in the teens, it was perfect! The littles did a great job getting in & out to regulate their temperature.  They scooped up the snow on the sides & put it on their heads (& everyone else's, too) to cool them down. Then they'd get back in to warm up! This is a great place to check out if you're in the area. However, I think I'd only go if it were winter.

The snow felt great on the tops of our heads

The water is fed from a natural hot spring with nothing added

I wouldn't consider going here any other time except the winter, it would just be too hot

Katie really enjoyed the hot springs

Great times were had by all at Lava Hot Springs

We also decided to check out the Museum of Clean in Pocatello, as Steve's research showed it got great reviews.  We had a great time here, too.  Don Aslett, the owner, gave us the tour himself.  He also gave our girls some books on cleaning & gave Katie a Baby Banana toothbrush/teether that she loves!  The kids loved all the play areas, so it was a great time by all.  Don was so nice that we stopped by his cleaning store afterwards & got some cleaning supplies!

The museum founder gave us a personal tour

Mr Aslett showing Alyssa how people used to carry water for laundry

And now do you like my hat

We loved all the hands on exhibits

We all had fun with the cleaning themed costumes

A great time was had by all, we highly recommend the Museum of Clean in Pocatello, Idaho

California Road Trip

Steve's fear of winter was the impetus for a roadtrip to California to enjoy sunny skies and time with good friends, the Delotes!  Steve decided we'd hang out at the Delotes between Christmas and Jake's birthday, and he'd telecommute.  Mike & Karen acquiesced to Steve's plan. ;)  They're pretty easy going, as they welcomed us with open arms, despite the fact that we come with five children in tow! 

Karen and Katie had a special connection

Jake was pretty enamored with Matt, and Matt got a taste of what it would be like if he had a little brother. ;) Katie shared some of her first laughter with Karen---sooo sweet to see! (I think they grew rather fond of each other, too!)  Between hanging out with Mike, Karen, & Matt, we played outside, went to the park, and enjoyed a little beach time.  There's just something about the beach that soothes my soul!  

Santa Monica Beach on January 1, 2014

Katie's first time to see the ocean

We enjoyed the beach all afternoon.  The temps were in the 60's and pleasant.

Under Santa Monica pier

This girl is growing up quick

This girl loves to strike a pose

Under the pier at low tide is very interesting, lots of starfish clinging to the pilings

Hard to get the Jakeman to look at the camera

Beach Beauty

We also managed to hook up with Jeb & Barb Egbert at their place in Huntington Beach. It was great to see them and catch up. Jeb was in fine form and made our girls laugh at his goofiness.

Since we would be driving back home on Jake's 3rd birthday, we celebrated the day before. We took him out for lunch, including a birthday milkshake (which later would cause him to proclaim his birthday to be a "drinking birthday"), a trip to Target to replace his truck that he lost at the beach, & a trip to the playground.  Meanwhile Mike took Matt, Shanan & Alyssa to LegoLand! Wow, I think everyone had a great time!  Sometimes I can't believe how blessed we are to have such great friends that love on & invest in our kids as if they were their own. Thanks a million for welcoming us & treating us like family, Mike, Karen, & Matt!  Miss you guys!

On the way to San Diego to visit Legoland with Uncle Mike

Fun times at Legoland

Thanksgiving with the Gordon's

We were delighted to have some of our best friends come visit over Thanksgiving!  Besides the usual Thanksgiving festivities, there was a whole lot of playing & bonding going on between our kids!  To say that Jake is extremely fond of Jereme is a gross understatement!  And, Jereme played the big brother role very well!

Our girls requested a Chopped competition while the Gordons were visiting, modeled after the Food Network show called Chopped.  Jereme & Shanan teamed up against Zaynah & Alyssa.  Ali did the shopping & came home with the "basket items": salmon, jicama, citrus, ginger, & cashews.  It did get pretty heated in the kitchen, but the good news is that no one got hurt, the food was not overcooked or undercooked, & they figured out how to work together!!  Fantastic, really!  And...there was some really, truly tasty food at the end of it all. :)  Seriously, it was great to see their creativity at work!  

Jereme and Shanan working hard in the kitchen

The final lineup for the Chopped competition, we had one last commercial before we announced the results

Team Jereme/Shanan on the left, Team Zaynah/Alyssa on the right, judges were mixed and awarded a tie.

Greg, Jereme, & Zaynah also went skiing with Steve, Shanan & Alyssa.  Shanan enjoyed skiing with friends much more than just with Steve & Alyssa.  Everything is better with friends, right?? :)

Great day for skiing, it wasn't even that cold

Alyssa posing on the slope

All in all, it was a great visit.  It was truly a treat to have the chance to spend Thanksgiving with friends!  We miss you, Gordons! :) 

Thanksgiving Dinner with pecan pie for dessert that Alyssa made

We had a lot of fun playing the 'Let's Dance' games on the Wii