Skiing at Alta

Uncle Russ worked tirelessly finding fun things for the kids to do to lighten the burden of moving.  One thing he did was take the kids out to get used skis and then got them cheap passes for the Alta ski resort.  Our family had so much fun skiing with Uncle Russ and sometimes aunt Jody and Uncle Trey that winter.  It made the move so much better because we had something fun to do on the weekends and holidays!  Uncle Russ is the BEST!!

Christmas with Grandma Vance

Grandma Vance was so accommodating of our huge family moving into her house the day before Christmas.  She put so much work into preparing for our arrival and made it such a wonderful Christmas for us!!  We had a lot of fun eating good food, playing games and celebrating the Savior's birth.

Christmas morning

Caroling

The Stable cake

Playing Pay Day with Aunt Katy

Temple Square with Grandma and Uncle Russ

Moving From Colorado Springs to Utah

Every move for our family has been very painful for us, and leaving Colorado Springs  was no exception.  We loved the home, the nature that surrounded us, the wonderful ward, great schools, fantastic sports teams, and amazing recreation.

In October, Dad felt prompted to look at a job that had opened up working for the LDS church.  While exploring the job we had no intention of taking it, but he ended up applying, flying out for an interview, feeling like it was a good opportunity and then waiting for Mom to come around to the idea.  I was such a hard decision for us because we have never wanted to raise our kids in Utah.  We enjoyed having them out where there was more diversity and where we are a religious minority.  Mom had a great job (which was hard to come by), everyone was settled and happy, there was really no reason to move, other than it felt right.  It was the hardest decision because it didn't make any sense to uproot our kids and start all over again, but we have learned from numerous experiences to just go with what feels right.  The Lord has never let us down when we've followed his counsel.

We told our kids and some of them were very upset, mainly the girls.  It was only a few days, though, before they started having impressions of their own that this would be for the best.  I was so impressed by their maturity!

On Christmas Eve eve we watched the movers pack up our stuff and loaded up in our van for the terrible winter drive to Utah.  Joe, Rachel and Mark had already gone to Utah with Uncle Russ and Perry Hacker, who came out to tow our trailer for us!  Life savers!!!  We arrived at Grandma's house on Christmas Eve.  It was a crazy time for us!!

Hart Family Christmas Dinner

We loved living next to the Hart family.  We would just go through the back gate to their house as that was the quickest route!  They are the best family and we loved going to their house for dinner!!  The food was always amazing and they are all so welcoming and loving!

Fathers and Sons Campout on the Air Force Recreation Property

Richard took the boys on a fathers and sons campout.  As they drove up the road on the air force recreation property there were warning signs all the way saying authorized people only, they would shoot if you trespass.  Richard feared for their lives and was afraid to get out of the car.  The men that organized it were Air Force and of course had no problem using the recreation area, but it was nerve racking for Richard!!

Jaxson Vehar and Mark

Joe by our huge tent

Show Choir

Mark joined the show choir at DCC and had a great time with the other members on the team!! It was a great experience for him learning the choreography and all the songs.  Great job Mark!!

Mark and Brenna

Brian's 3rd Birthday

Brian turned three and had so much fun eating his cake and picking out toys from the store!  We love this cute boy!!