February 2024

 Abby was invited to a runway dress up party with friends.  Lisa Wright always goes big.  What a fun chance for the girls to do something different. 

There are lots of great girls in the neighborhood.  So many that are Abby's age.  We are so lucky.  

Abby's friend, Eliza is adding another family member to their house.  The Gender Reveal party was a huge community event. 

Dinner with the Snowders.  Such a great family.  We came straight from Abby's ski race.  John Barraclough was there also. 

I adore Abby and Ellas' freckles, even on their eyelashes.  Abby wrote up her 6 B's.  Book of Mormon, Better Reading, Better Piano, Brush Teeth, Bathroom/bedroom, Breakfast.  Abby loves to be organized and have things written down. 

Tyler had 4 wisdom teeth taken out.  We have lots of silly videos of him talking.  Just getting ready for his mission.  Ella got asked to Prom by the awesome Reese Tillman.  Tyler and Ella are great buddies.  Also some great backcountry skiing in February.  

Tyler's Mission Call to Finland

 Tyler is a pretty independent kid and gets things done without too much help from us.  He set up an appointment to meet with the bishop and start his missionary paperwork.  Before we knew it he was getting his call.  We posted up our maps and let people guess where he might be going.  I was guessing somewhere Spanish-speaking in South America.  But ... my mom is always spot on.  She sent me a text after family dinner and said she wanted to change her guess to Finland.  I decided I better change my guess to Finland too.  So when he opened his call with our family before his friends all came, she brought a small homemade flag in her pocket.  It was a Finnish Flag she colored.  

Darren sent this picture to our family text thread.  "Now he's getting ready to leave the house and go on a mission".  Tyler's reply and the picture he sent back was perfect, "I was born ready"

Tyler waited until after school to go hike up to a quiet spot and open his call on his own.  He already spoke Spanish and French but was willing to learn a new language and go somewhere cold.  Then he came home and opened it with his family and grandparents.  Then our house was filled with friends.  and it was filled!  What a great showing of support.  He asked Valree Dowland to say a prayer which was beautiful.  

Cable Mountain Girls Weekend

Some amazing friends.  Heather's family owns Cable Mountain Lodge by Zion National Park.  We were spoiled with amazing views and time at the spa.  The red rocks were dusted in fresh snow.  These women are strong and amazing.  I am so grateful I can surround myself with them.  

We ran into a couple proposing.  Then we hopped on some E-Bikes and zoomed through the park.  Heather showed up Menu Falls which is hidden away.  Heather's husband also spoiled us with a dozen cinnamon rolls from Muddy Bees Bakery.  I did my best to not let any go to waste.