Thanksgiving!!

Brian's family (Allison, Sarah and Matt) along with Lindsey (my sis) all came down for Thanksgiving! We were joined by Pete and Jacqueline (Brian's friend from Grand Canyon and his wife). We hiked in the Fiery Furnace in Arches, hiked the Lathrop trail in Canyonlands, made a KILLER thanksgiving dinner, read Lincoln's thanksgiving address, cut down a Christmas tree in the mountains, played games, sang, and played Ninja Destruction (you have to ask B about that. It's his new favorite game). I LOVE FAMILY!! What would the holidays be without them?

Matt-- is brian's younger Brother. Believes life is an experiment, reminds me a lot of my Dad for those of you who know him. For example, Matt makes his own yogurt, deodorant and sprouts. He is currently testing the freezing threshold of flowering peas at his BYU apartment. Matt is also like Indiana Jones-- teaching us how to fight Ninjas (in the game Ninja Destruction), hunt down the perfect Christmas tree and find every good deal known to man. There is much more to Matt. He's still available and at BYU for all you ladies.


This is Brian's Mom, Allison. She never fails to bring us the best food, all the things we forgot to buy or don't have (including a keyboard and folder of Christmas music this year) only because she "understands our Spartan lifestyle" being an Park Service mom for so many years. Doesn't mind following her crazy sons and daughters up mountains and through narrow canyons. Plus, what a bonus for me that my mother-in-law doesn't mind having thanksgiving in a shed?


Sarah is Brian's younger sister; freshman at BYU this year and has the biggest "lexicon" of any 18 year old I know (who uses the word "nonsequiter" in a sentence)? Amazing. She is just as outdoorsy as her bros, but unlike them can bake the meanest apple pie in all of ISKY (and the surrounding 5 counties of course). Speaks German, sings beautiful and boosts the moral (and self-esteem) of any group by always laughing at their jokes and winning the "most happy camper" (yes, staying at our house is basically camping) award.

$3 dollar award to anyone who can accurately guess the shadow line-up below:


Lindsey is my younger sister; also known as Deaner (which Sarah informed me also means "servant" in German. . .how fitting). Lindsey comes to visit me to borrow my clothes and compliment my wife skills. Lindsey thinks she's Asian (as seen in the photo below) and frequently says "Nee-how" to inanimate objects. She is always making us laugh and adds to every group she's in.



Everyone in front of our thanksgiving shed:

This is not a photoshoped picture. Just a strategically placed chock stone in the Fiery Furnace.

celebrating TWO

10 pairs of running shoes now worn out

9 moves

8 rock towers

7 new jobs

6 days with no cell phone or internet (until now)

5 kids waiting in Heaven (wink, wink)

4 breakdowns (good ol' 286,000 mile Jeep)

3 States we've lived in

2 years

1 happy couple.

Happy Anniversary to me and B!

I love living somewhere where fall is actually as long as it's supposed to be.

Not a cloud in the sky. . .

I came into the library after a day of canyoneering. I was feeling so happy. We had two friends from Rocky Mountain come in and stay with us and I had a GREAT time playing the "Red Rock Guide" to all that is abrasive and up high. But when I got here, I saw on display a book with "Mormon" in the title. It caught my attention and I read a few pages in it. I detailed the experience of a "Mormon" girl in New York City and basically how she lost her faith. I wandered around a little more, loosing myself for moments at a time as I scanned pages of a few other books; jewish thief, how to make kids eat tahi food and not just grilled cheese etc. I sat down and started to read my email. After a few minutes I stopped and thought to myself, "Man. I feel so weird. I feel sad. Why am I in this mini-funk?" And it hit me! Those few pages that I had read about the girl in NYC were completely devoid of light and truth. It sucked it right out of me and left me feeling dry and helpless. In short, it made the spirit leave and I felt it. It wasn't because it challenged an illusion I was living in, it wasn't because it was written well-- my soul ached because her actions were so clearly off and all that is good within me knew it! Then, I noticed a letter from Mary Hall. Mary Grace is on her mission in Guate-- and as I read her letter I was overwhelmed with the contrast. It changed my insides in a few seconds. After reading her short letter, I was beaming. It was pure truth, and truth is light. It was 15 minute lesson to re-affirm all that I already know.