Montana State University

If colleges were smart, they would know that sending Courtney a flier with someone skiing on the front is the key to getting her to apply.  Well, Montana State University figured it out and send her a flier talking about how far the campus is from the ski resort.  She applied and was accepted.  The college has a high acceptance rate, so she wasn't surprised.  She was also offered a scholarship so it will be the same as in-state tuition.  But she is still waiting to hear where else she is accepted before making any decisions.  I had to take a picture when she got her welcome packet.

Thanksgiving

We were gathering for Thanksgiving with the Packs in Albuquerque, NM, to see Grandma and Grandpa Pack on their mission. Ethan had to work on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving so we had to be creative in getting everyone together. We decided that Bryan and Courtney could drive to Albuquerque on Wednesday then Ethan and I would fly on Thursday morning.  Courtney asked why she couldn't fly with Ethan; we didn't have a good reason.  So the plans were made for Bryan and me to drive and Ethan and Courtney to fly.  Flights from St. George to Albuquerque were pretty cheap for Thanksgiving so it worked out well.

Bryan and I took off Wednesday morning while Courtney waited for Ethan to drive home after work. The drive wasn't too eventful.  There were some pretty views but mostly it was just rundown homes next to the road. We made good time though so it was great.  And it was fun to get to Albuquerque and see family.

Thursday morning the kids loaded up and went to the St George airport. I was nervous that they would be delayed somewhere and wouldn't get to Albuquerque, but everything went well.  Courtney sent me a picture when they got on the plane.

Bryan and I went to pick them up at the airport and there weren't any parking spots.  We waited in the cell lot until they landed then we went to the passenger pick-up and got them.  It was fun to see them and they had a great adventure.

We had Bryan's birthday breakfast.  We had a ton of sausage and had to save some for the kids so they could have breakfast after we picked them up.

Thanksgiving dinner was great.  It was fun to have everyone bring their favorites and put it all together for a great meal.

After eating, watching a lot of soccer, watching football, and eating pie, they had a little cupcake for Bryan to celebrate his birthday. We got to sing to him and celebrate him also.  There were a lot of candles on that cupcake!

On Friday, we went to Albuquerque.  Grandpa Pack wanted to go to the rattlesnake museum so the kids and Bryan went there while Grandma Pack and I went window shopping.

We also went to the Nuclear Science Museum which was fascinating.  We could have spent a lot more time there but we got hungry and tired.  

We had a lot of fun seeing Grandma and Grandpa's apartment and where they work during the day. It was fun to play games with cousins and spend time with family.  It was a long drive home on Sunday.  We left as soon as we could so Ethan could get back to BYU without being too late.

We made it to Ivins and Ethan loaded up his car and drove back to BYU.  He made it in good time and didn't have any problems. I am glad we were able to go to Albuquerque for Thanksgiving.

Teasing Courtney

One thing Bryan loves doing is teasing Courtney. She secretly loves it.  You can tell by her face that she was laughing so hard! This picture was perfect because you can see Bryan teasing and Courtney cracking up.

Santa Clara trails

Courtney decided she is tired of hiking in Snow Canyon every day so we have been doing some trails in Santa Clara. There are some amazing views just across Old Highway 91 from our house! Enjoy these pictures.

I take a picture of Courtney as she is running away so I remember what she is wearing, just as a safety precaution.

Temple trip

The youth have been doing temple trips but the amount of youth interested has been waning.  It was a lot of work to do the monthly temple appointments to Cedar City so it was decided to have the parents take more responsibility to take their youth to do baptisms.  When the St George temple reopens, it will be a lot easier to do youth temple trips.

November was the month when parents in our ward were asked to take their youth to the temple.  So we made our appointment and took Courtney to Cedar City to do baptisms.  It was so cold and windy in Cedar City! We were almost blown away trying to walk from the car into the temple.

Bryan did the baptizing and Courtney and I were able to do 4 names each.  It was great to be there together.  We missed Ethan but he is going to the temple in Provo.

When we finished (it didn't take very long) we left and took a quick picture while we froze! 

We then went to dinner and drove home.  I couldn't believe how cold it was in Cedar.  Courtney decided she doesn't want to go to school at Southern Utah University because it was too cold!

Sourdough orange rolls

The Packs have a tradition of eating orange rolls at celebrations (birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.).  They usually use the Pillsbury orange rolls but I couldn't find any in St. George.  I knew that we needed some for Thanksgiving so I decided to try and make them myself.  I found a sourdough recipe and decided to try it.  They turned out so good but they aren't the same as Pillsbury.  

BeReal

Courtney was mowing the lawn for Grandpa when the BeReal went off so she had him do her BeReal.  I thought it was awesome!! I love their relationship.

Jazz band concert

Ethan had a friend who got tickets to the jazz band concert and invited him to go along. Ethan sent us a picture to tell us that he is getting culture.  He really liked the concert and said they did a great job.

Traveling Tabernacle

The traveling Tabernacle was in St. George and our Stake was assigned to help with it on November 14th.  We had gone through it the week before so we understood what it was and what would be happening. The Tabernacle was run by the youth in the various wards/stakes.  The adults were acting just as ushers and other support things. Bryan and I had volunteered to be ushers but Bryan got stuck at work so I grabbed Courtney to come along with me.  She wasn't thrilled but I told her I would ensure she was with me the whole time.  However, when we showed up they tried to grab her to do a youth part in the actual Tabernacle.  She panicked a bit but then we could arrange it so she was with me.

We were responsible for making sure people went in the correct direction when they were in the Cultural Hall.  It wasn't too hard but we were asked to answer questions anyone may have as they went through.  It was fun to talk to people and Courtney kept me company.

Bryan showed up after our first hour and took over for Courtney.  She took his car home and Bryan and I finished our 2 hour shift.  I thought it was fun to see the people come through.  One of the best parts was that we were near the video of how the temples dot the Earth. It was cool to see how to video touched the people. This is the video:

I thought it was cool not only to be able to go through the Tabernacle and see what it would have looked like in ancient times, but also to be able to serve there so others could have that experience.

This is the link to the website if anyone would like to see more info about what it is: Traveling Tabernacle

Tree eye

I was on my walk the other day and saw this tree.  It looked like an eye to me so I had to take a picture. It's actually kind of creepy to have a tree watching you as you walk by.

End of season banquet

We had the end-of-season banquet for Soccer.

They had the library set up for the lunch.  I don't think everyone sent in an RSVP because they didn't have enough food for everyone and they had to hurry and set up more chairs and tables.  Bryan and I shared a meal and then Courtney didn't like hers so Bryan finished it.  They gave out the region champ shirts, each coach talked about the girls, and then they were given a gift.  It was nice.

Game pigeon

Ethan and Courtney like to play games with each other through text via Game Pigeon.  Usually, on Sunday morning they are playing a game before we go to Church.  One Sunday, right before Church began, Courtney had this look on her face...

This is the pure joy when Courtney beat Ethan at Checkers. haha!  I had to document it.  She was thrilled. He complains and says that she cheats and that it's a dumb game, but he keeps playing with her.

Snow Canyon

Courtney has a goal of running a 10K.  She has been going each day to walk and she asked me to go with her. I walk while Courtney runs on the trails in Snow Canyon.  It's amazing that we have that so close that we can go anytime we want. I have been stopping to take pictures as I walk.  Here are some of my favorites.

We live in a beautiful area whether it is sunny or rainy.