Senior pics

Courtney is having senior pictures taken when it is closer to graduation but she needed a picture to submit to the SCHS yearbook.  She found a dress she liked so we decided to take some time one afternoon and go to Snow Canyon to take pictures.  I think they turned out cute and she found one that she liked to submit to the yearbook.

Enjoy!

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.