We celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary with a weekend getaway. We left on a Saturday after Jesse finished work and could be with Karri. We drove south from Ogden and stopped in Payson to watch Captain America: Brave New World. Afterwards, we continued driving to Richfield where we spent the night.
The next morning, we packed up and headed up into the mountains until we descended to Capitol Reef National Park. It is one of the more remote and least visited of Utah’s five national parks. We spent the day driving around and enjoying the scenery that very much reminded me of Arizona and its landscape.
Capitol Reef NPCapitol Reef NPCastle RockCapitol Reef NPChimney RockChimney Rock
Rather than stay nearby, we decided to head back north and stopped in Salina at Mom’s Cafe. We each enjoyed their chicken fried steak and then shared a piece of chocolate pie. Once finished, we drove farther north and decided to stop in Orem for the night. We went to the pool and hoped to get into the hot tub, but we were too slow as a couple of ladies got to it before we could.
The next day Renee presented me with the wonderful metal card for my wallet shown below. Before heading back to Ogden, we partook in a favorite family past time, thrift store shopping. We went to the Provo DI, Savers and then NPS store getting a few things for the kiddos.
Gift from Renée
It has been an ever winding journey the last 35 years and I am so grateful for Renée being at my side for it. Through the many twists, turns, hills and valleys she has been an encourager and comforter that I am grateful for each and every day.
We have been watching this camera for several years with Karri. The eagles now have three eggs this season. We are hoping they will have hatchlings after two years without viable eggs.
I have never been one to follow trends and have no intention of joining the mass hatred of others who are not like me. He gave his life for all people so they are of equal value in His sight.
After careful thought and consideration, I have deactivated my social media accounts yet again on the major platforms. It wasn’t anything the people did on them as much as my way to protest the ownership partying with someone who pardoned the attackers of the US Capitol. I may be reached by phone call, text or email if you would like to know how we are doing.
This also means I will most likely be more active on this blog for the foreseeable future.
It’s that time again for another quick year in review, 2024 Edition!
January brought in swimming lessons for Karri and she won Student of the Month at Bonneville Elementary School. They had a small ceremony for the students who received the honor. Karri was so excited to have us there.
In February, Karri and her little sister had a sleepover to spend time with each other. We try to get the girls together each weekend and occasionally do the sleepovers as a special treat. We were then surprised by a visit from the sisters’ mom Sabrina, who was in town for the weekend. Karri enjoyed seeing her mom. Doug and Renee took an anniversary trip to Twin Falls, Idaho. It was cold and windy, but it was a good trip. We ended the month with a TobyMac concert in Salt Lake City on Doug’s birthday.
March came in quietly with more swimming lessons for Karri and Jesse starting a new job at a FX company in the mall. We managed to sneak in a viewing of the Kung Fu Panda 4 movie and ended the month by celebrating Karri’s sister’s 5th birthday and Easter.
April came rushing in with a Spring break trip to Oregon to see Chris and Paloma. There were more swimming lessons and a birthday party for one of Karri’s classmates. We ended April wishing both Paloma and Greg a happy birthday.
Things picked up in May. Swimming lessons for Karri again and then we began preparing for the Bonneville Elementary talent show. Karri did a short tutorial on making a giant origami heart ❤️. She did fantastic! We celebrated Jesse’s 31st birthday and Karri finished 2nd grade. The end of the month also marked the start of Doug’s summer break.
June kept things rolling with Summer school starting and ending for Doug. Karri had art in the park, drama and art camp at the Treehouse Museum, ice skating with her sister, and the Summer Reading program at the library. She also had back to back birthday parties for her classmates. Jesse was able to create and conduct several workshops for the FX company he worked with including a foam top hat, gauntlet and steampunk mechanical armpiece.
Things just kept rolling on into July. We enjoyed our Saturday trips to the Farmers Market. Karri enjoyed VBS at the Genesis Project and a Lego camp at our local Bricks and Mini Figs store, along with another classmate’s birthday. Then it was time for our yearly trip to San Diego for Comic-Con. After a quick stop to visit the Allen’s in Las Vegas, we headed to California. We arranged a surprise for Karri and her sister by meeting up with her sister’s family for a day trip to Legoland. Both girls were so excited to spend the day together. Once again it was another fun but exhausting time at Comic-Con, but we were happy to head home where Karri ended the month with a cooking camp hosted by the local Community Action.
August ushered in the start of a new school year for Karri and Doug. Karri began 3rd trade at a new school and Renee was fortunate enough to get a job as a teacher’s assistant at the same school. Jesse had several LARP games he attended and continued his job and workshops. We ended August with wishing Jim a happy birthday and a night out at an Ogden Raptors baseball game.
Phew now we’re heading into September. It started with Doug’s 40th High School reunion in Barstow, CA. The last Farmer’s Market of the season was followed by the Harvest Moon Market, and then FanX. We also were able to enjoy a night at Ringling Bros. Circus thanks to VetTix. Fall Market started and Karri enjoyed a nice day at Roy Christian Church’s Fall Festival thanks to Miss Amy!
All the fun then begins in October. We watched Karri’s sister in the USU Homecoming parade in Logan, enjoyed Fall Break for Doug, Renee and Karri, and Doug and Renee enjoyed a night out at AEW Wrestling in SLC. Karri and her sister had another sleepover and enjoyed several opportunities to go out trick or treating. Renee also had several vein surgeries that she recovered from quickly.
November was relatively calm. We enjoyed church and a potluck with Karri’s sister’s family in Logan. Renee, Doug and Karri had Thanksgiving break. Jesse started a new job at a local credit union. It suits him. Happy Thanksgiving! Finally, we enjoyed a very cold night watching the Ogden Christmas parade with Karri’s sister and her family.
Here we are at December. It was Karri’s 9th birthday and we celebrated with a Pokemon birthday party. She really liked it! We went out to explore the Ogden Christmas Village which is all lit up each night in December. Doug, Renee and Karri had Christmas Break and wished Aunt Carla a very happy birthday. Merry Christmas!
We’re ending the year with a very merry sleepover with the two sisters and a few closing thoughts. As 2024 comes to an end, we want to take this moment to wish you all the very best year to come. Remember to take time to enjoy your family and hug the ones who are closest to you. Happiest New Year to you!!
As yet another Presidential election season nears its November climax, I see a nation under distress. One party presents a candidate that serves in the current administration and the other is supporting a return to power of someone who still refuses to admit their loss in the previous election.
I am an unaffiliated voter, having left the Republican party that no longer resembles the party of my father and grandfather. It has chosen to select someone who did not honor their oath of office. Instead, they stirred up an attack on the capitol to try and prevent certification of the electoral college vote that was just a formality of the election process. They left office and took government property in the form of official documents they were supposed to hand over upon their departure from office.
I have seen individuals who share my faith in Christ pledge their devotion to someone who is not any example of righteousness. He regularly uses vulgarity and sings the praises of other nations who consistently repress followers of Christ. He used a Bible made in China to bilk people out of income.
While I am certainly no fan of the Democratic Party and their platform, I am also unwilling to support the Republican party and their candidate. I live in a state that is so solidly behind a candidate that my vote matters little anyway. I will place my trust in the Author and Finisher of my faith, Jesus Christ. America is in a pivotal position this election and distress may be ahead of us no matter its outcome.
Psalms 43:5 NIV Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
