Vernal Trip- Reese's Soccer Game

 Grandma Close came with us to do a little vacation in Vernal, Utah. Reese played a soccer team there and since it was a super long way to drive for just one game, we decided to get an airbnb and make a trip out of it. We got to Vernal almost a little too late...but also perfect timing. I wanted to do a hike before it got too dark. We turned off of the main road and google maps told me to turn on "Molly's nipple". I thought why in the world would someone name it that??! And then we turned the corner to see a little mountain and knew that's where it came from. We were laughing so hard at it. 

The hike was called Moonshine Arch. It was not too hard or long and Grandma Close even was a champ and made it the whole way. We got there just after sunset and the colors were beautiful. We had a great time! I LOVE hiking with my family. 

That evening Jamie and Ellie Nettesheim came to our Airbnb and stayed the night with us. The next morning we ate a quick breakfast and then went to Dinosaur National Monument. We stopped at the visitors center and then the Dinosaur Quarry. The quarry was really cool. Fossils still in the mountain for visitors to look at. Then we went to see petroglyphs and a little pioneer ranch to each lunch. It was super fun to make it a trip there. 

After the Museum we did some hiking.  We saw some petroglyphs, fossils, and climbed some really cool cliffs and rocks. The weather was great and Reese's soccer game at night was fun too. A LOOOONG way to drive for one game but we made it worth it! It was a super fun quick family vacation. 

Toy & Bake Sale for a Purpose

 Earlier this year, my cousin Emily Pippin Wilson died from breast cancer. She suffered for about 5 years with it. Although I didn't know her well and hadn't seen her since I was a teenager, my cousin Jessica Osborn offered to fly me and my siblings to the funeral in Las Vegas on her private jet. All of my siblings except Jor Jor flew there with her and got to see a lot of our extended family. 

After I got back from the funeral, my kids (I think Nora specifically) said, maybe we could sell toys and other things to earn money for Corey (Emily's husband) and 8 kids she left behind. I loved the idea. It just took months and months to actually carry out a plan. So the girls made fliers and then I drove them around to homes in our neighborhood to get the word out. 

Then we sold toys as well as kamut bread, cookies and homemade granola. The girls earned almost $500 for their family. The neighbors were so generous as well. Corey was extremely grateful and I am proud of my girls wanting to help a family that they don't know. 

Spirit Week at Lincoln

At the girls school they had spirit week. I just had to share the pictures of their 80's Day and Crazy (bird) hair day. 

Benny and His Chickens

This 3 year old boy LOVES our chickens...like so much. It is so cute. Now that it's winter, he doesn't ask as much but before the cold season he wanted to go feed the chickens treats and check the eggs a few times every day. He absolutely loves them. Especially Indy because she is the only one he can catch and hold. 

My Birthday

 For my birthday we started out with a yummy breakfast all prepared for by Cade. Then I requested that we go in the mountains for my birthday and so hiking we went! I love this new spot in Alpine near the Horsetail Falls Hike. It is GORGEOUS. The water was absolutely freeing but 4 girls got all the way in to earn $10. It was hilarious. 

At night, Cade and I went to the first BYU game for our season tickets. 

One thing to know about me if you don't already know. I get headaches a lot and bright light often triggers the headaches. So you will never find me without sunglasses on my head or hanging on my shirt or (like this picture) on my face AND on my head AND hanging on my shirt....I'm the best 😆

Emma LOVES making cards for people and she's really good at it. This year she made me "Birthday Eggs". They were so cute! Each little "egg" box opened up to a scrambled egg with a note on it. So fun.