Life in SLC

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017

Happy New Year! Looking back on 2016, I am reminded that we have a lot to be thankful for! A healthy pregnancy, a relaxing babymoon in Hawaii, the arrival of our beautiful baby boy, a fun and successful cross country season, family and friends who have loved and supported us in our new role as parents, and the opportunity to see family the most this year since moving to Utah (we probably have Samuel to thank for that!). We are looking forward to what 2017 brings.

After our state meet, we extended our season with a few post-season meets. In mid-November, we traveled on a charter bus down to Casa Grande, AZ for the Nike Southwest Regional meet. This meet brings teams from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, & Nevada to compete for a chance to qualify for the Nike Nationals. Our boys team ran really well and finished 5th. The top 3 teams ended up going to Nationals. Samuel did great on the LONG bus ride!

Bernard Lagat & Todd

Olympus Cross Country's smallest fan

5th place

We celebrated "Thanksmas" with family in Minnesota--Thanksgiving on Thursday, Christmas on Friday! Grant & Allison were there from Chicago and both of Todd's grandmas joined us from Iowa. Lots of great family time, delicious food, and even a trip to a tree farm to cut down a tree!

We found a keeper!

The weekend after Thanksgiving, we traveled to southern California for the Footlocker West Regional Cross Country meet (the final meet of the season!). We enjoyed nice weather, a beach day, and some great performances on a really tough course.

Huntington Beach

Todd, Samuel, and I spent a night in Park City the week before Christmas. It was a nice, relaxing getaway. Park City in the winter is really beautiful! Thanks, Jeff & Bonnie, for giving us your extra Marriott points :)

Breakfast at a tea house/book shop

We celebrated Christmas as a family of three before traveling to Michigan. We visited a live nativity, saw the lights at Temple Square, opened gifts, and went snowshoeing. Although Samuel won't remember anything from his first Christmas, we sure had fun celebrating with him!

Samuel loved pulling on the ribbons

Lights at Temple Square

Snowshoeing in Millcreek Canyon

We spent Christmas in Michigan with my family. I loved being "home" for the holidays. It was fun to see the little cousins together. Samuel loved watching Lily! We spent Christmas day with Uncle Bruce & Grandma, always good to see them! We saw high school & college friends, went for a couple hikes, and played lots of games.

Christmas morning

Lake Michigan

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Travel, State Championships, and Other Fall Things

Hello Friends & Family! We are enjoying a sunny, warm day today in Utah--a perfect day for a birthday :).

Samuel Scott turns 4 months old at the end of next week! That's a third of a year already. Hard to believe! It was about this time last year that we found out I was pregnant. Thinking back to those days seems like a different lifetime. Samuel has changed our lives in many positive ways, but parenting is not without it's challenges. I continually remind myself that God will not give me more than I can handle. We enjoy Samuel's smiles & giggles, and watching him learn to use his hands!

At the end of September, my parents traveled to Utah to be here for Samuel's baptism. We are so thankful for God's promises to Samuel and that he has called him his own. Mom & Dad were able to come to a (cold) cross country meet to cheer on Olympus! We also went to Red Butte Gardens, one of their favorite places in Utah and enjoyed some nice walks with Samuel.

Samuel's baptism

Samuel wore the same outfit Todd wore when he was baptized

Bundled up at the XC meet

Red Butte Gardens

Sadly, Todd's Grandpa Mitchell passed away at the end of September. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed! Todd, Samuel, and I traveled to Iowa for the funeral. Although the circumstances were sad, we were happy to see family.

Grandma Irma with Samuel

Grandma Kathaleen with Samuel

Jeff & Bonnie with Samuel in his baptism outfit

Our cross country season concluded its regular season on a high note! The Olympus boys' team won state! They raced SO well at the state meet and are now ranked #10 in the country! The girls didn't have their best day at state, but still finished 8th! We are excited for our two post-season races in Arizona (Nike Southwest Regional) and California (Footlocker West Regional). If we do well enough at Regional, there could be a third meet in Oregon (Nike Nationals).

Happy coaches after winning state

We took our first family vacation during Todd's UEA break. We went to Rocky Mountain National Park and stayed in Estes Park. Although exploring a National Park is much different with Samuel than what we're used to, we really enjoyed it! And if you need a recommendation for a place to stay in Estes Park--just ask! We loved it!

Bear Lake

Elk in Estes Park

Dream Lake

Emerald Lake

Sprague Lake

Samuel and I spent last week in Michigan with my family! We had a wonderful time doing lots of fall things...watching Michigan football, carving pumpkins, going to Robinettes, etc. I was able to see some high school friends as well. The weather and fall colors were beautiful! What a great week!