Mission Memories

Tonight my (Abbey's) Mom and Dad came over and we ate dinner and watched a great Sunday movie. It's called "Errand of Angels". It was so awesome 0f them to make the effort to come hang out with us. I love em' to pieces. I did my second or third crock pot meal ever and it turned out okay. The chicken was good but the rest of it was a little watered down. Dad was nice and ate the whole thing. On the other hand, the movie we watched was really good. Errand of Angels is a movie about sister missionaries. I recommend it. It was very realistic. The only things that I would add are: laughing your head off with your companion over really dumb things that you would have never found funny before you were a missionary, more tracting, more hugs and more tears. I'm so grateful for the experiences and further conversion I had While serving a mission :) [Picture: This was the first door I knocked on as a missionary.] My companion was not impressed with how softly I knocked on the door. She told me to "Knock like the Church is true!" I never forgot that :)

Greg was also able to serve a mission and he loved it! He had many wonderful experiences as well.

The Gospel IS true!

Christmas 2008

The holidays were a splendid time for us this year. Abbey and I spent some time in Sacramento, followed by a few days in Park City with her family. You might be wondering, why the scholarly fairy Santa? This is one of many, that flutter their way into Abbey's mother's home during Christmas time. We think highly of these hybrid wonders.

These curious fairies really know how to stare you down.

We went home to my parents this year in Sacramento. On one of the days, we traveled to San Francisco. It was the first time Abbey and I took a ride on the trolley. Ding, Ding.

This is my San Francisco Treat!

Is there a better sound than the barking of the sea lions?



What trip would be complete without a visit to the elusive, Candy Baron...



This is our bronze family. Much quieter than the real thing.

This is the "bush man". He is a SF favorite. He hides behind this array of leaves and scares innocent foreigners.

We left Sacramento and spent the remainder of the holidays in Park City. On New Years Day we skied at Deer Valley, where the conditions were perfect.

Mullet of the Month in Holiday Colors

Numbers 1 & 2 of the Top Ten most freaky dolls to own.

Yikes! I can relate with your experience Tara.

Hoover Dam

Spectacular! If you are into these "Dam" things.

Las Vegas Half & Olympic Triathlon

October 18th, is still painfully in our minds. It was an intense triathlon. Hills presented themselves everywhere on the bike and run. The welcome mat into the run transition was preceded by a 5 mile, 8% climb on the bike. To give you some perspective, my bike was coasting downhill at 40 mph on these grades. Yes, it was speed at its finest but it also meant, at the turn around point, we would be riding up those same hills. Abbey and I said afterward, there was nothing that we enjoyed during the race. However, it was worth the accomplishment.

The name might scare you off but it was a pleasant place to lay your head. Boulder City, NV, is a small, little town 20 min outside of the strip. Surprisingly, it is a town with terrific places to eat.

6am. Lake Mead. One hour from start.


This is the "transition area". Bikes are stored here to await your return from the swim. There were approximately 314 racers in the Half distance and 1000 in the Olympic.


Abbey prior to her start.

Affixing my second skin on.

The rocky, beach swim start.

Just finishing the swim. The photographers must have been taking bathroom breaks during Abbey's race.

During the last 5 miles of the bike.


Trying to beat the heat on the run.

Finisher medal.