Audrey's first and second time skiing

 We took Audrey skiing for her first time and she's already hooked. We started on the super bunny hill but she quickly wanted more. She learned how to do some simple turns but "feels the need...the need for speed" We'll need to work on that. Adam came up as well after a not going for few years and actually likes it, which is a huge plus. 

For her second time, Mike took Audrey on a daddy/daughter date and she loved it. She's still a little speed demon and needs to learn her turns. We're glad she enjoys it. 

Random February

 Audrey had her preschool Valentine's Day party and I was able to volunteer. I feel lucky to be able to stay at home so I can experience these things. I know not everyone has the option, but am thankful I do. 

Mike was on Steven's birthday trip, so I went to dinner and Clue at HCT with my girlfriend Heidi. 

Audrey gave a talk in church and #nailed it! ;) She ends up offering to talk a lot, so we told her teachers it's okay to let someone else give a talk. We love to hear though. 

Adam gets forged in fire!

 Dramatic title, isn't it? ;) Adam is a huge fan of the "Forged in Fire" tv show, so Mike found a forging class for kids in SLC and we signed him up with his friend Zac. They gave them a short tutorial and handed them tools to start creating. They made a hook their first day and went back a second time to add to it. Adam was a big fan and will probably do more classes once his football schedule relaxes. 

Happy 16th Birthday Dudeous Maximus!

 Well folks, Steven is 16. I know. He was just six. Mike was taking Steven scuba diving for his birthday celebration, so his actual birthday was kind of lame. He got to choose his own food, but he also got a sport physical and went to a school open house. Rager, I know. ;) He knew he had an epic birthday trip coming up, so he was a good sport. 

Mike and Steven were going to fly to Puerto Rico to go scuba diving, but the flights filled up so they pivoted to Hawaii. (Not a bad consolation prize)  On the flight there they sat behind Britton Covey and got to meet him afterwards. He's apparently as nice as you've heard. 

I've been looking for these pictures, but finally found them in the 2016 pictures. 

Sarah's Sweetheart's Dance

 Sarah went with her friend Conner, AKA Connie, to the Prov Hall Sweetheart's Dance. The theme was Tangled, so she got to channel her inner Rapunzel, which she loved. 

San Fran Day 2- Alcatraz and Oakland Temple

Alcatraz was the main event and it didn't disappoint. The weather wasn't perfect, but it was nice. It was crazy to think people lived here. It was sad to read about people that were incarcerated for minor things. Most of us did the audio tour, but Audrey didn't like wearing the headphones. (not surprising) I also found the perfect magnet that encapsulates my parenting philosophy. ;)

 

After Alcatraz we took a drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and to Muir Wood National Monument. We were all pretty tired, and didn't want to hike, so we just did a short drive. The Redwoods are on our bucket list, but we'll save them for another trip. 

We had dinner at a pupuseria and then visited the Oakland Temple Visitor Center. I really love visiting the temple Visitor Centers. It was near closing, but we watched a short interactive video and got the requisite photo ops. 

Quick trip to San Francisco- Day 1- Travel and Cloud cookoo land ;)

 Mike has always wanted to see Alcatraz, so we took a quick trip when the kids had a Friday off school. We found an AirBnB in Oakland that was close to the temple. We had some free time on Friday before check in, so we went to Children's Fairyland. It was cool in a "this place would be super creepy at night" kind of way. The big kids were a little old for it, but it was fun enough.