Polar Express

We managed to get a reservation to the Stringtown Polar Express in Lindon.  (The same family that does the Nightmare Express)  We ended up getting really short notice, but luckily we had nothing planned.  It was a great way to start off our Christmas Advent activities.

They stopped part way through at “Santa’s Village” and let the kids meet Santa.

What was really touching was Santa taking a moment to talk to the kids about what Christmas is really about and to remember that Jesus is the reason we celebrate.  The 2nd part of the train ride is through portraits and displays of Christ’s life.  It was AMAZING!

Random November Pics

A few last pics I found on Dan’s phone.

Dan ran the Saltaire 1/2 marathon.  His 3rd race this year.  He was glad to get it over.  He was excited to get it under 2 hours.  Next year he is going to focus on faster 5k’s and 10k’s.  Looking forward to the change.

Z got into Mom’s purse and found the Christmas cash.  Oops.  How can you get mad at a face like that?


Dan started the process for getting his tooth implant.  It has been a long time coming.  He has the screw in now and is going to get the cap at the beginning of 2014.  So excited!!  No more retainer!

Fall Clean-Up

The boys took upon themselves to do all the raking in our backyard this fall.  It was great for mom. 

Even Z got into the raking.

Yep, that would be Connor climbed high in a tree trying to know down leaves for his brothers.  The kid has no fear of heights.

Z liked raking, but didn’t really like getting into the leaves. 

Thank you boys!

Halloween 2013

Time to start catching up again.  Here are the pics from Halloween.

We made it to the Nightmare Express in Lindon with Grandma Burrell, Grandma Rita, and Papa Derek.

They put together such a great production.  The boys love all the decorations and the fun haunted tunnels the train goes through.

So here were the final products for Halloween:

Back at the beginning of Sept, Connor randomly brought up that he wanted to be a Weeping Angel for Halloween.  (We were so proud).  We both got excited, and actually put the costume together from scratch.  It reminded me that I am not crafty.  Oh well, something I should do at least once in my life.

I loved how the costume  turned out.  Connor even carried around our Tardis cookie jar for his candy.  Dan did an awesome job on the wings.  I’m hoping we can keep the costume well enough for someone else to wear it.

Dan was 9th Doctor.  Alicia was just ready for the day to be over.  Let’s just say she will never volunteer to do a “food craft” for a class party again.

Overall, a successful night….WAY to much candy!

2013 Christmas Card

Due to the unexpected stress of the funeral this last week, we really scaled back on Christmas cards.  So much that it was:  find a pre-formatted card, stick your picture in, and sign your name. 

Then, on top of things, I realized we didn’t have enough envelopes. So to save the extra trip to find more envelopes, here is our card for those who may not have received one in the mail.

We hope you have a great Christmas Season.  We appreciate all the love and support we have received these past few weeks, as well as year-round.  We are truly blessed and pray you have a safe and prosperous 2014.

All our love,

Dan, Alicia, & The Boys

Grandpa—”It’s great to hear your bright smiling voice!”

Not going to meet my goal of getting caught up by the time I send out Christmas cards.  A necessary break must be taken. 

Sunday night we were informed that my Grandpa had fallen and was non-responsive.  After a a few days in the hospital, he came home yesterday and died peacefully this morning. 

I was blessed to be there for special moments in the hospital and at home and will be forever grateful for that.  I had an amazing conversation with him, and he told me how precious his family is to him and how he loved watching the chaos of Thanksgiving.  He was grinning and laughing just the way I wanted to remember him.  I am grateful he is released from his pain and with his beloved sweetheart after a 13+ year separation.

So, because I am so emotional, I’m just going to re-post something (with a few updates) I had put up a few years ago to remember my “grumpy, old grandpa”. 

A few fun facts about my Grandfather.

Grandpa was born on Black Friday (what a way to start your life) and raised in Provo, graduating Valedictorian from Provo High.  He received his undergraduate at BYU in organic chemistry, graduating as the Valedictorian of his class, and attended University of Illinois for his doctorate in the same field.  A surprise for most people is that he did a doctorate minor in music and played for years.  He was disappointed to have to give it up a few years ago because of diminished lung capacity, and shaky fingers, but still listened to classical music when he had the chance.

He was a professor at BYU for his entire career, except for his sabbaticals when he worked for Phillips 66 and Du Pont.  In his younger days he worked with developing jet fuel, and worked with chemical weapons in the army during the Korean War.

Grandpa met  Grandma while working for Phillips in Oklahoma and in 1955, when he was drafted and sent to Fort Ord, in Denver, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple.  He is the father of 3 children, Vance, Alice, & Nancy, the Grandfather of 13 and the Great-Grandfather of 7.

His passions were airplanes, music, BYU Football – Go Cougs!- and maintaining his family journal.  There are so many fun stories that I could share of Grandpa’s early days, that would surprise people that know him, but there isn’t the time. 

The Hawkins Family.  Grandpa is the youngest of the 3 boys.  Left to right:  Carl, Richard, Barbara, & Keith.

All of our love Grandpa. 

Just so you know, we will talk about you while you are gone.

SoJo 1/2 Marathon 2013

Dan ran his 2nd 1/2 marathon during October.  We made a weekend of it, and spent the night at Heather’s new condo (which was a block from the race route).  We woke up early and went to go see him run on the route, and then met up at the finish line.

The race route goes directly in front of the temple just down the street from Heather’s home.  They have a nice little park to keep the boys occupied while we are waiting for Dan.

This race had pacers, which Dan loved.  He kept up with them pretty good for the first part, but then ended up slowing down towards the end.

Waiting for Dad to finish.  What did I say about the obsession of sucking on tassels?  The boys were amazingly patient while waiting.

Dan was a little disappointed with his time, but then we realized that the course had been changed and was about 13.7 miles, so he felt a little bit better, but vowed to do better at his next race in November.---He’s crazy!

October Randomness

Here we go with the random phone pics that help me remember that we did accomplish something in the month of October.

Connor participated in his first Raingutter Regatta (inflatable rain gutters—GENIUS!!)  He loved decorating his ship.  Unfortunately the mast got lost, so Connor and Dan did some online research and found a great substitute.  Connor ended up coming in 1st!

Garrick’s poor little beat up face after his bike accident.  He did NOT want us to take out the stitches, but we managed.  Unfortunately we missed one, and were finally able to get it out this last week.  He won’t trust us anytime soon.

Have I mentioned that Z likes to suck the tassels on his blankets?  Even when he is drinking a bottle (yes, my 16 month old still gets a bottle—don’t judge).  It sure makes those blankets smell!!  Thank goodness Grandma Rita made little cloths with tassels that are much easier to carry around and clean.

Conference brought on our annual Girl’s Night with chocolate fondue.  This year we did just a little fondue and the rest was a waffle bar to break in Alicia’s new waffle maker.  New love!!  We now have waffles at least once a week.  The boys are in HEAVEN.

Our 2 little co-conspirators in crime.  Nothing is safe when Charley and Z get together.

They quickly got busy reorganizing my pantry.  Nothing is better than playing with cousins!