Schu News: Visitors and Victories

I am finally able to blog again after having three rounds of visitors. Actually I can't really use that as an excuse because I did have some time between each of them. I was hoping to be able to blog after Christmas, but Jon bought me a Nook. I don't feel I need to explain any further other than to say that I have read more in the last few weeks than I have in the last whole year. I do love that thing!
Jon's parents were able to visit for Thanksgiving, so that is when our first round began. We immediately tried to do as much shopping before Thanksgiving as possible, so the first few days were spent rounding up Christmas gifts. It is much easier to buy the gifts here than to have to ship huge boxes full of presents. We also had to so a little grocery shopping to get ready for the big feasting day.
I had planned to cook a few things and Jon's mom was going to cook a few things, but I got sick with a stomach bug on Thanksgiving day and spent a majority of it in my room. Jon was able to come through on the turkey, and Jon's mom thankfully took over the rest of the meal. We also received the news that morning that Grandma Worley, my mom's mother, had passed away. Being so far away from family was really tough for me, but I was happy that Mom had Dad, Amanda, and all of Mom's siblings there for her. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many others that gave Mom peace of mind during that time: thank you to Steve and Dreama Spiers and Pastor Scheffer, especially. Mom is doing well now, but I know she is still grieving her mother so prayers are still very much appreciated.
During the rest of the visit with Jon's parents, we were able to check out the ski resorts as well as spend an afternoon in Park City. At the end of the week, Grandma and Grandad stayed with Brighton and Will while Jon and I escaped to Park City for a night at the Waldorf. It was a very nice getaway, and we were able to do some shopping as well. We had very nice visit and I think the grandparents liked their first visit to Schutah ;)
My parents were able to visit at the beginning of December. They were also able to stay for a week. We did many of the same things with them. They did some shopping for the kids and also watched the kids while we did some shopping. We visited the ski resorts and took a nice, long hike in the snow since the weather was nice. While we didn't tour Park City like we did with Jon's parents, we did take Mom and Dad tubing up there. We all had a blast, but I think Will enjoyed it the most. Brighton was still a little scared because those runs were incredibly fast, so we all had to take turns entertaining her while we went for rides. I was surpised at how fearless Will was. It will be an activity we will need to do again soon! Mom and Dad also got to see some of Will's Christmas pageant at his school. I say "some" because Nana had to also deal with a horrendously behaved Brighton while there. The minute Brighton realized that it was not her turn to be on stage, she turned into crazy person. But for the most part, the kids behaved while being spoiled by their grandparents, and we had a wonderful visit.
We spent a quiet Christmas with just the four of us. We had a good time sitting by the fire and watching the family room be covered in wrapping paper. Thanks again to the grandparents for all the wonderful gifts and thank you to the Aunts and Uncles who also sent presents. (We are still waiting on Aunnie's gifts to arrive on the mule that she apparently strapped them to.) heehee.
Our last visitors just left this past weekend. Jon's cousin, Josh and his friend, Rob came to stay with us for a week. While I think they enjoyed hanging out with us, they came here to take advantage of the country's best ski resorts. Unfortunately, Utah has had the driest start to a winter in fifty years, so the conditions were not as good as what they were hoping for. They still had a good time, and we enjoyed visiting with them.
As for the victories, they are small but worth mentioning. Brighton has officially started Ballet class and loves it. She has needed an outlet for her constant singing and dancing and so far Ballet has been that for her. She still sings along with every song in the car and breaks out into a song and dance at random moments, but we are happy that she has found some way to channel her energy. Will is doing very well in school. I was able to do some voluteering in his class during the visits with grandparents and one more time last week. It makes me happy to see him participating and behaving so well. He is doing some reading now, and we love that he loves learning so much. He will be starting indoor soccer next month, so we are looking forward to him having an energy outlet as well. Until then, the kids use a lot of energy outside playing whether in the snow or just in backyard. I am surprised at how much outside time they are still able to have in the winter. Speaking of our backyard, Jon's victory before Christmas was getting a really dead pine tree out of our yard. He also installed a new chandelier in the foyer, which was no small feat since it was really really high up.
Our other small victory is that Jon and I can offically call ourselves runners. We decided to get into running for the obvious reasons of health, but it is also quite popular here. Perhaps are biggest motivation though is to be able to participate in a half marathon at the end of this year in Las Vegas. We have joined Team Challenge, which is a group that runs the half in order to raise money for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. There are local Team Challenges in cities all over the country, so if you are a runner, I encourage you to get involved in this and maybe we can meet in Vegas! We will have to do quite a bit of fundraising, so be on the lookout for information in your mailbox or online. I hate asking people for money, but for this I have no problem with it. Each city's team picks two honored heroes as inspiration for the whole team. I am proud to say that one of the Salt Lake City's honored heroes for this racing season will be our very own little girl. Brigthon was asked to be an honoree, so we will be making some speeches and doing some appearances about our experience with her Ulcerative Colitis and how the CCFA has helped and will continue to help her and others with IBD. I am calling this a big victory. It always amazes me to see how God turns things that are at first, so overwhelmingly bad into good things. I feel as if this is just the beginning of how God is going to use Brighton's disease for good for our family and others. God is good--all the time! (And I totally had Miss Pam's voice in my head when I wrote that...we miss you, FPC!)

All set for a day of sight-seeing!

Downtown Park City, home of the Sundance Film Festival. We spotted these two celebrities on Main Street. You may remember them from previously on this blog ;) Although, Grandma did star as an extra on the movie Airport 77--true story.

We rode the Vernicular at the St. Regis Hotel at Deer Valley Ski Resort to take in the view. Will was a bit disappointed that it wasn't more like a roller coaster. I was relieved.

We drove up to the Olympic Park where the ski jump and bobsledding events were held in 2002. I love this sign with all of the other Olympic cities.

We drove up to Snowbird to hike in the snow. Jon's mom volunteered to take our picture. One of these pictures was used on our Christmas card--I'll let you guess which one. Thanks to Grandma for putting up with us while we tried to get a good shot!

Getting back from the photo shoot was no easy feat.

We decided against a hike that day because of the extremely cold temperatures! We did walk down the path for a few more pictures.

Thanks to Grandma and Grandad, Jon and I were able to go up to the Waldorf Astoria in Park City for one night away together.

While we have some cute video of Will's performance, these were the best pictures we were able to get. His class did very well, and they are certainly a cute group!

Brighton was quite proud of her new dress (thanks to Gma and Gdad) and her nail polish (thanks to Nana), but don't let the cuteness fool you. She was a terror at this pageant--she got very angry that she couldn't go to the stage and dance and sing!

Off for a hike in the snow...

A quick break for a picture. Brighton can't stop looking at Papa's hat. (I hope it didn't hurt her eyes!)

I had to wear my sunglasses even in the shade due to Dad's radioactive hat.

Silly silly.

The good thing about hiking with other people is that it's much easier to take family pictures!

After a day of tubing in Park City, we drove up to the 2002 Olympic Ski Jump. No one was up to giving it a try!

Nana was an excellent snowman builder. Papa shoveled the driveway while getting after Will about his attitude. It's hard to see Papa's expression, but it's one I remember well from childhood.

Thanks for visiting Nana and Papa, come back soon!!!!

One of Jon's victories was getting this dead tree out of our yard. He had some help from me, but our best help came from Will. He was a stick-breaking little machine! We are very pumped about the amount of firewood we now have!

On Christmas Eve, we spent the day outside going to the park and taking a long walk. Our goal was to tire the kids out, so that we could get take advantage of an early bedtime!

The Christmas Eve calm...

And their off! It only took them about 30 minutes with us telling them to slow down to open all of their presents!

Presents from Mommy and Daddy: a guitar for our artistic, determined little boy and a costume for our dramatic, sophisticated little girl.

Will got several new games from Nana and Papa--he clearly is very fond of the Tractor Tipping one! Brighton is very happy with her many books, especially the ones that play music--Thanks Nana and Papa!