Michelle bought me some great running gear and pushed me out the door this morning for my annual birthday running up a mountain. This year I wanted to push myself, so I went up Farmington Canyon, north across the spine of the Wasatch to Francis Peak (where the radar towers are) and Thurston Peak (Davis County highpoint) and then ended up at the Fernwood trailhead in Layton. The route was a little over 20 miles, about 5,500 total elevation gain. I started on the Farmington Creek trail and intended to catch the side trail at the end up to the dirt road, but I missed it and found myself scrambling up the very loose and very steep side of the canyon. It got a little sketchy, and I was glad when I crawled onto the road. Disgusted with myself after the gnarly bushwhack up the canyon After that things went really great. I saw a herd of deer and a gopher snake and very few people.  I was pretty bushed by the time I got to the side trail up to Thurston but made it and video chatted with the...

Addison is 12! What a big guy! He is growing in so many ways that it makes my head spin. He's still smart as all get-out, sweet to his siblings, and kind all-around. His happy place is probably in his room doodling, inventing games, or playing D&D. He's got some great buddies at school, and is a 6th grader, so this is his last year before junior high! He's rocking the house in piano lessons and is the secretary in the deacon's quorum. We are so proud of this not-so-little guy. He's just such a good kid. And he's hilarious and infuses our house with imagination and fun. And snacks. Sooo many snacks.    Dreams come true!  We had ramen for his birthday supper. And decorated the Christmas tree. Chocolate on chocolate. The birthday interview The next week he had some of his best buddies over for a game night. It was so fun to listen to the giggling. Such good kids!

Addison here. We spent Thanksgiving with family in St. George. It was fun and relaxing and delicious! Asa was a pilgrim at his kindergarten Thanksgiving feast. Playtime with cousins. Fun in the leaves. She is a cutie! Our hotel room was a smash! You need more proof of her cuteness? Dad's worst nemesis Making Christmas wreaths/trees. Dad vs. Turkey: who will win? Food. Eating that food. Great grandma feeding Emmie. Her new best friend. No caption needed. We are gamers! For my birthday, we went to the trampoline park. Birthday presents from grandma! No caption needed either.