Phi Kappa Phi

Last night, Brock was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. We attended a special dinner that inducted all of the new members of the Brigham Young University chapter for this school year.

The speakers were inspiring, particularly, Carole Mikita. She is the current KSL News Reporter for religion. She shared her experiences that have added to her love for learning. She stated that many of her early teachers in elementary and secondary school "Colored My World." I think what she meant by this, is that they influenced her outlook on life and helped her to become the dynamic, capable, and good person that she is today.

I was touched by her stories about they way individuals have come into her life at critical times in her life, even just for a moment, to help her receive the assurances that gave her strength just when she needed it. She has learned to see the Lord's hand in her life, and she chooses to see these so-called coincidences as much more than that. She chooses to see the hand of the Lord painting and guiding her life in small and large ways. These experiences have been as small as having a conversation where she felt encouraged by simple kind words of gratitude from a woman just when she was feeling like she was inadequate for the circumstances in which she had found herself.

I feel the same way as Carole, though my experience in life is much more limited than hers. I cannot be grateful enough for how frequently the Lord has sent people, whom I like to see as ministering angels, into my life in my times of need and times of joy.

It was sweet to be there with Brock last night. He is extremely talented, both academically and practically, not to mention his talent in working with people. The motto of Phi Kappa Phi is "Let the Love of Learning Rule Humanity," and Brock certainly has a love for learning. It's evident in his diligence to seek ways to serve others and build them up by sharing the skills and talents that he has. We look forward to seeing what roads these next few years take us down as this love for learning continues to shape our future!

Rex Lee Run

Saturday was the big race! Brock made his big debut at his first 5K race, the Rex Lee Run. It's a race put on each year to support cancer research and honor those who have been effected by the disease. We had a great time running the 5K with Ross, Brock's brother, and crossing paths with many friends.

Canyons

I love skiing with Brock. We went as a family at least once or twice each winter growing up in W. Washington, but the resorts are not anywhere near what Canyons has to offer. It was quite a treat.

Brock is a much better skier than I, but we have a great time together trying to find little paths to venture off on. We found a few favorite stretches where we could go off little jumps and fly through a little powder. For the second half of the day, we discovered some routes that we would spend more time on if we go again in the future.

It's a huge resort covering possibly 4 mountain peaks with lifts that connect to one another to take you across the resort.

One of the highlights was riding the new Orange Bubble chairlifts. They have heated seats, a rubberized bar to rest your skis on, and a sweet neon orange bubble that pulled over top to block the wind. Toasty warm! We only rode it once since we found other routes that were not connected to the orange bubble.

Recreating the Pink Door

At Christmas time, during our visit to Seattle, Brock and I had an incredible meal at "The Pink Door," an Italian Restaurant on Post Alley of Pike's Place Market. Our favorite dish was their handmade spinach pasta topped with Creamy Mushroom Sauce and basil. So, we picked up some homemade pasta at Trader Joe's that we thought might help get the job done when we returned home.

Using a recipe I'd found online (FoodNetwork), we put our skills to the test. It was DELICIOUS... next time we made it with our leftovers, we decreased the amount of mushrooms, as it was a little more heavy on the shrooms than what we'd had at the Pink Door.

Asparagus and shrimp were perfect on the side for added fiber, iron, vitamin A & C and protein. Yummy!!!!

McDonalds in the House!

We had loved the few times that we have taken time to spend time with Jenna and Wes! Jenna is a dear friend from home, practically a sister in many ways. We love the McDonald family.

We enjoyed gourmet Costco pizza together followed by Jenna's cookies and a few rounds of Mil Bourn. It was a lot of fun, as it always is with them.

We were then pleasantly surprised by a quick visit from the Marielle and John family! They had come in town for family stuff and happened to be heading to the Jen's place, which meant they had a "necessary" stop to visit us! It was so fun to spend some time with John, Marielle and their two darling kiddos. The kids grow up so quick, even since we last saw them in the summer.

What a treat! Can't wait to see them all again in April (and Jenna and Wes hopefully sooner)!