Bear Lake & Beaver Mountain Getaway

Over Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday this year my family took a trip to Bear Lake. It was such a nice weekend. We all got there somewhat late on Friday night and because of my schedule - (waking up at 4 AM) I get tired really quick. So while everyone else stayed up to start the weekend with a party, I went to bed shortly after 9 I'm sure.

Saturday we spent the day at Beaver Mountain - Tanya & Annika both learned how to ski - and everyone else split up in groups and took off. We would randomly run into each other in the lift line or headed down the mountain, which was fun - so we all did a little bit of skiing together - but everyone went at their own pace. Well, everyone except Alisha. She didn't ski because she is with child (due August 2!)! Even Alli skiied and she would take snowshoeing over skiing any day!

Classic "overshot" photo of Jordan & Vanessa riding up the ski lift in front of us.
I know probably everyone has this photo but when we are riding up behind them - it's too tempting.

 Me & Mike <3

Another self portrait of us in the snow:

 Vanessa & Jordan:

 Mike getting ready to go down the mountain:

 Mike heading down:

 Mike at the bottom:

 Jordan (you can't tell but he is in the air):

 Tanya - our adopted Russian:

One more of Mike <3:

 Annika (and Grandpa - he did snowboard - where are those photos?!):

She did so good and had so much fun!

 Me:

 Mom:

 Driving back to the condo:

Saturday night we hot-tubbed under the stars and listened to Austin's high school dating stories. Some people (mainly one girl that keeps asking him out is) are so crazy! The night went by real quickly.

Sunday we spent the day relaxing and playing games. My Grandma & Grandpa Jarrett came over and it was a lot of fun to see them. We played lots and lots of games. We walked down to the iced over Bear Lake, sledded on the ice a bit, and enjoyed how peaceful it is. We could see the dips in the sand caused by the waves underneath the ice. That was pretty neat.

Monday we had to head out but we stopped in Hyde Park to hang out a little bit longer and play a few more rounds of one of our favorite games - "Settlers of Catan." The view of Bear Lake was beautiful as we drove away and it was so fun seeing Garden City hidden by a cloud that was covering the lake.

Wonderful, wonderful weekend! I can't wait until our next getaway.

Neon Trees Article

Remember when Mike & I went to the Neon Trees Concert while they were in Utah? I have loved them more than ever since then and more recently have been following them on Instagram. Just last week I was telling Mike the other day how impressed I am that they still live the LDS Standards and you can see that they attend church while on the road. Very impressive. Great music, high standards, holding to their beliefs.

Just today, Mike just sent me this article focusing on the lead singer Tyler Glenn. It's actually all centered around his mission.

"Ten years ago, when I was 19 years old, I began serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or what everyone calls the Mormons)... I really loved those two years. I cherish the things I learned and the people I met. I am the person I am today because of it."

"Rock music was what made me spiritual. It’s what made me passionate. Excited. Fevered, if you will. I was in a duo (at the time) called Neon Trees, and it was such an outlet for me. The summer before I left on my mission, I had a spiritual awakening..."

Very cool. I wanted to share it because I think it's a good, short read:

Friday Fives: Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees picks his favorite AP-approved albums

Way to go Neon Trees! I'm excited to hear what they come out with in the future and excited to read more about how their music and their beliefs come together.

Tanya's Christmas

You might remember the blog post back in October regarding a very special mission companion from Russia named Tanya. Well, she finally arrived, just in time for Christmas!

She arrived at 8:55 PM on Christmas Eve but a woman that she knows from Russia lives only 10 minutes from the airport and picked her up since the weather was bad and the roads were icy.

We picked her up and we took her to the famous Reeder Family Christmas party on Christmas day and then to a sleepover at my parents house where we then celebrated our own "Christmas Morning" on the 26th. We ate way too much food, exchanged gifts, and played endless hours of games. Tanya participated in ALL OF IT! I think some points may have been overwhelming with the number of conversations taking place not to mention the volume of two little girls and ten competitive adults (besides herself) around the game table. But as we drove away and Mike & I headed back to Orem, she said, "That was the best Christmas I have had in my whole life. I love your family so greatly." 

YAY!!!!! Mission accomplished. It was wonderful to share our celebration with her and I am so happy she felt like part of the family since she doesn't have one back home. <3 She cried when she opened our first gift to her. It wasn't anything huge - a necklace - but it must have touched her deeply. I think it was a wonderful reminder to all of us of how much we have and how much more we can give. I hope the next four months are as awesome as Christmas was. Mike & I are happy to have her staying with us.

Her favorite part of the Reeder Christmas Party was the live nativity that took place in the stable by the little children and the singing of "Away In A Manger" that followed and playing Christmas songs on the chimes.

A&A opening their Christmas present from Great Grandparents Jarrett - Brave the movie and Brave Barbie dolls!

Sample of the yummy traditional food that we eat: Sticky rolls for breakfast and yummy Pomegranate Apple salad for dinner:

Tanya was so excited about each and everyone one of her gifts! Here is some of what she got (not all) I think we made it a pretty huge Christmas for her - thanks family and everyone for helping to make it so special for her!

Nesquik - would you believe they do not have it in Russia?

Blanket from Grandpa & Grandma Reeder:

Some slippers from my mom & dad:

Some clothes from Mike & I:

These gloves just looked totally like her style:

And a whole lot of other goodies!

A traditional Russian Cake she brought us from Russia.



Us on Christmas Night

And one last cute story of Christmas. I am sure this is one Alisha would share on her blog - but - I have the photos so I am just gonna go ahead and share one of my favorite parts of Christmas. THIS GIRL RIGHT HERE:

 

"Take a picture of me and mom."

 "Let me see! ... Oh cute! ... Now take a picture of dad!"

 "Let me see! ... Oh cute! ... Now take another picture!"

And it would only be better if you could actually hear her cute little voice saying it! I don't think it gets any better than that!

Merry Christmas everyone!