Long time...no post

I know, I know, I know, I haven't posted in awhile and people are starting to wonder what is going on. I don't have a substantial excuse for you, I have just been lazy. Sorry, it happens sometimes. But I am back and have already posted some of our recent outings to the soccer game and tulip festival. I thought I would just add a bit more here to update you all on other things that have been happening in our lives.
Peter and I were called to co-teach Gospel Doctrine at church. Last sunday was our first time and I sat and somewhat relaxed while Peter took the first turn. He did a great job which just made me more nervous to take my turn next week. Everyone keeps reminding us that we have big shoes to fill because the former teacher had the calling for 3+ years and was loved by all. He was only released because they moved out of the ward. So we'll see if we drive people to inactivity or if they can learn to love us as well.
Other big news is that my parents and my sister moved here from Minnesota last weekend. Peter and my brother Forrest flew to MN on thursday, loaded a truck and hit the road on friday. They drove straight through and arrived in Utah on saturday. The drive took them 24 hours and included an amazing lightning storm that lasted for hours and also a close call with a tornado that took out a couple of big rigs as it crossed the highway they were on. Luckily they are tough guys and cried very little about the whole ordeal. My parents and sister flew to Utah on friday and stayed the night with me and the girls. It is great to have them back and Bella and Ayva are already being spoiled in a way only a grandma can get away with.
Well there you have it. I can't think of much more to share with you. This is another reason for the gap in postings, not a lot has been going on. Thanks for checking back in and giving up on us.

Tulip Festival

Salt Lake has a tulip festival? I was so excited when I got a flyer in the mail a few weeks ago for a Tulip Festival here in Utah at Thanksgiving Point. We had always gone to the Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon when we lived in Washington and loved it. So last Tuesday when Peter had a day off from work we headed down to Thanksgiving Point for the afternoon to enjoy the gardens. It was beautiful!!! At first we were a little bothered that it cost $8 per adult and $5 for children over 2 (in Washington it was free) but when we got in and realized that it was much more than some fields of tulips we got over the cost. The garden is 55 acres and is made up of many smaller "themed" gardens like Creek Garden, the Monet Garden, the Rose Garden, the Fragrance Garden, the Secret Garden, the Italian Garden, the Butterfly Garden, the Parterre Garden, the Vista Garden, and the Waterfall Garden. Not all of them had flowers in bloom but all were connected but sidewalks lined with tulips, daffodils and other gorgeous flowers. I loved it and was definitely inspired to get more creative with the landscape of our house. More on that to come...

Here are some pictures from the gardens. Enjoy!

Real Salt Lake Soccer

Peter works with a guy who has season tickets for the Real Salt Lake Soccer team and wasn't able to use them on opening day of the season. He had come home from vacation and found his house partially flooded as a result of a broken hot water heater. So when he called to see if we would like them we jumped at the opportunity. It was a beautiful day and the tickets were great. We were surrounded by some really enthusiastic fans, as you can see from the picture of the guy with a soccer ball on his head, but that made it all the more fun. Real were winning most of the game, 2 to 1, but in the last minute the other team scored and it ended in a tie. A little disappointing but we were able to see Freddy Adu and got a little color from sitting in the sun for almost two hours so we left happy.