Family Christmas

We loved sharing Christmas, barbies (both types) and much more with our lovely family visiting from Australia. The cousins hit it off...(well, the big ones did at least).

Draper Temple Opens Doors to Media, Public

We left just a couple of months too early for our family to have the chance to tour inside the new Draper Temple of the LDS Church. We had taken our children up to the site a few times when it was under construction. The LDS Newsroom site has some photos and videos on it. Rich will try to visit when he is in Utah in February, as the public open house goes for a couple of months. We used to watch the builders' progress from our front yard.

Christmas Eve in New Zealand

We have been in New Zealand now for almost two months. Laura's parents, her brother and his family, and her sister and her family joined us this Christmas. We have been enjoying our time in our new home with many of our dear ones. These photos were taken on Christmas Eve 2008.

catching up....

Well I guess we're only a couple of months behind on posting now - can't upload any photos of Disneyland or NZ yet, as I have no idea where the cable for the camera is. Could be in any one of 200 boxes! Will get to it asap.

Summer!

We went for a splash and a play at Thanksgiving Point on the last day that Grandad and Grandma were with us.

Rich and Gracie take a hike

Hiking with Charlie

Early morning hikers

On our first morning at the grand canyon Mum and I snuck out early and took a hike to look at the Canyon. Standing with Mum on the rim, watching the sun come up was sweet indeed.

Arizona

As we set out on our journey, one of my goals was to get a decent photo of the six of us in front of some spectacular scenery - you know, a real framer. This is about the best of my attempts. Sigh!

Upon arriving at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, we went out to take a peek at the sunset. It was a gorgeous evening, and the girls couldn't help dancing.

Kanab, Utah

We took a road trip with Grandad and Grandma. Here are some pics from just outside Cedar City, and in a great little park we found in Kanab, Utah.

Charlie's Baptism

Charlie was baptised on Rich's birthday, August 9th. It was a great day, and we felt so proud of Charlie. It was wonderful that Grandma and Grandad could be there, and that so many of our lovely friends took the time to come and share the event with us. So many people did so much to help us before and on the day, and we are so grateful. Thanks, everyone.

Birthdays

I guess with all the planning for our big move, we have not updated the blog at all fora long time. Here are some photos from Amanda's birthday and Gracies' 5th. note the spectacular mermaid cake. Thanks, Grandma!

Noo Zilind

We are now officially in New Zealand. We arrived on Friday morning and have been busy learning how to collect shells, walk on sand and chase seagulls. Still looking for the perfect home for our family, but making progress. All are happy and well. Disneyland was a lot of fun en route from Salt Lake City to Auckland. Leaving Utah was very tough because it is such a fantastic place and the people there are so kind, fun and good. We miss our Utah friends but are making new ones here already.

Flip-Flopper

Summer-time in the US means flip-flops (or thongs or jandals). Even Josie is getting into the act. Rich gets a few funny looks from people when he wears socks with his flip-flops.

Family, Life and Eternity

Rich's friend Nigel just posted a commentary on www.newsroom.lds.org called 'The Grand Enterprise of Mormonism.' It is a very good explanation of where Latter-day Saints (like us) are coming from with respect to our understanding and beliefs on family relationships, life and eternity.

Parking

We are spending a lot of time at the park. Riding bikes, shooting rockets and planes, playing catch, finding green grass and shade to play and rest under. In the picture, we are packing up our toys and going home.

Charlie is Eight Now

More from This is the Place Park

This is the Place Park

Last night, our friends, the Kings, invited us to a family home evening at This is the Place Park. It was a delightful evening - lovely company, delicious food, great entertainment and beautiful surrounds. The children did not want to come home.

Grace's Graduation Ceremony

Grace graduated from pre-school this week.

Aviary visit

We visited an avairy in Salt Lake City with lovely friends Amakasus and Howells. It was great fun.

Lunch with Prime Minister Howard

Laura and Rich were invited to a lunch with (former Australian) Prime Minister John Howard. He was a delight. Great conversationalist and funny, too. He talked to Laura and Rich about cricket, one of his passions. Mr Howard was in Utah to speak at an economic conference. While here, he saw some of the Church's historical and other sites.

Mark and Tera Mabry

Rich had lunch with Mark and Tera Mabry last week. Mark is a photographer from Mesa Arizona who has done a series called 'Reflections of Christ'. To see a slideshow of the photos, go here. The videos featuring Mark describing the process for some of the shots are also very good. You can see them at Mark's Web site.

Jane's Party

Jane had her third birthday party on Friday night (a week before her actual birthday). We had the Amakasus and Rupps over and had a fantastic evening. Tag, pass-the-parcel, fabulous food, American accent lessons, and a Dora cake. What else do you need for instant fun?