November 2013

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving early with the Jefferson's. It turned out lovely. We broke out our coats and boots to commence the season of winter hiking. We hiked Neff canyon and took turns expressing what we were grateful for and we were rewarded with the view at the top. White peaks breaking through the clouds and a cobalt blue sky- we were sorry we forgot our camera. For Thanksgiving this year we joined the Hendricks family and feasted and played a tournament of games. At dinner we were supposed to write down things we were thankful for but it then turned into "scattegories," and Brad put on his list he was thankful for everything on mine so he took all of my creative points. That boy! We had a few game nights with friends and family this month and laughed hysterically playing charades. And as a tradition in the Dennis family we welcomed in the Christmas season by attending and singing the Messiah at Symphony Hall. This time we took Mom and Dad J. as an early Christmas gift. We truly have much to be grateful for! 

October 2013

October was a traveling month for us. Brad presented research at the MESA conference in New Orleans- highlights of course were jambalaya on Bourbon Street. I had fall break and Erica and I headed down for some sunshine and hiking in Zions. Lucky for us the government shut down ended just a few days before we got there. We had planned to hike the narrows but once again- too cold. It was beautiful to see Zions in the fall. Mountain biking and finding more petroglyphs were another highlight, and of course basking in the sun at Sand Hollow. Then of course the season of Halloween was celebrated with Girls day out at Witchesfest (we missed Angie but Dixie loved the witches, just not her witch hat.) This was a fun movie month with scary Hitchock movies and watching the black and white silent Dracula with Angie. And the Hebdon Halloween Party was another Halloween success. We all dressed up as Minions. My co-workers and I also dressed up as Minions and led the Halloween parade. The kids loved it!  

September 2013

Why is it with autumn comes the need for another home improvement project? Brad must really love me because he helped put in a beautiful new floor. Out with the carpet, in with the wood. It turned out beautiful and we survived another home improvement project with the realization that WE ARE NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN. We will see how many times we learn that lesson in our lives. Amid the chaos we did enjoy the Utah State Fair and the worlds best funnel cake and the grossest deep fried meat balls that still make me a little sick thinking about them. We went to the Greek festival with our friends for the first time. We stood in a line for over an hour for food but it reminded us so much of the food in Istanbul it was worth it to reminisce about our dining experiences there. We hiked Bells Canyon and caught the most heavenly view of the sun hitting the waterfall and I snapped this great picture with a cell phone! And as always we celebrated our 1st Date Anniversary for the 7th time (2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012, and now 2013) at India Fest- the food is not as great as it used to be, but taking the time to remember how we fell in love each year is so much fun, we danced the night away. 

August 2013

Why does August or September end up being such an emotional month? This time it was August. September needs to stay calm. I had just started back at school when we got the message that Grandma J had fallen and had a cranial bleeding rupture. I didn't think, I just did. I called my travel rewards and booked a flight within hours to Minneapolis. I arrived at midnight and drove a car for 3.5 hours to Marshfield hospital just so I could hold her hand and tell her I love her one last time. I remember waiting for my plane and calling mom I said "you never regret doing something like this." And it is true I was given 2 beautiful weeks in Wisconsin with my grandma, most of which she was still living. It was like a family reunion as family from all over came to say goodbye and celebrate Grandma's life. I can't really put into words what Grandma, Wisconsin, and my Jefferson heritage has given me. It all seems wrapped into one beautiful gift of music, laughter, good food, tears, sunsets, ice cream cones, colorful birds and tall tall trees. Angie said "it's like our fairy tale," and it is. I love you Grandma, I'm glad you are with Grandpa and your happily ever after is just beginning...