Ski Trip at Deer Valley, UT

We figured it was time to get the kiddos introduced to the slopes! Vuong and Lori Dao love Deer Valley and said it was really convenient with great ski school instructors. We decided to give it a try and we had a wonderful trip! We arrived on Sat., Jan. 13 and departed on Wed., Jan. 17. We got in three full days of skiing and my legs felt like jelly.

DD, Big John, and Peyton joined us for the fun! DD didn't ski, but she ran an awesome shuttle service to and from the slopes. Big John skied for two days, and even had an adventure skiing right off a cliff that he mercifully survived. Peyton went into Park Cities because Deer Valley doesn't allow snowboarding, but we loved getting to see her in the evenings. We rented a townhouse that was super close to the base of the mountain and we all felt comfortable. Cadie and Colton slept in closets, but they were roomy closets so it all worked out fine.

Jack Ranger was a mad skier! We didn't sign the kids up for ski school on the third day because we thought they might be tired, but he begged to go back. Cadie did ski on the third day, but she stuck with Grant and I because she didn't want to go back to ski school. Colton tried ski school for two days and he wasn't really having any of it. He told us he was frustrated because they kept trying to teach him to stop but he just wanted to learn to ski fast. DD and Big John took him on the third day to explore a children's museum and visit the Mormon tabernacle. Sounds like they had a really nice day. Honestly, I didn't enjoy skiing as much as I thought I would. My feet and legs were killing me. I was proud of myself because I did a 1/2 day lesson on Day 3 and I gave it my all and it did help. Cadie came with me for the lesson and I had a good time being with her. Our instructor said Cadie was a "graceful" skier. I agree.

My favorite trip memories:
- Seeing Jack Ranger love skiing so much! He and Grant would time it so they could take the last lift of the day to make sure they could ski up until the minute the slopes closed.
- Enjoying the hot tub at the end of the day.
- Skiing with Grant who became a bit of a celebrity because he skied in shorts.
- Michelle Williams celebrity sighting at the lodge over lunch. It was the weekend before the sundance film festival and I was hoping for a celebrity encounter.
- So grateful that Big John didn't get hurt during his venture into the "closed" area.
- Dragging everyone out for tubing on Sunday evening. I love tubing! We laughed so hard and we stayed until they kicked us out. We were the last ones down the run.
- Getting to be together with DD, Big John and Peyton. We had one fun family dinner at a steak house, but mostly we hung out at the townhouse just relaxing and chatting.
- Exploring Deer Valley - I would definitely go back. Easy to fly in and out of, about 45 mins from airport, great lodging and food options.
- Seeing my sweet little people in their ski gear. They are just so cute!

It was a stuffed mountain lion! Apparently Mitt Romney's kids think it is fun to put it out on the slopes. 

Happy New Years from Pine Cove!

We lucked into a wonderful New Year's weekend at Pine Cove. We were chatting with Jun and Sarah Kong at our Sunday School Christmas Party and they mentioned the Family Pine Cove weekend because they were sad they were going to miss it. They originally signed up, but then Jun was going to be on call so they couldn't attend. We mentioned how fun it sounded and they said, "You should go in our place!" And that is just what we did!

There were about 5 families from our church including the Weigler Family, Lee Family, and Roegner Family. There were around 200 people total for the weekend. Everything was SOOO organized, the facilities were outstanding, and there was tons of great activity and childcare options. I was honestly blown away by our room. It was a two-story room with a great space downstairs and a double-bathroom and then upstairs there was an adorable bunk area for the kids with a toilet and sink. The room helped make the weekend very relaxing. The only non-relaxing part of the trip was little Colton being sick with a pretty bad cough. We kept it under control as best we could with medicine, but he wasn't himself and didn't want to participate in much. He was really well behaved though and even sat with me quietly in the back through all the parenting talks.

We did rock climbing, zip lines, crafts, and hiked around the lake. The New Year's party was really fun and included a fireworks show over the lake, sparklers around a campfire, and dance party! We did a faux-count-down around 10:00pm which was perfect. The kids all loved it and then we got to go back and snuggle up in our beds and get a good night sleep. The weather was really cold so getting into our warm beds was especially nice.

We didn't take many pictures because we were too busy having fun! Jack Ranger had a group of about 5 boys that he ran around with all weekend. They were all over the camp and we could hear their shouts echoing as we walked around. Colton pretty much stuck with me since he wasn't feeling good. Cadie was game for most of the group activities, but she also liked doing the crafts and hiking with Colton and I.

We drove back to Dallas on New Year's Day and had just enough time to get some laundry done and get ready for the rest of the week. I would definitely go back!

2017 Reflections

This year included major steps in rebalancing. It is strange to think back to the beginning of the year when I felt anxious and empty. Anxious about leaving the security of PepsiCo, starting a new job, making a good impression with my new Team when I knew I was starting with an empty tank, second-guessing my decision to take a step backwards in my career progression, worried about Jack Ranger and his emotional maturity and reading ability which might require a second year of kindergarten, concern for my Mom's health, and concern with my own health (aka, kidney stones are the WORST!). Empty because I was running on fumes due to the hours involved with wrapping up my role at PepsiCo; I felt like I was doing a lot of things in my life mediocrely and nothing exceptionally; in my world of juggling career and family a few balls including friendships and my own health had dropped; and I felt like I had no space for passions like writing and non-profit work. I knew I needed to make a change and I felt 100% that I was divinely led to Southwest Airlines. I knew God would help me put the pieces together, but I was hopeful I wouldn't sabotage the good things underway while I was also trying to refill my cup.

The first few months were a difficult transition. I wasn't used to working consistent hours every day in an office, I had to recalibrate my style and approach because what works as a Leader at PepsiCo is very different than what works at Southwest (that is a good thing, but still requires a personal change), and I still needed to give my little people lots of time and attention while trying to navigate building new work relationships. But I found myself slowly unwinding, gradually coming home without being exhausted, and finding some space for reconnecting with friends and planning for things I love. My first hint of progress was when I found myself wearing jeans for a whole week! I rarely ever wore jeans before and I am not sure I could ever go back. Then, I noticed I was laughing more at work. My friends at work are hilarious and they are encouraging, authentic and truly funny. When I came into work after our weekend at Fossil Rim nature reserve and my cube was "ostriched" it was the best thing ever. I significantly underestimated the impact that laughter and fun would have on my feelings about going to work every day. Finally, in late summer, I asked Grant if he wanted to go on a weekend away with me and I was actually excited about it! Being away for a weekend is often difficult because if I am too busy during the week and then gone for a weekend and then straight back into a workweek, it makes me feel like I am not able to connect with the kids enough for them or for me. The kids get clingy, I get tired, and the whole thing unravels pretty quick. But, I was feeling like the kids were good and I was ready for a little time away with my handsome guy! It was lovely to finally be able to enjoy getting away for a weekend. It may sound small, but it was big for me and I know it also meant a lot to Grant.

As I look back on the year, Southwest really did enable me to make a big step in the right direction for rebalancing my time and priorities. I started this year feeling anxious and empty and I am ending the year feeling energized and peaceful. I feel energized about what will come in 2018 for my job and for my family. We will go back to the new UP elementary school (hopefully), we will go to Horn Creek which is so meaningful to me, I anticipate that I will be able to pick back up the health ball that I dropped, and my best friend from college is having a baby! I feel peaceful about our home; where the kids are in their faith and learning; and content in living our crazy and happy life with my BFF - Grant Walsh. I am not super excited about turning 40, but it is at least nice to approach that milestone without regret. There are so many, many, many little things in my life right now that add up to so much happiness and peace. Things like my Mom and Dad living across our alley, getting in the hot tub most nights with Grant, finally getting a new couch, my super short work commute, serving on the Sky Ranch Board, watching Grant, the kids, and my parents take full advantage of the SWA travel privileges, walking to the grocery store and parks, seeing Cadie's love of reading grow, being amazed by Jack Ranger's intellect and curiosity, hearing Colton yell "I'n OK" when he falls about 20 times a day, being able to trust and rely on sweet Peyton so fully, being proud of Grant as Culhane Meadows continues to grow, and easily falling asleep at night knowing that my little family is in the palm of God's hand.

Thank you God for a beautiful 2017. Thank you for the change you orchestrated in my life, thank you for more time here on earth with my Mom, thank you for filling my cup back up. Please help me to continue to seek your face, put loving you and loving others in the center of my life, and guide my little people to a deeper relationship with you.

Grant turns 40!

I couldn't let Grant's 40th birthday go by without honoring him. I hoped to make the party at Kaze a surprise, but Grant was on to me when I wouldn't take a last minute family trip to San Diego. He wanted to leave on Christmas Day! He mentioned it to me when I was cleaning up from our Christmas Day brunch and apparently it is suspicious to not agree to haul your three kids off to LEGOLAND at the drop of a hat on Christmas Day. Anyway, he guessed I was up to something, but I think he still felt special that so many friends and family would come to share the evening with us.

The evening was memorable and included hibachi, sushi, karaoke, toasts, Grant hitting the gong, and red velvet cake. I wish I had more pictures, but I was too busy having fun!

It was a good thing I had the party planned, because the day really didn't start off strong. Colton was sick with the flu and Grant was on rug cleanup duty. Grant sure is a cute Dad! Grant and I also stuck off for a movie during the day. Molly's Game was a good diversion and we knew Peyton could handle the little ones. They were actually pretty easy during the day because the main ick had passed and they were mostly just quiet and resting.

Christmas Fun

What an incredible Christmas season!
- Santa at Snider Plaza tree lighting - always a favorite tradition.
- Colton and cousin Parker at Pi Phi Santa with DD. What did Santa say that was so funny to Colton?
- Gingerbread fun with Peyton.
- Colton as a Wiseman in the school chapel, Jack Ranger as Joseph at the church Advent Festival (he was supposed to be the Innkeeper, but Joseph's parents forgot and JR did an awesome job stepping into the lead role - lol ), Cadie as one of "Nine Ladies Dancing" in her 3rd grade school musical.
- Celebrating with Nina and Papa before they left for Athens.
- Selling Mistletoe - the kids made $401! Not too shabby. JR was the top salesman.
- Grant and JR braving Six Flags Holiday in the Park in the freezing cold.
- Erin having fun with her Southwest friends
- Christmas Eve at DD and Big John's

All in all, a really wonderful time of the year.