Ecuador 2025

Mishell made the decision to go back to Ecuador this summer, where she will spend 8 weeks volunteering in Cuenca, just like she did last year. I flew her down, just like last year, and spent a few days. Last year, I went with her to Cuenca and we spent a few days exploring there. I had never been to that city and it was a really cool experience. This year, we opted to stay in Quito, her hometown. 

First, we had a layover in Atlanta, the home of my beloved Braves. Lo and behold, they happened to have a day game that day that was going on during the exact time of our 3-hour layover. I debated whether I should take the chance to leave and see some of the game, because I have never seen the Braves play at home. When our flight landed early, I knew we had to go for it! We checked all of our luggage to Quito (you can't take anything into stadiums)- except they would not let me check my computer. So we ubered to the stadium, bought $11 tickets, and I begged them to let me walk in with my computer. They did! We had nose bleed seats, but since it was a day game, it was not full, so we sat in lower bowl seats. No one cared. We were there one hour and saw several Braves home runs! It was fantastic and so much fun. However, by the time we got back to the airport, the Braves had blown a 10-4 lead and lost 11-10. DUMB! Also, we had to buy Mishell a Clear pass so that we could get through security quickly, then we had to literally sprint to our gate..otherwise we would have missed the flight. Good times. Worth it! 

Friday, we first went to San Vicente, Mishell's orphanage, for the first part of the day. We had a great time playing with and holding babies and interacting with the older kids in the cuna. Very few nuns and workers remember Mishell anymore, but a few do, including Sandra, the nurse who has been there forever. The orphanage has gone away down in numbers as they do not have a lot of funding anymore, which was sad to see. We especially were looking forward to seeing Jessica, the darling little girl we all fell in love with in 2022. Hallie spent time with her last summer and really came to love her even more. She sent a stuffed animal and outfit for Jessica. Jessica is blind, but it was incredible to see how she has adapted to her world and how far she has come since we saw her upon her brand new arrival to the orphanage in 2022. Man, she is darling. She loved her gift. 

That night, we went to the Quito temple, where we had last been in 2022 as well for the dedication. I went in and did initiatories and Mishell waited for me in the waiting room. It was awesome. There were very few people there and the women were all so excited to see me, nevermind the language barrier! 

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Saturday, since I am in my hiking era, I found a guide to take us on a hike. We hiked down the the Pululahua Volcano, which is one of the only volcanoes in the world were a civilization exists in the crater. We hiked down, across, up the other side, and then repeated it on the way back. Mishell may or may not hate me forever moving forward, but I loved it SO much. It was incredible and so gorgeous. Our guide, Andres, was a lot of fun and we enjoyed getting to know him too. 

That evening, we met up with my longtime friend Maria Dolores and toured the basilica, one of the most iconic areas in Quito, with beautiful views of the entire city. We then went to dinner at our favorite Quito restaurant, Crepes and Waffles. We of course had to stop by my favorite ball in the city and Mishell climbed it easily to the top- me, not so much. haha. 

Sunday morning, Mishell and I both went to the airport and I flew off one direction and Mishell went the other, to Cuenca. She made it safely and will spend the rest of her summer there, doing great work among the orphanages! 

May/June Randoms

How about a random picture dump post? Here is what we have been up to so far this summer. Per the amount of pictures I have taken, apparently Jace is my favorite child this month. Mishell will have her own post soon about Ecuador-- and Flor, well who knows where she has been? I'll do better next month. 

Lizzie:

Lizzie attended a day camp in Idaho with her cousins Emma and Lucy and some of their neighbors while she was up visiting her Grandma Lisa. She had the time of her life. (pictures 1 & 2). Picture 3 is of her and her cousin Sunnie- they are wild children together. We have been trying to have dinner with Sunnie's family once a month and they get into some fun mischief together. Picture 4 is from the pop and cookie sale for Grace Grunander that our neighborhood holds every year to raise money for her scholarship fund. Her sister Goldie and Lizzie were good friends for the year we overlapped in the neighborhood. 

Jace: 

Jace was a student body officer at Sunset Junior High last year and was inducted again for 9th grade year coming up. He had the induction ceremony and the new SBOs participated in a parade for Clinton city recently (pictures 1-3).  He continues to play the cello and had his end of the year concert (4). 5 & 6 are of the end of Jace's baseball season. He has played several years and really enjoys that.

Hallie:

Hallie went to prom at Clearfield with her good buddy David. Their pink outfits were pretty cute, right? She also played another season of comp soccer. Apparently I wasn't so good at taking pictures of Hallie either recently. She is just so busy and is off on her own a lot, between her work, school, church, and social lives. 

 Bye ORMC:

I have gotten together several times with coworkers (now forever known as the exes) from Ogden Regional since I left. Just wanted these pictures here to remember how much I love them. These ladies have all been a part of my life for many, many years and have taught me a lot. I miss that place every day.

Curling:

My friend Trevor from high school told me last year at our reunion that he teaches curling lessons at the Olympic Oval in Kearns. He reached out recently asking if I wanted to come take lessons. I recruited some friends and off we went. It was legitimately the most fun thing ever and we had such a blast!! Turns out, I am pretty good at curling! I got a disc thing right in the circle, which Trevor tells me is better than any shot he has ever made and he has been playing for years and years. So, there's that. I don't know the proper terminology, clearly, but apparently I am destined for the Olympics, even at my old age!

Randoms!

My friend Maria Dolores came to town! One week after I saw her in Quito while I was dropping Mishell off!

Our Young Men and Young Women toured the Syracuse Temple open house and it was beautiful!

Darling Ray was sealed to his family. We are so happy for Landon, Che', and the rest of the kiddos! Welcome to the crazy clan, Ray! (picture below from the sealing as well)

Devin bought me golf clubs for mother's day! We have been once to hit a bucket of balls...actually a good time!

Happy birthday pedicures with my best friend Mel! Happy 45 Mel!