Pipe Springs, Arizona

On my visit to St. George to visit my Mom and Craig, my brother Vic coincided his vacation and we saw some sites together.  One interesting day trip was to Pipe Spring, Arizona.

 The tiny town was  along the "honeymoon trail" where travelers occasionally stopped in pioneer  days on their journey between Mexico and St. George, Utah.

A fort was built by the Mormon settlers with the help of Paiute Native Americans.  A national monument includes a museum and tour of the fort and grounds where you can learn about the two cultures that lived here a hundred years ago

Where were the springs?  The fort was strategically built over them! At the time water came out at 55 gallons a minute, and was very important to desert life here.

Zions National Park

My brother Vic met me on my trip to St. George, Utah, where my Mom and Craig live. Vic does a lot of hiking.  He helped us select the most appropriate hikes in Zions.  You park at the entrance and then shuttle to different stops where trails begin.

 Here people were enjoying the "beach"--a sandy area near the stream.  This is where we ended, and serious hikers begin--walking in the stream as the canyon walls become narrow.

    Water was coming from the rocks all over!

Spectacular views everywhere!

 Due to rain the day before, there were some amazing waterfalls that are not usually there! The rainwater seeps into the porous sandstone.  Then when it reaches a layer of denser rock, the water is forced out.

 We were able to walk under this waterfall, and catch it from several sides.

These canyon walls are huge.  It's difficult to capture their true size, but you can see a person on a trail on the left of the water to provide size reference.

 We hiked about 5 miles of trails.  I was proud of us!

                                             I'm in at least one picture to prove I was there!  (I was enjoying my handmade Ute earrings that day.)  It was a gorgeous day to enjoy the beautiful red rock country with family.

90th Birthday

 Dave's mother turned 90.  We flew to Cincinnati to celebrate with his siblings and some of their families.

 We had a fun dinner at an Italian restaurant for 26 family members.  It was great to get together, and enjoy this milestone with her.

Liam John Decker

 I flew up to Albany, NY on Saturday evening, January 6.  Luke picked me up and brought Jacob and Blake.  We went to church Sunday, and on Monday morning, Kara had scheduled to go to the hospital with Luke.  Liam was born that afternoon about 2:00 PM. 

           


















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                 Luke's dad is named John, and that is where Liam gets his middle name.  

John joked, "The L is silent in Liam, so his name is "I am John Decker".  Haha. Good one.

                                                           

                                            













 



I stayed for two weeks helping the boys off to school, watching Ava during the day, assisting Luke with meals and dishes, folding laundry, and visiting with Kara. 

                         
          

 Several of us were sick so Liam stayed up in Kara's room as much as possible for awhile to make sure he didn't catch something.  He seems to be healthy and doing well! I hope to be back soon!

Day after Christmas

Meg and Claire went to Texas the day after Christmas.  Daniel joined David and I, along with Julia and Matt.  We had a nice day strolling along historic Ellicott City.

Christmas Day

                     
One of our Christmas highlights was talking with our favorite missionary, Sister Andrea Meiners in Calgary, Canada! Julia, Daniel and Meg were here, and James, Erika, Kara and their families tuned in on Skype.

                        Claire and her parents, Daniel and Meg, were with David and I
                                      on Christmas morning, along with Julia and Matt.
                              I was mostly interested in getting pictures of Claire though,
                     and seeing how a two year old views the magic of Christmas morning.

                                             Claire seemed to enjoy Christmas morning,
                          and she looked the embodiment of everything fun and festive about it.

                                               She enjoyed watching the train go around the track.

She looked like a cute little elf with her  new hat and jacket.

I think the Christmas apron she’s wearing was made by my Aunt Nancy for me when I was little.

                                  She liked the oatmeal box drum I made for her (among some storebought toys.)

                                                                  Merry Christmas, everyone!

The Gingerbread

This year we made and decorated gingerbread people instead of houses.

I think we all enjoy these holiday traditions,  no matter what age we are.

                                                                                       Matt and Julia

                                                                           Dave and Cheri

Daniel, Claire and Meg

Since I now eat Whole food, Plant-based, I wanted to adapt the type of treat I brought to our Christmas party for the women at church.  The roses and leaves of this fruit platter came from the crown of the pineapple, along with coconut and cranberries. It was a fun challenge to put this wreath together!