Thailand

Kyle and I were able to go to Thailand the beginning of February. He served a mission there about 5 yrs ago and we have always wanted to go together. We were given the opportunity to go so we jumped on it. We were able to visit with some of the people he baptized, which was a neat experience. We were gone for about ten days and in that time did a ton:

We flew in to Bangkok and stayed there a couple days, we were measured for suits, visited some sights, and met with some people.

Then we flew to Chang Mai rode an elephant, got in a cage with six tigers, walked through a pool of about seven crocodiles, watched some crazy monkeys, saw an amazing temple, went to a silk factory and a jade shop, then on to the zoo and aquarium.

Afterwards we took a night train back to Bangkok, then took a bus to a ferry which took us out to the "Elephant Island" (Thats translated into English). We spent a couple nights there hanging out at the beach, getting Thai massages and swimming in the pool.

We were able to meet with some more people back in Bangkok before we left.

It was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the Thai culture and for Kyle to practice his Thai, which skill proved to be very valuable.

One of the first nights in Bangkok we went to dinner with several people from the branch in which Kyle served as a zone leader. The three people in this picture are some of the people Kyle baptized.

The first day there we went to a fabric store and picked out material; Kyle was measured for a suit and I was measured for a dress coat. Then the last day we picked them up.

In Chang Mai we went to a this Crocodile enclosure,and got in this pool area with about 7 crocs; in this pic I could feel him breathing with my hand. I'm just glad he wasn't hungry.

In Chang Mai we rode an Elephant. It was so much different than riding a horse. It's so much higher in the air and a lot more bumpy. It was really exciting.

Kyle and me in a cage with six tigers. I can't believe how big they are!

The worker said they like to have their bellies scratched. I guess they are just like huge house cats that could rip your head off if they wanted to.

This is a temple in Chang Mai. We are barefoot because it's disrespectful to wear your shoes on the temple grounds.

We are on the ferry on the way to the island.

I found this hammock right next to the ocean. I think I found the perfect place for me.

The night before we left we were able to visit a family and friends that Kyle taught.

The picture on a back wall of their house is a photo of the son of the couple sitting next to Kyle the day he was baptized. Kyle taught and baptized him and he is now serving a mission in California. His parents (next to Kyle) were taught by Kyle, and later were baptized after he came home. The couple sitting on the floor were both baptized while Kyle was there. They are going to be sealed in the Hong Kong temple in December.

Christmas

This Christmas we were able to enjoy both or our families. Eric and Annie came into town with their 3 kids before Christmas so we spent the 23rd with them as well as the rest of the family. Then we spent the 24th with Kyle's cousins at Grandma Herrin's house the first part of the day and with just his family at his parents house the second part of the day. We spend the morning of the 25th at his parents house and the rest of the 25th at my parents house. So I think we pretty much covered everyone. What I decided is family gatherings are all about the kids. I looked through all the pictures we have over the whole weekend and most of them are of niece's and nephews, I guess they keep us entertained.


Chloe, Kyle's cousins youngest opening a present.

Lilly, Kyle's cousins older daughter playing with her new car.

Alex, Eric and Annie's son making a "scary" face

Faith, Eric and Annie's oldest, opening a present.

Keelee, Ben and Natalie's baby exploring our place.

Maia, Eric and Annie's youngest. She is taking me for a walk.

New Nephew

On December 14th Kyle's brother Judson and wife Michelle had a new baby boy. His name is Wynn Kelly Jennings. We were able to go visit them when they got home from the hospital to meet our new nephew. This is a picture of Kyle holding him...cute.

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we went up to Kyle's Grandmas house. Kyle had to work in the morning so we just drove up in the afternoon. It was Kyle's family, his Aunt Suzi's family, his Uncle Robert and Grandma. We stayed at his parents just down the street Thursday night then went to my parents on Friday and Saturday. Eric and Annie came into town so we also celebrated Maia's and Keelee's birthdays, both turning one; Maia on November 19th and Keelee on December 2nd. Its amazing to me how entertaining a one year old and a piece of cake can be.

Kyle's mom, Cindy and sister, Marianne, made these cute little turkeys.

The table all set at Kyle's Grandma's ready to feast.

Whenever Kyle takes pictures there are none of him and too many of me. I chopped my hair off and donated 12inches, and went darker; kind of a big change.

My mom and Alex and Annie.

Faith dancing around with Maia

Keelee and Maia getting celebrating their first birthdays together.

Ragnar Las Vegas

On the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of Oct Kyle and I went down to Las Vegas with a group of 11 other people to run the Las Vegas Ragnar (It's a appox. 190 mile race). We got in late Thursday night and stayed in St. George. We woke up early Friday morning so we could get to the starting line by 9:00. Kyle and I were in car #1 so we started the race ( I was the driver). There are 6 runners in each car and each person runs a total of 3 legs. We finished up our first legs in time to eat relax for a little bit than on to leg #2. People slept when they could and we proceeded through the night. The next morning at about 8:00 we sent off our last runner to finish the 3rd leg, got ready to drive to the next check point to pick her up and the car we were in wouldn't start. To make a long story short we were stranded in the desert for about 8 hours hungry, tired and sleep deprived. We happen to be on the leg of the race that was on a dirt road. After finally finding a towing company that would come out to get us we were able to get towed into town Saturday night. Our team was able to finish the race, however, Shane and Kyle were not there to run through the finish line since they were at the repair shop with the car. We were able to get it fixed Sunday and make it home safely. It was quit the weekend.

The starting line at lake Mead

Kyle's first leg (it was about 7 miles)

Driver and cheerleader

Unfortunately we didn't break down at this check point

We broke down at this check point

Finish Line

Summer Updates

I have not done a very good job this summer of keeping up the blog, it went by so fast. So just to review:
I had shoulder surgery at the end of June.
Eric and Annie came to Utah for the Fourth of July so we were able to spend time with them, and get family pictures taken.
Kyle got a new job as a full time wound care nurse in Sandy, and is still going to school.
I turned 27.
Lydia moved to Montana so we went out there last weekend to visit and go to a football and volleyball game. Kyle had never been to Missoula so I wanted to show him around.

Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay

On June 17-18th, Kyle and 11 other guys, mostly from his Unit, ran the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay. They started running from Logan Utah at about 5:00 am on Friday the 17th and finished around noon on Saturday the 18th in Park City Utah. The race totaled about 192 miles. Each person ran 3 legs averaging 16 miles each. They had a goal to finish in 30 hours or less and finished in 29:59:31.2 (nothing like cutting it close). They finished 64th overall and placed 4th in the Men's Public Service Division. Although they were sore and sleep deprived they had a lot of fun.