Youngest made off with the biggest win. His siblings loved to delight him with more candy.

Thomas loves peas. We loved watching his chubby fingers navigate the pods. We smiled when he dropped some on the way to his mouth. He searched to find the camouflaged peas on his green shirt. He seemed to find satisfaction in his developed pincer skills.

Thomas chose the warmth of the lodge and a good nap while Mike and Liz treated themselves to an afternoon on the slopes. We realized that not all black diamonds are created equal. We felt like rock stars breezing down the double blacks—the same rating at Alta would have kicked our quads and cans.

Ella Sophia had her first go at skiing. She impressed us with her determination and love of this new challenge. Her ski instructor wrote, “Ella Sophia improved (the teacher thought she’d skied before) tremendously today. By the end of the day she was making great turns and was able to stop at the bottom. She walks exceptionally well in in her skis and was a joy to teach.”

Stewart had Mike and Liz pushing themselves in the race to be first down the mountain. Stewart’s skiing took off this year with the after school ski program through Newton Parks and Recreation. He can’t wait for next season.

We reunited with the Matsons on Temple Square. It had been almost 14 months since we last saw them—too long. We hadn’t met James yet and actually just met Nora days before when the Blewitts arrived. Oh the fun of nieces and nephews—so much squishiness. We took our traditional family photo on the Square in front of the huge tree, lit with red lights. Oma got lovingly attacked by all of her former sister missionaries.

We took some quick family shots at the Capitol while waiting for the photographer to capture the entire Stewart Family. Everyone was in town (even the Whittakers from Germany). Lizzy finally got an updated shot with her parents.

No snow at Beaver Mountain didn’t stop the fun
Maddox and seeing loads of big hair
Stewart’s disappearing roll/corn pone skills
Chocolate tools
Opa singing Passing Policeman to Thomas
Hot tub and snow roll dares
Utah State Creamery and cheese curds
Sleeping in while grandparents fed the little ones
Oma patiently teaching checkers to Ella Sophia and Stewart
Laughing a lot


A favorite annual tradition—strawberry picking at the local farm.

Stewart was baptized in Weston, Massachusetts on his birthday. It was a beautiful spring day. He was surrounded by his family, Oma, Opa, Grandma, Grandpa, cousins (Christy, Romney and Eva), school friends and many members of our ward family.

From Stewart’s journal:
I was baptized on my 8th birthday, May 10th. I felt a little nervous. It felt strange when I walked into the water wit my clothes on. When I came out, My pants stuck to my legs. Even though I was a little nervous before, after I was baptized I felt warm inside.
I wanted to be baptized because I know that is the way to live with Heavenly Father and my family forever, Jesus asked that we follow Him. I want to follow Jesus and do the things he does. I am happy he has shown us how to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost.

Stewart is quite the comedian. When Mike told him he was funny, without skipping a beat, Stewart set his Indiana Jones Lego man on the arm chair next to him and said: “He is my advisor.”

On Father’s Day, Stewart asked: “When is Kid’s Day? I am going to be a founding father.”