Goosberry Mesa

While Angela was away seeing her parents off to the MTC, the boys had to get in a little play. After hearing how great mountain biking Gooseberry Mesa is we finally got to go and check it out yesterday. Chris, Jerad and I went out and road about half the trails, South Rim, Skatepark, Hidden Canyon, North Rim and Slickrock 101. We then went down to Grafton and they did some drops (my bike is not made for these). We were tired but it was really fun and I hope to get out there again soon.

Igloos of Life

Last week was the Klondike, we went up to Cedar Canyon and found some good snow, 3-4 feet of it to be more exact. It really was interesting to watch the scouts build their snow caves and work together. Although I don't know that I help out a lot, there is a difference between the older scouts and the younger ones. The 12 year olds still have some things to learn while some of the older ones know how to take the lead and get things done. One of the other leaders and I had to scramble to get our Igloo built because we spent a lot of time trying to help the scouts with their stuff. In the end all the boys (8) slept in snow caves and 3 of the leaders slept in the Igloo. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work, kinda like life. Hope you like the pictures,

My thoughts....brace yourselves

So, I had a few extra minutes today (actually, they weren't extra--I stole them from the time I was supposed to be writing a report), and I was reading a friend's website called 100 Days of Love. From there I got linked to another website, The Next 100 Days. I'm feeling inspired (a little guilty, but inspired nontheless). See, the thing is, it's so easy to get wrapped up in yourself, and I didn't even realize it until I took a second to see what other people were thinking. Unfortunately, I can't say it has changed my life forever and I will never be that selfish self that I am. But I am passing on the links to all of you (check the list on the right). Maybe you will be inspired. And maybe if you all get inspired, it will keep inspiring me! There I go again being selfish. :)

Tribute to my wife

We have recently gotten many requests to see pregnant Angela. So here are all the pictures of her that I could round up from the last week or so. Isn't she so cute!





Okay, maybe not exactly as requested, but she does look good, as can be told from the pictures and she sure is good to me too as I drag her all over creation.

Bonus points for anyone who can guess where the pictures are. Nathan and Suzie are disqualified on all except for the first one because they were there as you can see. We had a great weekend with Nathan, Suzie and Kye. Too bad they had to go back to winter, we will have to invite them back next winter:)

Christmas and Moab

I got some feedback that we need to post again, so here we go, I am a little too lazy to say much about the pics, but here they are, enjoy.
Igloo 1

New backpack for chuckette


Austin took this one

It was cold!


Ahh, the Swell


Igloo 2

Year in Review

We are taking the lazy way out. Or should we say the "green" way out. Less paper, less waste. It's the wave of the future, people. So here it is, the long awaited Averett Christmas Newsletter!

Ode to 2007

2007 – It’s been a good year!
Nothing much changed,
If it did, it’s unclear.

Trips, trips, trips and more trips!
We tripped ourselves silly!
We loved every minute
And say THANKS times a milly
To all those who hosted, camped, hiked and made our trips great!
We really do think that you all are first rate!

Aaron continues to grow into a fine engineer.
Soon he’ll take his test and be official next year.
His free time is precious and gets split three ways
Between his house and his Scouts and his favorite - wife days.
September found Angela settling down
In her very own classroom,
Complete with class clown.
The students and teachers of Valor Hall are becoming fast friends,
We’ll be sad when the daily life with them ends.
But we’ll take it with a smile,
And we’ll all give a cheer
Because the end of school in May
Is when the baby will be here!

With the room newly painted and crown molding on the wall,
We’re getting ready for the patter of little feet in our hall.

So tune in next year for sure!
The adventures will abound!
And where there were two,
We pray three will be found.

We love you all!
Merry Christmas!

What's the Sedona difference?

Nathan asked a question about why Sedona was different from the other places we like to visit. I can't believe that I left that part out because it really was half the greatness of our trip. Besides there being scads of people in Sedona, and houses and golf courses being built on top of all the natural beauty, there is only one word that would describe the difference. Vortexes, yes the plural is correct and no, my explanation would never do it justice. So here are some links answer the question. Who knows, you may very much like what you find.

http://www.sedonavortextours.com/vortex.html
Make sure you watch the video!

http://www.sedonavortexconnection.com/
Cyber Vortex?

And please don't miss this one.
http://www.sedonanewagecenter.com/Vortex/vortex_tours.htm#VictorsVortexTours