Christmas Break...not in the Congo!

This post is all about what we did back home, in Utah, during our break! We enjoyed catching up with friends and going to dinner as well as other activities. I didn't get as many pictures as I should have but I have the memories! Here are the highlights!

Saturday December 9 - Sunday December 10

Our long journey home started in Lubumbashi...

Two and a half hours later we landed in Johannesburg and had a 2 hour layover.

We then had a two hour flight to Cape Town where we had another 2 hour layover ON THE PLANE!!! We weren't able to get off the plane, just those that were staying in Cape Town. The cleaning crew came on and cleaned the empty seats and then new passengers came on and we were off!

After 16 and a half hours we landed in Atlanta! I teared up being back on US soil. It was so nice to get some food and wait over 5 hours to board our next flight.

After 36 hours of traveling we finally landed in Salt Lake City!!! It was awesome!

We were welcomed home with family and friends and the cutest sign made by Kaylee!!! It felt so good to be home.

Tuesday December 10

On Tuesday, we went to the Orem Temple Open House. It was so neat to walk through the temple that Cory helped build. As we walked in Kaylee said, "Let's play a game...how much of the Orem Temple was in the Hiatt's house at one point"! Cory brought many projects home to work on! It was also special because we hung so many of the crystals on the chandeliers so we even got to help "build it".

After the open house we met a bunch of family at Brick Oven for dinner!! So yummy!

Wednesday, December 13

Wednesday marked 3 years since sweet Ashley Boo passed away. I started out the morning going for a walk with Ashlee and Amberlee to visit Ashley's grave.

I then spent the day shopping and going out to lunch at my favorite place...Oakwood Fire eating delicious food: Oat bread with baked goat cheese marinara, shaved brussels sprouts with garlic aioli and balsamic glaze, Elote pizza with roasted corn, garlic aioli, queso fresco, creme fraiche, cilantro, radish and lime (it's amazing), wedge salad, beef stroganoff with Wagyu beef and fried cheese curds. I love that we all order something different and then share the love!! It was amazing!!

In honor of Ashley Boo we went to the Light the World Giving Machines and bought things she would have bought. I bought art classes and a goat. My sisters and mom bought chickens, meals for 10 and a vegetable garden, & after school supplies.

We finished up at the cemetery where we gave Ashley our love and let her know how much we missed her. People left sweet messages and gifts for us/her. I'm always so grateful and humbled to see people remember her and give her a little "hug". Cory was sick and didn't leave the house that day.

On the way home, I drove past Salem pond to see the dolphin lights made in her honor by her Uncle Riley, Grandpa Hiatt and many others.

Thursday, December 14

Thursday was a special day...Kaylee graduated with her bachelors degree in dental hygiene. to say I'm proud is an understatement. For 20 months she poured everything into school, showing up sick, staying late, studying every weekend. She graduated with a 4.0, high honors!! The worst part was finding patients to come and sit in her chair. I was her first patient and it took 3 visits, 3 hours each...I'm so grateful for family, friends, and strangers who were willing to go in and get worked on. Here are some pictures of her special night! Cory was still sick but he came! We went to Tucanos after for dinner and he didn't even get to enjoy it.

Monday, December 18

I spent the morning doing a safety training out at Eagle Mountain Middle School job site with JC and Cory. That night, we went to see Wonka. As we were walking in, Cory looked at me carrying my blanket and said "you are gearing up for a nap". I stayed awake the whole time but HE fell asleep during the opening trailers and slept to the end when the lights came on! I also got my nails done! I've been waiting for this for months!

Thursday, December 21

We had Sam and Amelia and the kids over for dinner and to meet my family! It was wonderful! I made homemade lasagna, salad, breadsticks and got donuts for dessert. I got the whole family Owala water bottles. Kaylee got each of them a gift as well. She got Sam a temple memory game, Amelia & Laurene slippers, Junior the game Mancala, Jason a nerf gun and Ella a purse and stuffed animal. Then we went to go through the festival of lights but the line was almost 2 miles long so we went into Salem and drove around Salem Pond. Shar and the kids met up with us.

Sunday, December 24

Christmas Eve

We went to Church, I always the love the Christmas Program. They songs, messages, and spirit speak to me. That evening we went to Katies for dinner. I didn't take pictures! We had yummy food and played games. Then we went to Salem Cemetary...it is beautiful on Christmas Eve. The students at the local elementary schools color a bag and then the youth council sets them up with candles in them. Amber sent me a text, someone found her with two bags that were meant for Ashley's grave, they were from Trevin and Paisley!

Monday, December 25

Christmas

We had a great Christmas Day. We slept in and then opened presents. Kaylee and Aaron gave us dinner in Park City at Ruth's Chris Steak House! Aaron's parents gave them a fire pit. Cory gave Aaron a tool set so naturally, they had to put it together in the house and then realized it was too big to fit out the sliding door! They ended up getting it out the front door and took it around.

I made breakfast (eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and monkey bread) and then we played some games. In the afternoon, we made pizza pull apart bread, mini corn dogs, Rotel dip aka crack, and other snacky foods. My parents stopped by on their way home from dropping Nate and Lindsey off at the airport. We went to the movies that night and saw The Boys in the Boat...It was a fabulous movie!

Thursday, December 28

We went and did a session at the Saratoga Springs Temple with my parents and Kaylee and Aaron; we didn't get any pictures because we were running late. Then we took off to Park City while my parents went home! Kaylee knew we would need reservations so she got them and we cashed in on our gift! The food was amazing! Kaylee and Cory got filets and Aaron and I got rib eyes! Then as our sides to share we got green chili's mac and cheese (amazing), scalloped potatoes, and fries. I was craving good food and that includes dessert, which we got plenty! Every time we go in the winter I request a view of the red tree...it is my favorite! Then we drove around Park City and looked at the lights, it was a great day!

Friday, December 29

We went to dinner with Matt & Amber and Kaylee & Aaron to VIA 313...again, amazing! Then we went back to our house and they stayed and played games. Kaylee and Aaron gave Cory a special shirt for Christmas and Cory passed it on to Matt, who wore it with pride!

Saturday, December 30

I have been cooped up for so long, I needed to get away in nature! I booked an overnight getaway to Hanksville. Saturday morning we got up bright and early and met my mom and dad and Mat, Yolanda & Emery and took off to Capital Reef National Park. The sunrise was beautiful! We hiked Cassidy Arch and it was a steep, fantastic hike. It felt so good to be outside being active. We took the puppies and Yolanda brought Taz. On the hike we had this 20 something girl walk past us and say "under her breath" "I wish I would have known we could do illegal things then I would have brought my dog" and she kept talking about it up at the arch. She couldn't let it go. Apparently it was illegal to take your dog on that hike but we didn't know and if I'm being honest, didn't care. I am a responsible dog owner and clean up after them and they are carried half the time anyway! After the hike, I had brought stuff for lunch which we ate in the truck because it was cold.

After lunch, my parents headed home and the rest of us went to Hanksville to stay in little cabins. Along the way we stopped at looked at some petroglyphs. The cabins were perfect for 4 people. There was a community fire pit we sat at. Moqui got scared by something and she was holding onto Mat's arm. She didn't want to get down! We went to Stans for dinner!

Because Hanksville is so small, the diner was closed for winter so we had to make our breakfast. The kitchens didn't have a stove but there was a grill outside with a side burner so Cory braved the cold and cooked eggs and sausage and the I made breakfast burritos!

Sunday, December 31

New Years Eve

Today we spent the day at Goblin Valley State Park. I have never been there, I've driven pass the turn off numerous times on our way to Lake Powell. It was awesome. It wasn't busy at all because it's the off season. The sun was out and the weather was perfect. We spent the morning exploring the valley, climbing and just enjoying being outside!