Missing You! January 20,

It's mid January and I'm just missing some my favorite family members. Dawson has been in the MTC for 3 weeks and seems to be doing well. He makes everything fun so I'm sure that he is enjoying his time there. The fact that he gets to play a little basketball nearly every day is a real plus for him.
Little Alexa is nearly seven month old. She loves to watch Wheel of Fortune and Danielle says she cries during the commercials! Funny! We just booked our flights to go see them in Portland over Spring Break in March! Sure love and miss you!

Off to the MTC! December 30, 2009

Dawson was to report to the MTC at 12:45 pm on December 30, 2009. We left St. George at 7:15 am and drove through a blizzard to get there. We met Danielle, Steve and Alexa at Mimi's restaurant at 11:30 am. We enjoyed a delicious brunch and Dawson's stomach was getting a little quizzy with nerves of excitement. Our friends the Saaralainens came by to say hello and good bye to Elder Flake. Then it was off to the MTC.
It was really snowy when we arrived so we didn't even take any picutres by the famous MTC sign. We did see Donny Osmond and his family taking picures and saying goodbye to a son. The parking attendant had served in the San Jose area and was very excited that Dawson was going there! We pulled up to the curb, unloaded the luggage, gave our last goodbyes, shed a few tears and felt the beautiful spirit of the MTC. So many young people so excited to serve their Lord. A constant flow of cars with family flowing with tears of bittersweet happiness and joy meandered out the MTC drive each filled with amazing faith to turn their young people over to the Lord for two years. This is the day that we have been preparing Dawson for since the day he was born. Every family night, daily scripture study, family prayer, Sunday meeting, and activity was in preparation for him to choose to serve the Lord. We are so proud of him and know that he is very well prepared. Dan broke down in tears as he mentioned to Dawson that he hadn't given him a lot of advice for the mission and that is because he is so much better prepared that Dan was...and we know that he will serve with all of his heart, mind, might and soul. See you in two years!

Follow this link to see all of the pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/danflake/DawsonMission?authkey=Gv1sRgCLqyoKCHw_iL9AE&feat=email#

Christmas Break

Christmas Trifle for Christmas dinner with Grandma Flake.

Danielle, Steve and Alexa riding in the mule.

Dawson having a great time the last week before he leaves for his mission.

Alexa driving her first car around the driveway.

Hiking and biking up at Dixie Rock.

Alexa wearing her baby cereal. She is almost 6 months and got her first two bottom teeth right after Christmas.

Alexa reading "The Night Before Christmas" on her first Christmas Eve.

Oh the joy of having all of the family home for Christmas! We hiked several times and rode bikes a few times. We went out to Warner Valley and did a little four wheeling. We even saw a badger and chased the big old guy around until he fled to his hole. Christmas Eve was a warm beautiful day. We hiked up above Washington at Dino Cliffs. Then we went and had lunch at Cafe Rio. We came back in and made the final Christmas preparations and had our traditional dinner of soup in bread bowls. In honor of Dawson we had clam chowder, his favorite. We each shared a Christmas story and read from Luke. We watched "The Nativity" movie and then went to bed so Santa could make his visit. I awoke early and wrote a letter to each of the family expressing my love for them. I made a quilt for Dawson and Andrew and Lindsey made artistic shirts for all of the kids. Danielle sewed scarves for Lindsey and me. Home made gifts are the best.

On Christmas day we opened gifts, had breakfast and then opened gifts some more. Later we rode bikes over to fields and vs. the Suttner family in kickball. Then we came back home and had a delicious ham dinner with Art and Apryl and Grandma. We plalyed games for awhile and enjoyed family for Christmas!