Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas 2011













Christmas comes and goes to quickly! It was wonderful to have Danielle, Steve and Alexa fly into Las Vegas on Monday evening, December 19th. We returned to Vegas on Wednesday to pick up Lindsey, Carlton and Dillon. It was great for every one to meet baby Dillon. We all enjoyed having a new baby in the home at Christmas time.

Christmas Soup Kitchen Service






We gathered with family and friends and served up lunch at the Soup Kitchen on December 23, Friday. It was great to have Danielle and Steve and Lindsey and Carlton and kids with us this year. We provided the traditional Ham, Potato casserole, salad, corn, rolls, and dessert meal. We fed 112 soup kitchen patrons and most of the family, ward and neighbor friends who came to give service and Christmas Cheer! We handed out candy canes, oranges, small kids gifts, socks, gloves and other Christmas gifts. Another fabulous day! This is one of our favorite Christmas traditions.

Christmas Card 2011

Christmas 2011

Another Charismas season is upon us; reminding us to slow down, reflect on our Savior and remember what is most important in our lives.

Danielle & Steve are spending their last year in Portland, OR. Steve will graduate from OHSU School of Dentistry on June 15. They’ve enjoyed their time there and many friendships formed. Steve will start interviewing in January. They want to work for a few years for a big dental office before they break out on their own. So they are thinking big city, in the West! Danielle graduated from Brigham Young University in August with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home & Family Living with a minor in Management. She manages the apartment complex where they live and chases sweet Alexa, age 2 ½ around. We explored British Columbia, Canada with them in September, staying at beautiful Whistler, where the last winter Olympics were held.

Lindsey and Carlton call Philadelphia home, while Carlton is attending UPENN School of Dentistry. He has completed 1 ½ years of the four year program. Lindsey graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Leadership. She finished up online through Bellevue University. They are proud new parents having welcomed Dillon William Taylor into their lives on October 26th. We were grateful to be able to be with them for that amazing event. Mom and baby are doing great! Carlton and Lindsey help run a tutoring program for inter-city youth once a week for their stake church calling.

Elder Dawson will be returning from his 2 year mission in the CA, San Jose Mission in early January. He has served in Salinas, Hollister, and Palo Alto this year. Steve Young, his boyhood hero, is in his current stake and Dawson was thrilled to hear him speak! He is enrolled at Dixie State College and we’ll see where life takes him from there. We are excited to have him home soon!

Andrew will graduate from Desert Hills this May; yes our baby who now measures in at 6 ‘3”. He is having a fun senior year and lettered 4 years in Cross Country, was on Sadie’s dance royalty and was just awarded Sterling Scholar in Trade and Technology. He loves exploring the world by biking, hiking, and 4-wheeling! He hiked to the top of Timpanogos and goes camping whenever he can. Andrew plans to attend Dixie State next year and study pre-Engineering before heading out on his mission the following June.

Dan & Shelly are just grateful to be alive now that we are both in our 50’s! Dan loves mountain biking and I enjoy Zumba! We’ve enjoyed sailing and helped with another youth trek. We had a fun work trip in Yosemite for a week, went to Bear Lake with the Datwylers and Pine Valley for the Flake reunion… Never enough time with family! We anticipate having everyone come home for the holidays! Grandma and Grandpa are ready!

May you all be blessed with peace, love and joy in your lives!

Best wishes, Dan & Shelly Flake and family

Danflakefamily.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

High Pointer Club


New Jersey

Carlton and Lindsey have joined the High Pointers Club. They made a family flag and they are attempting to hike to the high point of each of the 48 states. They are off to a great start with Delaware and New Jersey taken care. (You could drive to both of these places) It will get a little harder from here on out; and those in the West will take a little more effort. They are going to try and get to a lot of the Eastern stated while they are there for 4 years.



More info at highpointers.org