Merry Christmas! 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

If I were to sum up this year in one word it would be “TRAVEL.” I have literally traveled coast to coast, ocean to ocean, and continent to continent. It’s no secret that I love to travel, but my adventures this past year have been especially fun and meaningful with each experience giving me great opportunities to connect with loved ones.

My year began with a last minute escape from dirty air and sub-freezing temps in Salt Lake City to Oahu to spend a week with my cousin Annmarie and her husband Ted and kids. This was my first time on Oahu, and while it was quite a different experience from Maui a few years ago, it did not disappoint. I was so grateful to finally see the WWII sites and memorials that remind us of the incredible sacrifice by many for our freedom. 

The USS Bowfin, Pearl Harbor

USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor

USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor 

USS Missouri, Pearl Harbor

Punchbowl Cemetery (National Cemetery of the Pacific)

It’s not an overstatement to say that spending some quality time at these sites was a life-changing experience for me, and I wish that everyone could have a chance to do the same. Other adventures that week included a hike up to the top of the Diamond Head crater, surf lessons (and yes, I had 3 good rides over a 2 hour lesson time), an outing to the Dole Plantation where we enjoyed that evil Dole Whip, a fun visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center, a little bit of beach time, and lots of family visiting time, which was wonderful.

Surf lessons on dry ground before hitting the water

Boogie boarding with Ted on Military Beach

Last picture with Annmarie before heading to the airport

A month later the majority of our huge family vacationed to southern California where we visited museums, the beach, and of course DISNEYLAND!! We had a wonderful week together.

My mom and sisters at the Getty Villa in Malibu

Getty Villa 

Beach time! Near Malibu, with Amanda and Curtis and Rhys

Christina leading our kids off to a tide pool

James Stewart grave at Forest Lawn, Glendale

California Screamin' with John

Space Mountain (my fav!) with John, Mary, Afton, and Phoebe

Radiator Springs Racers with Erin, Phoebe, Celia, Afton, and Miranda

Dave and Karin and their kids couldn’t join us on this trip, so they went to Disneyland two weeks later, and being the good aunt that I am, I just had to sacrifice a few more days at Disneyland. Life is rough. Mom and Dad also being awesome grandparents came along on this trip, too, which was great!

Looking into Karin's beautiful eyes

Grizzly River Rapids 

Our family (9 of us) filled the entire right side section of Hollywood Tower of Terror!

Splash Mountain with Dave and Karin

Final picture before heading home. Everyone feeling super happy!

Both of these trips were tons of fun as we spent important family time together and enjoyed good memories from past adventures here while creating many more.

In July I spent two weeks in Charlottesville, Virginia for training on government procurement contracts at the JAG University on UVA campus. I know it doesn't sound so exciting, but it was actually fantastic. I love Virginia so much, the training was the best I’ve ever had, and I absolutely loved meeting so many other government attorneys and spending those 2 weeks with them. Friends for life!

During the weekend between our two weeks of training I was able to take a quick trip up to Washington, DC to visit old favorites like the monuments and art gallery and see new sites like President Lincoln's Cottage (which everyone who visits DC must go see) and the MLK Memorial.

Lincoln Cottage 

MLK Memorial

I then headed up to Oakton, Virginia (just outside DC) to enjoy the rest of the weekend with cousins before heading back to Charlottesville.

Just two weeks after returning from Virginia, I was on my way overseas with Mom and Dad to attend the wedding of our dear friends in Switzerland, to see our other dear friends Germany, and to visit some ancestral sites in Denmark – this was my first (but hopefully not last) trip to Denmark, and it was amazing. It had been 20 years since I’d last been on the European continent, a time gap I regretted, but was so grateful that the places I had seen before were just as beautiful as I remembered and that I got to do a lot of new things I’d never done before. We were warmly greeted by all of our friends with hugs, kisses, and tears, and when it was time to leave we had similar farewells with promises to see each other again soon. I, for one, am not going to wait another 20 years to return. We had such a wonderful time reconnecting with old friends and making new ones during our 12 days in Europe.

Esther and Erich's wedding in Switzerland, with Mom and Dad, and our new friends Tony and Lori

Famous covered bridge in Luzern, Switzerland, with Mom

On the ferry crossing the Baltic Sea to Denmark, with Dad

Frederiksborg Slot (castle) in Hillerod, Denmark

With Dziallas family in Hamburg, Germany

Last picture with Dziallas family in Hamburg before flying home

So even when I’m not traveling, life is good. My work as an attorney for the Department of the Interior continues to be fulfilling each day, and I have also been able to run a lot this year without injury or rehab – Yay! – including completing 2 half marathons (both in cold pouring rain).

Thanksgiving Point 1/2 Marathon, April 2014

Huntsville 1/2 Marathon, September 2014

I was released as the Relief Society president in my LDS ward this past May after a little over 4 years of service. It was definitely bitter-sweet, but I am so grateful for the privilege I had to serve in that position and with the women who served with me, and I am likewise grateful for the wonderful women who now serve in those leadership positions. Since July, my new assignment is to teach the 8 and 9 year olds in the Primary, which has been great for me, and hopefully for them, too!

Finally, to end the year with a bang, I had my hair colored purple! (These pics are in the mirror, so they're backwards.)

As I reflect on this year and all the wonderful times I have had to spend with family and friends and to meet new friends I feel so grateful for all of you, near and far. I am grateful for this season and the opportunity to remember and celebrate the birth of the Savior who has given us the hope that we will be family and friends forever.

I think of you all often and wish you all the best this holiday and in 2015!

Love and Peace,

Susannah