Top Ten of 2009

As you may have noticed, it has been several months since we posted on here. That does not mean that we have not had anything going on. 2009 was, in fact, a very eventful year and here are our top ten highlights in basically chronological order:


10 - For spring break we traveled to balmy Nauvoo, Illinois in February to visit the historical Mormon Church sites. We stayed in a friend's summer home only three blocks from the Nauvoo temple and were well received by the senior missionaries who were happy to see anyone in the off season.


9 - Ryan graduated with a master of public health degree from the University of Michigan and Candice received a Child Development Associate certificate from Washtenaw Community College.


8 - Ryan's parents came out for his graduation and also went with us on a very fun trip to northern Michigan in early May. We visited Mackinac Island, the Upper Penninsula, Traverse City, and Sleeping Bear Dunes. Although spring hadn't fully arrived, the crystal blue water of the Great Lakes and the forested hills and massive sand dunes were beautiful.


7 - In May, we had a trip of a lifetime to visit Brazil and the cities where we served as missionaries for the LDS Church. We made new friends while we waited for our flight that was delayed an entire day. We visited Copacabana Beach and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro; Candice's mission cities of Campo Grande, Presidente Prudente, Maringa, and Sarandi; we visited one of Ryan's companions and his mission president in beautiful Curitiba; we also went to two beaches and visited several cities (Florianopolis, Imbituba, Tubarao, and Joinville) in Ryan's mission; and finally we visited Iguacu Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world and a place of indescribable beauty.


6 - At the end of May we were also grateful to be able to make it out to Mike and Jenny's wedding in the Salt Lake temple. It was a short, but sweet visit to see them.


5 - In July, we decided that 80 degree flawless days in Ann Arbor were getting boring, so we flew out to California and then drove with Candice's family to Lake Havasu, Arizona. We had a fun time being with the family, jet skiing, seeing the London Bridge, and basking in the 115 degree heat.


4 - In August, Ryan's Mom returned to Michigan for a trip with his sister, Melanie. The four of us drove to Indiana and then took a train to Chicago. We had an awesome time visiting the museums, taking boat tours of the city, and eating very good food. We recommend Chicago to everyone (at least in August).


3 - In September, we packed up our belongings and drove back out west to the booming metropolis of Grantsville, Utah. The arid, conservative small town was a huge contrast from Ann Arbor. To us they each have their own charm. We spent several months living with two of the kindest and most energetic people we know: Candice's grandparents, Ed and Elaine Burrola.

Sadly for us, in December we had to finally part ways and move ourselves into Salt Lake City. We are currently staying at Mike's newly renovated condo on the corner of 700 East and 3900 South. Stop by any time you'd like.


2 - We have had a lot of fun being closer to our families and friends here. We have had dinners, we have gone snowshoeing, we went to California for Thanksgiving where I played golf for the first time in almost ten years, we spent Christmas with the Isaksons, and we rang in the new year with the Robinsons.


1 - Fortunately we are both working now. Candice has been working at Dancing Moose Montessori School since September and Ryan has been working as a risk management consultant with the United States Wellness Chamber of Commerce since late December.


2009 was a great year full of traveling, graduating, and finally being closer to family. We are very blessed and we have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to during this new year.

Happy New Year to you all and please keep in touch.