It’s strange to think that another year has come and gone. In fact, an entire decade has passed. Ten years ago, all our kids were under 11 years old. We lived in our Riverton home and I was working at US Bank. We’ve now been in our Traverse Mountain home for almost 10 years, two of our kids have moved out (Parley on a mission, Brianna at BYU) and I’m still at US Bank! So much has happened in those ten years — trips, graduations, weight loss, weight gain, and lots of theater productions. Wow! But this post is about 2019, so let’s get to it!
2019 Travel
Our family really values travel because it gives us unique experiences and helps us creates memories together. And while often stressful, it’s also fun!
In both April and December, we managed to do quick overnight trips to the St. George area. We had a great time visiting Gunlock Reservoir, Sand Hollow and Snow Canyon State Parks, Kolob Canyon in Zion National Park, and Silver Reef ghost town. We even shot guns at a shooting range, a first for our tribe.
In May, we traveled to beautiful Coronado Island near San Diego for a award trip with my work. We brought the kids along for some beach time and enjoyed a visit to the San Diego Zoo. One of their favorite parts of the trip was picking citrus fruit from the grounds of the Loews’ Coronado Bay Resort! We had some unexpected drama, however, when James was stung by a stingray. He made sure the lifeguards at the medical station were fully aware of his pain via high loud screams for at least an hour.
In June, I spent two weeks in Minneapolis for work, testing a new credit underwriting system for US Bank. I made the most of my evenings by visiting many sites around the twin cities using rented bikes and scooters. I visited waterfalls, parks, art museums, the Mall of America, and even toured the US Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings. Impressive!!
June was also busy with scout camp at the Hinckley Scout Ranch, James’ first multi-day youth camp (he did well). That same week, Lily and I went to youth conference at Snow College in Ephraim, and attended the penultimate performance ever of the Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti.
In July we spent a couple days at East Canyon with Granny Vicki and August found us at Steamboat Springs, Colorado with visits to Flaming Gorge on the way there and Dinosaur National Monument on the way home.
Our Labor Day weekend family reunion with the Lamberts in Bear Lake was memorable with 12 adults and 27 kids staying in a large rented “cabin” together, complete with a slide next to the spiral staircase and a huge playground and trampoline in the basement.
In October, we took Lily and James on a memorable four-night Carnival cruise to Miami, Key West and Cozumel, Mexico, and then drove to Orlando to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Universal Studios featuring The Wizarding World if Harry Potter. Such fun!
Work, Church and Community
There were many changes at US Bank this year, including the permanent closure of the Provo branch where I’ve had an office for many years. Also, at the end of the year I transitioned to a new role as a business relationship manager, similar to my old role but with a different focus and compensation plan. Our team helped dozens of business owners grow their business and we had did some great community service projects. I was asked to lead the employee giving campaign in the Utah market for the second year. I also enjoyed mentoring some new bankers and navigating through numerous changes.
For most of the year, I served as teachers quorum advisor and loved working with those 17 young men. We did camps at Crystal Hot Springs, East Canyon Reservoir and Granite Flats, along with temple trips, service projects and even hot yoga! Towards the end of the year, I was asked to serve as a deacons quorum adviser and I look forward to serving in that group with my youngest son.
As an HOA board member in my community, I planned and carried out 20 events at our community center, including movie nights, bingo, teen nights, coffee socials and pool parties with catered dinners for 2,000+. It’s kind of exhausting and all volunteer, but I enjoy serving my neighborhood.
Performing Arts and Fitness
This year I participated in a Broadway Musical Review with the Draper Arts Council in February, singing the part of Jean Val Jean in “Les Miserables” and Curly in “Oklahoma.” It was a fun challenge to sing these iconic parts.
After almost a year break, I returned to the stage in December, playing Bob Cratchit in Alpine Community Theater’s musical “A Christmas Carol,” and I enjoyed getting to meet new friends in that production.
I ran the Deseret News Half Marathon down Emmigration Canyon on Pioneer Day and enjoyed training with my friend and neighbor Paul Hancock, along with multiple hikes and walks with Molly the collie.
Family Update
Robin had a busy and productive year too. She took several additional interior design classes at LDS Business College from April to July in preparation for an important certification test. She continued to build her own interior design business, and landed some great new clients. She’s learned so much over the past two years running her own business and she’s excited about what the future will bring. She continues to be very busy supporting our kids with their various needs.
Our oldest son, Parley, received his mission call to the Thailand Bangkok mission in February and, after finishing his third semester at BYU, entered the MTC on May 8, 2019. He arrived in Thailand on July 10 and is currently serving in his second area, called Yasothorn. The language is extremely difficult and the culture is very foreign, but he’s having some wonderful experiences and growing a lot as a person. We love hearing from him every week via his email newsletter, along with video phone calls to us each Sunday night — Monday morning for him as he is 14 hours ahead.
Brianna graduated from Skyridge High School and from seminary in June. She’s become an accomplished pianist, cellist and artist and she earned her YW Recognition Award. She worked hard to save money for a three-week study abroad trip to Japan in July. It was a really amazing experience for her! In the fall, she completed her first semester at BYU and lived in Helaman Halls on campus.
Now a sophomore at Skyrigde High School, our daughter Lily loves theater and participated in three high school shows in 2019: “Pirates if Penzance,” “Failure, A Love Story,” and “Pippen.” She has great stage presence and really enjoys performing in front of a crowd. She loves being active, outside on her long board or at the pool and she’s always spending time with several groups of friends. She has her learner’s permit and insists on driving whenever possible. She also LOVES reptiles and has two leopard geckos and some fish.
James became a deacon this year and began passing the sacrament at church. He started seventh grade at Mountainville Academy, a charter school in Alpine. Things have been going much better for him at this school and we’re grateful for kind, patient educators who have been helping him.
We added three new nephews/cousins to our extended family with the births of Adam Davies (to Holly and Chris) and Cannon Lambert (to Aaron and Kira), and the adoption of Charlie Brewer into Chris and Shannon’s family!
We also sold my mom’s Sandy house this year, which was bittersweet since our family was the original owners of that house, having lived there for 33+ years. My mom moved in with my sister Holly, and each of the other family members has taken turns hosting her on the weekends. We’ve had a lot of fun with her. She’s sweeter than ever, even as her short-term memory fades.
This has been a great year for us and we are so grateful for family and friends who enhance our lives so very much. Happy New Year, everyone!
Andrew Lambert's Reflections 