This is #3

See December 16, 2012.

...Still thankful!

(And frankly, a little surprised that Enterprise continues to rent cars to us.)

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

So...Why are we moving to Africa?

(by guest blogger Jeff Stitt)

One of the questions we get asked most often is "Why are you moving to Africa?"  It's a very understandable question, as before May of this year, it would have not occurred to me that Africa was a likely destination.

The short answer is that we've been offered an opportunity for a great job in a very exciting part of the world.

It was a surprise to us as well, but back in May, when I was starting to look for my next opportunity, I was talking to a friend who has been very supportive at work and he asked if I'd like to consider the role of Chief Compliance Officer for GE-Africa.

Needless to say, I felt that I needed to consult the Michele before I committed to that.  We both felt good about considering the opportunity.  After further research and prayer, we determined that we should move ahead and look at the role.

In September, GE asked Michele and I to visit South Africa.  I also went to Nigeria and Kenya to get a feel for the traveling I will do.  On these trips, we found good schools, a welcoming ward, nice neighborhoods, and wonderful friends (old and new).  We continued to feel reassured that we should move forward.  So in November, I officially started in my new job, a job I have the opportunity to create from the ground-up.

Here are a few pics of our trip to South Africa:

Here's a picture of the highways there. Other than the right hand drive cars, it looks pretty good (My understanding is that rush hour is kind of tough though).

Michele and I visited Nelson Mandela's home in Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.  We also went to this cool market in a renovated urban area.  It kind of reminds me of Pike's Place Market in Seattle (without the smell of fish).

It makes it much easier to move to the other side of the world if you already have great friends there.

This is a picture of where John will be going to school - the American International School.  It feels very So-Cal.

And finally, this was what clinched the deal for Kate....her favorite store is in the mall there!

So, there is Part I of why we're moving to Africa.  Stay tuned as we discover more reasons.  And come see us there!

So Much To Be Thankful For...

So, we've always heard that "bad things" happen in three's...

 #1:  November 24--This is our trusty Sienna after being totalled when a young man ran a red light.  Jeff was driving.  Everyone survived.  ...Thankful!

#2:  December 10--This is the Mazda 6 we rented to replace the van.  It was hit by an older man who lost control of his van coming down the Healey Blvd hill (yes, just yards away from our home!)  and Michele wasn't able to dodge him quickly enough.  Everyone survived.  ...Thankful!

#3:  We are hoping we can count Michele flooding the bathroom by leaving the sink running unattended on November 23...


...What we cannot count are all the times we have surely been protected from "bad things" happening.  Especially this week, we thank God for each other and for the life we share.  There is so much to be thankful for.

2012 Highlights

It is disturbing when you visit an "historical home" and its avacado appliances and shag rug walls remind you of the home where you grew up.  (Rob Stitt, Jeff & Michele)

 Ostensibly, we went to Louisville to "visit friends."

 Our favorite Leprechaun!  (thanks to Jessica for the hat)

Best ride in Orlando:  Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal Studios

Best ride that makes you feel like a toy Army Man:  Toy Story Mania 3D at Disneyworld

 Jeff and John swam with Dolphins but did not fly with owls at Discovery Bay

Standing on the Speaker's Balcony at the US Capitol ...

John got a 2nd place trophy in the state science fair.  ...He may have been even more excited about getting to keep the fog machine!

John was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood in May 

(with Grandpa & Grandma LeMon)

If it has 4 legs, is furry, and barks or meows, it is a friend of Kate's 

(with Michele's Uncle Paul)

Lady Katherine and a few of her royal subjects at the Princess Festival, Lehi, Utah

 Michele's brother Jeffrey celebrated his first birthday in Utah this year.  We love having him here!

Bald Mountain, Sun Valley Idaho

This is Kate when she stops long enough from her high speed scootering to be photographed...no one can pull off pairing rhinestone clip-on earrings with soccer shorts like she can

 The fires in Alpine, looking from our front porch

Seaside, Oregon

Maritime Museum, Astoria, Oregon with Jones cousins:  Sara, Ann, Stephanie, John,
Kate, Rebecca

Fort, um, Fort, what was the name?  (with Jannelle Wilde, Michele's sister Wendy and our kids)

Kate was baptized in September by her Dad

A view of our new home--Johannesburg, South Africa (photo taken
from the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site)

 
Yellowstone (with Chandler, Chloe & Lori Memmott)

HOW BLESSED WE ARE TO HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY
LIKE YOU!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  Love, the Stitts

Geyser Storm

Welcome to our family blog!  This is us in a storm at Old Faithful in October.  ...Stay tuned for more wacky adventures and goofy pictures!