President's Day Weekend '13

Well, it wasn't the "President Day ski weekends" we've had in the past, but we did have a good little weekend.  What we didn't capture was Isaac swimming. We went twice this weekend (on Saturday, and again today) and he loves it! He was fetching  diving for rings in the shallow end, and holding his breath under water... and being so brave!  In addition to swimming, we also did a quick Salt Lake trip (Wheeler Farm and Costco), and relaxed at home a lot.  Photos:

How do you make a Costco trip interesting to a toddler? A plastic strip and plenty of food samples!

Wheeler Farm (cold, but fun to see the animals and farm equipment!)

A proud and happy helper in the kitchen.  Sunday night pizza!

Strawberry Reservoir with Grandma & Grandpa J

Last weekend we went camping with Grandma & Grandpa J at Strawberry Reservoir (about 1.5 hours from Park City).  A few photos of our adventure:

Nothin' much better than a hot breakfast cooked on a warm fire, on a cool morning.

Happy Campers

(Literally) hours and miles of bike riding around the campsite, in search of the "bus stop"

We rented a pontoon boat.  Captain I.O. 

A family portrait... of sorts

Camping in Sage Brush.  An early morning moon.

The View of Strawberry Lake from the campsite

Aspen Grove Marina.

A cool dip in the lake

Fun at our neighborhood park before saying goodbye.

Sushi & Sunshine

Just a little of this and a little of that... Isaac eating Sushi:

Piano at the Bus terminal

He's told Eric he wants to drive an excavator when he grows up

Ready to Paddle Board on the Jordonelle

5 Years!

We celebrated our five-year wedding anniversary with a hike in the Uintas with the family:

Beautiful 12 mile hike (Isaac fell asleep in the backpack on the way back, after a short picnic lunch at the lake)

Lodi fetching sticks in the lake

 And, Sunday we had a play date with his daycare best friend, Haven.  We hear all the time about how Isaac "loves Haven" and that she is his "best friend".  It was the first time we got to see them interact, and they are so cute (and a little bit of trouble) together.

More photos of the weekend in our July Photo Album.

Dirty Dash: Round II

It was time to get dirty this weekend!

To recap, the Dirty Dash is a fun mud-run.  5.5 miles.  A dozen or so boot-camp-style obstacles. No timers.  Lots of mud.  Totally fun. Totally ridiculous.  This was the second time I participated in the Dirty Dash (see last fall's blog post here).

Our team "run-a-muck" consisted of me, Angela, Michelle & Emily.  We rocked it and had a blast!

Back in the sunny 84060

A few photos as of late...

Saturday morning hike with the fam.  Happy Dog.

Huge icicles hanging off our building!

Ice cream!

Enjoying lots of blue bird days on the hill!

Let the snow season begin

Our first day of the 2011-2012 snowboard season at Canyons Resort (where we have season passes).

On the gondola (up to the main lodge). This was Isaac's favorite part.  He was a trooper today, despite a nasty cold.

On the chairlift with friends Angela & Austin (Eric & I took turns with Isaac in the lodge)

Only the beginnings of solid snow coverings, but a great blue bird day.

Oh, and this is all 5 minutes from our house!  It's gonna be a fun winter!

Sledding

Isaac's first sled ride:

We didn't capture his huge grin and request for more on camera.  But he was pretty bummed when we had to leave (after a dozen times up and down the hill).

Eric's Movember Look

More cold and snow in the forecast, which means snowboarding might be in our Thanksgiving weekend plans!?

brrrrr

The Valley

A couple of weekends ago we went to an Oktoberfest at party at Scott & Erin's in Ogden, UT (just north of Salt Lake City, in "the valley").  Ogden sits at the foothills of the mountains, lending to some dramatic views.  Perhaps I watched a few too many episodes of The Secret World of Alex Mac (set in the AZ desert)... or maybe that it's just such a different landscape than the Pacific Northwest... but i find it spectacular!

Winter already!? :: Shenanigans :: Potpourri

It was 70 degrees on Monday.  Then it snowed Tuesday.  WTF!? Oh well, that means snowboarding is right around the corner! Here's some photos of Park City with snow, a few of Isaac's latest shenanigans and just a little bit of this and that.

SNOW

A sprinkling of snow on Thursday (took this photo on my walk to work)

SHENANIGANS

Isaac's climbing on everything.  Awesome at the park; troublesome at home.

Look what he can climb up all on his own!

At least the dog is tolerant:

The "Rody" is tolerant too! (and a more parent-approved climbing device)

POTPOURRI 
And lastly, just a little of this and that:

I found him quietly reading to himself.  So sweet -- even if the book is upside down.

Exploring a new park with Dad

Mountain Biking: Views from the Top

In the summer months in Park City, mountain biking replaces snow sports as the number one recreational activity.  The ski hills turn into a mountain biking oasis, and there are hundreds of trails to explore ranging from beginner to expert.

Eric used to mountain bike regularly in Bellingham. So it was easy for him to pop back on a bike and enjoy a long, steep climb with his friends last week.  I on the other hand, am skilled on a road bike, but I had never been on a mountain bike ride. Until Saturday, that is.  Our friend Michelle took me on the Deer Valley Mid-Mountain trail, an intermediate climb.  I only had a few falls (mostly due to my clumsiness with the clip-in shoes/petals) but other than that, I had a blast!

And the views from the top are gorgeous:

Near the top of our ride.  Overlooking Deer Valley Ski Resort

Riding through the aspen trees

Another view from the top

 

Our Neighborhood

"Hi! Welcome to our neighborhood.  Here are some views I see (almost) every morning on our run."

The leaves are changing.

Ski hills.... just waiting for the snow!

Lots of rolling hills

Playing around in our neighborhood

Our neighborhood park

Wide, open spaces

Historic main street (about 2/3 mile from our home)