Best Snow on Earth!

We took the whole family skiing for the first time last Saturday. Well, first time for Luke and the first time we've all gone together. It was so much fun!!! Luke said, "Mom, I REALLY like skiing." He didn't quite get the hang of it, but did like standing between our legs and flying down the hill. So, it looks like we have one of every level. Scott and Jackson love the black runs. Jackson lives for jumps and paths through the trees. He's a speed demon and Scott was sore the next day from keeping up with him. Jackson pretty much meets Kaitlyn and I at the bottom of the hill. I'm a blue/green run girl. I haven't skiied in fourteen years--embarassing, I know. I wasn't that good to begin with, so it's taking me a few runs to get back into it. Kaitlyn can do blues, but prefers greens. She kept saying all the way down a long blue run "Mom, I don't want to do this one again." In all honesty, she was doing fabulous, so I'm not quite sure what her deal was.

The thing I loved most about the entire day was we spent it together! Luke is finally old enough to go do things with the rest of us and I'm loving it. Even if we are all at different levels, we still spent the afternoon at the resort together. It reminded me of Legoland last summer. It was the first time EVER we were ALL able to go on ALL the rides. How cool is that?

Sunday afternoons

I love Sundays. I know many people who would disagree with me. I love the predictability and routine of it all. I love going to church and being with my friends and people who love me. I love recentering (is that a word?) my priorities. I love seeing my kids in their nice clothes--who doesn't love a four-year-old in his dress pants, button down shirt and tie? He's just too stinkin' cute! I love coming home with my cute family and eating grilled cheese and tomato soup. I especially look forward to the afternoon when the kids have quiet time and I have a nap. I love having a day off TV/computers/Wii. I know, I'm a mean mom. There is something so sweet about listening to your kids play together in the basement. They get along so much better when the options don't include anything that plugs in. I love going to Scott's parents for dinner. Talk about predictability and tradition. Every week it's roast (beef or pork), mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and roll. Sometimes they push the envelope and have a turkey or pot roast. I doubt I will ever attempt a pot roast. Rich is king at this, and no one will ever top his pot roast. It would be insulting to even try because he has so perfected it. I love the peacefulness of the entire day. No errands to run, no laundry to do, no carpools, no gym (although I should after dinner. I calculated the calories one time. That wasn't smart. I really should just enjoy it and have a second roll with butter and Rich's homemade raspberry jam.). The house is generally messy because it really is my day off. Nap or cleaning the bathroom? Duh! I don't have to think about which one I choose.

Anyone? Anyone?

Does anyone ever read my blog? Or is it just for me to ramble on and post pictures of my family?

Tonight Scott came home with roses for me--just because! I was so thrilled! He said it gets him off the hook for next month, Valentine's Day. He knows I'd rather get them now, for no other reason than he loves me and was thinking about me on an otherwise ordinary day. I'm one lucky girl.

Christmas Traditions

We made it downtown to Temple Square this year to see the lights. It was cold as usual, but not too crowded, which was great. The one thing I will remember is the homeless man we walked past as we walked into Temple Square. Kaitlyn started crying because she was so upset he was there in the cold, with no home and presumably no food. She just couldn't get over it. I told her we'd make blankets and take to the homeless shelter the next week. She just kept asking, "Well, what about that man? What will he do right now?" She was so upset over it Scott finally had to take her back and give him some money. She was okay after that, but it still left an impression on all of us the rest of the evening.


They only light what we call "The Cranberry Tree" every other year, so we were so excited to see it was on "on" year.
Walking down Main Street
Every year, Nana and Bapa have a big family dinner with Santa. Mrs. Clause came too. Santa was amazing in his knowledge of each child. He knew what things they were good at and what things they need to work on a little (like having a good attitude and doing what you are asked the first time). It was, as usual, a fun evening for all.

The kids all slept in Jackson's bed Christmas Eve.

New Christmas jammies!!!

Monster Mash!

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Fall is here!

We spent the last couple of weekends at the cabin in Midway. Two weekends ago, the colors were AMAZING! I don't think I've ever seen leaves that vibrant. It was the most beautiful day and we spent pretty much any daylight playing outside. Last weekend the colors were slightly muted, but still brilliant. I took the kids to two different spots to take their pictures. The first place we went is the commemorative bridge that's along the bike/walking path between Midway and Heber. The second place we stopped was this great old red barn in Midway. I'm surprised at how well most of the pictures turned out. I did have to take Jackson back later on for another shoot because I'm not good at taking pictures of him without getting a reflection on his glasses. It was a good sign of what Jackson as a teenager will be like. He was so irritated with me that I was taking him back. It was the biggest, "Oh, Mommmmm...get over it!" moment. I had to chuckle. He's still bugging me that I took seven (only!) more pictures when I told him I would only take three. Oh well. I'm the mom. Isn't it my job to bug him?

September Races

Jackson competed in his first triathalon ON HIS 10TH BIRTHDAY, no less. He smoked 'em, especially on the bike leg. He came in 8th in his age division (9-14)...not bad!! I think he really enjoyed it. It was well organized and fun to watch all the kids compete.

Last Saturday I ran a marathon relay with four of my friends. It was such a fun morning! The weather was perfect, although it got a little hot by the end. I was glad I was third. The chill was gone from the early morning, but not nearly as warm as the last leg of the race. Thanks to Jeanette, Karen, Stephanie and Raphael! We really were the Hot Holladay Mamas! Can't wait to do it again next year! Maybe we really can attack the Wasatch Back next summer! As long as I don't get Ragnar at 2 a.m, I'm in for it. In any case, if this race had been a Boston qualifier, we'd be in. Too bad that one isn't a relay!

Gateway Fountains

Kaitlyn and Luke were driving me NUTS yesterday! "Mom!" "Mom!" "Mom!" "Mom, can I..." "Mom, will you get me..." "Mom will you do..." "Mom" "Mom" "Mom"!!!!! BAH!!!! I had to get out and do something with them so we went downtown to The Gateway to play in the fountains. Actually, I planned on riding the Frontrunner train, but halfway downtown changed my mind. That's why they didn't have swimsuits or towels to get wet with. They still loved it. The fountains are so fun because you never know which ones are going to go off. They also had fun music playing. Every hour there is a sychronized "explosion" choreographed to the 2002 Olympic theme. I've seen it so many times and still think it's spectacular! Our own local version of the Bellagio fountain show in Vegas.

We did it--and lived to tell!

Saturday was an eventful day at our house. I got up at 3:45 a.m. (I think that's still considered the middle of the night) and headed to Utah County to run the Provo River Half Marathon. It was AMAZING!!! We ran down the canyon along the paved trail next to the river. Wow! Bridal Veil Falls were huge that close. After a summer of training, it was probably my best run and I felt great. Okay, so I was a little sore, but not more than I expected. Scott did the ULCER ride around Utah Lake. He planned on going only 60 miles, but once he got there, decided to go for the whole 111--way to go babe! It was a fun day, and yes, I got a massage today--a very deserving one! :o)

San Diego 2009

We just got back from San Diego and I really think we brought back half the beach, given how much sand dropped out of our bags onto my laundry floor! Despite the souvenier, we had a great time. The weather was perfect, except for one day at the beach when it was a little cloudy. This is where we spent most of our time--playing in the really big waves, digging in the sand and soaking up the rays. We also got to spend a lot of time with Papa and Linda, which we loved. Of course, the food isn't half bad at their house either--thanks Linda! And thanks Papa for the golf games. Scott and Jackson loved playing with you! We spent our last day at Legoland. It was really fun this year, given Luke was tall enough to go on all the rides but one, so we could all go together! He and Kaitlyn were a little wary about going on the dragon roller coaster, but once on it, their little hands went straight up in the air the whole ride. Again, our favorite part was Miniland, with all the recreations. We will forever be amazed and impressed at the detail! It was a fun day, and of course we couldn't leave without some Granny's apple fries. For those of you who have been to Legoland, you know these are not to be missed!

Summer

Okay, so I haven't been the best at posting ANYTHING since April. It certainly doesn't mean we haven't done anything. We've been to Lake Powell in June and just got back from San Diego, both fabulous trips. I have nearly 600 pictures between the two, so I'll give you only the highlights. Although, I think the entire trips were "highlights", so it's hard to whittle them down.

My garden is also growing. I got a ton of peas and enough raspberries for FOUR batches of jam--yum! I also have TWO ears of corn. Wow, I know. But consider, I have only three good short rows and I'm told you need at least a quarter acre to grow corn. I didn't think I'd get anything but some stocks to decorate the porch with come Halloween. There are also lots of tomatoes which I'm planning on stewing, making into sauce and then freezing. We should have at least half a dozen big pumpkins too. Yea!

I've only got a week left until my first half marathon. I've been pretty anal about my training schedule, so I hope it pays off. Tomorrow I'm running 11.5 miles, the longest I've ever gone. Last weekend I ran 10 and felt really good afterwards. That's the goal. Not to bonk all next weekend after the race. If I can finish and feel good and beat my three hours worth of music on my iPod, it will be a success.

5k and Bike Tour

Yesterday was my 2nd annual 5k run at the Salt Lake Marathon. Again, it was a great race, despite them changing the route that took you up hill on State Street. The turn onto South Temple was nice, since it was sort of down hill and you could see the train station, which was near the end. However, I had a side ache at that point from the hill and got passed my what seemed like a gazillion other runners. I also thought I beat last years time by a whole minute, but after looking up last years results, realized I beat it only by six seconds! Dang! I'll blame it on the side ache. Actually, the goal was not to get passed my 80-year-old men and 10-year-old girls, like last year! You think I'm joking! Scott did the bike tour. He actually started at our house--at 5:25 AM, in the dark--so he totalled 31 miles that day. It was fun to meet him at the end of the race. It gets me in the mood to train for a 10k. I know some of you hard-core runners think this is cake, but considering two years ago I couldn't run three house-lengths, I'll shoot for that.

This picture is just before we started. I'm with Julie, Scott's sister, Jennifer, Tanya's sister, and Tanya, our sister-in-law. Notice how happy we are, with hair in place, no heavy breathing and no side aches?

Scott and I after the race. Doesn't he look hot in his biking duds? Tee hee

BTW...the eggs in our nest disappeared. It's weird. The nest isn't torn apart, no egg shells, nothing. They were there one day and the next they were gone.

Last weekend's happenings

So a couple of birds built a nest in the wreath on our door last weekend while we were at the cabin and a couple of days ago laid eggs in it. I put a big sign on the pillar on our porch asking visitors to honk or call us instead of knocking on our door. Part of me is excited to watch the process, but another part is a little angst I can't use my front door. Besides, I love this wreath, but may not be able to put it up again next year if it means being so paranoid something is going to happen to baby birds on my porch!

Here are pictures of my boys shooting Jackson's BB gun at the cabin. It's a real Red Ryder, just like in "A Christmas Story". Yes, I've warned him he'll shoot his eye out! Tee hee! Jackson and his cousin built also made these targets out of paper plates and pieces of wood and stuck them in the lawn below the deck where they were shooting. Pretty ingenious, I thought.

Pinewood Derby

Jackson's scout troop had their pinewood derby tonight. He made his car in support of his favorite University of Utah--of course! It was fun to watch the boys get so excited about each race. The track was amazing, with a lighted sensor that timed and ranked each car.

On another note, I want spring back!!!! We were teased with a few 65-70 degree days last week, and it fell back to a whopping 39 for the high today and snowed all day long! I about froze to death. I sat up in my room with my laptop and tried to plan my garden, if I can ever plant anything. I really don't know much. Each year I just throw stuff in there. Sometimes they grow, sometimes they don't. I'm trying to decide if I have enough room to plant corn. I think I'm a bit short, but may try it anyway. Maybe popcorn would be fun. Hopefully Saturday will be nice enough we can get some prep work done out there. Every year I want to plant peas, but never get things ready enough in time. That's my goal this year. We'll see...

MWC tournament in Las Vegas

Scott and I and his parents just spent a long weekend in Las Vegas at the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament--and the UTES WON!!! We actually went to six games in three days--whew! We were even nice and clapped in all the right places when BYU played. It was interesting to watch the other schools' bands, fans, cheerleaders, coaches, etc. Each was so different! We decided next time we just need to take Jackson since he's such a HUGE basketball fan. Only a couple of games were televized on Dish Network, so he was calling throughout all the others for score updates.

The sunshine, shopping, Sephora (ah--heaven!) and even Scott's sore feet afterwards were also highlights. He was a good sport about taking me where I wanted to go--yes, even Sephora has stuff for guys! Everyone let me play tourist and walked the strip on Saturday night to see the fountains at the Bellagio and the volcano at the Mirage and of course people watch. I believe it when they say the city's population doubles on the weekend. Where do all those people come from? It was nuts. Very fun, but nuts.