Snowbird in the Summer!

We had never done anything "special" for our anniversary before, not even go out to dinner (unless you count the time we ate at a Korean restaurant with a family of 4 visiting from Beijing). This year we decided to try something a little more exciting and made a quick two-day trip up to Snowbird, our favorite ski resort. This was our first time at Snowbird in the summer and we had a wonderful time!!

The place we stayed at had a shuffleboard court - Dave smoked me the first couple times, but I was winning 2 out of every 3 games by the end!

Our room came with two tram tickets so we rode to the top of Hidden Peak (11,000 ft) for some great views

From Hidden Peak we hiked to the top of Mt. Baldy. Last time I did this hike was in the snow, wearing ski boots, carrying skis. This time it was a lot easier, although the way back down wasn't nearly as fun.

Dave at the top, looking back at the trail we just hiked

We also rode the Alpine Slide - it isn't as long as the one at Park City, but was still a good ride!

 

If you're looking for a fun getaway, I would highly recommend this! The mountains are beautiful at this time of year, and it was nice to escape the heat of the valley for just a few days.We got a unit with a kitchen and were able to save a ton of money by making our own meals. I wish we could have stayed another day or two so we could spend more time at the pool, do more hiking, or maybe try some of the resort's other fun activities.  Now that we've done this, if we are still in Utah next summer, I'm pretty sure this is where we'll be on July 29th!

Five Years

Today we are celebrating five years of marriage. Five wonderful happy years. Life right now is perfect. Day to day things aren't always perfect, but I can't think of anything I'd want to change (except adding some kids to the picture). We are best friends, always challenging each other to be better and go farther, and more in love every day. We've made so many memories together, and I am so looking forward to our future together!

Looking back at July 29th, 2006 - It was difficult to sort through 1000+ photos of the day to choose just a few favorites, but I did my best:

The happy, newly married couple

Our family and friends

Dave with his boys

It was a gorgeous, picture perfect day

The "mother-son" dance - I had to throw this one in because it makes me smile every time I look through our pictures

 

"And for always, forever, Beyond here and onto eternity
For always and ever, You'll be a part of me

And for always, forever, A thousand tomorrows may cross the sky
And for always and always, We will go on beyond goodbye"

 

** The lyrics are from the song "For Always" that Dave sang at our wedding dinner

Trip to Sammamish

We just returned from a 10 day trip to Sammamish, WA were we had so much fun! While there we were able to spend time with my parents, my sister Natalie who was on her "break week" from being a councilor at EFY, Natalie's friend Bryan who came up to visit her, and my sister Amy and her family. The only one we were missing was Derek.

It seemed like every day of our trip was super busy, yet we still weren't able to fit everything in. There are just too many fun things to do in Sammamish during the summer! Some highlights include:

A visit to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle - my favorite exhibits are always the orangutans and the bears

Riding the "blue bikes" at Marymoor Park

A trip to the Seattle Science Center where we saw a Michael Jackson laser show, Natalie held a cockroach and I learned that I have the forward reach of a 70 year old woman - poor me :(

Several trips down to the lake to ride the wave runner

And water skiing!

Lots of time playing with these two cuties - dog Jobe and my niece Anne. Dave is like a magnet for these two - they both head straight to him whenever he's in the room

On our last day there my dad put the boys to work and in one day there were able to install a new balcony. It was a lot of work, but the new deck looks great!

 

I always hate leaving, but we've got a trip with the Howe family in less than two weeks to North Carolina that we are super excited for - see you guys soon!!

Seattle....SOUNDERS!!

On Wednesday we were able to go to a Sounders game in Seattle! The Sounders always draw huge crowds, and there was also a Katy Perry concert that night so we left early to avoid traffic. Since we had some extra time in the city and the weather was gorgeous, we made a couple side trips before going to the stadium.

At Pike's Place Market we made a contribution to the gum wall - so cool and so gross at the same time.

The Sounders were playing a "friendly" match against Manchester United. We got destroyed (to be expected when playing a world-class team), but it was still very fun. Before the game, we went to a dinner hosted by AON, the sponsor for Man U. They gave us all red scarves, and I wore mine to support both teams. At the game with us was my sister Natalie, her boyfriend Bryan, and my mom and dad.

Then off to the stadium!  It was packed with 67,000 fans (a sold out crowd) and everyone was so energized. I almost felt like I was at a quidditch match.

At the game in our "Rave Green" shirts - an official color here in Seattle that I just love. Way more exciting than the traditional red or blue jerseys.

My dad showing his team spirit during one of the cheers

Plus, we found some more tree sweaters! They're popping up everywhere...

We Northwesterners Love Our Trees

A while ago some trees were cut down near the neighborhood where I grew up, leaving behind some very large stumps. For a year or so they just sat there on the corner looking ugly, until some members of the community decided to do something to make them look a little more attractive. Here is the result:

During the winter the tree stumps had sweaters with snowflake patterns, but once spring came around new ones were made with flowers

This one with "arms" is my favorite :)

 

Remembering "Sweet 116"

I LOVE the Mariners. I've been cheering for this team since I was a little girl. Unfortunately they haven't been doing very well this year (or last year, or the year before...) but I still wanted to go to a game while we were visiting Seattle.

Before the game started - the seats are empty now, but they filled up by game time. Even when we're having a less than stellar season, the fans still show up. We love this team!

 

This game was particularly fun because they were celebrating the 10th anniversary of the year the Mariners won 116 games - the most ever in baseball. Several of the players and our old coach were in attendance for the event. It was fun to look back at that season and remember how energized the city was during that time. I remember people running out to their cars during church to check scores (this was before the days of iPhones), and my PE teacher bring a TV into the gym so we could watch the game during class :) I was a special year and a special team!

End of an Era

It's hard to believe that tonight Harry Potter came to an end. For the last 13 or so years, there has always been a book or a movie to look forward to. What a fun time to grow up!! It makes me wonder if there will ever be anything this big again - something this "magical" that can get so many people so excited. I sure hope so.

We were lucky and went to an advanced screening tonight in Seattle - with our VIP passes

So not to brag, but we HAVE ALREADY SEEN IT and it was GREAT!

 

Provo 4th of July Parade

This is our third summer in Utah, but the first we've been in town for the 4th of July. Apparently the parade is a HUGE deal here.

We went on a walk the night before to check things out and University Avenue had transformed into Shanty Town. I wish I had brought my camera - there were tents, chairs, blankets, couches, and pavilions covering every inch of available grass. People were camped out everywhere playing games, watching movies, riding scooters & bikes, dancing... I don't even want to think about what things would have looked like if this wasn't a Mormon town on a Sunday evening.

We didn't camp, but thanks to our brother-in-law Jeremy, we were able to get great front row seats! He picked out a spot the night before and then got up at 5:30 to protect our claim.

Some of our favorite parade entries included the Utah Old Time Fiddlers

The Llama Fest

The "Tree of Life" float complete with a great and spacious building

And those holding tight to the iron rod. Oh Utah :)

 

The Real Start of Summer

The school where I work officially closes for the month of July. I will work a few days here and there, but for the most part the next 31 days will be a mix of vacation, fun at home, and more vacation. Needless to say, I am REALLY looking forward to this!!

This morning there was a balloon festival just a couple blocks from our house. We slept in a little too long and didn't make it there in time to see the balloons take off, but it was still fun to see them all up in the air.

There were supposed to be some contests (dropping bean bags on a giant X and popping targets with a lance), but because hot air balloons don't have much control over steering, no one really did anything cool. Zigzag here made a pass at a target, but was unsuccessful.

Darth has his eye on you...

Later in the day we went over to my aunt's swimming pool to cool off. It's supposed to reach 100 degrees tomorrow - yuck. I know this is no big deal for lots of people, but to a Seattle girl 100 degrees is like death. Stay cool!