Spring Skiing

Chips Run @ Snowbird

Scary thing was, I was right behind him and had to do the same thing only on ski’s.  My first big run in years, a little scary but so much fun!

Big Emma, second time

A few spills from the girls on this one, Josh took a detour to go get the car and met us at the bottom

We closed the place down

Sophie & Sage took to it fast although they scared me at times, it’s steeper then it looks (next time helmets for them for sure, we thought we’d be staying on the kiddie slopes, ya right).  But wow, I haven’t found a sport yet that the they don’t excel in, such athletes!  And way to go Josh & Trevor, you’re great snowboarders & instructors!

Hitting the Slopes

Last day of Spring Break, Saturday- Skiing / Snowboarding

It’s beautiful here in the snow covered mountains!  Snowbird Ski Resort

Trevor (13) started Snowboarding this year, he’s picked it up quick.  Josh (17) is a pro, he has a season pass and goes often with his buddies, black diamond trails.  But first time skiing for the girls, and  I haven’t been skiing in about 20 years.  Yikes!  So glad the boys were here to show us the ropes, Sophie & Sage had their own private instructors, big brothers are the best!

Didn’t take long for the girls to feel comfortable on the chair lift.  Sage (blue) and Trevor & Sophie (pink) in back.

Born to ski!

Funny to see Sophie and Sage with totally different styles as they started skiing.  Josh helped Sage, she was very careful and good, she learned the technique fast and she hardly fell.  Trevor helped Sophie, she took off, she was fast and fell... a lot (that’s how she stopped since she was going so fast, made me nervous but was funny to watch).  I had to keep reminding her “Pizza Sophie Pizza” (snowplow to stop).  Then they found the jumps.  I went on it once (that was good for the day, the year, but at least I landed it :), Sophie landed it every time (I’m sure her speed helped) and Sage took a few spills before landing it.  They loved every minute of it.  

Josh took me on some steep terrain (Chips Run, blue trail). Nerve wracking, but fun.  It was all coming back to me, and I reached my goal- not to fall!!  Such a good work-out, I would love to get a family pass next year. 

We were all  hungry, so some tasty pizza at the resort was perfect.  Veggie for me, the kids like pepperoni & cheese.

After lunch, when my legs felt like they could move again, the girls were ready for some more advanced slopes with bigger, faster, higher chair lift, yikes.  So we took them on Big Emma (green trail, easier then the one Josh took me  on, but much harder then Chickadee).  I’ll post some video soon, I have to say- S & S can ski!

Best day of Spring Break, Snowbird, we’ll be back.

Spring Break…

Still here!  One day my life will slow down and I’ll find more time for photography, blogging, cooking, exercising, reading… (who am I kidding?)  Just when I make changes in my life to free up more time for family, something else big comes up (I’ll share later).  Can’t complain though, I’ve been so blessed!    
It’s here…  taking a break for Spring Break…  Yahoo!  Since we were out of town over Presidents Day Week-end, we decided to stick around here and vacation from home, next best thing to a tropical vacation don’t you think?  Once the kids got used to the idea, they’ve loved it.  
It’s been a nice, relaxing break starting with Conference week-end.  One of my favorite week-ends of the year.  The kids helped me crochet & loom hats for the NICU unit for Primary Children’s Hospital.  They loved helping and it kept them still for Conference.  We enjoyed such inspiring talks and ended up with almost a dozen homemade hats.  

Fun day at Planet Play-  all you can eat buffet, games, go-carts, mini bowling…  The kids were in heaven, going back for more food when hungry.  Just like a cruise ship right?  They scored some fun prizes and were thrilled when Josh gave them his tickets (the jumbo bouncing balls were the favorite).   I bought the groupon for this months ago, great time to use it.

 

mini-bowling was a lot of fun, nice hook girls!

 

Another fun outing was Classic Skating, the kids used their passes they earned from school.  I had a design appointment nearby, so Josh took them and I met up later. 
They are great at Roller Blading, have you tried it?  I can ice skate well and used to roller skate growing up, but I tried roller blading for a minute yesterday, well…, it’s nothing like the rest.  Harder then it looks (although I was using Josh’s blades that were way too big).  So cute when I arrived seeing Sophie pulling Sage around backwards, and vice versa, so they can go backwards fast.  Lucky to have a sis help you learn to skate backwards.  They saved me some pizza (I tried to eat it, nasty), and they were ready to leave by the time I got there, fun morning. 
 
Paul and I planned a nice date the other night, dinner and shopping at the new City Creek Center, while the kids went to a trampoline arena (groupon).   Then at dusk we met at the Park for the annual flashlight Easter Egg Hunt our new neighborhood hosts.  Fun new traditions!

Sage checking her flashlight

We’re off to see the Bunny at the mall, probably the last time, they want to see him although Sophie mentioned that the one at the mall is fake :).  Then meeting Paul for lunch downtown.  Big plans on the slopes tomorrow, Sage chose ski’s and Sophie snowboarding, wish us luck.  Then Grandma’s / Grandpa’s & cousins this week-end.  What are your plans for Spring Break?  If it’s a tropical island or a nice cruise don’t even tell me…   JK, loving our vacation from home.

Happy Spring Break!      

Spring Break Wrap up- {Sunday Snapshot}

Lovin the Lazy River, huge hot tub, palm trees and beautiful weather. Sage, Sophie, Trevor

Sophie on IPad, Sage helping push the cart, and even snuck a picture of my boys Josh & Nick :)

Our stay in Anaheim was delightful, a new place just blocks from Disneyland. It had a vibrant contemporary décor with all the fun stuff, very family friendly. We enjoyed the fireworks on the roof the first night, and came back to this welcoming bouquet of balloons for the girls.

Anaheim VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Our last day at the beach Huntington. It felt like ice water to me, but that didn’t stop the boys from jumping in to catch some waves. Even Danny who lives here got in to show them some boogie boarding tips, that says a lot!

Smiley Sophie, reminds me of Wilson from Cast Away

Fish tacos on the beach, then a to-die-for macadamia dessert at Dukes around the corner, later back to the resort for warmer swimming and hot tub. It was great spending time with good friends, D & L, and their adorable Maya. Such fun family times, until next time!

Click above for Sunday Snapshot

Like father, like daughter…

We went to a favorite buffet in Las Vegas. Josh grabbed Sage and Paul took Sophie to help dish up their plate. Paul asked- “So, what do you want to start with- fruit, salad, or go right to the meat?” (I’m a salad, fruit girl myself) Sophie’s reply- “Right to the meat.” So cute when they came back with identical plates, on both trips. Had to get a picture before they took a bite. The only thing different was their choice of dessert. Ya, they were hungry, it amazes me how much our girls can eat, when they first came home they ate like it was their last meal, they can still eat as much as our boys.

the joke corner, always making each other laugh :)

Sophie left, Sage right

My new favorite beach

~Newport Beach

Sage, realizing she still has her shorts on :)

Beach Babies

Impressive sand castle

 

Couldn’t ask for a better beach day- good weather lucked out, great sand, nice waves, dolphins swimming along the surf- nearly perfect!  The boys were in the water boogie boarding most of the time, couldn’t get many pictures of them, the girls had fun jumping waves, building castles and warming up in the sand.  Paul, a little under the weather, so this was a nice break to relax in the sun.  We could’ve stayed all day, but stopped here from San Diego on our way to Anaheim.  Before leaving we took a stroll down Mariner’s Mile along the yacht club, Wow!