Ski Utah

For the past five months, we have been a one car family.  It's actually worked surprisingly well, all thanks to Jason who is so willing to bike and take Trax.  Yesterday, however, we went ahead and splurged on a twenty dollar rental car.  The reason?  Jason and Annika wanted to go skiing.

With mountains like these, who can blame them?  It was an absolutely perfect spring day up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Not only was the snow great for downhill and cross-country skiing, but farther down the mountain people were fishing, hiking, biking, and rock-climbing.  Hard to believe this is all so close to home.

While still fun, our first ski trip this season wasn't quite as perfect.  We went up to Alta and spent a couple hours on the tow rope.  Since she is too small to do it herself, getting Annika to the top is quite a workout.

The rope was tough for Eli too, lifting him partially off the ground in places.  Fortunately he was a trooper.


Even though it was chilly, everyone was a good sport, especially once we got some hot chocolate.  Annika hadn't really figured out how to turn or stop, so Jason and I strategically placed ourselves on opposite sides of the hill.  One parent would send her sliding to the other parent, who would stop her as she rammed straight into us.  Fun for her, at least.

On our next family ski venture, we headed up to Brighton where Annika navigated the bunny hill and tiny Explorer lift.  The Explorer lift moves so slowly that the line takes forever, and the bunny hill is so crowded that it's hard not to run people over.  

Still, we had fun...

Especially at lunch.  

Meanwhile, the big kids enjoyed skiing together.  Here are Talia, Eli...

...and Brooklyn all riding the lift.

They navigated the mountain so well that I went home and switched Eli from a beginner to an intermediate level after-school ski class.

This was a special ski year for Talia.  As a fifth-grader, she got a passport that let her ski for free three times at all of the Utah resorts.  I just wish we could have taken her to more of them.

She and Jason explored some of the more difficult terrain together.

Stunningly beautiful.

Of course, all that skiing can leave you tuckered out.

For our next ski day, Jason and I played hooky and went up to Brighton together.  Even though it was January, Utah still hadn't had much snow and it was a bit rocky in places.  Despite a few bare patches, we hit the moguls until my knees couldn't take any more.


Best date ever.

I don't have any more photos downloaded, but the conclusion of the story goes as follows.  Salt Lake finally got some much-needed snow that made for fantastic spring skiing.  Annika progressed from being unable to navigate the bunny hill to being a fine little skier that rides all the lifts.  She generally keeps pace with Jason, and they had a lovely daddy/daughter date yesterday.  His one complaint was that she got bored with the groomed slopes and kept begging to go off jumps and ski in the trees.

Oh boy.  Maybe I'm not ready for her to ski Utah.

Lucky to have Alesia

So I feel like an amazingly fortunate gal right now.  Most days I would be loading into the car to head to work.  Instead, I am snuggled up with Zoe in Washington, waiting for the house to wake up so that I can spend the day with my adorable niece and nephew.

All the delightful cousin time we've been having reminds me of when another favorite cousin, Alesia, came to visit in March.  It was such a fun visit!  True to style, the first place we visited was the downtown City Library.

We'd been having a fairly dry winter, so we were happy when Alesia brought some snow with her.  After the major storms New York has had, she was an expert at helping us shovel.  Thanks, 'Lesha!


Even more fun was sledding at Lindsey Gardens.

Icy windshields or not, I do love a good snowstorm.

Plus, the trek uphill is a great workout.

Naturally we had to introduce Alesia to the very best the Avenues has to offer--Hatch Family Chocolates.  This girl was made for this place.

Annika helped us celebrate Valentine's Day in style.

Our own Valentine's party, aka Cupid's Cafe, aka Chinese New Year, was the ultimate highlight.  But wowzers, it was a lot of work getting everything prepared.  Thanks once more, Alesia!

Next adventure--skiing at Brighton.  Front and center in blue, Alesia blends right into our family for sure.

Annika skied the real slopes for the first time and did great!

So proud of you, little munchkin.  Now if only you didn't feel your Daddy's need for speed...

As Brooklyn knows, a full day of skiing can leave you a bit disheveled.

Fortunately, Sunday was more laid back.  We headed to Temple Square and listened to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform at Music and the Spoken Word.  The bell choir was particularly fascinating.

After church, we packed our bags and hopped in the car for a quick trip to Moab.  It was dark when we arrived at the hotel, so you can imagine how excited we all were to wake up in the morning and discover this.

Windy with low temps--Brrr!


Fortunately, the hot tubs saved the day.

I'm sure it won't surprise anyone that once in Moab, we went hiking. It's even less surprising that I took way too many pictures.  I'll spare you the narration and let the photos tell the story.  Arches National Park, no matter what the weather, you are amazing.

Delicate Arch: ever iconic and ever majestic.


Hold onto your hats!  It's a wee bit blustery.

Brooklyn's hair says it all.

The petroglyphs on the return trip were also fun.

Now for the horizontal wonder: Landscape Arch.

Thanks for trekking out with us, Talia!  (The others preferred to wait in the warm car.)

Our last stop before heading home: Moab Brewery.  Here's Jason sharing a pint with Brooklyn.  (Glad it's just root beer.)

Annika liked the jeep decor.

And Alesia with our Easy E.


Alesia, thank you so very much for coming all the way from New York to spend your spring break with us.  You spoiled us rotten, not only with the most amazing gifts (think shrinky dink jewelry, hand-knit bunnies, Star Wars, and Harry Potter), but especially your love.  We feel so lucky to share your smiles and creativity--they light up our lives.  :)