New Years

Happy 2018! We rang in 2018 with great friends from high school, one of which moved here the same time as us. Another drove in for the festivities. The kids all had a blast together and enjoyed staying up to midnight. This was the first time we didn't celebrate 2 time zones ahead New Years in order to be in bed at a reasonable time. :-)  

Ski jumping

Olympic ski jump trials were in Park City ahead of the February Olympics. Everyone and their uncle was there so we parked at the bottom of the mountain and hiked up the steep mile plus in snow to enjoy this. Totally worth it. Watching these jumpers fly through the air was incredible! And in between (commercial breaks) there were kids jumping as well. Hopefully, Kyle, Emily & Aaron don't get too many ideas. 

Aaron was pretty unhappy because his feet hurt so much from the long hike up. We waited for a bus for the ride down though that would have been the easier hike. 

Jazz game

Tonight we were lucky enough to take in a Jazz game. Jeff got the company seats for the game so we had a pretty sweet view of the action. This was the kids' first NBA game. Jeff and I both remember going to Bulls games growing up, back when the Bulls were crushing it and the games were a lot of fun. The Jazz game did not disappoint either! 

Emily concert

Emily is playing the flute this year and enjoying it. Her school put on a winter holiday concert for the school and parents.

Aaron skiing

Some video of Aaron skiing after his first ski lesson of the season.

Ski season 2017

Kicking off ski season 2017-2018. The kids all started with lessons to get them up to local snuff. They had a great time and Jeff and I had 3 full days of skiing our local mountain. 

Brother & sisters

3 out of 4 of my siblings. Missed you Kristin. 

Thanksgiving

Just a few pictures from Thanksgiving in the midwest. 

My beautiful sister Kristin and her husband David

Aaron in the peek-a-boo window at Josh & Stephanie's

Hamilton!

Cousins

Another installment of Aaron sleeping

Another installment of pictures of Aaron sleeping wherever and whenever. 

In the car on the way to Papa's house

On the way to the grocery

At Uncle Josh & Aunt Stephanie's house

At the end of Hamilton

On the way to skiing

In Mommy & Daddy's bed

Aaron

This is Aaron. He made the headband and necklace at school today and wanted to wear it. And so he did. Out to dinner. And when he woke up in the AM. It's good to be 5. 

Willy Wonka

Emily was in her school production of Willy Wonka. She had a great time being part of the cast as a Candy Girl. She had several scenes and songs throughout the play. She did a great job and really acted with enthusiasm. 

Adele Roll My Toes Song

Aaron calls this Adele song the "Roll My Toes" song because those are the lyrics he hears. Quite funny.

Halloween

For the first time, the kids were allowed to wear their costumes to school on Halloween. I remember Halloween at school as kids where we had fun parties and enjoyed getting to wear our costumes (in elementary school at least). We recycled costumes again this year with a Star Wars theme. Emily dressed a bit outside the Star Wars theme with a sorceress costume she put together based upon a book she is reading. 

Cecret Lake Hike

Jeff was away this weekend and we went out to explore a new hike. This one was to Cecret Lake up by Alta. Apparently this was the last weekend the road would be open ahead of ski season. This hike did not disappoint. It was stunningly gorgeous. There were great paths to walk, things to climb on, a half frozen lake to throw rocks on and into, and great pictures to be had. We will have to take Jeff here when it reopens after ski season. 

Emily Fall Volleyball

This fall, Emily tried a new sport: volleyball. She had a good time learning the game. Her team was all learning together as this was likely most of the kids first time playing volleyball. 

Halloween

Halloween in Salt Lake City is way different than the Halloweens we had back in Raleigh. Then again, Utah is very different than Raleigh. 

Our neighbors have ghosts holding hands. 

We went for a hay ride to pick out some pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. 

We carved pumpkins at home on our deck and lit the fire pit for some post-carving s'mores. 

Jeff made his classic face on a pumpkin, Kyle carved a monkey, Emily a wolf howling at the moon, and I carved Darth Vader and Yoda for myself and Aaron.