Utah weekend

Two weekends ago, we headed to Utah for a quick family reunion with M's family. With the current health of G at home, we didn't want to be out of town for too long. So Friday morning we got up at 5 am and were in Park City by noon. The cabin was decorated for Christmas! M's suspicion was that the owners only come and stay and Christmas time, but just leave the decorations up year-round for everyone to enjoy!

The cabin even had a play area, with slides and playhouses. C and I found that right away and played most of the weekend there (when we were at the cabin).
Picnic area--big enough for the whole family.
The cabin with the basketball hoop in front.
Since we were the last family to show up, most of the bedrooms had been claimed already. So we took over the movie theater room (since the projector wasn't working anyhow) and had the whole basement to ourselves. C slept in one corner.
I slept on the loveseat by the door, behind all the seats.
There was a hide-away bed, but the futon cushion on the floor was much more comfortable for M&D. Upon arriving in Park City Friday at noon, we headed to the state park to enjoy an afternoon at the lake.
We had kayaks and paddle boats to enjoy. C started off with M and then because she didn't like getting her hair wet whenever M paddled we switched spots. I went with M and C went with Aunt R. It was fun with M until we tipped over and went for an unscheduled swim. After that I just wanted to head back to the beach to G. M did convince me to head out later that afternoon though.
My first ride with Aunt M.
The kayaks and paddle boats on the lake.
Hanging out on the back porch the next morning, enjoying hot air balloons in the sky. With Aunt M enjoying the beautiful morning and the hot air ballons in the sky on the back lawn.
After watching the hot air balloons land, we headed out for a long hike. The original plan was to let the more experienced hikers go on a really long hike, while the rest of us started and turned around when tired. M's heels were still hurting from her previous hike and she didn't really think that C and I would make it very far. After consulting maps, it was decided to start at the ski hill and hike the mountains around there.Taking a much needed water break in the shade.
Cousin D and I resting while we waited.
As the hike progressed and I continued to lead the pack for most of it and C was carried by M, Aunt R and Aunt M, it was decided that maybe a hike up and a free gondola ride down would be the way to go.
Another deciding factor for continuing was finding out that there was a lake near the top that we could stop at and rest.
Another break on the slope of one of the ski runs.
C did get carried most of the way, but sometimes she got down to walk. I walked over 4 miles before I needed to be carried the last 1/4 mile uphill before we turned to the lake and headed back down to the gondola ride. I guess all that walking I did at day camp this summer really helped!
In total, we hiked 4 1/2 miles, over 4 of that being uphill, before a short descent from the lake down to the gondola. M was really proud of me for how well I did hiking. I guess next summer maybe we will have to try some of the mountains around CO!

The hiking crew taking a break in the shade before heading back down the easy way! M was surprised how busy the Mid-Mountain lodge was. It was a haven for hikers, mountain bikers and those who paid for the gondola ride up just for the views!

The gondola was the way most mountain bikers came up the mountain. Then they continued up a chair lift and rode the many trails down the mountains.
D and C getting on for our ride down the mountain.
Four hours after we started, enjoying a water break and beautiful views on the way back down the mountain!
The ski resort at the bottom, with Park City to the left.
M and G enjoying the easy way down!
G&G
The whole family. We all look a little tired!
Last stop!
After the hike, we met up with the non-hikers of the family at Olympic Park, ate a quick and late lunch in the parking lot before going in to sightsee. We were able to watch the ski jumpers practice. What--skiing in the summer, how is that possible? The ski jumpers land in a pool of water! Pretty cool actually--see the video at the bottom.
After the ski jumpers, we went into the museum. Pretending to ride the bobsled!
All that walking makes one tired!
Carrying the torch!
D being silly while he pretends to ski.
C had to have her turn skiing!
After such a long day, we went back to the cabin and got cleaned up for family pictures since Aunt R was flying out that evening. We missed the group pictures Friday morning before an uncle took off. But thanks to Facebook--here is the Kellogg family reunion! The Boerner clan.
Our family--with the newst member Teddy being displayed. This was the bear that I had brought along for the weekend, but somehow C took him over and even now he is the favored bear in her crib collection!
The Boerner sisters! Uncle W was missed, but we know he is doing his job well serving our country.
Even though we were in Utah for only 47 hours, we had lots of fun family time together. C and Cousin H reading with Aunt M.
Then G had to have a turn reading to C.
Enjoying the warm evening on the deck,
while the rest of us enjoyed the hot tub!
Sunday morning we relaxed at the cabin after eating breakfast, before we packed up and headed home.
Again, it was a whirlwind of a trip (13 hours in the car and 47 with family) but it was well worth it seeing family and enjoying the Utah outdoors. Since coming back we took Aunt R to the airport so she could go to grad school and I realized that I wanted to go on an airplane and go on another vacation to see G&G and all my aunts and cousins. Even last night I asked M when we could go on our next vacation. I guess I have the travel bug like M does! I know I definitely like being with family--where I am usually the center of attention!

Ski jump video

Even the little kids get to jump!

New Bike

M got her new (to her) bike a few weeks ago. It was shipped by D's cousin to a bike shop here in town where they rebuilt it for M. Then M had to go for her "fitting".

Here is the bike up on the pedestal, getting the seat and handle bars adjusted for M's height.M showing off her new bike!
Now that M has a real bike, she has to start participating in more triathlons or bike road races!

Day Camp 2011

This summer found me back at Day Camp again. I enjoyed each and every day. M came to watch one of my last pony ride days. You can't actually see me in this picture, but this is the Bennett Beavers singing our camp songs in the morning before heading out on the Y grounds. I've gotten pretty good at my songs and sing them to M on the way home and D&C when I get home.

Nod if it's a YES!

C has learned her newest trick. Nodding! M doesn't remember when I learned how to do this, but thinks it is so cute how you can see the concentration in C's eyes when she nods. It is a big deal for her!

In addition to this new skill, C's vocabulary is exploding. Everyday she is learning and repeating words. What a miracle how fast kids learn such important lessons and skills!

County Fair

On Saturday, we all went to the County Fair. We saw pigs race and then went to look at all the animals. Walking from the barns to the carnival, C and I started holding hands. M thought it was cute, so she took a couple pictures of us.
I went on all sorts of rides. This fair didn't have a Merry-go-round, so there weren't very many rides that C could go on.

C waiting patiently with D for her turn on a ride.

The ride we all went on was the Flying Elephants. D rode with me and C rode with M.

C excited for her Dumbo ride to start!

After all the rides, we found a shaved ice stand on the way back to the gates. Just as we finished that up, the fireworks started.

Now I haven't seen too many fireworks since usually we are camping on the fourth and for C this was her first. Look how excited she was!

Hike with Sister

A week ago Monday, M took the day off to hike a mountain with her sister (Aunt R). The goal was to climb Mount Lady Washington--pictured behind R to the right. (Long's Peak--the 14,000 peak of the park is to the left). Since they actually didn't start the hike until after 9 am, they were racing the storm clouds all day--trying to get up and back below treeline before the afternoon thunderstorms started (and day-cares closed!).M with the two mountains behind her. M woke up Monday morning with a sore throat but decided to go on with the hike anyhow. She did fine on the trail and below treeline. But once she got above treeline, she started slowing down.

Mount Lady Washington. This is where M and Aunt R went off trail and went straight up to the top. This is also where M started getting dizzy and nauseous. It took more than an hour to climb and scramble up the rocks, stopping every few rocks to take a break. After veering to the right near the top to get over the ridge, the storm clouds that were fast approaching scared M and R into turning around--and the fact that it was already 1 pm. They almost made it to the top, but decided safety was better than summit-ting, especially with how M was feeling.

Another glance back at Long's and Mount Lady Washington on the hike down. Aunt R thinks they made it to the ridge at the top right--so close to the top!

A view of Long's and Mt. Meeker overlooking Chasm Lake.Taking a nature break!!

By the creek just below treeline and 2.5 miles from the trailhead on the trip back down.

A scenic water break!

Even though M and Aunt R didn't quite make it to the top and actually weren't rained onto until just before the trailhead, they both decided turning around was the best thing they did. Especially since the next day M was diagnosed with strep throat (along with my ear infection and C's strep). In addition, the blisters that M got within the first few miles still haven't quite healed up over a week later!

You might think it wasn't the best hike ever, but really it was quite good. It was a good 7 hours of bonding time and enjoying God's beautiful creation. Again even though the top wasn't met, the views on the climb up and down were still well worth the effort!

Thanks for the adventure R.

Fountain Park

A week ago Sunday we went to the old fairgrounds that have been turned into a fountain park in Loveland. Before getting wet in the fountains we played in the sand.

C was a little apprehensive of going into the fountains, but I jumped right in.Once M showed C how to try and catch the water, she was much happier.

Where did the water go?

The day was hot, but the water was cold, so C had to warm up with D for a little while.What a fun day in the fountains staying cool!