Emma's Baptism - January 8, 2011

Such a fun trip - except that James didn't get to come.  I brought the Price Grands to Idaho with me on Weds 1/05 and James wasn't able to get Thurs/Fri off work.  I was hoping, right up until the last minute, that they would give him the days off - so I didn't buy him a plane ticket.  And then plane tickets were too much.  So James got to play 'bachelor' for the weekend.  Sorry James! (He lived, proof that he can survive on his own.)  I missed him.  Especially when driving - I don't take many road trips without my favorite travel buddy.

The grand excuse for the weekend was Emma's baptism.  She turned 8 last month and today was baptised and confirmed by her dad.  Congratulations Emma!  I'm so glad we were able to come and experience this wonderful day with you!


After the baptism, my Dad pulled together a group of skiers and we headed up to Bogus.  I didn't plan on skiing this weekend - I left my ski gear home with James.  I guess I figured that if James didn't get to come skiing, that I shouldn't either.  But there weren't enough adults, so I borrowed a bunch of gear and hit the slopes.  So glad I did.  And thank you everyone for sharing your extra gear!

Jessi and Stella

Bree and Christy - these 2 and Zoe were so tough!  It was COLD.  They never cried.  They would come out and play and ski and then say, "Inside."  So we'd go inside for hot chocolate (sort of - No one brought hot chocolate powder, so Opa improvised with hot water and bits of chocolate candy bars) and Opa's vegetables.  Then outside again for some more fun.

I texted James about my random ski outfit - Maria's helmet and goggles, Jed's jacket and pants, Mom's gloves and socks, Kurt's old boots and Carlee's skis. Don't know where the poles came from - the garage.  He asked for a picture of my random ensamble, so this is what he got:  Stella Jessi and Carter

Taking pictures is FUN, so we took a few more (cell phone photo quality of course!)  Hallie Jessi Carter McKayla


Christy (yes, that is gum stretched out from her forehead), Hallie, Hannah, Jessi, and Bree (no, I have no idea why she looks grumpy).

Don't those pictures just make you jealous to ski with us!?

I didn't take many other pictures during the weekend, because I had a job for the two days I was home.  Kim has a job with a couple who sell jewelry at Costco.  They live in Eagle and were doing inventory.  So they let Kim invite her sisters to come be part-time employees.  So for two days I cleaned and sorted and tagged jewelry.  And visited with Kim and Carlee.  It was pretty fun.  And it paid for my gas for the trip!  Thanks Kim and thank you jewelry people.
Thank goodness Mom took pictures.  This was one evening having family scriptures and prayer with the Davis'.
Bree Kim Carter Deven

McKayla and Jessi



Ellie and Granddad - check out his new 'scriptures!'

Grandma

I got to stay at Kurt and Carlee's house for the weekend.  It was SO FUN to wake up and play with Tyler Christy and Jake every day.  Plus Carlee made me breakfast. WOW - my favorite bed & breakfast ever.  On Saturday morning, Christy (my little buddy for the weekend) and I were coloring and I would ask her what I should draw.  A monkey.  A giraffe.  Etc.  So I filled up a piece of paper with random pictures.



A few days later, Carlee sent me an email with copies of my artwork and with this one of Tylers.  He had taken my color page and used it as a reference to draw his own. I am so impressed!  And thrilled that he wanted to share it with me.

Family is so fun.  Can't wait for the next adventure.

New Year's Resolutions - January 1, 2011

2006 Resolutions
2009 Resolutions
2010 Resolutions

2011 Resolutions

In General
  • Get in better physical and financial shape
  • Make progress with education / career
  • Be spiritually active
  • Organize our apartment
  • Strengthen our nuclear and extended families
Specifically
  • Have a baby - Lincoln James - DONE 9/9/11
  • Ski at Elk Point Ski Resort near Beaver AKA Elk Meadows - DONE 2/19/11
  • Visit Old Ephraim's Grave near Logan - postponed
  • Celebrate 5th Anniversary - DONE 10/10/11
  • Instrument rating for fixed-wing - postponed
  • Spring and Fall semesters at SLCC - DONE
  • Pay one credit card balance down to $0 - DONE 11/04/11
  • Go to Emma's baptism - DONE 1/8/11 
  • Go to Hallie's baptism - DONE 5/7/11
  • Lincoln's baby blessing - DONE 10/9/11
  • Visit Alaska Family - DONE summer 2011
  • Organize Apartment - DONE (moved out 12/2011)

Sounds like fun!

2010 Review - December 31, 2010

2008 Review
2009 Review

Surprise, Surprise, much of 2010 revolved around skiing!
Solitude - January 2, 2010 - Celebrating New Years 2010 on the slopes.

Brighton - February 13, 2010 We got to meet Brian's new Valentine - Tiffany

Lake Tahoe Ski Trip - March 6-14, 2010 - We visited James' Aunt Laura and Uncle Rod and we skied at Squaw Valley, Homewood, Sierra at Tahoe and Kirkwood.  We also went to a Spanish session at the Reno Temple.

Elk Meadows Hiking for Turns - March 27, 2010 - with Anchorage Dan.  Elk Meadows reopened for the 2010/2011 season - renamed: Eagle Point.  Our 2011 resolutions include a trip to ski at Eagle Point.


Brighton Hiking for Turns - May 1, 2010 - We house-sat for some friends who live at Brighton.  We got several feet of new snow. The resort was closed, but we did a little exploring.  James on skis, me on snowshoes.

Solitude - November 20, 2010 - Thanksgiving with Kathleen and lots of new snow



Solitude - December 11, 2010 - Brian's bachelor party!

There were other fun outdoor explorations in Utah:
Moab / Arches National Park - April 9-11, 2010 - with Kathleen and Brian

Grey Cliff Springs 4WD Adventure - May 22, 2010 - with Craig and Uncle Glen.  Didn't get to see Old Ephraims Grave.  Put that on the 2011 Resolutions List too!


Miller Motorsports Park - Several Times -  This is James and Brian - facing off before their go-cart race.  We also went with Tiffany and Brian and with our friends the Elexpurus.  A fun way to spend the day!


Heber Mountain via Bike - June 26, 2010 - We explored a stretch of Utah Highway 35 and took the moutnain bikes along.  Riding up isn't much fun, the bike got tired and I had to push it up the last bit, but riding back down was fantastic!



Cemetery Hopping - June 4, 2010 - Mom came for a long weekend especially to go to local cemeteries with Grandma and Granddad Price.  We also fit in some hiking and a baby shower for my cousin Amy.

Lake Blanche - August 14, 2010 - This was the toughest hike I went on all summer.  Luckily it wasn't our only hike. I also hiked Malan Peak with Aunt Lynnette, we hiked in Farmington Canyon, American Fork Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon and almost got eaten alive by mosquitos on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. 

Bryce Canyon National Park - September 3-6, 2010 - with Kathleen.  Our only backpacking adventure of the year.


We also had some fantastic adventures in Idaho (but not nearly enough!):
Eagle Fun Days - June 10-13, 2010


McKayla's Baptism - August 7, 2010

Road Trip with G and G Price - August 6-8 - They came with us to Idaho for McKayla's baptism.  Another 2011 Resolution: bring G and G to Emma's baptism in January and Hallie's in May.

Simpson Reunion - July 9-12, 2010 - we brought Brian and Tiffany along to the Simpson Reunion and had a blast! 

 Brian and Tiffany's wedding - December 16, 2010 - this adventure included a Salt Lake Temple Square evening, Idaho Falls wedding pictures in the snow, a reception trip to Montana and a hayride!



James went Back to School!
First helicopter flight - September 9, 2010 - We chose to stop helicopter training before he got to solo and will start back up with airplane ratings next semester.  James also got straight A-'s this semester!



We're both still employed:
Backcountry.com - James is the In-Bound Dock Coordinator


Life Flight - I'm the lead billing specialist - October 31, 2010 and November 4, 2010 we got to participate in Hoist Training with Life Flight.

Best of all, we celebrated our 4th Anniversary this year!


Cheers to 2011!  Happy New Year!


New Years Eve - December 31, 2010

We scrounged up tickets to Brighton to celebrate New Years Eve.  It was SO COLD!  If it was 2 degrees in the parking lot, it was a lot colder out on the slopes.



You know how you can take a skier track, like the one James is on below, and if you've got some speed, you can keep moving along it.  Especially if it has some down hill to it.  Today, it was so cold, the snow was sticky!  I had to use my poles to keep myself moving unless I was pointing them striaght down hill.


So cold that we took two runs, stopped in the top shack to visit our patroller friends and thaw our toes.  Took two runs, stopped by the bathroom to thaw our fingers.  Took two runs, stopped for some lunch, and to thaw our toes.  Took two runs, stopped for a hot chocolate and to thaw our fingers and toes.  Took two runs and called it a day.  At least, I think we got that many runs in.  Might've been fewer!  So cold that James' mustache had ice crystals in it!  (I also like this photo because we're both in it - I'm reflected in his goggles!)



But it was skiing, and it was beautiful.


Miscellaneous Updates About James - December 29, 2010

James got straight A's this semester.  Well, straight A-minus' to be exact.  But still!!!! Yay James! 
3 credits - Computer Essentials
1 credit - Aviation Orientation
4 credits - Private Pilot Ground School

Now we're trying to figure out his schedule for next semester.  We'd love for him to get his instrument rating in the airplane, but we might have to do it outside of the SLCC loop.  They're not offering an instrument class that fits his schedule.

James is no longer my co-teacher for the 4-5 year olds in Primary.  So sad.  He got called to be the Elder's Quorum 2nd Counsellor.  More meetings for him and I'm teaching solo, for now.  I also get to keep my same class next year.  I'll have the 5-6 year olds. I should get to know them pretty well!

James did not get the supervisor position with Backcountry.com.  They hired another guy from 'outside' with more distribution center experience.  Their loss.

He sold last year's skis - the Volkl Gotamas.  And bought a new pair -the 4Front (somethings - sheesh, I can't remember).  He just picked them up today and is going to get the bindings mounted.  Stay tuned for a "New Skis!" photo. 

Merry Christmas! December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!  We left this beautiful Christmas tree and presents...

 And went to Alta!  Loved how the sun made the ridge lines glow!  Kind of like a huge Christmas Morning twinkle light.

But it was COLD!  -4 degrees F at the Base and 0 degrees at the top.  Brrrrr!

And it was beautiful!  Most of the snow was pretty tracked out, but still soft and easily turnable.


Of course, James wanted to go hiking for "fresher" turns.  So we did.  Twice.

Video of James skiing out of the chutes that we hiked to ski.


Considering the outside temperature, it was still hot after hiking.  James needed to cool down.  So I pushed him over into the snow. (Nice Daffy James!)


And then I "fell" - so that James wouldn't need to push me.

Merry Christmas!


And when we finally got home and opened our presents - guess what Santa brought us!?  A new ski tuning table - complete with vices and wax and scrapers and p-tex and an apron.  Awesome!  (The skis are James' new 4-front skis - not a Christmas present - he had to sell his Gotamas to buy these.)



P.S. We had lots of fantastic presents from family too!  Thanks everyone. 

Christmas Eve - December 24, 2010

On Christmas Eve, James and I decided to go to a movie.  (R.E.D with Bruce Willis, etc.)  We had an hour to kill before our showtime, so we walked over to the Toys R Us.  Check out this awesome lego fireman!




So fun!  Makes me hope that Santa brings us some Legos.  We've been good this year!