Wednesday and Thursday at Snowbird

On Wednesday we decided rain or no rain we were going to hike to Lake Cathryn anyway.  It was the kind of rain I like to call "Misting" because the drops are so small it feels like very high humidity.  We hiked up to the overlook pretty quickly.  The mountains looked mystical because of all the way the fog was scattered around.  It was too foggy to see the lake but we have been there enough to be able to fill in the blank with our imaginations.  We didn't go to the top because we were worried the rocks would be slippery.  On the way down it was a treat to see 5 deer grazing in a meadow.  Dad and I went to the Spa and did a 5K training run on the treadmills for the race on Saturday.  We then pampered ourselves by sitting in the steam room.

On Thursday, most of us hiked to the top of Hidden Peak.  There wasn't any rain and the temperature was pretty warm.  Tyler and Emily were hiking buddies who ran up the 3000 foot climb.  When they got to the top a lady pointed her finger at them and told them they should both be on the cross country track team, especially Emily, who is about to turn 10.  They arrived at the top 40  minutes ahead of any other group. Grandma, Aunt Debbie and I made it to the top but then only hiked down to the Puruvian Lift where we caught a ride to the bottom.  Debbie and I both love the Puruvian lift but haven't gotten to take a ride for a few years because they close it for any threat of bad weather.  The clouds were looking threatening so we were afraid if we walked down and then went for a ride on the chair lift it would be closed. It was nice to get in the hot tub when we got back.

Emily told Grandma, "This is my favorite week of the whole year."  I agree.

Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday at Snowbird

Sunday afternoon was cousin time at Snowbird.  There were different games going on in several different rooms.  We also had a missionary letter writing station.  Sunday evening we took a walk along the nature trail and some of the cousins did a photo shoot.  Melanie was very sad when it was time to take her home to Lehi.  She was required to participate in band day camp.  We asked our good friend and neighbor, Whitney, to come and stay with her at night since the camp ran from 8am to 8pm each day.  Another neighbor drove her to and from the camp each day.  She had a great time at camp and has a big part in the stadium show that will be performed at 3 home football games and then taken to competitions.  She was very happy as we skyped with her each night when she got home.

On Monday we got ride tickets and all of the cousins went out to play.  The rain stayed away until about 3pm.  Good news is that because of the forecast of rain there were not many people with ride passes and so the lines were really short.  The new mountain coaster is similar to the alpine slide.  You don't have to get up to the top and then ride down.  You sit on a sled and then get pulled to the top before sliding down.  The cousins thought the ride down was too short, especially compared to the alpine slide.

 Grandma got out her Family History Jeopardy game for Family Home Evening and everyone had a good time being reminded of some of our cool ancestors.  Jenna, Aaron, Megan, and Tyler were in charge of the game.

 Warren got to spend the whole week at Snowbird with us.  He was really cute with the younger cousins.  Ethan was especially attached to him.

 On Tuesday, it was pretty rainy so hiking was out.  The older cousins decided to make that their cousin temple day.  Uncle Robert took them to the Draper Temple.  Warren, Debbie, and I did Camp Snowbird for the younger cousins.  We took them on a tram ride to the top of Hidden Peak and then swimming.  Ethan really wanted Warren to swim with him.  He swam out to the middle of the pool and looked like he was struggling so Warren, who was wearing a swimming suit, jumped in to rescue him.  Ethan said, "I knew you would save me."  Warren then stayed in the water for a long time letting the younger cousins crawl all over him.  It was a fun afternoon.

Family Pictures

Snowbird Day 1 - White Pine Lake Hike

Saturday morning Warren and I woke up at Snowbird and began to make breakfast.  We knew we would do a hike and began taking suggestions.  The Kerrs and the Micheal's family wanted to go to Cecret Lake but the rest of us wanted a more challenging hike.  My Dad suggested Red Pine Lake or White Pine Lake.  I said I thought White Pine Lake was prettier.  We got ready to go and set off on the hike.  It was supposed to be a 4 mile hike.   It turned out to be an 11 mile hike with a 3000 ft elevation change.  It was a lot longer and harder hike than I remembered.  Kayla and I were hiking buddies and she kept me going as we chatted up the hill.  The lake was as beautiful as I remembered.  We got some pictures at the lake and then headed down.  The hike down was as hard and as beautiful as the way down.  I think because my legs and feet were so tired from the hike up.  But, I made it and boy did the pool, the hot tub, and a pampering shower in the Spa feel good afterward.  We took a family picture with Seiya before we brought him home to Lehi to pack up for his return trip to Japan.

Pioneer Day

I took off work on Pioneer Day so that we could have a family day.  Seiya wanted to see the parade in SLC so we got up early and hopped on the FrontRunner Train.  We just happened to run into two of the Japanese teachers at the train station and so we were able to help them find their way to the parade.  We arrived just as the parade was starting.  Seiya was starving so he and Tyler took a break from the parade and went for all you can eat pancakes at Kneaders.  The weather was very nice for the parade and we were able to find a shady spot to watch.  Melanie was paying close attention to all of the color guard groups marching with bands.  After the parade, we walked down to the Gateway Mall and watched the Olympic Fountain dance.  We then walked to catch the FrontRunner Train.

 

Tyler took Seiya to Lehi Foam day.  They both caught up with several of his friends there and had a good time.  I love taking the Japanese students to Foam day because it is so uniquely Lehi.

I made some chicken salad and Warren cut up a watermellon and we took off to play at Seven Peaks for the rest of the day.  We met the Kerrs there.  The weather was just perfect for water slides (very warm) and the park was not too crowded.

Kayla's Bridal Shower and the Exchange Student Farewell Party

On Wednesday, Melanie and I drove to Aunt Gay's house in bountiful for Kayla's bridal shower.  We had dinner, visited with cousins, watched Kayla open her gifts, and then the younger girls at the party made bridesmaid dresses from wrapping paper and newspaper.  Melanie was very excited about that part of the evening.

While Tyler was working and Melanie and I were at the shower, Warren attended the exchange student farewell party.  He said there was good mix of talents and demonstrations.  He cheered really loud when Seiya got his certificate of completion.  Of course, they sang the "crying song" at the end of the program.

Family Home Evening at Trafalga

Melanie had ColorGuard Camp the first three days of this week from 8am to 8pm.  They were learning the dances for the stadium show they will do with the band in the fall.  They took a sack lunch and the Color Guard moms fed them dinner.  Tyler did a good job getting her there everyday.

Monday evening, we decided to take Seiya to Trafalga for family home evening.  He did several new things like rock climbing, laser tag, and mini-golf.  Seiya got a hole in one on the second hole of mini-golf.  Tyler met some friends there and we didn't see him the rest of the night.  The Kerrs met us there so they could play with us.  Melanie came over when her guard camp was finished.

Tuesday evening Seiya asked me to take him to the mall again so he could get some gifts for his family.  After, we went to Willowcreek Middle School with the Mitchells so the kids could play tennis and basketball.

Glaizer Homecoming and Annual BBQ

We started off our Sunday worship with Colton Sampson's mission farewell.  We then ran to Orem to hear Jessica's recently released mission president and his wife give their homecoming speeches.  The Glazier's ward meets in a small older chapel that was just bursting with people.  There was a strong missionary spirit in the room.  The meeting began with a convert confirmation and it was really touching.  We got to meet both of the Glaziers before the meeting began.  Sister Glazier said that Jessica is a "firecracker" and that she used to call her the "unsinkable Molly Brown" because she just keeps working and working.  President Glazier got a hold of Tyler and told him he was looking like a missionary and asked him if he was planning to serve.  He answered, "in a few years" (when I am 18).  Sister Glazier joked that she is used to the bishop having to raise the podium for her because in El Salvador she is of average or tall height.  (She is very petite.)  She Spoke of how the Book of Mormon will first save our soul, then the souls of our children, and then the souls of all whom we share it.  President Glazier challenged everyone to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.  After their talks they asked all the parents to line up for a picture with them.  They also took pictures of all their returned missionaries in attendance.

Tonight was our annual exchange student friend BBQ.  We had a big crowd with everyone who was invited attending.  This is one of favorite family traditions.  We love to ask our Japanese students who their friends are and then invite over their host families for a BBQ. It was looking like it might storm and even sprinkled a bit before blowing over and turning into a beautiful evening.  Melanie helped the girls make pioneer dolls and then we ended the evening with a game of, "Do you Love Your Neighbor".  Several people commented that they had not laughed that hard in a long time.  It is great to live among such nice and fun people.