Welcome 2011

Welcome 2011!!!

Never before have I been so excited to see a year change - but 2010 was tough, and I believe that maybe just the changing of the year can help to change the tide.

That being said - I know it is important to value all experiences in our life because that is what makes us who we are - and while I can't yet say that all of what happened in 2010 is something I am glad to have experienced; I can definitely appreciate what 2010 included Good & Bad:



1 - The loss of my sweet Mom




2 - My 30th birthday - along with a great surprise party thrown by Steve

3 - Steve was diagnosed with Type II diabetes - but has since lost over 60 lbs in his battle
to not let this disease rule his life.

4 - We had a failed attempt at InVitro Fertilization

5 - It was a tough economic and service year at my work



6 - Mark & Cera got engaged - and Aurora is growing into one of the cutest little toddlers we have ever seen

7 - Steve was promoted into a new department at work

8 - We were able to re-connect with old friends and family - it is funny how loss

brings you closer to others in your life 

9 - 3 Trips to Washington DC / Back East - A) I went in April to see my friend Kathleen B) Steve and I took his parents on a DC/Philadelphia trip in September C) I took my Dad back there for a train show

10 - Many other great trips including: Disneyland, the Cabin, Denver and of Course St. George

Welcome 2011 !!!

Fall 2010

Fall of 2010 has been a busy time... packed with lot's of fun!

I went back to Hershey and Washington DC with my Dad - so he could go to a train show - I got to spend a few days with my good friend Kathleen - which was wonderful as always.  And I got to show my dad some of my favorite places!

My Dad at Hershey's Chocolate World - maybe the happiest place on earth!

At the Strasburg Pennsylvania Railroad Museum - I always like the train museums that have real trains in them much more than those that have model trains - after the museum we drove through the rest of Amish Country and my dad finally got his Amish dinner that we deprived him of in 1998



As we walked through Washington DC - I was able to accomplish my goal - and after walking from the Capitol - through two Smithsonians - The Archives around the WWII Monument and the Washington Monument before we could continue on our walk to the WhiteHouse my Dad asked to take a rest --- it was a beautiful moment to have not been the first to suggest the rest when walking with my dad.




My Dad at Mount Vernon on the last day of our Trip.




The Weekend after I got back - we took a girls trip for Book Club up to the cabin - after the girls left on Saturday, Steve, Justin, Carson and Reese came up to join April and I for the rest of the weekend.




Justin and Carson at the Pond by the Cabin



Finally the weekend after the cabin Steve and I went down to St. George for the Monster Dash 5K with his parents.  It was a great trip and a good race Steve set a new personal record of 47:45 - last year the same race took him over an hour.


While all the traveling was fun and I miss it when I haven't gone somewhere for a while to be honest this weekend just being home has been a treat!



Trip with Steve's Parents

So we recently returned from a trip with Steve's parents, it was great, included visits to: Hershey Pennsylvania, Gettysburg, Washington DC, Mount Vernon, Monticello, Amish Country (Lancaster PA) and Philadelphia.  Below are a few great pictures from each spot:

Steve, Margaret and Dave at Hershey's Chocolate World



Jill & Steve @ Gettysburg Visistors Center



Dave & Margaret sitting on the Lincoln Memorial Steps - looking out of Washington DC at night

Dave, Margaret and Jill outside the Capitol before our Capitol Tour

Dave and Margaret - Mount Vernon back porch - overlooks the Potomac river

Dave, Margaret & Steve at the Washington DC temple

Dave & Steve at Jefferson Memorial

Lincoln Memorial from our Potomac River Cruise on Saturday Night

All of us at the Liberty Bell - in Pennsylvania

Amish Country - Lancaster PA

Valley Forge, PA

On the last day, Steve, Dave and I went to the Philidelphia Museum of Art - so Steve could recreate th Rocky experience

JFK / Love Plaza - Philadelphia our last attraction of the trip

Great Weekend - Turning 30

So, today August 31st, 2010 - I turned 30 years old - I don't feel any older... and that makes me happy, but the thing that has been best about this birthday is all the people that have helped me to celebrate, starting last Thursday night when my sweet husband decided to throw me a surprise birthday party -

The Evening was filled with Cake, Pizza and great times with family and friends

I was greeted by about 20 different friends and family - Steve wanted to make sure that I felt surrounded by love this birthday and he did a fabulous job!

Following such a great surprise party - I was able to spend Friday evening with friends at a movie, and then dinner.

Saturday was a fun filled day at the Steve's work summer picnic and 5K

The race was a family affair - Steve's brother was in charge, Spencer, Kim, Me, Steve, Evan and Perry each completed at least part of the race - Steve set a personal best as far as time goes - I am so proud of what a great job he is doing in controlling his health.

Saturday night, I was able to go to dinner with my Dad, Grandma and Steve, last night my book club celebrated my birthday, today at work some friends took me out for lunch and tonight Steve's parents took us out to dinner. 

Most of you reading this probably already know that I was concerned about celebrating  my birthday without my mom around, but I must say that my family and friends did everything they could to insure it was  great day, and week.   I still miss her and of course I miss the daily calls, and today especially I miss her calling to sing me a Happy Birthday!  But, I am so grateful for all the wonderful people in my life, and I know that she is grateful to them as well.  Thanks Everyone - here's to my 30's!!!

Denver

So over the 24th of July weekend Steve and I went to Denver with my Dad - on the trip we did at least 7 Jeep trails, and rode two train rides.  It was a great trip below are many of the photos. 

The first Jeep trail that we went on Boreas Pass on our way to Denver

Rocky Mountain Diner for dinner the first night - Steve remembered it from a previous trip - and man it was good.

Georgetown Loop Railroad

Royal Gorge / Train Ride - we sprang for seats in the Dome cars... best way to train travel... much more comfortable than the open air cars of the Georgetown Loop

Phantom Canyon Jeep Trail

I know this one is a little hard to see but, seriously - "Tipsy's Liquor Store" - seems like an interesting choice of names.

We of course had to stop at the Moffat Tunnel.... especially after Steve spotted a train waiting to go through.

The top of Rollins Pass - probably the coolest Jeep trail we went up

Summer 2010

Here are a few updates from our Summer of 2010

Cute little Aurora is growing quickly she is 8 months old now.

We took my Dad to Eddie Money concert at Sandy Ampitheater for Fathers Day

Ron & Arva came to visit for Memorial Day

Taylorsville Dayzz! was fabulous as ever - great fireworks show

Steve and I attempted Elephant Rock twice 3.5 miles in 3.5 miles out... over the past four years we have attempted it 4 times.   Finally with Kim, Dave and Spencer we reached our goal in just over 3 hours round trip.   So glad that we finally made it - it was a beautiful hike.

Jeep

So about two months ago my dad bought a new Jeep Rubicon

Since then we have been on many trips with him

First there was the trip to Butterfield Canyon in June - it was still closed so we went over to Tooele and went up through  Ophir Canyon (where we forded a stream) and Mercur where we hiked up to and visited the Mercur Cemetary

Then went up the Tooele side of Butterfield it was a beautiful view and as you can see-- there was no reason for it to be closed on the Salt Lake Side - for snow - especially since the Salt Lake side is paved.

Then there was the trip up above the Bountiful B - again thinking we would go to Farmington Canyon this way - Nope still closed for Winter - again it didn't look like there was much snow

  so instead we took the other direction and followed a road that looked over into Morgan,

and then headed south towards Mueller Park - it didn't exit anywhere though so we turned around to head back down and encountered this beautiful sunset.

Last weekend, Sunday afternoon after a BBQ at my Dad's house we headed up to Guardsman's Pass - only one photo was taken, and while it looks like a beautiful day I must say 50 degrees, open top of a jeep and me in shorts and a t-shirt really don't mix.  Unfortunately there are no pictures of me wrapped in my blanket as we drove back down the canyon - I am sure it would have been a sight to see.