Summer Vacations, Part II--Zermatt

A couple of weekends ago we went on our 2nd summer vacation. This time it was with my family--my dad, all of my siblings, their spouses, and children. It was a lot of people! There were 34 of us in all, over half of which were babies and children....slightly overwhelming, yet fun all at once.

We went up to Midway, Utah to Zermatt Resort and Spa. The resort is about a year old, and really nice. There were tons of activities to do, and lots of beautiful scenery to look at. It was nice to have the feeling of getting away, but only having to drive a couple of hours to achieve it. Alec went golfing, I got a pedicure and went shopping with my sisters, the kids went on pony rides, and lots of other fun was had.

I must thank my sisters, Catherine and Margaret, for all these photos. We did not have our camera on the trip because Alec had lent it to a friend, which is another post for another day.

One of the most unique things I did on the trip was to take an hot air balloon ride. Though some of the group were too chicken to do it, I can honestly say I wasn't afraid at all. It was totally relaxing. Slowly going up and floating around was very peaceful. As the pilot of the balloon put it, "We just go wherever the wind blows us." The most exciting part was landing the balloon. I had no idea that the landing spot would be so unpredictable. You could land in a farmer's field, parking lot, or a subdivision. Our particular ride landed in the drive-thru of an ATM. Kind of funny and fun! I was just grateful we were able to land there, instead of in the dog run of the rottweiler, just on the other side of the fence.

The resort had a fun carousel on the property that the kids really enjoyed riding.

Here are Abigail and Owen with my sister Margaret's kids: Matthew, Will and Maren.

There was also an indoor/outdoor pool connected by a channel. The kids of course loved spending time in, or in Owen's case, around the pool.

Owen on his pony ride. He LOVED it! He kept saying, "giddy-up" and "yee-haw"! Abigail was a little more apprehensive, but liked it in the end.

On Sunday afternoon, we took a ride on the aptly named, Heber Creeper (emphasis on the creeping). It was fun, but at 3 hours, it was a little too long. It is a slow ride with a lot of rocking motion. It did put the baby to sleep, but unfortunately everyone else just remained on the verge of sleep. Alec was smart enough to bring along the latest installment of Harry Potter to read and occupy his time.

Monday we went over to Park City for the Alpine Slide, pizza at the Red Banjo, and shopping at the outlets. Alec had to stay back at the condo and work, but at least the boys were able to get a good nap in. Catherine's husband, Steve took Abigail down the slide. She was way more excited to go with him than she was to go with me, and I was just as happy to sit at the bottom with my sisters and babies. For those unfamiliar with the Alpine Slide, it is sort of in the spirit of a luge or bobsled. You take a ski lift up to the top and then head down the track on a sled.

Abigail on the ski lift with Grandpa, Steve and my nephews Josh and Spence.

Summer Vacations, Part I--Dome Lake

Getting away from everyday life is so invigorating! Our summer started out for us with zero plans to go anywhere, and then we have had the opportunity to get away twice this summer! The first trip was at the end of June up to a gorgeous place in Wyoming called Dome Lake. It was a very last minute trip, but that just added to the excitement.

Alec's parents were kind enough to invite us, and the rest of Alec's family, to tag along as they celebrated Mark's 50th. Since Alec says this is his favorite place to vacation of ALL TIME, we couldn't let the opportunity pass us by. He has such fond memories of vacationing there with his cousins as a child, and I can see why.

The setting is just spectacular--it almost seems like it is make-believe. We stayed in an awesome cabin that is over 100 years old, but has been updated with all the modern amenities (running water, flushing toilets, regular beds, etc.) It does not, however, have the modern amenities one needs to truly get away from, (i.e., no telephone, TV, or Internet). And it is so private there that you really feel like you are in another world. Thanks to Nancy's sister, Wynne and her husband, John, for letting us spend a week in their fantastic cabin.

The drive was long (about 10 hours), but Abigail just put her blanket over her head and slept.

Owen spent hours in the sandbox. He loved it so much, he decided to eat some. Be sure to click on the image to enlarge it and get a closer look!

Grammy brought along lots of fun activities for the kids to do--including bubbles.

It was so nice to be able to see the kids spending time with all their cousins and also with Grammy and Pops.

Each of the kids got to catch their first (and in some cases, 3rd, 4th, and 5th) fish.

Abigail's reaction to fishing was a mixed bag--equal parts thrill and disgust.

Every afternoon we had "horizontal hour", aka nap time.

This moose spent nearly an entire afternoon just feet away from the deck of the cabin. Abigail was only brave enough to get that close when Pops was holding her hand.
The boys (Mark, Alec, and Peter) started and ended everyday down on the lake fishing. The kids ended everyday with a giant cousins bath party. (I think Cecilia is scrubbing Owen's behind in this shot.)
And lastly here we are as a group. Unfortunately we are missing Sarah's husband, Tyler, who had to stay home in Colorado to attend to his dental patients.
(Thanks to Pedro for the last 2 photos.)

Dancing Queen

"There are short-cuts to HAPPINESS,
and DANCING is one of them."
-Vicki Baum

Dance has always been something that I enjoy. I love watching it, and once upon a time, I loved doing it (I probably still do, I just haven't done it in a very long time). Last week was the last day of Abigail's summer dance class. All the parents were invited to attend to see what the children had been working on. It was so much fun to see Abigail twirl and leap around the room, all the while, stealing glimpses of herself in the mirror. More fun than watching her dance, was seeing how much joy she gets from it. She really seems to love it, and can't wait to start up again in the fall.

The students were also encouraged to bring a friend to dance with them during the class. Abigail brought her friend Kate. Unfortunately, Kate was feeling too shy that day to get up and dance. Owen, however, was ready and willing to take her place. I can't decide if the joy Owen felt was from the dancing, or just being able to run around in the big room, instead of sitting quietly in the doorway and watching. Either way, dance class brought him joy as well.

Milo and Macie

This is a still life that Abigail wanted me to include on the blog. She took it herself. This was her first time actually taking a photo, and of course she chose as her subjects Milo (the more ragged a.k.a "loved" one) and Macie--her beloved bears.

Baby Talk

Nathan John is 3 months old today! He is such a cutie and super-duper MELLOW. I thought that since Owen was such a mellow baby, I would not be allotted another one this time around. But, lucky me! My mom was probably up in heaven telling him and his other seemingly easy baby cousins (Will and Becky--both born after my mother's death), "Now you go down there and be nice."

Nate (as we've come to call him--or "Nate Dogg" or just "D-0-double-G") is such a joy to have around. He sleeps through the night like a champ, will flash a smile at you if you're nice, and loves "talking" quite a bit. His favorite time to talk is eating time. I think he figures that since he is the third child, he better get my undivided attention while he can.

Yard Work

Right now our yard consists of rocks, dirt, and a patio. Oh, and a sprinkler system, thanks to Adam, Alec's friend from work. Slowly, but surely, the landscaping is coming along. Hopefully one day in the not too distant future, I will be posting the "after" pictures of our lawn and budding trees. Mind you, this may be the smallest yard known to man, but hey, it's our first little piece of land. After living in apartments and condos, we are just grateful to have a little outdoor space to call our own. And even though the neighbors' walls are awfully close, at least we don't have to actually share them and hear and smell everything they do.

On Saturday, Alec and the kids went out to remove yet more rocks from the yard. This pleased Owen to no end. Digging in the dirt and throwing rocks in a wheelbarrow? Owen's idea of a good time. I hope he has the same enthusiasm for weeding one day.

Engaged

My little brother Adam is getting married! He got engaged on Friday. We think his patience in dating has definitely paid off. Adam's bride-to-be, Marianne, is darling, smart, and completely down-to-earth. The date is set for September 27th in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. This will make all 7 of my parents' children sealed in the temple (pretty cool, huh?). We are so thrilled for them!! And don't they make a cute couple?