Snowpine Lift

We had plans to go skiing today, but there was a snowstorm in the forecast and we didn't know how bad it would be, so we cancelled our plans last minute. But Corey still had an itching to get up there, so he used his nervous energy to go shopping. He got mountain bikes for Abi, Lily, and Natalie (a friend told him that January is when you get real deals on bikes) and then he went and rented skis for Peter for the season, and he was able to use his points at Ski N See, and they gave him a discount for being a great customer, so he only paid $10 bucks to rent Peter's skis for the rest of the season! Pretty good deal. Well, if Peter has skis, let's go! Corey thought that the Snowpine lift at Alta cost money now, but he called and they said that it is free. (I thought it was called the Grizzly Tow after looking it up, but it must have been an old map. There used to be a tow here, but now they have this nice little lift for beginners.) So we took the kids up (LSNODP and Corey and I). Hyrum, Wes, and Abi stayed home. Peter all suited up and ready to get on the mountain.

He is the CUTEST!!! 

I put on his gloves, then the coat, and I didn't bother pushing his gloves through the wrist of his coat, cause he didn't need to use his hands. If he tried it would be useless with the gloves on anyway. So he just had two nubs. We hiked down the hill, then sat P in the snow while we get our skis on. 

He's ready!

His legs were jello on the first run. I was glad on the second one that he atleast locked his legs. Riding the chair lift, say cheese Peter!

He's like "What in the heck are we doing...." The kids would cheer him on after each run, and reach out their gloves for him to give them a low 5. And he patted their gloves with his clubby appendage. I took him down the hill 3 or 4 times, then Corey took a turn. Corey ended up keeping him the rest of the time. I have a video that I'll upload later, but Corey said "Someone took his spine out..."

Corey got real good at helping TWO toddlers get on the chair lift. It almost knocked Peter over a few times, but Corey's got it, he's a pro. I ski'd down with Daniel, Sophi and Lily. Corey with Natalie, Peter, and Owen.

After having fun for a little over an hour, we headed back to the car. Good job Peter!

First think I did was take off his coat and gloves and let him have use of his hands again. Already tuckered out as he waited for us to finish loading up the car. 

That was a good first experience skiing for him. And it was nice that Daniel didn't protest when it was time to leave. 

Last Time Skiing with Kids

Today we went skiing in a blizzard again. 

We woke up super early so that we could be sure to get a parking spot, cause we were going to Alta, and they don't have reservations like Snowbird. Corey packed a lunch and loaded up the car the night before. We all got up at 7 and had a quick bowl of cereal before heading out. It's never good to wake up a sleeping baby, but Hyrum was gone at a Moxie retreat, so we couldn't leave Peter with anyone. I got him dressed and ready and we were all in the car and on our way at 8:06! And that is also what time we started waiting in the line that had formed on little cottonwood road waiting for the canyon to open. They closed it last night for avalanche control and it was supposed to open at 8, and I think it did? But it was very slow moving. Actually it was not moving for the first hour. So we sat there in the car and listened to kids complain about how we should just bail and go home. Or if any of us did just want to go sit in the car and do nothing, we could go do that in the garage at home and grant freedom to those who actually want to do something with their day. Wes undressed Peter cause he didn't want his boots or coat or socks on. We moved probably .25 miles in the first hour, but then in picked up, and we went the rest of the way up the canyon road in the next hour. We got there at 10:00 right when it looked like the last parking spots of the Wildcat parking lot had filled up, but we were on our way to Albion parking and were able to park by our kiddie hill near the Snowpine Lift. We got everyone out and got Peter dressed again and then unloaded skis, helmets, goggles, and one by one they headed down to the rope tow. I didn't take pictures of any of that cause I realized I had left my phone in the car. Corey took Peter in the backpack, I followed Owen and Daniel. There was a lot of pain and discomfort for everyone, but we finally made it up to rope tow and over to the lodge where we parked our skis and took a break. 

Corey went to get our tickets and our last ski passes. These are going to be the kids last ski passes atleast, cause I'm ready for a break from taking them. It's a lot of work! Peter was still sad cause he hated the backpack, so we took a break and broke out the hot chocolate. Plus O had to use the bathroom and he made such a mess in there I couldn't believe it. I cleaned it up, but I was a bit shocked. Sorry to share that O, but I'm going to start making you sit down to pee. So then we decide to let Peter ski and NOT be in the backpack, so ALSN got their passes and took off to the lift, C stayed with P, W went back to the car to take back C's poles and to get P's skis, and I took O and D back down the rope tow hill and we were just going to do Snowpine. Corey decided against paying for tickets for O and D and we didn't want to use one of our day passes, cause we didn't think we were going to last very long. And we didn't. I took O and P down a few times. We saw Wes heading back to Corey with Peter's skis, and he gave me my phone (thanks Wes) and we kept skiing in the blizzard. 

It's much better in a blizzard if you use goggles. O didn't want goggles and he had snow on his hair and eyelashes. I was able to text Corey that O needed to use the bathroom again but that I tried but it was beyond my abilities to take two toddlers up the rope tow. He texted me this photo letting me know that he was stuck too...

WALSN were on the hill and he was with Peter, who had resorted to survival mode by playing dead. I told Owen he'd just have to hold it, and I was surprised he had to go again after all he had let loose just the hour before. But I didn't want to risk a mess... then O said he was ok and that he didn't have to go, then he REALLY did, and I was thinking of having him go behind a snow pile. Then all of a sudden I see my rescuer coming. Corey was skiing towards us sans poles waving his arms. I hurry up to be with Peter, who was being tended by Natalie.

She was done skiing. I went back to check on Corey. Kids were starting to come back. We had made it over 2 hours and they were ready to be done. Natalie had a birthday party that she wanted to make it too. "This is probably your last time skiing this season... you sure you don't want to go for one more run?" No, she was done. And soon the others were gathering by the elevator with us. 

I guess we'll call that a success and we'll also call it a day. Let's head home. You guys have proved that you are tough. 

Peter was awake now, so we took a group picture while we waited for Corey to come back with the car.

Loading up.

We all squeezed in the car. Peter watching Cars on Corey's phone.

It was good that there wasn't a lot of car traffic when we left, and it's so nice to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle. If ye are prepared ye shall not fear. We don't have fear of driving in snow anymore! It's nice. Corey teased "I was just wanted you guys to learn that it's not fun to ski in a blizzard." "We learned that from last time that we skied in a blizzard! and the time before that! All we've done is ski in blizzards!" Then all of a sudden the sun was shining in the canyon. Perhaps we quit too early? Maybe we left right before it got beautiful. 

The kids were ok with that. And now they're done, and Corey and I are going to take a few ski trips on our own without any kids. I still have 2 days at Alta and one at Snowbird, so that will be fun for us to go, maybe we'll go next Friday while the kids have a date night "day" home alone to do homework and stuff. 

First Day on the Slopes

Today we enjoyed our first day skiing as a family. We went to Alta. 

It was a lot of work getting out the door and there was lots of complaining once we got there, but we persevered! Lily didn't want to go and so there was a little cajoling going on there. For the kids that were willing to go, they were still dragging their feet and moving super slow. We were all awake at 8, but it still took like 2 hours for everyone to get ready and into the car. Once we arrived up at Alta at 10:30, we realized we had left Peter's coat at home. Darn. Lily was crying about her boots being too tight, we had told her that the socks she had on were too thick, but she wouldn't listen. We planned for this moment and I brought an extra pair along and she was a little put out that we solved that excuse. Her last attempt at protesting in the back of the van.

She wanted me to take her back home when I went for P's coat. But Corey got her boots on and she left with him and I drove home, grabbed his coat, then back up. When I got back to the Wildcat parking lot, Peter was moaning that I made him walk as I carried our skis and my poles. I tried to carry him for a little bit and my bicep was burning. Back down he went. We shuffled along very slowly and I was relieved to find Wes. He took Peter while I went and got P's ski pass. 

Then it was time for fun. I ran into Corey and kids and we went on the Snowpine lift for a few runs. Corey took Peter and spent the rest of the day with him. I had Daniel.

Owen went with Abi and Wes, and we ended up splitting up but found each other for lunch. Corey forgot to grab the Pringles, but we survived. Peter was sitting by Wes and told us "I like skiing." Lily was in a better mood, but accidentally didn't make it to the bathroom in time (#1) and so she wanted to go home and get a change of pants, but we said no. Sorry Lil if you'd rather I not document that, but I think it will help you all understand, when you read this post later in life, the kid of trials and adversity we endured. It was like the kids were pulling out all the stops to make us quit and leave, but we were laughing about it.

After lunch, Wes and Abi took off and the rest of us headed to Sunnyside. Corey and Peter in the line for the lift. 

Pretty impressive, sweetheart!

Corey got Owen and Daniel poles this year. They love skiing.

After a few runs, it was getting darker, and I asked them "Should we go one more time, or two? Or three." Daniel said "TEN more times!" Owen replied "One Hundred!" I think we got in two more before our last run when we met up with everyone - that was when I saw Peter skiing for the first time. Corey had spent the afternoon with him, and when I saw him going down by himself I laughed with delight, sooo cute! 

Corey's comment at the beginning of that video was referring to Lily's accident. We all headed down the big hill. 

Wow Peter! You've come a long way since January! 

Corey's a pro teacher of toddlers.

Peter laughing as he comes at Corey 

We're excited for this skiing season. After we got home, everyone helped put things away, I started laundry, and I put the little boys in the tub while Corey left with the other kids to go gather things for Christmas goodies tomorrow and to pick up Joseph. I spent some time reading to get myself more prepped for a lesson tomorrow that I'm leading on the Family Proclamation. I never feel ready, but I stand up there anyway with a prayer in my heart and the Lord backs me up, and we all are edified and rejoice together (D&C 50:22). I trust that will happen tomorrow too. I'm going to go do more prep.

Skiing in Flurries

I am enjoying the slow mornings of online Friday learning. Yay, we get to all sleep in a little bit! Peter wakes up almost every night, cried for me and walks into our room, and I'll lay on the floor with him. His roommate Daniel is a heavy sleeper, so thankfully P usually doesn't wake up D, but last night he did. At 4 am they were both at my door. Daniel said "Peter wants you..." so I let them in and we laid down together. I was in between them and slept until morning. Once it was getting light, I used my ninja skills to motionlessly escape without pulling the blanket or disturbing them on either side of me. 

Little squished face. Peter usually turns onto his tummy to sleep, and he usually kicks off blankets. 

So last night Corey made sandwiches, prepped his hot chocolate thermos and packed a family lunch, then he loaded skis into his car. He wanted to go skiing in the fresh snow. He was hoping it would fall during the night and be done by afternoon, but I checked the weather and knew that the forecast said it would snow all day (and it did) and I didn't want to go and I definitely didn't want Peter to be in a backpack in a blizzard, but we went along, because I know that I'm usually happy about Corey's ideas after the fact (like the triple bunk beds). This ski trip went like I thought it would, weather wise. As we got out of the car and were getting boots on, and as Corey was getting skis down, the interior of the car was covered. 

I kept Peter in the car until the very end...

What a cute little eskimo! But he did not like the snow in his face... and we are not yet prepared with goggles for everyone. Wes gave me his goggles to use, and I put them on and then took them off. I gave them back to Wes and told Corey that I was going to stay in the car with Peter. Corey nodded in agreement that that was a good idea. "We'll just go on Snowpine and see how they do... I don't think we'll last very long." So off they went, and Peter and I stayed in the car and watched Disney+ Cars on my phone. P was fine until I turned it off to take a selfie of us, then he cried "McQueen!!!" 

After about 60 minutes, Lily was done and came back. Hey, she's still smiling! That's a good sign. 

Abi was the next one back. 

I left Cars playing on my phone for Peter and put him in the front seat, where the snow from the open doors didn't get him as easily as Abi took off her gear. I went out to find Corey and help him and the kids back to the safety of the car. Daniel did not have fun skiing this time, can you tell by his eyebrows?

Everyone is back in. We were 2 over in the car capacity. Corey was going to take the bus up with Wes, but I didn't want to be left alone, so I turned around and picked him up and we squished on our drive up, and again on our drive back. 

Corey was proud of them for being so adventurous and tough. Sure, they did their fair share of moping and complaining in the blizzard, but I would have too had I been out there. I was grateful to be in the car almost the whole time. So we carefully drove back home and then ate the lunch Corey had made. At home Corey saw that our new counter stools had arrived! Yay!

I might save the boxes to build a cardboard house for Peter. That might be fun.Corey, Sophi, and Abi took turns helping me put them together. 

The color is almost right, so they matched pretty closely to the table, so it is good. They don't all fit under the counter, so we have two floater stools for now. I don't know where their home will be yet. After we got home, kids practiced music, Corey cleared the driveway, Lily went to play at Isa's, NOD went sledding, and Corey and I took Abi to a friends house for the evening before we went to Olive Garden in Sugarhouse for date night. There isn't a lot of snow on the valley floor, but the snow from last night was still the most we've gotten this winter. It has been very mild, which might not be good for our desert state. We're in February and are just barely getting some snow, I hope there is more that comes before the weather starts to warm up.

Back to College

Happy Birthday Joseph!! Yesterday we wished Joseph a happy 23rd birthday and then we said farewell to our college kids. Ethan's BeReal - we were watching the Chosen (Wes had to catch up). Bye Ethan! Bye Joe!

Bye Melodie! Katharine will miss you!

 

Do you see Owen in that pic? He's a big camouflaged. He's a funny kid. We had a nice dinner before their official send off. Before that Natalie made a picnic lunch for her siblings after church yesterday, which turned into a fancy kid lunch date. 

Maybe they thought they'd practice good manners before our company came. 

We didn't get to Joseph's birthday ice cream, but since we had cake and ice cream yesterday, we'll count that. It was a good Sunday. The little boys have been lost in a Ninjago game for the past two week with this lego set that Owen got for Christmas. I admit it's pretty cool.

Wesley put it together for them, and said that he loved the Avatar vibes he got from it. We had some friends from Chile over to dinner yesterday, and today Corey took them skiing for a bit, just on the Snowpine lift, to try it out. I had a regular day of school with kids, Daniel going to afternoon kindergarten - we took the wagon to walk him down. Cute kids.

Also had violin. Back at home, Natalie thought it might be good to teach Katharine an instrument. Natalie is thinking cello for now, since we don't have a violin small enough for K.

I hope your taking all that in, Katharine. 

I also went by Target to get a lego set for Peter's birthday on Saturday. Katharine was beautiful and smiley at the store. 

She's so cute. 

Thanksgiving with Hibberts & Smarts

Corey and I didn't do a turkey trot or 5K this morning, but we did go on a bike ride. It was 25 degrees. We've been experimenting with different temperatures. 30-40 degrees is good, as is 40-50. 50-60 is iffy - could be too warm and slushy. We knew 25 degrees would be cold, but thought it would be good to try the 20-30 degrees window. And it was cold, but my feet were good in my snowboots with their toe warmers (even though we don't think those make any heat) and our hands were very good with the little hotties (those work too well). The only problem we had with at 25 degrees was that Corey's dropper post froze or something wasn't working with it, so it wouldn't lock in place, and thus when he sat down on his seat, it sunk all the way to the bottom. So he looked like Peter does when he rides his little bike. We still made it to the ruins. 

We did techy on the way down. Since Corey's seat froze, I didn't dare try to adjust mine, and thus it was too high on techy and I fell right at the beginning and banged my left knee pretty good. I'm predicting it will be quite bruised. I got back on and did adjust the seat without a problem and finished the ride. Movement took care of the knee pain and it was good after just a few minutes and has felt fine all day. 

So we did an early ride at 9am to experiment with the cold winter morning temperatures, and because Grant and Stephanie were coming by at noon. They came out for Thanksgiving, yay! We got home in time to clean up ourselves and the house before they showed up. We were so excited when we met their new baby girl Daisy!!! 

We all tried to wait patiently as she was passed around.

Lily's turn, Katharine waiting...

Katharine's turn!

K learned Daisy's name quickly and we all loved loving on her!

Oh she is so cute!!! So we all visited, Corey and Grant talked work, Steph and I talked babies, the boys were all running and roller blading around inside and playing football outside. Grant and his kids got suited up with skis and gear and Grant is taking them skiing tomorrow for the first time ever up at Alta. They will just be doing Snowpine, and that will be perfect since it is a free beginner lift. So we all had fun visiting and playing. We made a salad and vegan sweet potatoes to take to the Thanksgiving feast with the Hibberts, and then headed out for that at 4pm. Jared and Jerusha had prepared a feast for us all. 

There was a really big group of people there - some of Jared's extended family plus extended family of one of their friends. We enjoyed all the tastes of the traditional thanksgiving feast, then had desserts and ate more. 

The cream pie with raspberry topping and some kinda biscoff layer of crunchy something on the bottom was a favorite - pictured on the table there. That was the second piece I went to get.

Neil and some of his kids came down when desserts were still going. His son Connor just got home from his mission less than 48 hours ago! We visited...

...and then there was spikeball (Ashton, Hyrum, Mikey and Neil) and football (all the little boys)...

...and the kids ran around playing tag, and then some games came out: Abducktion and kids playing Telestrations and other fun for another hour. 

We came back home around 8:30. Everyone stuffed and worn out from a lot of fun. 

It was good. Ethan and Bella were up with her family in northern Utah, and Joseph and Eliza went for a meal with my sister in Indiana! So that is fun. The kids did miss the Park City hot tubs, but it was good to not have to try and divide the day. I think next year I would like to host it at home, just for a bit more personal and cozy feeling. I didn't blog anything in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013... and if I didn't blog it, I just don't remember what happened. Looks like we've hosted it a few times ~ in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, and then:

• Us with friends in Costa Rica in 2010
• Us by ourselves in Bear Lake in 2014
• We've done it with Hibberts in Layton in 2008 (at Gma & Gpa Bahr's house in 2007)
• With extended Hibberts hosted by J&J in 2016, 2021, 2023 and now this year 2024
• Park City with Wrides in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 
• (So it was with both Wrides and Hibberts in 2021 & 2023 and both here and Park City in 2019)

I think the Wrides started going to Park City for Thanksgiving when we were in Costa Rica, and I also think that we've gone up every year since then, even if we didn't all sleep over. Cause I'm pretty sure this is the first time we didn't go at all. We might need to go next year, but I really want to do it at home next year, so maybe some of us will go but not all. 2019 was the most memorable one for me, and that was 5 years ago, so yeah, I think we need to do it here again next year. Also I'd like to have our family tradition over thanksgiving center around the historical context more. I'd like to teach and remind us all what should atleast be a part of this tradition. It's not just a meal.

So that's the goal/plan for next year.