Squaw Peak Hike

Since we've been in Utah:

Dave is going to school and working part-time. He is a busy guy, but somehow he always finds time to be a great husband and dad too. I am staying home with Sally, and learning more and more everyday. I really do enjoy it. I think I am a homebody and I like trying to improve my domestic domain.

We have started back up our adventure Saturdays! We did this one winter a year or so ago, it really helped us make good use of our time and to get out there and enjoy life! These Utah winters can be gnarly and depressing, so it is always refreshing to just get out...even if it is just a drive up the canyon.

Since we've been back, we've done some fun things as a family.

Yellowstone

Cheering on family at the St. George Marathon

Deer Valley Resort

Squaw Peak Hike

Alpine Loop

Drive-in movie (first time!)

Here's to another Utah winter! 

Sally 3 Months

Love to suck on your fists.

You finally take a pacifier! And you take it every time now.

No giggles yet. We're workin on it.

Your first accidental word "dada". Clear as a bell.

You like to grab your feet.

You like playing. Rocketship, swaddle attack, etc.

Your hair has flattened out :( it is still curly right after a bath. But it is a lot flatter. Still have a lot of hair but you have managed to rub a lot off.

You like to be sung to.

Went to Deer Valley and Yellowstone and Rexburg.

Met your Facer grandparents.

Like to sit in your bumbo. Can do it by yourself now.

Stopped talking for a little while but now it's back.

Roll from side to side a lot.

Still love looking at ceiling fans (too bad we don't have one).

Yellowstone

 

PC: Steve and Clare Askar took some of these!

A few weekends ago, we decided to take off and go see Yellowstone. Dave had never been. We made a weekend out of it and visited Steven and Clare in Rexburg. It was such a good time. They toured us around Rexburg and BYUI (I was thoroughly impressed, I loved the campus atmosphere and the community vibe). They also came with us on our Yellowstone adventure.

We woke up early (6am) and left at 7am so we could get in the park during the morning hours. I love nature in the morning. Crisp air, animals to be seen, and just starting to feel the sun on your face. When we first drove in, we did a hike by Madison Campground. Dave had researched it earlier and had wanted to do it, it didn't disappoint! You hike about a 1/2 mile up through a narrow track with pines on either side of you. Once you get to the top of this little hill, there is a small lake covered in lillypads and surrounded by trees. It was serene and beautiful.

Then we drove the whole lower loop of the park and stopped to look at a some awesome geysers. We especially loved seeing the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It was breathtaking - huge ravine, complete with a gorgeous waterfall. I also loved driving by the lake! I had no idea it was so expansive! Probably the prettiest lake I have ever seen. It had mountains on the far side with snow caps on top. And of course we stopped at Old Faithful.

Towards the end of our day we stopped at Madison Campground again. Clare took the boys down to the river - there was a little hot spring area that you could go in with your swimsuit. Dave said it felt like a warm bath, and it was awesome looking up and seeing mountains and trees all around him. (I stayed in the car with Sally and took an excellent nap).

It was such a fun trip. I love being able to adventure with my little family. I find so much joy in showing Sally some of my favorite things - the pines, the mountains, the animals. Where to next?

Deer Valley

One Saturday we decided to go check out the Deer Valley resort and area because we had never been. We filled up our thermos with cocoa and hit the road. It was cool and rainy, with a perfect atmosphere of misty mountains and water-dropped trees. The rain exaggerated the wonderful pine smell. Because we went during the off season, we were all by ourselves as we walked around. We felt like daredevils getting that picture of Sally on the chairlift.

As we headed down the mountain, we saw a sweet tram type thing that scaled up the side of a mountain. We found out it took guests up to the St. Regis hotel. How cool. So we took the little ride up and scoped it out.

We love exploring. It was a great day!