Winter Time

Its not normal for Washington to get so cold in the winter so I took advantage of a sunny day in the single digits. The water Falls in the George were all frozen from and it before a great photo taking day.


Its not Temple Square but it the closest we have...Its Santa time...

Camping-Family Style

A long weekend camping with the family in Lake Chelan Washington is a great way to spend some time. The best part is I got a tent all to myself and I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to sharing one again.

Back to the Land of Salt

As y'all know I'm always looking for a good accuse to head out of town. Well a few weeks ago my friend Brad was looking for a ride down to SLC for school. He was headed down to LDS Business College. I thought I could help him out in more ways then one here. So I offered to drive him down, give him some info about LDSBC, since I was one of the best students they had :-) and introduce him to my friends.

Thursday after work we packed up the car and drove off through the night. I'm convinced the conversation became a lot more interesting the later it got. Before we new it we were driving through the SLC valley.

My visit to SLC was great as always. Friday and I had a nice long visit with Grandma. Who I always love to see.

Then my weekend was spent, with great friends, we went hiking up to Cecret at Alta, and ran into some Moose. I spent an afternoon picture taking up at Brighton. Roller Blading with Tyson. And the nights were full of lots of catching up and just hanging out with people I love. Oh and of course I went shopping with Eric, it wouldn't be a trip to UT without that.

Whenever I'm there of course I think, would I ever want to move back. I have such mixed feeling about this. I love being down there, I love my friends, the mountains, the skiing, and so much more. But I love Washington too, my job, family, biking. When I think about this my mind also goes to Alaska too. I just wish I was rich and could go back and forth on the weekends, now that would be amazing. Until then I'll cherish the times I spend every few months.

Adios Utah until next time...

RIP Tommy

In the year 2000, I inherited my grandmas 1985 Toyota Camry. It was a great looking car that had only been driven to the grocery story and back...with a total of 35,000 miles.Tommy, is its name even though I never call him that, went on many adventures with me those first few years. It took me faithfully up to the mountain whenever I needed. I remember a trip I took to home to Vancouver, for Thanksgiving. The drive back to SLC turned into a blizzard, but Tommy pushed through and we made it back. Then there was the time I picked up a TV star and we had lunch in Boise.

St George was a favorite place to head with my friends and cousin. Once we stopped and picked up some lost Dogs that threw up all over the place, I sometimes wonder if the smell ever left Tommy.
In 2002, I headed off to the great land of Texas, and Tommy headed over to Pullman, where my Matt and Cat, aka AK Mowers, took care of him. They too went of many adventures to Vancouver, Glacier National Park and all over The Great Palouse.It didn't take long til AKers family started to grow and they needed a larger car. So the decision was made, without my knowledge but heck I guess I was in Texas, for the switch to be made, Nick gave the Ford to the Akers and he took over Tommy.

I'm not sure where Tommy went with them, I'm thinking it probably left the country for the first time to Canada. It was safely returned to me when I came back from Texas. Nicks sure left a mess in the trunk...after dragging around his wet pond equipment. It left a never ending smell and muggy air. But I was grateful to have him back. You just can't put anything in the trunk.Tommy went all over Washington visiting family, a long road trip to Las Vegas, San Diego and up to SLC. He then sat dormant for a while as I went off to AK. But he was ready and willing to go when I moved back to UT.
There Tommy kept pulling through, with more trips home and down to southern UT where the red sand never goes away.

In the winter of 2007 Tommy received a clef lip when a trailer hitch ran into him, or may he ran into it. I can't tell you how many alternators Tommy went through. Driving home from the STP Tommy died in the middle of Idaho. That was an adventure, and only the beginning of the alternator problems. Somewhere in between all this the antenna was stolen a few hub caps were lost and the grill ended up missing.In 2008 it was time to move back to Vancouver...Tommy was packed full and almost ready to bust. With the radio on I headed North. People judge Tommy more up here...but they didn't know the history and stories Tommy had, so I tried not to blame them. The winter was ruff. Tommy needed a good warm up, but he still kept pulling through.

I new Tommy was getting old the day I was in Portland. I had just left REI and went to reverse out of my parking spot. Tommy didn't move. I took him to the local transmission guy and found out to patch him up it would be $900. Tommy just wasn't worth that much. But I didn't give up on him. I found ways to drive and not go in reverse. Yes it does take more skill but you can do it. I had decided that I wouldn't let Tommy go until he was completely dead.

Just the other day at work Katie was talking about donating her car to get the tax reduction. I told her she should donate it to me, But that doesn't work. Katie then said heck I'll sell it to you for $100. My first question was, Does it reverse?, yep and it goes forward, has a radio and CD player, free of any dents, and the list goes on.
I have to say I kinda felt bad for giving up Tommy before I said but he was getting a little dangerous to drive, and I'd be stupid to pass up a deal like this. So with $100 bucks less in my pocket I have a new, but used 1995 Dodge Neon.

Now I can really save for my Mini Cooper. Thanks Tommy for all the great times.

Heaven

As I pulled up to my house today. There on the porch was the most amazing Sunbean Shining on the steps. I haven't seen a beam like this in a long time. Now it was a little hard to make out. You see Amazon didn't want it to get hurt so it was packaged very nice.

I was excited to see it in all its brightness, I quickly opened it up and admired the shine the shown from the box. The best part came as I sat it on my counter and enjoyed a perfectly piece of toast n' jam in less that 3 min.

Thanks Mom the new Sunbean Toaster is Wonderful!!

H&M+Buca di Beppos+Ichiro+7 Girls= One Heck of a Day

Have I ever told you I love my job and the girls I work with. Well, if not I do and yesterday just confirmed once again why I do.

Work treated us all to dinner and a Mariners game. My office and a few others from The Dell office decided to make a whole day of it. We met early and headed up to Seattle where we spent some wonderful hours in H&M where I found some much needed new iteams. The sad thing is they are most fall stuff so I have to wait to show off my style. But don't worry I'll wait I'm still loving summer.

We then met up with the others and had a Wonderful dinner and Buca di Beppos, which is a great Italian restaurant. Its the craziest place. To get to the dinning area you walk through the kitchen and if you think that's odd the decor is out there. Sadly I didn't get to sit at the Pope table. Which is probably a good thing considering that our table was a little loud. Who would of thought that we could be loud.

Next stop Safeco Field. The yelling and cheering started off right away and didn't ever really die off. As Patti put it to our neighbors in the row in front of us. " We don't get out much" Sadly my man Ichiro's head wasn't in the game. His right field skills did help a little though. As for Griffy he's old and just needs to say good bye, Sorry Jr your top of the game isn't there anymore. Tampa Bay showed up that night for sure.

Oh and then the drive home. Katies rule, if she can't sleep no one can. As roll call came around we quickly found out that not everyone obeyed her, But wow did we have us some good conversations. Oh the things that will come out at 1am is priceless.

The rule for the day...what is said in Katies car stayed in Katies car.

Oh No Bob's in Town.

Bob is one of my many favorite Salt Lake friends and he stop by for the weekend to hang out. It was so fun to have him around. I pretty much get a great Ab work out whenever he's around from all the laughing that happens.

Friday we spent the day at Seaside. My friend Isaac came a long and we all had a blast. It was so nice and warm. That night Bob and I adventured down to Portland. A Friday night with the Brew Fest ending made it for some great people watching time. Dinner at Rock Bottom a movie outside at Pioneer Square and walking up and down 3rd Ave trying to find Voodoo donuts all in our cowboy boots made it even better.

Saturday we finally found Voodoo donuts and made a quick stop at the Saturdays Market. We then headed to meet Isaac for the YSA boating activity. However while filling up on gas Bob locked the keys in the car. Luckily Curly's Lock Smith was just around the corner.

Boating at Yale Lake was a blast, Hot, Sunny and Beautiful. After a few bruises later it was back to my place with Kevin and Brad joining us for some homemade pizza's and a movie.

Sunday before Church we headed to the temple. The Portland temple is always gorgeous but the flowers were all out and just made the temple stand out.

It was sad to see Bob leave but I loved the weekend and the time we had together. Its always an adventure when he's in town.

Thanks for coming Bob, Love ya!

It's Back and Better Than Ever

Its been about a year now that my camera was stolen from my house. Which was the one of most devastating experiences in my life.
Well the good news is I finally bought a new camera. I got the Nikon D5000, and it's pretty sweet. It is the only SLR camera on the market that takes video, and it has a swivel view screen. It came with a 18-55mm and 18-200mm lenses. I got a great deal on it which is of course a plus and the reason I was able to get a good camera.
I can't wait to get out there and take photos once again.

Olympic National Park and More

This last weekend Kami and I set off for another adventure. Thursday night we drove north up to Port Townsand. It was late when we got there so we camped in the hospital parking lot in the truck. In the morning we explored Fort Warden. Then headed over to the Olympic National Park.

We got out permit to camp and headed out hiking. We hiked out to some great hot springs were we went for a dip. They were amazing and it was hard to leave. But we did and contunied hiking. We were headed to Boulder Lake. A passes us on the way and asked are you headed to the lake? We said yes and he infomed us that there was 3ft of snow up there. With that in mind we decided to make camp a few miles back which ended up being a great place.

In the morning we hiked out and headed to Hurrican Ridge for an amazing view of the moutains. It was then time to head off the the most Northwestern part of the continenal United States. Its a place called Cape Flattery and its worth the drive. The view was amaizng.

The weekend ended with dinner in Forks, yes all you Twilight fans can be jelouse.

Everytime I go explore my state I'm amazed by all the beauty that is packed into this little area.

Backpacking with the Parents.

I'm thinking of starting a new business. I'm think I should take senior citizen on 1st time backpacking trips. So I used Mom and Dad as a test. Honestly I think it went quite well.

We had a great time. We hiked the Lewis River Trail and had it all to ourselves which was even better. The river to so high and rushing we were tempted with go find a raft, which in that case Dad would have to bring out his old river guiding skills.

About 2.5 miles in we found a great campsite and setup. We made a great dinner with chili and dumplings. We ventured out on after dinner hike then came back to site by the warm fire while eating some peach cobbler. It was a great camping trip.

This is the trip I first tested out my new gear from Dr. Young. The pack was great and the sleeping pad, oh my that was even better. Big Agnes in what you want to buy, you'll sleep like a baby.

Thanks Dr for a happy back.

Breaking the Spring in Utah

Utah+ skiing + old friends = a week off of work. It was great to finally go back to Utah and spend time with friends. Although I will say most of my time spent was on the mountain. But who could blame me. The snow was falling hard and you could easily mistake the weather for Jan instead of March. I was skiing fresh tracks all week and couldn't get enough. Unfortunately my knee could.

The time off the mountain gave me a chance to relax and hang out. One afternoon was spent at a Color Festival in Utah county. They celebrate spring by throwing colored flour at anyone and everyone. It was interesting and a blast all at once.

I love to knowing if I'm ever headed in Utah I can count on a good time.

Pretty Perfect Ski Day

Friday I went skiing with the girls from the Woodland office. It was a great day. The snow wasn't anything to rave about but with the blue skies and warm weather the snow didn't matter much. You could look out and see Mt Bachelor and down to the Three Sisters.
I have come to realize that Timberline is a very easy ski resort. I guess all those ski days in Utah really have made me a better skier. The Black Diamonds at Timberline would be considered a Blue run at The Bird. But it was still a fun day. I will say Timberline still has some of the best tress to go through so I took advantage of that. I even ventured off into the snow park and hit a few jumps. The other girls were mostly beginners so I would ski down then soak up the sun on my face. Challenge wise it was a an easy ski day for me but I still had a blast. Sometimes days like that are good to have. You don't really tired and its just good ol' fun.

A Perfect Ski day in a different way.

Food Network

I have always enjoyed watching the Food Network but I am now wondering if it is getting out of control. If I'm not watching Jack Bauer then most likely the Food Network is on. For example its 1 am and here I am watching a Food Network Challenge.
I wonder why I enjoy them so much. I DVR every challenge and my favorite show Ace of Cakes. I think I enjoy these two shows so much because the things they do is real art. I am amazed at the creations people can make out of food.
I also find myself watching Unwrapped, Good Eats and you can't forget the Iron Chef. I really think its funny when I watch the cooking shows. I don't think I have ever watched one where they cooked something I could actually eat, due to my diet.
A couple of Christmas' back my family and I had our own Iron Chef. We had to decorate Ginger Bread Houses. We even had a secret ingredient that we had to use. Then we had our home teacher, Bro Kelly come over and judge them. It was amazing to see what my family member came up with. It is a Christmas I will never forget
Maybe I should add to my list of goals to attend a Food Network Challenge. Not to perform in one but to watch it.