Connect Pass Number #5

We have had a hard time getting together to enjoy our Salt Lake Connect passes.  (It’s a good thing we have a whole year to use them!)  Life doesn’t seem to slow down very often, and there are a lot of us to coordinate schedules with, including work schedules, trainings, lessons, church callings, and  so on. 

We did get together yesterday (minus Robbie and Brittany who had other commitments, and whom we really missed) to use our Snowbird passes.

Snowbird is about ten miles up beautiful Little Cottonwood Canyon, and is a winter ski resort-summer sports venue. 

The drive there was so pretty with some of the leaves already starting to change color.

With our passes, we had the option of riding in the enclosed tram or the open ski lift to the top of the mountain and then back down(normal value $17 each).

With six children under the age of eight, we opted for the security of the enclosed tram.  It was quite thrilling to watch the resort, cars, and people get smaller and smaller as we ascended the mountain.

The tram let us out at the top, at 11,000 feet.

We felt like we really were on top of the world!

The views were astonishing.

The air was a little smoky, probably due to fires in California, but you could see for miles, in every direction.  It kind of took your breath away (especially if one wasn’t used to the altitude here)!

Katie, Andrew, Irene, and I decided to hike to the ski lift for the ride back down.  We felt rewarded for our hiking efforts, because it was much more exciting being in the fresh air, feeling the wind against our faces and smelling the fragrance of the pines, as we descended back to the resort.

Michelle, our family coordinating-event pusher, planned this outing to coincide with Snowbird’s Oktoberfest celebration.

THANK YOU, MICHELLE!

After our scenic ride to the top of the mountain, we enjoyed the festivities of the German festival, down on the plaza.  There was beer drinking (which we DIDN’T participate in), polka dancing, juggling, German food, entertainment, and people watching to be had.

Oktoberfest 2014

Little Zach even had a nap while his daddy was busy dancing with his sisters!

This activity  will certainly become a yearly tradition for our family!

We loved it!

Don’t you love cultural festivities?

JoAnn

P.S.  Too bad I outgrew my dirndl!

Give me some country…..

The picture below is where I got my start in this earthly life,

the center of my Universe.

I am a daughter of a dairy farmer who loved working the land and creating a living by the sweat of his brow,  preceded by his father working the very same land. 

I don’t live on a farm now, but I sure am thankful for my beginnings. 

I have to get a little “country fix” every so often to keep myself happy.  Living in the city has some advantages and perks, but those country roots do run deep. 

I don’t miss some things about living on a farm (barn yard smells can be pretty strong),

but I sure do miss the wide open spaces, the acres of green fields, the smell of freshly cut alfalfa, ripening wheat fields waiting for harvest time, and the few remaining old barns scattered around.

Last weekend we headed north to spend the day celebrating Aunt Mardene’s ninety-first birthday.  Like last year, everyone came prepared for a day of service, helping with yard work and heavy cleaning.

Mardene still gets around quite well, but climbing ladders to wash windows and digging up gardens is getting too dangerous for her.   We had a fun day working together and enjoyed some delicious Dutch oven potatoes and chicken.  Yum!

Happy Birthday, Mardene!

(I borrowed this picture from my niece Jenni.  Well, I didn’t really ask, but I hope Jenni won’t mind.)

A few weeks earlier, I had stayed over night and spent a fun day  with Mardene and my sister Diane, driving around the valley checking out all the changes to the neighboring farms. 

(It’s a rural thing-don’t ask me why.) 

We drove by this restored barn and I had to stop and take pictures.  I have always wanted a big old barn of my own, and this one looked perfect.  Everything was as neat as a pin and tidy, too.

I love the flower beds by this old building.

Yes, I do love those country barns!

(I even have a board of barns on my Pinterest account.)

I wonder if we could fit a big barn in our small back yard?

Sigh…

Guess I’ll just have to keep making little visits to the farm.

JoAnn

Link for 9-11

I’m a bit technology challenged today and I can’t figure out how to embed the link, but this YouTube video by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, narrated by Tom Brokaw is quite powerful.  The music and photography are stunning, and the message is positive.  It is a time in history that I will never forget, and it makes me proud to be an American.  We live in a beautiful country!

JoAnn

P.S.  It is a bit long, but some of the best video and music is at the end!

 

Saturday morning in the playhouse

Last Saturday I escaped from the real world.

Well, maybe it wasn’t a real escape, and maybe it wasn’t for very long, but I did get in on some good pretending and make believe.

I spent some relaxing time in the playhouse loft with Joshua and Olivia, while their parents attended a wedding.

The best part of the deal was trading our identities for awhile.

I was the mother, Joshua was the dad, and Olivia was our sweet child.

We had a splendid tea party with the three bears (and a few extra bear friends).

We enjoyed a little quiet reading time.

And we hung out with some really interesting people.

The pleasant temperature outside only added to the enjoyment of the day. 

Don’t you agree that everyone needs a little magic and escape time once in a while?

JoAnn

 

A Beautiful Day at the Farmers’ Market…

Every summer should end with at least one visit to a local Farmers’ Market.

My daughter, Michelle, and I love to go to the Saturday morning market in down town Salt Lake City, held in Pioneer Park.

We try and go every year.

Here are the reasons why we like to go:

The produce is freshly picked, beautifully arranged, reasonably priced, and delicious.

It is local and supports vendors in the community.

The smells from the produce, food booths, and fall air all mixing together are sweet, tangy, spicy, musky, and a little foreign.

People watching is never dull.

We experiment and try something new for lunch, chosen from the many different ethnic vendors sharing their native dishes.

Entertainment is free and different.

Freshly squeezed lime with mint drinks are worth the splurging price of $4.00.

It is a fun bonding time together.

And…

It’s kind of a welcome mat for fall (my favorite time of all) and the harvest season.

Do you have a Farmers’ Market near you?

Hope your week is pleasant and exciting!

JoAnn

Summer’s Memories

Labor Day weekend usually marks the official ending of summer vacation.  I’ve noticed lots of Facebook posts of friends’ camping trips, canyon breakfasts, picnics, reunions, and other celebrations (last chance outings) going on today!

The air is changing.

Fall is right around the corner.

We have one week of school under our belts and things are looking pretty promising for a great year.  I have a cute class and I’m feeling almost organized.  Now, if I can just keep the kids from moving in and out….

I haven’t kept my blog very updated this summer (guilt), so I’m combining a lot of activities into one big post.

I hope the pictures will tell a story of a busy, but nice summer. 

I love spending time with my family!

It wasn’t a very long summer, and we didn’t go anywhere exotic, but some great memories were made!

What things do you like to do in the summer?

JoAnn

P.S.  Farmers’ Market….we’re hoping to get there this coming weekend!