Snow in September!

We had our first snowfall, today. Can you believe that? I used to think snow before Thanksgiving was early. This is a whole two months sooner. Todd was right, though. It fell and then melted. The kids were so excited about it.

When the clouds cleared, you could see that the mountain tops were covered in snow, which made them even prettier than they were. Todd grabbed the camera as soon as he got home to snap some pics.

This one is right out our front door. It's called Ben Lomond Peak and is said to be the model for the Paramount Pictures Mountain at the beginning of all their movies(the top of it is hidden in the clouds):

Out the back door, you can see the mountains in the background got more snow since those are in the upper elevations:


The kids, and Todd, are counting the days until the ski hills are open.LOL

Running

Almost two years ago, I started working out on an almost daily basis. I bring my computer downstairs and either watch something off of Netflix, or a DVD. I walk at a very rapid pace, sometimes at an incline. I have lost 25 lbs doing this.

Just recently, I have actually been able to get up to a run instead of walking. Go me! I did it for the first time the other day for 15 straight minutes in the middle of my workout, just to see if I could do it. And I did! Yesterday, I did 23 minutes straight after walking for 20 and could have kept going but didn't want to overdo it. Today, I intermittently walked and ran for 50 minutes while watching The Tudors and I have to say, I love it. I never thought I would be able to run for any amount of time, but I have actually achieved it.

Now, I just have to find a babysitter out here so that I can start running 5k's with Todd.

So, yes, it's a shameless brag, but a huge personal achievement for me.:)

Bryce Canyon Camping Trip

We went camping this weekend. Yes. Camping. In a tent.

I actually enjoyed myself. The tent was very comfortable. The scenery was gorgeous. And the weather was fantastic. You really couldn't ask for anything more.

Bryce Canyon is about 4 hours south of where we live now and is a national park filled with red rock and things called Spires/Hoo-doos. If you read the link, it explains what they are and how they are formed. We camped in Kodachrome State Park, which I will say again, is prettier than any state park I have ever been in. Utah really knows how to maintain their parks. I thought Antelope Island was gorgeous, but Kodachrome was even moreso. The landscape made it simply spectacular.

The only downside of the trip was the drive home. We took the Scenic Route 12 Byway which added 4 hours to our drive home but took 40 years off of my life. It was recommended to Todd that we take this road home because of the scenery. The scenery was gorgeous. But the road in one area had approx. 2000 feet of dropoff on both sides WITH NO GUARD RAILS!!!!!!!!! Now, I handle heights pretty well. The only time I don't like it is over a bridge with water down below. This drive, however, was scarier than anything I have ever done in my life. I seriously did not know whether to throw up or burst into tears and it was all I could do to not do either. Todd laughed at me at the time and then later admitted that it made him nervous to drive over it, as well, so you KNOW it had to be bad. I still don't know that the scenery was worth it.

Entrance to Kodachrome:


Our tent with the view:


The kids sleeping:


"Natural Bridge" in Bryce:


One of our hikes:


HELLO! (yes, I am a 12 year old little boy at heart. You can't tell me that Hoo-Doo behind me doesn't look like what I think it looks like):


All in all this was another notch in the belt that is the grand adventure that is the Decker move to Utah.

FYI

Just so you all know, I'm going to be moderating comments that you all may make to my blog,. I have been nailed by spammers lately, so I chose to do that to see if it cuts down on it.

First Day of School 2009

Wyatt, Henry, and Lauren all started school today at their new schools. The day seems to have gone well for all of them, thank goodness. The boys both said that they made some friends and had fun, so I can claim success and maybe breathe a teensy bit easier.

Weekend Busyness

How much stuff can one family jam into one weekend? Out here, it's easy to do.

This past Friday was Todd's Friday off. So, on Thursday he packed up the boys (LC and I didn't go as our tent isn't big enough for all of us, but we will have to remedy that as she was very...upset...that we weren't going ) and they went camping in Logan, UT in the Cache National Forest. They were told they got the last campsite in the whole forest; it was that busy as camping is a HUGE past time out here. They hiked in Tony Grove and then stopped in Bear Lake on the way home to have raspberry shakes on the recommendation of everyone in his office as raspberries are bountiful up there.

At the campsite:

Hiking :

Stopping in Idaho...the kids can add another state to the list; one I've never even been to:


Every Saturday this Summer, Ogden, North Ogden, Roy and South Weber sponsor free days at certain attractions in the area. Last weekend, we went to the Treehouse Children's Museum. This Saturday, we went to the Dinosaur Park. The day was gorgeous--mid 70's--so we decided to check it out. The kids really liked it. Wyatt was a little bored so I am glad it was free.LOL

Henry and I, reading about one of the dinosaurs:

LC, not happy about posing::

Henry and LC checking out a prehistoric Dolphin:


We finished up there, had dinner at home and then headed out to the Ogden Valley Balloon Festival. We got there in time to see a couple of balloons land and a couple inflate in time for the balloon glow, which is when they all flash their flames after sunset to light up the balloons.

Arriving::

The Energizer Bunny was a key sponsor as well as featured balloon. It is the largest in North America at 166ft. tall. The kids in their bunny ears:

A balloon "glowing":


This morning, we were up at 5:30am to be back at the festival to see the set up and launch of the balloons. There were 19 total balloons that went up in the air and we were able to see them all set up and take flight.

Dressed for the weather this time (It was 44 degrees when we got there, but warmed up to 75 this afternoon. The weather out here is soooo different):

One of the balloons before being inflated:

As they are all being inflated:

The Mayflower balloon with the American Flag. As soon as it was up, the Nat'l Anthem was played:

A bunch of them up:

The Energizer Bunny Balloon, from blow-up to take off:





I'm glad I braved the early rising and the chilly weather. It was well worth it.

Granny's Visit...

Sylvia came to visit us this last week and it was a really enjoyable visit. We showed her all around our new city and tried to show her as many amazing sites we could in a limited amount of time. I think she enjoyed most of it. All except for the night we drove up Mt. Ogden and then back down. I don't think she saw half of it since she wasn't able to look out the window half the time.LOL

We took her to Antelope island where the buffalo and antelope were out in full force. We were also able to see an incredible sunset while out there. It was setting between two ranges over the Great Salt Lake and I think it is the prettiest one I have ever seen, including any over the ocean we have seen in the past.

We also went to the Ogden Farmer's Market and Rainbow Gardens, where she and I had a few hours to shop to our hearts content without the clamoring of kids saying, "I'm boooored."

The rest of the time was spent talking, laughing, reminiscing, and looking towards the future. She has been very supportive of our move out here and for that we are very grateful. It can't have been easy for her to see her son move away and leave the company she and Todd's dad built, but she has said from the beginning that this is a good thing for us and we are so relieved she feels this way.

I, of course, have pictures from the visit.LOL

An antelope grazing::

Herd of Buffalo:

Mom and baby Buffalo:

The boys enjoying the scenery. How could you not out here?:

Sunset:

Wildflower Garden at the Ogden River Trail:

Admiring the Rose Garden:

Shopping at the Farmer's Market:

She left today but we hope that she can come back soon, maybe when it's just a little cooler so she can experience the mountains snow-capped. I think that's when they are at they're prettiest.