African drumming

Wyatt's school's PTA brings in people/groups throughout the year to expose the kids to different cultures. The 4th and 6th graders were taught the African drums by Agginie Zinsie who is from Gana and now travels the globe to teach this art.

Zinnsie:

Wyatt grabbing his drum:

Wyatt doing a fancy move during his performance:

Oktoberfest at Snowbird

We took a trek out to Snowbird Resort today for the last weekend of Oktoberfest. Todd says that it is his favorite mountain resort out here, and I can see why. It's tucked in Little Cottonwood Canyon and is absolutely gorgeous. There were vendors selling crafts, lots of German Food and a traditional German band called "The Heidelberg Express."

We also took a tram ride to the top of the mountain. The kids were ecstatic that there was so much snow and that we were as high as we were. It was very cold up there, though, and I was not prepared for that, so poor Wyatt was freezing with his bald head. He had a good time, though, and Henry proclaimed that, "it is AWESOME up here."

Sign at the top of the mountain:


Kids, at the top:


Wyatt, freezing:


Just a taste of the snow to come:


On the way back down:

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.