Sunny days...

It snowed a foot over the weekend and then Sunday was sunny with crystal blue skies. Everything looked so fresh and clean like our valley had a good Windexing.

Snowshoeing Saturday, we found a hidden gem right above the hill by our house. Around the tenth hole of the golf course is a bridge with breathtaking views of the valley. It’s probably off limits in the spring but for now I am going to squeeze as many sunsets as possible out of our new secret spot...

The Oscar gals may be draped in jewels...but check out all the snow diamonds right outside my back door...

James has perfected the art of angel making...

Stopping to play along the way

This is our moon landing pic.

Spending time outside with the fam, watching James discover new things, and recording these moments is my new drug of choice. And posting pictures always perks me up on a not so sunny Monday. Now a vacuum to fix and recipe to mix. Wow, I really sound like a mommy. Whatev...If it allows me do stuff like this with my little guy, I'll take the housewife cliche any day.

A Square Stay-cation...

Whenever I need a little vacay I head downtown to temple square. It sorta feels European and when the sister missionaries ask me where I am from: for a split second I feel like I am a visitor from a far away land. I'm sure they are just being polite and we have local fam written all over our face... I should say Finland just to prolong my fantasy...but then they will probably ask if I know sister so and so and then I'd be exposed. But it is still fun to be around tourists, the beautiful buildings, and enjoy the tranquil feeling of the place. And since taking photos is part of a sightseers responsibility...here are our pics from last Saturday's afternoon stay-cation....

A little lovin' from our oven...

John asked me the other day if I ever thought I would love cooking like I have been lately. I think he was taken back when I answered an affirmative yes. I told him it was on my list and life is long, so I knew eventually I would get to cooking.

I love the idea of reinvention. It keeps life exciting knowing there are so many different hats you can wear, hobbies you can take up, and causes to fight for. But there is a time and a season and during this season of my life I want to use actual seasonings to spice it up.

I know that change isn't always as easy as an outfit change. I've always owned an apron and have never been able to crank out a cupcake. But I know by the sweat of my brow I can reinvent the woman I am. Mostly because I have all you lady role models who have done it time and time again. Like my mother-in-law who went back to school later in life to become a mathematician or my mom who just got her masters. My Grandma Down became an accountant. Then my other once corporate grandma became a knitter. Heather is a dance teacher right now, but just told me she might eventually become a dietitian. I could go on forever about so many of you gals out there. So who knows...maybe down the road I could be an illustrator, a political advocate, an American Idol...jk! I'm out of luck in the singing department:) But, ahh, the possibilities... it keeps life exciting.

For now though, I must say, I am completely content in my kitchen baking cupcakes with my baby cakes...

James frosting his cupcake.

I love my new homemade slippers grandma! They are like an extension of my body because I wear them 24/7. They are so comfy and warm...and the fact they are so pretty and pink is a definite plus:)

Someone is ready to eat the fruits of his labor. My aunts yummy homemade strawberry cupcake recipe here.

Happeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Friday friends:)

Cross my heart: cross country has my heart...

girls cross country ski day: endorphins...adrenaline...fresh mountain air...laughing til your lungs hurt...friends...yummy lunch in the lodge...great conversation... triceps and leg workout...locals discount...beautiful scenery...

Heather and Linds making the ascent up the mountain

Carolyn gliding down. My mom opted to walk since she took a bad spill here last time. I know this doesn't look steep but cross country skiing is way more intense 'cause your skis are as skinny as twigs and your feet are stuck in the rivets like a Hot Wheel on a track.

Dear Kimme and Chelsea: I stopped skiing and saluted the Canadian flag in your honor:)

A little friendly competition. I was number 1 for the best fall.

The rivets in the snow the skis fit into.

A shout out to Soldier Hollow for another fabulous gals ski day. It is going to be hard to wait for our next ski date!

Climb aboard...It's time for a snow show...

Besides being seriously addicted to his blankie and baba, James has a huge fetish for the Cat in the Hat on PBS. He even wakes up in the middle of the night singing the theme song and would have it on all day if he could.

I personally think the show is a bore and the all the rhyming is making me bananas. But I like that the Cat is a lover of life and is always up for an adventure... plus he makes the kids wear their seat belts.... So I guess I'd say he's a pretty cool cat and I hope my parenting can follow in his paw prints:)

"Now, let us go go go go on an adventure..."

Come journey with me to the front yard we'll go.

It's a very cold place that's mostly all snow...

This is where we live, it is surrounded by ice

And we are perfectly happy, we find it quite nice...

How do we keep from all going burrrrrr?

We dress in warm clothes and a hat made of fur.

We'll play in the snow 'till we move to the sand...

for each one is its' own beautiful land.