A Mountain Get-Away

And this was NOT on our Mountain.

Back in early December -

We packed our bags.

Kissed the 9 children.

And drove from one mountain to another.

This Get-Away was at Snowbird Ski Resort

on the other side of our mountain range.

My brothers own/run a company.

They are always so thoughtful to invite Brian and I to

the company Christmas party.

It's hard for us to say "no".

We like a good party!

They sure know how to "throw one".

We especially enjoy a dinner with friends/family.

And REALLY especially like a "night away".

First thing on the agenda was to ride the tram to the top.

Oh Fun!

 My Bro-in-law

Crazy dude.

My older brother, Paul and his wife Elaine

My sweet seesta and cute Isaac.

Hello?! Can you say - yum?

Me and My Guy

 So Beautiful

 At the Top

 WOW!!!

Breathtaking.

 Debbie (sister) and Bob

Grant (brother) and Shannon

Paul (brother) and Elaine

Sam(their son) and his "close" friend, Beka

Paul and Grant

I am so proud of these guys.

They do a great job being bosses/owners.

(and I know they couldn't do what they do without their awesome wives)

Way to go guys!

Grant kissing Shannon wait... that's Sam. 

Ewww

 The Whole Crew with spouses.

Hammin' it up! 

 Oh MY GOODNESS...

gobble him up!!!

OK. So this is my family.

L to R

Grant, Me, Dad, Mom, Debbie, Paul

These are some of my most favorite people in the whole world.

 My family with spouses!

 The 2 people that started this whole thing.

And what a great thing!

Thanks Mom and Dad...

for everything!

Oops. Don't look...

A little kissy face.

 We had a most fabulous time!

20 Years...

So, what would you do or

what did you do for your

20th Anniversary?

This month was our 20th anniversary.

Guess where we spent it...

The Hospital!

There was no hot sun, sand or crashing waves 

BUT

we did have our own room

 (with the exception of all hospital staff coming in every 15 minutes) 

and food service.

(well, meals for Brian anyway. None for the 8 month pregnant wife) 

Aren't we THE wild and crazy couple?!

In all seriousness, it has been an incredible 20 years.

I love my man!

Another Great Year...

with my great husband.

Today is our 19th wedding anniversary!

19 Years!!

Sidenote to Orlando

 

If I were to measure the fun of our trip.  I would measure it by pounds.  And I would say that we had 4 pounds of fun. 

Oh. my. Goodness!! 

FOUR pounds gained in one week.  How is that possible?  It takes me at least one week, sometimes more, to lose just one pound.  And yet, I managed to GAIN a whopping 4 pounds in 7 days.  I guess you can tell what we did most of the time.  And now you can guess what I will be doing more of now that I am home again - Exercise!!  And less pigging out eating!!

And that will be easier said than done now that it is 8 degrees outside and we are in the midst of the holidays and partying.  Self-control...Kick in, Now!!

Oh my. (sigh)

One Week...

O.K.  You know that we went to Orlando.  And you know that it was Brian and I that went.  So, you may be asking, "Did they take their children?"  The answer to that question would be - No.  So, where were the children while we were gone?  Four of them stayed at our home with Nana (my mom).  Three of them went to their cousins house (my brother).  And one went to S.Dakota with Papa (my dad) to pheasant hunt.  All 8 of them had a wonderful time!!  Thanks Papa, Nana, Grant, Shannon and family!!

They enjoyed the snow while we enjoyed some of this...

 

The Players

Greg and Sheila (Brian's sister)

Greg is director of a camp in Arizona.

Deanne and Scott

Scott is the Program Director for Big Canyon and Deanne helps me cook for the campers.

Brian and Me

Of course, there were about 600 other people there for the Christian Camping Conference also.  But, it was the 6 of us "tearing up Orlando".

The Activities

Before the conference started on Monday night, we spent the day at Kennedy Space Center.  L.O.V.E.D it!!!  We all learned so much.  I just wish I could get my children there.  They would love it too.

 

 

The Rocket Garden (the different rockets used through the years)

 

             Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). This is where the rockets are built.  565 ft tall  (Statue of Liberty is 305 ft tall)

 

The Crawler.  This machine carries the rockets from the building to the launch pad.  When loaded it travels one mile per hour.

One evening, after our conference session, all 600 of us loaded on buses and went to Epcot Center.  It was dark so I have no pictures except for this one of the huge Christmas tree at the entrance.  We learned quickly that we 40 somethings don't do rides.  The first thing we did when we got there was ride "Trip to Mars".  We were all so sick.  Wimps!!  Most of us recovered but we still had weak stomachs the rest of the evening.

 

So, our guys decided to plan and take charge of one mornings activity.  Our guys took - - -

us girls on an airboat tour to look for gators in the wild.

 

All fine and dandy but it just so happened to have rained the day before and this day was freezing.  We layered and bundled up as best we could with all of our beachwear.  And jumped on the airboat.

Here we go!

To the water forests filled with gators.  Except for this day.  It was too cold and they all stayed in the water where I am sure it was much warmer.  I know because I was outside of the water and freezing.

However we did see a few Bald Eagles

and cows!

It was a great and fun experience. Just too bad we didn't see any hungry, ferocious, human eating alligators.  Ahh shucks!

We did see bears and Scott almost got mauled by one. (at the Bass Pro Shop)

 

This was our home away from home.  A very nice villa provided by a Big Canyon board member.  Thank you Bill and Debbie!

We did a lot of this...

eating, drinking, talking, laughing. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the conference.  We went away with great ideas and a renewed excitement for this coming year.

 

I am Still Here!

I have been somewhat missing in action. There is a reason for that.

So, you are probably asking (or not) - - what has happened to me?

On Sunday, here are a few of the things I saw...

Hmmm...

Six hours later, this is what I saw.

Orlando, Florida!!!

Yep! Brian and I are in Florida!! We are at a Christian Camping Conference in Orlando. Scott, our Program Director and his wife, Deanne also came. We are having tons o' fun.


More later!