Hatcher's Pass Family Photo Pre-view

The sun was shining, mom had time, and aunt Sally let us barrow the fancy camera. No better time than to head up to Hatcher's Pass and try to get some pictures taken for the holidays, right? We started out down by the river, but quickly headed up to the old Independence Mine. Old historical buildings with lots of stairs, paint chipping away, and trim that coordinated lovely with our outfits. It was awesome! I will definitely remember this place for photos again.

These are just a few. I could have spent the whole day loading all the pictures we took.

I think this says it all.

These two were hilarious, looking through both ends of the telescope.

I'm warning you now...this might just be our Christmas card picture. I love everything about it...its definitely one of the contenders.

I love this one, cause this is just like at home. Matt goes to steel a kiss, and we always have an audience waiting in the wings. "Goin' in for a bend and a kiss, hu dad?" (Gabe's favorite thing to say)

Yes! She's so excited to start Ballet on Tuesday!

I love this one. Doesn't it belong in a Children's clothing store catalog?

My sweet little school girl.
(yes, I know the shoes are on the wrong feet..what can I say, she insists otherwise)

Matt with his boys.

They love to wrestle.

And they were oh so glad that picture takin' was over.

Convention Party and Temple Square

These are some photos I missed from our trip to Utah. We took a break from the party the first night to walk down to temple square and look around.

These Scentsy signs were everywhere in downtown SLC. It was pretty cool to see. We partied like it was 1999! It was actually pretty fun to be with the girls and just have a good time dancing, eating, singing, eating, playing games, eating, and stealing tiera's from unsuspecting consultants in the bathroom.

My Sweet Pulled Pork Goodness.

One of my favorite things about our business trip to Utah was the food. I discovered this lovely little dish last year in Idaho, (thanks to my SIL Caryn) and it has become my favorite! Sweet Pulled Pork Salad. Y-UMMM!
So when I got home, I immediately got on my computer and googled this recipe. I slow cooked the pork roast in a combination of brown sugar and salsa for about 4-5 hours till I could pull it apart, then I let it marinade overnight in the sauce.

I took flour tortillas, black beans, (I know, I omitted the rice) than the sweet pulled pork, then romaine lettuce. I topped that with fresh made salsa, guacamole, and avocado ranch. KILLER SALAD!!!! I love the Internet. Now I can have my favorite Utah salad whenever I want. And the good news? My kids and hubby love it too. And there's always leftover pork for lunch the next day.

***Funny side story*** the kids were asking what park of the pig the meat came from. I told them it came from the pigs butt. Then Gabe got a funny look on his face, and said "you mean we're eating sweet pulled pork butt?"

Tomorrow, I'll let you know how my MIMI's CAFE bread pudding with banana sauce goes. I will also post my recipe I found for P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps. To Die For!

Hiking in Utah.

While I was in Utah, Renae and I decided we had to hike up to the Timpanogos Caves. I wanted to do it last year, but had the kids, and didn't think their Alaska blood could take the heat plus the excursion of hiking up the steep mountain trail. I'm so glad we did it. Had a ball.


You'd think we were really vain, with all the stopping and picture taking we were doing, hu? Really, Renae and I were just trying to keep up with the 20 year old that was kicking our butts all the way up the mountain. :)

We were much more at home in the cool 45 degree caves. Especially since our tour group was so lively and fun!

MAKIN' HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES.

Saturday Mom and I headed out to Pyrus Farm in Palmer. Its a You pick farm, where they have wagons, and buckets, and you go out and pick your own vegetables. There's all kinds of stuff on right now. Peas, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, and rhubarb. I love getting rhubarb and making strawberry rhubarb jam, and the kids love getting fresh peas and eating them like candy. Plus, its nestled down in Paler, under the beautiful Pioneer Peek Mountain.

Morgan found this tiny little toy tractor to ride around in while we were waiting in line to pay for our food.

Matt and the boys went dip netting at fish creek last night. Its open for one week only, and is located only a few miles from our house. So they got suited up, and headed down to see what kind of damage they could do. They got muddy, caught lots of fish and stayed out till midnight. Doesn't that sound like fun to you? Matt was even able to use getting stuck in the mud in part of his lesson today in Priesthood.

Morgan riding her bike home from Grandma's house last night. She loves this bike.

It was such a beautiful day today, that we decided with not much time left for summer, we would go up to Hatcher's Pass and enjoy the sunshine as a family. We called some good friends, and hiked our kids up a really steep mountain. I am come to really enjoy Hatcher's Pass and all its grandeur.

This is why we put up with 6 months of winter. For days like this.

So, after we got down from the mountain, and said goodbye to our friends, we got in our car, and were already to head home, when the kids started begging to go on another hike. Matt had not been up to Gold Cord Trail yet, so we headed there for a quick run up the mountain to our favorite lake.

Our classic shot of the family in front of the Lynch Cabin built in 1930.

I love this lake. I couldn't laid down on one of the flat rocks there, closed my eyes, and lost track of time for hours.

Blog Catch Up!

Matt got to go on a King Salmon Charter for his birthday. He went with dad, and a good friend of the family, Steve. It was a slow day, and the captain was not optimistic about them catching their limit, but they went to a spot close to the docks, threw in a line, and Matt brought in the first King of the day. Then dad caught his not far from there, and finally Steve caught his monster. A white King Salmon. Apparently rare, very delicious. All this before noon. So they decided to hit the river, and try their hand at dip netting the rest of the day. Happy Birthday Matt. I hope you had a great day! You deserve it!

We took the Achievement Day girls on a hike this week, up to Hatcher's Pass. I took them on the hike from last week, to Gold Cord. I think everyone really enjoyed themselves.

The girls that came with us. I'm so glad my niece Christa was able to make it. (n

The whole crew in front of the Lynch cabin, built in 1930.

A couple of the girls at the end of the trail. Hidden Lake. Named quite appropriately, since its hidden at the mountain. What a beautiful hike

Morgan's Princess and the Pea Cake for her 5th Birthday. Can you believe my baby is 5 already? It seams like yesterday, we were bringing our little 4 1/2 lb baby home. What a joy she has been, and a blessing in our family.

I let Morgan decide what kind of cake she wanted, and since we didn't do a big party with friends, and a theme, the sky was the limit. I told her whatever she wanted. She looked through several of my decorating books, and fell in love with this one. Princess and the Pea. The hardest part was making the bed frame out of melted chocolate. But I had fun working with fondant for the bedspread, and molding chocolate for the figure of Morgan laying in her bed. Also, I learned to not take the chocolate out till I was ready for it. Especially in a hot kitchen.

Morgan's final present was hidden in Grandpa;s office. We sent her in for it, and she came out riding her new bike. She was so excited. This was the one thing she really wanted for her birthday.

Princess Morgan waiting to blow out her candles.

SCOUTS

Pack Meeting was great this month. Gabe earned his Bobcat, and about 5 belt loops, and Chandler earned several beads towards his Bear advancement. Part of the pack meeting was the kids and dads going to the baseball field, and playing a great game of kickball.

Matt and I painting on the bobcat paw print on Gabe, as part of the scout ceremony when they receive their Bobcat Badge.

Our newest little bobcat. Gabe has been totally excited about being a scout. He is wanting to do everything, and get every badge he can.

Chandler checking out the book of fossils and rocks his scout leader brought. The kids and I had the chance to go to Coyote lake and dig for fossils. It was a blast. We didn't find any animal fossils, but there were plant fossils absolutely everywhere!

Bootie Shot!

Chandler on the side of the mountain, digging for fossils. His cousin Hunter was able to come with us as well. It was fun having him with us

Gabe had so much fun climbing up the side of the cliff to try his hand at fossil digging.

We celebrated our final Soccer Game tonight! Yeah!!! I loved going to watch the kids play, but oye, it was hard coaching Morgan's team, and not getting to enjoy watching her play. Here's the cupcakes I made for Morgan and Gabe's final games this week. Grandma Christensen found the cute little chocolate soccer balls down in Portland this last week. Thanks Grandma. Gabe getting his ribbon and certificate at the awards ceremony last night. Good job Gabe!

It sure was a fun season. I think he's got the Soccer bug. Or at least his mom sure does. Let's just put it this way.... if you walk in our house, and there happens to be a soccer game on the TV, its not because Matt's home.