STUFF I DID THIS SUMMER

STUFF I DID THIS SUMMER

Sun, Sun, Sun. Anything to soak up all that vitamin D became my chosen activity. I couldn’t get enough!

I watered my 20-something flower containers every day and watched as they bloomed into the Garden of Eden.

I spent many wonderful days and nights in St. George enjoying the company, food, landscapes and golf courses.

I did my 3.5 miles every day, began to enjoy it, realized I couldn’t live without it and lost 25 pounds in the process.

Found Fisher Jonah again. Or is his name Jonah Fisher....Hm-m-m-m, I'm confused. Anyway, he was born into our family in May.

STUFF I DIDN’T DO THIS SUMMER

I didn’t ride my bike up Snake Creek in Midway.

Nor did I take an outdoor cooking class to learn how to BBQ meat.

I didn’t quite get to Bear Lake.

I didn't take care of my blog in between all my summer activity . . . . .

ON THE OTHER HAND

I did go camping. (In a trailer BUT I looked and smelled like a camper.)

We watched in awe as the space shuttle orbited across the Utah sky.

We waved to airplanes flying overhead from the pool.

HOWEVER, I didn’t bike in Lambert Park or ride the Vespa’s around the foothills in Alpine with Darcy.

I didn’t get up at 3 AM to watch the meteor showers.

I didn’t have my ‘tent sleep over’ in the backyard.

STILL, I watched fireworks from my deck. I drove through American Fork Canyon in the BMW with the top down almost every Sunday evening as the sun was setting listening to Cowboy Corner.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE, THOUGH, if I had played MORE golf on MORE courses.

Or taken swimming lessons from Katie myself.

Or spent MORE early mornings in my beautiful backyard.

Or hosted a ‘12^th North – The Old Neighborhood’ backyard party.

HOWEVER, I CAN’T COMPLAIN, BECAUSE

I watched the kids grow new ‘fins’ as they spent their summer in the pool.

I grew my first successful garden (with the help of Jeff) even though Salvador took my brand new dirt by accident.

I attended a great Sam Payne summer concert in Midway.

And, I fell in love with Midway-in-the-summer, all over again.

YET.

I don’t really feel too bad about the things I didn’t get to. I’m anxiously awaiting the coming ski season and realize it’s really not all that long until summer will be on the horizon and I will do it all over again!

GOODBYE SUMMER 2009.

Ah-h-h-h .... I did it!

Darcy and I decided it was definitely time to take our exercise plan more seriously. We started at the end of March and made our plan to exercise every day and eat in a more responsible manner. Health Equity was encouraging their employees and so I decided I wanted to take the challenge. In only a few months I was able to get my weight back to where it was and our eating habits had changed dramatically and I can't even tell you how good food tastes when you eat what is good for you. It has been five months now and I am happily loving my weight, exercise routine and all the food I get to eat because it takes so much more energy to live this life style. I seriously have nights when I can't wait to wake up so I can go through my exercise because it feels so good. I know I have never felt that before. I thought my lower weight would hinder my golfing but actually I am driving further than I ever have. So maybe it's my new muscle that makes the difference!! In addition, I've been doing 60 push ups and sit ups each day and it seems to have made the difference. I am hoping this also makes me ski better - just more FUN on the way in a few months.

My Homestead

After golfing, we went to dinner and to a lawn concert at The Homestead. Sam Payne was fabulous!! He's certainly a 'chip-off-the-old-block'. He reminds me of a version of his Dad! What a great evening. Nothing better in the whole world than spending the weekend tucked away in Midway golfing, dining and great music. FUN, FUN, FUN. We finished the night with a ice cream brownie and hot chocolate.

It's a Wonderful Life.

Forever Mine

We took a break and golfed at 'home' in Midway on Saturday. I love to golf on Wasatch. What a fun course and the view is simply amazing. It's always dangerous for me to spend much time there, I never want to leave.

Darcy's Birthday Party 2009

Lots of food, swimming and grandkids. Don't forget the birthday cake. So much fun. I love summertime.

Can you believe Darcy's another year older?? A very young 57 year old. He wanted a swim party and a pool basketball game for his celebration. I hope he was happy with the outcome of the game! I'm not sure who won and who didn't. I was standing by with a phone in case I had to call in reinforcements. Darcy & Terry - what a team.

Down in Dixie

What a fun weekend to one of our favorite get-aways. We are so 'at home' in St. George. On Wednesday, we left and arrived very soon at our weekend away. Love to eat, relax on the golf course, eat, lay around, go to Tuacahn, and of course, have cookies before bed.

Jeff & Jamie and the kids stayed overnight with us on their way to Disneyland. We had such a good time. We sat on the front row of Annie and Savannah was so engaged in the play, she was so funny. What a cute little girl.

We played golf at Sand Hollow and, my personal favorite, Entrada. I can never get enough!! Believe it or not, I think I improve every time I play Entrada. Well, maybe I won't go quite that far... It's a good excuse. I need more practice - let's go again.....

Happiness is . . . .

I love my flowers in the yard . . . and so do others.  I think I have a new pet.  This butterfly hung out in the backyard for a couple of days.  She's beautiful.

He's Here!

Fisher Jonah.  He's finally here!  What a great job, Jamie (and Jeff).  I believe Jamie did the majority of the work here!  He's awesome and we love him.

My 'Wicked' Luck

I wrote my name on my 3X5 card, listed I would like 2 tickets, and crinkled the card a little.  I tossed it in the witches caldron bucket and walked back into the crowd of about 125 (?) fans.  I never imagined I would have my card drawn out.  We were talking to some fellow wishers when I heard 'Jo Mott'.  I seriously couldn't believe I had won.  It was so crazy.  I took my drivers license to the man with the witch hat on, he checked to make sure I was indeed Jo Mott and a Trooper opened the door and let me in to purchase my 2 tickets.  They were orchestra seats for $25 on J.  I totally felt like I HAD won the lottery.  It was truly an amazing and fun moment for ME.  We loved it again and it was the best hearing my name called.

The Living Desert

While we were golfing on the Faldo course at Desert Ridge, we were part of a Bee Storm.  We were paired with a couple from Seattle who were staying at the Villa's at Desert Ridge.  We were on Number 6 and he hit his ball off the fairway into the desert a little.  He went out to get it and came back onto the fairway screaming 'Help Me, Help Me!!'.  We looked and could see a swarm of attack bees on him.  We started toward him and then could see that was not a good idea.  Within the next 2 to 3 minutes before he could run away from them, he was stung probably about 50-60 times.  It was a mess.  They immediately went to the ER and I was not going off the fairway.

The Coyote

We continued golfing and a couple of holes later ran face to face with this coyote.  He was big.  I'm not sure if they are dangerous but we were on the edge of the fairway when he came out of nowhere.  He looked at us and walked off and we finished our 18 holes.

The Lazy River Man

We did a lot of relaxing by the pool.  Darcy even tried out the lazy river.  Daiquiri anyone?

Memories

It's funny how quick the skiing at Alta became 'the best memory'.  It was such a beautiful day.  So perfect.  And now the standards for fun have been set so much higher!  

The next morning, Darcy and I were going to Phoenix for a little vacation time.....From 11,000 feet above sea level at the top of Alta  --  to the living desert.  It's vacation time for me.

Spring Fling

Jeff and I decided to have a Spring Fling at Alta on Wednesday, a day after the last wonderful storm.  The snow was cold and crisp and brought out Jeff's maniac creativity.  I am certain visions of his old days danced in his head and we set out on our 'Let's have fun, fun, fun until sore muscles scream us home.  In my mind I heard 'Ah, Heffie, you're a little older now -- but it sure would be a cool video to have you going off that rock.  After all, he's pushing 40 (j/k) not much time left!

I wondered if the back pain of landing this 7 foot jump would be worth it.  Ah, what the heck, go for it Jeff and your mom will take credit where credit is due....It was worth it!

Spread Eagle Man

Jeff taking a jump on our day at Alta.  The weather could not have been better, the snow could not have been better - Spring Skiing at it's best.

I Can Do it Too!

Not to be outdone, I had Jeff video me taking a jump?  Did my feet come off the ground?

Powder to the People

You know, I really hate writing about Jeff behind his back (not really) but . . . . yesterday I persuaded him go skiing with me because there was 20 inches of new powder and it was still snowing lightly.  The good stuff.  I consider skiing my winter-time job and I'll do whatever it takes.  I'm thinking to myself, "I'll just talk him into to going, buy him a lift pass and a Dr. Pepper and he will be all fuzzy, warm and happy and then . . . ready, set, go. Your mom, fresh powder and Dr. Pepper.  What else could he want.  In return, I will get a lesson in powder.  I just won't let him know that he is working.  Everything is great for both of us. Right?  You can just hear my voice saying,  "A...oh, Jeff, I brought you a Dr. Pepper."  He's pleased and totally buying it. Okay, here we go! and lesson time for Me!!  We were having so much fun in the white stuff.  New powder, new runs, lots of cardio for me.  Awesome weather. Then...dang.  I kicked my poles as I was getting on the lift and they BOTH went flying. I have never done that in 30 years of skiing.  No problem, I will just ski down and get them and it will be fun (I think) with no poles given that much powder.  We get to the top and Jeff covers for me and we figure out they are sending them up.  That was okay but Jeff had to wait for me while I waited for them.  A...Jeffie, would you like another Dr. Pepper? Okay now, Finally.  Here we go again. Flying through the powder - like no other feeling in the world.  I was destined to live in the state with the 'Greatest Snow on Earth'.  Jeff's technique is art.  Going up the mountain again Jeff is adjusting his ipod.  Oops.  There goes his glove.  Oh, crap.  Well, that will be fun retrieving that from where is fell!  I say "No problem for me (??) I'll go with you and you just cut off half way down and go back over under the lift and through the trees and you'll probably find it and I'll just go down ? that ? - right there ? - Hmmm - am I joking?" Standing at the top, I'm hoping I haven't ever-in-Jeff's-life made him mad because, really, was this in MY plan?  I don't think so.  I look at him and remember all those unfortunate time-outs when he was a kid.  This could really be payback time for him and he could be laughing all the way down.  Off he goes in a hurry and he is long, long gone.  A deep breath and here I go on my own.  He came up with the prize and I was proud of my effort.  He's a fabulous teacher and, seriously, a beautiful skier that I think has missed his calling in life.  He should have been the instructor for the Senior's Powder Class.

Just Magestic

I never tire of seeing the eagles on my drive to Midway during the winter.  I love the first sight of them in the late fall and then miss them when they leave in early spring.  I'm not sure how they come to winter at Midway, maybe to be close to our home!  It seems you always find eagles (and us) in quiet and peaceful settings.  Ah . . . . . Midway.  

The Fam

You can pretty much forecast the weather by the return of the eagles to Midway.  Usually they arrive in November around Thanksgiving and you can be sure Utah Winter has arrived.  The temperatures are 'Cold' when the eagles return to their roost.  I have seen as many as 15 eagles at one time in these trees before.  Drive a little further west in Provo Canyon and you are able to see the elk herd.  Once we saw the elk crossing the river just below Little Deer Creek as if someone had positioned them for the Robert Duncan 'In the Canyon' painting.  It was awesome. Then, close to the mouth of American Fork Canyon, there are the big horn sheep.  I think my drive between Midway and Alpine should be designated as ''Jo's Part of the Planet'.  I claim all these guys as my own.  It's Utah winter at it's best - Enjoy!     

Winter has Retuned

Winter has returned to Utah. Yeah!!  We had our first snow storm after the inversion and the January thaw.  It was worth the wait.

Where Did it Go?

Jill, Kaden and I decided to try out the new snow on Monday morning.  It was fabulous, cold, powder--that was really deep.  I personally thought I could use the day to practice in this kind of snow because it really should be a priority to make sure you ski when it snows like this!  As we were skiing Jill and Kaden simultaneously went off this ledge into the deep powder and did a 'stop, whip lash, face first drop and roll' Chinese acrobatic something??  I seriously was laughing so dang hard because it couldn't have been funnier.  They did it at the exact same time.  Then Jill rolls over and says, 'both my skis came off'.  And we laughed some more.  Then as she was gathering all her equipment, she realized she was missing a ski.  You could feel the powder down to about 4 feet but the area was really pretty large where it could have been.  Jill spent about 5 minutes looking while I tried to control my laughter but, seriously, it was hilarious.  I finally took off my skis and started helping with the search even though I couldn't see because I was still laughing so hard.   

I Found It!

Just about the time Jill was thinking  'All was Lost' in the powder and what should we do now?, she said I think I'll say a prayer and......I'm serious.......immediately her arm came up from 4 feet of powder with the ski in it.  I couldn't believe it.  Oh ye, mother, of little faith!

Can I Breath Now?

Today was skiing at Sundance to get up to the clean air because it isn't even close to being healthy enough to breath in the Valley.  The cloud in the background that is the Red Alert Junk.  You literally can see the 'dirty air'.  It starts to clear out at Bridal Veil.  I seriously didn't want to come back into smog.  We are on the big count down to clean air which is scheduled to arrive on Sunday.  I can't wait. Yesterday I saw 15 Bald Eagles in the trees outside Midway - you know it's cold when they are all in the trees together.  My car thermometer was at 7.  I don't think I have ever seen that many eagles at the same time before.  It was awesome.  

Oh, What a Birthday!

Darcy and I spent the day at Sundance for my birthday.  It was The Best Day.  What a wonderful time we had.  We ate lunch at the Foundry Grill and then went skiing again.  I was skiing on the gift Darcy got me and they are so lotta great.  Lotta Luv's.  I just kept thinking "Can life get any better than this?"  What a fun, fun day.  THANK YOU to my husband.  Only 'If I Could Bottle This Up' so you all could feel how wonderful it is.

Keep the snow coming.

He's Awesome

Darcy is so awesome!  I can't believe he would spend the whole day with me skiing.  He's a skii-er.  We were at Sundance and the snow was great, the weather was perfect, and the company was the BEST.

Happy Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

Double Duty

Jeff pulling Kenya and Kennedy up the hill.

It's My Party

My birthday party 2009.  I'm glad I can't remember how old I am.....don't really care, I had enough fun for many, many years old.

Let's Do it Again

Jill, Kenya, Kaden and Darcy going up the hill again.  So much fun - so little time.

The Whole Gang

Here's most all of us on our way up the hill.  It was Fabulous Fun!

Personal Party Planner

Darcy......my Personal Party Planner.  On his way up the tubing hill taking a picture of himself.

Crash and Burn

Here's my 'Stitched in the Head' buddy.  We both had stitches last week!  Jaxon ended up with stitches after he slipped on the floor running around with his socks on....Just a quick visit to the doctor over in Heber.  

This is where Jaxon ate it!  He hit so hard, we knew he was toast.  He's sporting his ER wrist band and, as you can see, he is happy and ready for more fun.

At Your Own Risk

I'm not sure what time Kaden, McKay and Jaxon went to sleep.  They told me it was long after midnight.  They said they stayed up all night playing Risk.  What were they 'risking'..... I better look into that.  We went to sleep and they were on their own.  Looks like a Party.  I turned my intercom to OFF.

Bad Hair Day?

A Long Winter's Night.  Bella and Savannah taking a break.  Savannah - bad hair morning???  She knows how to grow hair!

Bella Bear Hug

Welcome to my cabin!  Bella missed her old friend.  I'm not sure why Savannah and Bella keep hugging and kissing Koda-but they do.  Maybe it's the eyes.  They do it over and over and over.  It's usually the first thing they do when they come in.  I love him too.

Jeff and Jamie (and Me)

Jeff said he would babysit me today while I tried out a pair of skiis at Sundance.  I am hoping Darcy will buy me something that I would luv a lotta for my birthday.  Jeff actually did a lotta 'waiting on me'.  It took me three tries to get down this run called 'Jamie's Run' to get in position for the video.  The problem was not as much falling down but trying to get up in the deep powder.  You can't see it so much in the video but it was deep.  Be sure and watch the girl about half way down-Jeff was trying to ski around her but stay in my picture.  I heard her yell 'Sorry' and I thought it was going to get ugly but he got by and I got my picture!!  It was so dang awesome.  Oh, just a side note - remember I was the one who taught him to ski....

We were quite surprised a couple of days after New Years' to see this moose in our neighborhood.  I didn't think I would ever see a moose on Canyon Crest!  He stayed the whole day and then started north into the neighborhoods at dark.  He caused quite a stir.  The next morning we went out looking for him but I guess he ate enough and then went back to where he came from as we have not seen him again.

New Years Games 2009

Our celebration for the new year got a little 'out of control'? while Darcy and Jaxon were playing blow pipes on New Years Day.