Family Reunion 2008 - Snowbird & Jordanelle

Thursday we had the first of our close-to-home, two-day family reunion with Josh's side of the family. It was a lot of fun! It's nice to get away, but not too far away that you can't sleep in your own bed. We went up to Snowbird and experienced all of the fun they have going on up there in the summer. It was nice and cool, and was a great break from the hot summer we've been having. There are tons of things to do for all ages, so we were all able to have some fun. We rode the Alpine Slide, took a Tram ride, went on the Peruvian Chair Lift and Tunnel, let the kids jump in the inflatable castle, and watched Josh bungee jump on the trampoline. Good times were had by all, followed by a little pizza party at Nana and Papa's in the backyard.

Let's Go Again!
Boo was out little worry wart this trip. Every little thing scared her at first, and if it were left up to her, she would have stood by and watched the entire two days! She didn't want to ride on the little chair lift that took us up to the Alpine Slide, but once she rode it, that was all she wanted to do. Then she refused to ride on the actual Slide, but we convinced her to try it if we went "really slow". Following that ride, she wanted to go, "a little bit slow, and a little bit fast." You see where this is going. By the end of the day, she'd ridden that thing at least six times, maybe more, screaming with joy each pass down. Cara, Steve, Isaac and Abby went on the Zipline. Even I was a little afraid to try that one. Maybe that's where she gets it?

Cara & Steve on the ziplineYaks and Amy getting ready for our turn on the Alpine SlidePapa and Ethan getting ready


"Weeeee! Let's do it again!"

Where are we GOING?
As the tram operator was preparing to give us the spiel, Yaks said (loudly), "Mom, where we GOing?" The operator didn't miss a beat and said, "Excellent question. Allow me to answer that..." Boo worried that she would "falled off" the tram, that Daddy would "blewed away" or that the doors would manage to unlock themselves. Once at the top, we got some family pictures, and Yaks managed to fall and skin his knees. "I fell down. I was been too cwazy!"

The Siblings - sans AdrienneStrengthening the feeble knees

Defying Death
The Peruvian Chair lift transports sightseers over 2,400 vertical feet from near the Snowbird Center towards Hidden Peak. You'll notice there are no pictures taken of this activity. Oh, that's because both Josh and I were trying to dissuade Yaks from squirming out of his seat and falling to his death. I think the words "You will fall down, down, down and get squished like a bug!" came from Josh's mouth. It's funny the things you say when you are in a pressure situation and trying to keep your kids safe. Yaks had a full-blown tantrum on the chairlift! Nowhere to go, nowhere to set him down, no pushing the emergency brake or teleporting out of there. We just clutched onto him for dear life as we rode the longest ride of my human existence. It was like a nightmare, only I chose to live it!? My palms still sweat even typing it! Moving on...

Only MY Child
Josh wanted to try to do a backflip on the Bungee Trampoline. It seemed effortless for him, although he claims he's never been able to do on (assisted or not). While we cheered, I tried to keep an eye on Yaks, while he wandered into the stores, tried to use the Snowbird employee wristband scanner, attempted to ride a locked up scooter, and finally busied himself with prying up the bricks in the floor. I only wish I were joking.

Honestly, what child looks down and thinks, "ooooh, bricks!
These must be removed! If only I could get...my...fingers in this little crevice...and...bingo."

On Friday we went boating at Jordanelle Reservoir. We convinced Papa to come out early with us, for fear that the kids wouldn't make it much past 2pm. We had fun riding in the three-man tube, watching Josh waterski and enjoying a great day on the water!

Boo was content to just enjoy the ride.
She had her Zee zee wadded up and covered with her pink towel, for fear it would "blewed away".

Maybe I shouldn't have worried so much about naps?
Apparently, the boat is the perfect place to catch some z's! Josh, Yaks and cousin Ethan

Hip, hip hooray for tubing! Abby (Boo on her lap), cousin Emma, Angie (cousin Ethan on her lap)