Park City

We were just able to spend the last 10 days at our condo in Park City with our friends Ahren, Mike, Macy and Cole.  Boy, did we have a fantastic time.  Short of skiing... I think we did everything else in town plus we got some great rest, did some crafts and had some of the best food ever... including a great Thanksgiving dinner.  Fun was definitely had by all.

We started off heading straight out and doing some sledding.  It had just snowed about 10 inches the day before and the snow was perfect.  The next day we headed out for the opening day at the tubing park at Gorgoza.  Next day it was Thanksgiving and we even got to do the Alpine coaster & zip lines before turkey dinner.  The following day we hit Ruth Chris for lunch... gotta love buy one get one free coupons at all the good restaurants during the off season.  Then we headed out for some bowling.  The next day it was the Nature Reserve, wall/rock climbing, ice skating and the electric Christmas parade on Park City's main street.  I really should have taken my camera more, but the memories are priceless.

Here are a few pictures to share.

First night snow from our condo

Tubing at Gorgoza park (they have 7 different tubing runs 

and you can all go at one time if you want)

Lunch at Ruth Chris

Rock climbing at the nature center

Lily learning to ice skate at Park City Mountain Resort (one long continuous squat for me had my butt feeling sore the next day)

Sledding out back at our condo

Hershey Park

We had the most amazing weekend in Hershey Park.  We were lucky enough to be joined by our beach friends Theresa, Dave & Madeline (family 1) and Don, Holly, Sam and Chloe (family 2) and by our friend Sarah Kang who rode with us.  We all stayed at the fabulous Hotel Hershey and in 36 hours it felt like we enjoyed so much that Hershey has to offer.  We started with fantastic food at the Hershey Pantry, then hit Chocolate World where the kids got to make their own chocolate bars, complete with designing their own packaging.  Then it was off to check into the hotel, go swimming, come back to milk and cookies in our room and then we headed out to enjoy the Christmas light exhibit they put up.  Absolutely fabulous.  Finally we grabbed bear and food at Troegs brewery.  Lily fell asleep at the restaurant at 8pm.  It wasn't from the beer I promise.  The next morning we woke up and headed to have a grand buffet at the Circular restaurant.  Then it was off to Hershey Park.  While it was cold the upside was no crowds or lines.  We finally headed home about 4pm after another fantastic day.  I can't say enough about what a great all around experience it was.  Complete with wine at the pool!

Lily and Sarah in front of Chocolate World

Sarah, Lily & Madeline

Lily and Dad all hair netted up to make some chocolate bars

Sarah, Madeline, Santa & Lily... the house behind was completely covered in candy

At the Hotel Hershey:  Dave, Theresa, Madeline, Lily, Sarah, Kim & Chris

Candy Lane Christmas exhibit

Breakfast with Sarah, Theresa, Dave, Madeline, Sam, Holly, Lily, Kim, Chris, Chloe & Don

Halloween Party at school

Lately it feels like every holiday happen at least three times for us.  Once at school, once at the after school program, or once at the beach and then once at home.  It is really a lot for a parent to keep up with.  Last weekend we headed to the beach and had the most fantastic Halloween party with our beach friends.  Apple bobbing, pass the pumpkin and cookie decorating were all hits.  Boy, I never knew apple bobbing could be so hard.  Try it if you don't believe me.  So that was Halloween celebration #1.

Celebration #2 happened today at Lily's school.  She shed the witch costume from last weekend and opted for the princess costume.  Tomorrow is celebration #3 at her after school group.  Then #4 when she gets home for trick or treating around our neighborhood.  Good thing for all these princess costumes that her Grandma Merry bought her last Christmas.  She is thoroughly enjoying wearing a new costume for every event.

Newport, Rhode Island for Roslyn's Graduation

On October 8-12 we got to drive up to Newport, Rhode Island.  We were joined by our Oregon family:  Uncle Jeff, Aunt Roxane, Grandma Booze and cousin Raquel to celebrate cousin Roslyn's graduation from Naval Officer's School.  It was a very fun two day celebration.  We even got to attend a party at the Officer's Club.  Even better, we got to enjoy two additional days hanging out with family.  We did a lot of sightseeing, hanging out in the hotel pool, doing up a fish fry and just enjoying time together.  Lily was in heaven getting to spend so much time with her family.

We are so proud of Roslyn and all she has accomplished.  She is now off to Oceanography school in Mississippi where I'm sure she will do great.  By the way, did I mention that Newport, RI is one of my favorite cities in the U.S. to visit?  So I had a great time and the fall color was out in force as well.  What a great trip.

Lily, Roslyn & Aunt Roxane

Lily & Mom on Second Beach (yes, it was a little windy)

Lily and Roslyn

The famous (and amazing) Cliff Walk in Newport with all the grand mansions built by the Astors and Vanderbilts (hundreds of them it felt like) lining the streets of Newport, RI.  The Cliff Walk was awesome.  Hard to believe their was that much money floating about.

Lily's 5th Birthday - Part 2

The first weekend in October we were lucky enough to have a large birthday celebration for our beach friends Holly (Sam's mom), Dave (Madeline's dad) and Lily.  It was a three family celebration filled with kids pinatas, parents pinatas (better chocolate and little alcohol bottles), lots of yummy food (Paella, cedar planked salmon, etc.) and lots of good drinks.  It is so great to have such wonderful beach friends.

Sam in sombrero

Lily taking a whack at the kids pinata

We finally gave up and let them take the tennis racquets to the pinata

Lily's 5th Birthday - Part 1

During the last weekend in September we headed to Chuck E. Cheese to enjoy Lily's 5th Birthday party with all her Maryland friends.  It was a great celebration and everyone seemed to have a great time.  Especially Lily.  And boy did I ever enjoy not having to clean up after everyone.

Gianna, Lily & Mary Grace

Alexia

Lily's awesome princess cake

Goggles must be worn inside the ticket blaster

Lennox & Alexia

Butler's Orchard - Pumpkins and more pumpkins

As I sit here today, we have over 15 pumpkins on our front porch and Lily continues to complain that it is not enough.  This is the result of Lily visiting the pumpkin patch three times this year.  The first time we went in September we were on a mission to decorate the front porch and enjoy all that Butler's Orchard has to offer.  The second time she went with her school class for a full day of fun to a different orchard and the third time she went with her after school program on a field trip back to Butler's orchard.  This girl really loves pumpkins and Halloween.  God help us at Christmas time.