A Different Sort of Skiing

I picked up a pair of Cross Country skis this weekend. Complements of “Dave” and his ad in the KSL classifieds. It was a screaming deal a newish pair of skis, bindings, and size 6.5 woman’s boots all for 40 smackers. Perfect! I feel very lucky and am glad I made the hour plus drive to go get them. I don’t even think these babies have been skied on more than once before they were turned over to me. The boots don’t even have any scuff marks or signs of wear. Amazing what can happen when you put a little request out into the cosmic soup.

Ellie and I took them for a little test run yesterday in the yard and such. I felt pretty confident that we could handle it and I wont lie the beautiful sunny day helped motivate as well. So, today we went out for the real deal. We went to Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway where there is a groomed track. It was a good time hardly a person around save for the 3 older gentlemen who swooshed by and were psyched to see such a “wee one” out and about.

At any rate we had a good time today. I thoroughly enjoyed getting outside, breathing fresh air, and exercise. I think Ellie liked it, she pointed out a few trees that caught her interest. Her favorite part was at the end of the tour when she got to get out of the pack and play and stomp in the snow. She loves being outside. Whenever Gary or I pick her up to bring her in she protests. Cold and wet doesn’t seem to phase her yet.

We have a Diva in the House

Ellie put on a fashion show of sorts for us last night. She discovered one of my scarfs and pranced around the house showing it off. We are not really sure where she got her moves from. I only had the scarf on briefly today as we went out shopping and I certainly did not do any prancing in it.

She was making us laugh so hard because she would pose each time she got it around her neck.  It was hilarious and the pictures don’t do it justice.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH9CJA8Bfw8[/youtube]

First Snow Day of the Season

Ellie and I went out and played in the snow today after lunch. She was more prepared than me thanks to our friends Jen and Scott. Who have generously out fitted the “Wee One” with hand-me-downs both this winter and last. My winter/ski gear still needs to be brought out of storage. So needless to say I was soaked by the time we came in. We even tried out sledding with a cookie sheet. It worked pretty well. I just couldn’t tell if she liked it or not. As usual she was a little stoic. No crying but no shrieks of laughter either.

Afterward we came inside and warmed up with an excellent afternoon treat of Donut Muffins and warm Milk. Ummm… Donut Muffins you say?? Yep, they are muffins that taste like a donut and I think they are great. I found the recipe here. Which is now my new favorite food blog. Did you see her Bake tattoo? I love it although I’m not so sure I’m that dedicated of a baker….

Please forgive my out-of-focus photography. I’m learning

Operation Baking Gals

My sister recently got involved in an organization called Operation Baking Gals. Baking GALS (GALS stands for Give A Little Support) is a group of volunteer bakers who bake and ship homemade goodies to our heroic troops that are currently deployed.  Each soldier is “Hosted” by a blogger, and potential bakers are “recruited” from the bloggers own site as well as the GALS site.  Each Host recruits between 20-25 bakers, meaning LOTS of goodies get delivered to our soldier…so many, in fact that he or she has plenty to share with their fellow troops!

Leslie enjoyed it so much she decided to form her own team for her friends who are now serving in Iraq. Captains Terry and Hammons. These guys are Army Dentists that do an excellent job maintaining the smiles of our soldiers down range. In their dental unit there are approximately 25 Soldiers that will benefit from our sweet treats. This group of professionals see aprox. 1000 soldiers per month doing everything from fillings to root canals to crown and bridge work to dentures. They service a patient population of 60,000 soldiers and another 60,000 Third Country Nationals, Contractors, etc. on an emergent basis.

I’m excited to be apart of Leslie’s group and be able to show my support to these guys in some small way. I made some Gingersnap cookies for them. Gingersnaps are one of my favorite cookies I like the spice. So, I hope Captain Terry and Captain Hammond enjoy them as well. Cheers to them and all of their efforts, sacrifices, and hard work.

Less than a week

OR

That’s right there is less than a week left to make your decision on who will be our President. My dear husband has stirred up some conversation on his blog here. If you take the time to read it you will find who we are voting for. I don’t want this post to be about defending my choice. I want to share some resources I found when I was challenged to seek out facts. I think this was helpful and my hope is that you will go read, ponder, and educate yourself and then be compelled even further to exercise your right as a United States Citizen to go VOTE.

I’m not up on whether or not the NY Times swings to the right or left.I think this is a fair article that presents the facts.  I think it is a useful tool they have provided so here you go please check it out.

Also take the time to go to the respective candidates web pages directly. There is good information there as well. Can’t rely on tv or radio these days for the facts without bias.

• Obama
• McCain
• Nader

6th Annual Pumpkin Carve

We got together with friends yesterday to carve up our pumpkins. This has been a tradition for the last few years and it is always so much fun to see what people come up with. We usually have a vote for the best carved up pumpkin. KC won this year with his interpretation of a vaudeville villain curly mustache and all.

A few years back our friend Bill won with his “Mr. Meowkins” pumpkin. Glorious “Mr. Meowkins” is still talked about to this day it was the silhouette of a cat in a moon which wasn’t really apparent until the candle was put in place.

We dressed the Wee One up in her costume and it was a hit. She looks so cute I’m very pleased with it. She seemed to be happy with it as well. I was surprised how well she tolorated the hat. In fact she brought it over to me this morning and is eating her breakfast in it. Pretty funny.