Weekend at Matt and Michelle's Vacation Home

On Friday afternoon we headed towards Huntsville, UT to Matt and Michelle's vacation home. They like to call it a cabin, but clearly, it is not a cabin. We had a fabulous weekend with old friends. Thanks Matt and Michelle for having us over.


Matt and Michelle's beautiful vacation home.


Cozy front porch.


Neighboring field had fake painted cows. And yes, I thought they were real.


When we got to the house, we immediately left for the lake. We had only about 3 hours before sunset. This is the Pineview Reservoir. Gorgeous!

Lexi and Michelle on the boat.

Alex is patiently waiting for his turn to surf.

Gared, Michelle's brother is a pro at surfing. Look! No rope.

Alex's turn finally came. He got up at first try.

Alex's first try at surfing. On Saturday he was able to let go off the rope and surf behind the boat.

Beautiful almost-12-year-old Lexi.

Alex and Lexi chatting on the boat.

Rod's turn to surf.

Alex was the flag boy.

When we woke up on Saturday morning, it was raining hard. We had plans to go to the hot air balloon festival but instead everyone slept in, except Rod and I. Of course, I didn't sleep at all so I just decided to get up and take a shower at 7am. Rod and I left for a sightseeing tour around Huntsville around 8am. The place is absolutely gorgeous.

When we got back, only Gared and his son, Beckham were awake. Later in the afternoon the boys took the boat out again, once it stopped raining. When we started seeing some blue sky, we headed to Wolf Creek to the art festival. It was almost ending when we got there but we were able to get some home made ice cream and buy some honey. The ski lift was running so we decided to take chair lift up to the top of the mountain.

On Saturday afternoon, Alex learned to surf without the rope.

Me on top of the mountain. Beautiful view of the valley.

Matt, Michelle, Lexi and Kate.

We headed to the other side of the valley to see the "Balloon Glow". The hot air balloons were not launched, they just kept the "fires burning" inside the balloons, so after the sunset, you can see them glow. It was so beautiful.

Rod and Alex at the Balloon Glow.

Alex spotted his favorite car, Lamborghini.

On Sunday morning, we decided to try for the balloon festival again, if the weather was better. And it was. Gorgeous, cloudless skies...but freezing. When we got into the car at 6am, the outside temperature was 38 F (3 C). Needless to say, we were all freezing. But it was so worth it. When we got to the balloon launch site, they were still setting up, so we went to get some breakfast.

Here is "grandma" Rod trying to keep warm.

The whole gang at breakfast.

Matt, Michelle, Kate and Lexi at balloon launch after breakfast.

The balloons overhead look like Chinese lanterns.

Rod and Alex trying to keep warm but still enjoy the beautiful balloons.

Alex, Rod and I. Yep, it was freezing. I'm wrapped inside a sleeping bag.

Michelle, Matt, Kate (not so happy) and Lexi

More balloons.

Energizer bunny hot air balloon. It was huge.

Friday Afternoon in Camouflage

Sam Gifford, our niece Heidi's husband, graduated from the Warrior Leadership Course (Army National Guard) on Friday afternoon at Camp Williams. We were invited to attend the graduation. When we walked into the huge gymnasium, it was a sea of gray and white camouflage. "How are we going to find Sam in this madness", we asked ourselves. But sure enough, we looked around for a while and then he came in. It was so good to see him. Wish they lived little closer because we miss the Giffords so much. Congratulations Sam for surviving the Utah desert.

Sam, certificate in hand, is now graduated from WCL. Next step for him is to be promoted to E-5 or Sergeant. Good luck, Sam!

Sam, the graduate.

Two bald guys talking to each other. Rod and Sam.

Rod, Sam and Alex after the graduation.

Cabin Fever-Saturday

Saturday late morning we headed up to the cabin again, this time Rod came along. Alex was already at the cabin with the Williams. It was a chilly morning with the high only in the 58 F. (14 C).


After breakfast we walked down to the lake and wanted to go around it to the other side.


We had to cross a river, which was freezing. Here Rod is putting his shoes back on.


Best friends, Carsen and Alex after crossing the river...yes, wet shoes.

We climbed to the other side to hike around. Just a breathtaking scenery.

Carsen, Steve and Taylor taking a break from hiking.

Alex, Rod and I. I only wanted to hike downhill. Surprise, surprise.

I wanted to stay warm, so I climbed inside of Alex's sleeping bag. He wanted to get warm too and climbed in. At one point we were pulled off the couch and onto the floor.

While I stayed at the cabin to catch up on some reading and snooze...the others went down to the water hole. Rod's giving little Maya a ride.

Mother-Daughter, Heather and Maya at the lake.

Father-Son, Rod and Alex on the way down to the freezing river. Crrrazy people!

Who are those hunks?! Alex, Taylor and Carsen are going to "jump" into the water hole. Water temperature was barely above freezing.

Crazy boys! Alex and Carsen slipping into the water hole while Steve watches over.

Taylor, Carsen and Alex quickly got out of the water while Rod's helping them with a stick.

After Rod and I left, the others still played some games. Alex and Taylor playing horseshoes.

Best friends, Alex and Carsen...and they mean business.

At night, they built a fire and made Smores. Sorry we missed it.

Thanks again Katie and Steve for a wonderful weekend at the cabin. We love it, and we love you!

Cabin Fever-Thursday

Alex and I spent last Thursday night at the Williams cabin. It was a beautiful day and evening up there. We just love going to the cabin and it is fun to spend time with Katie and her family.
As always, after dinner, we took a nice stroll up the mountain looking at different cabins while the boys played catch.


Katie and Steve looking at the progress of the cabin that is just across from theirs.


Alex playing catch with Carsen.

Best friend in the world, Katie.

Steve

Carsen and Alex looking for the baseball in the bushes. Watch out for the poison oak, boys!

Carsen showing off his wounds. This is nothing unusual.

Steve, Katie, Carsen and I walking down the hill and heading towards the lake.

Carsen is walking across the river. The water was freeeeezing.

Katie and Steve watching the boys and the beautiful scenery.

I'm in the finals with Steve, playing "spoons". I have NEVER won this game until now. The victory is sweet as you can tell from my winning laugh.

Following the Culinary Route

One of our favorite TV shows is "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" on Food Network. Guy Fieri travels all around the country eating food at the local "3Ds". One of the spots that he hit in Boise, ID was Westside Drive In. When we happened to be in Boise a couple of weekends ago, we had to go and try some of the delicacies that were shown on the show. It was 104 F outside, and no place to sit inside. This was going to be a sweaty adventure, right before the wedding reception.


There was actually shade under the umbrellas, but the flies were nibbling at our feet.


Rod and Alex ordering the weekend special, Prime Rib! Have you ever heard that you can get really excellent prime rib at a burger joint?


My mouth was watering over the Monte Cristo. It was HUGE. I can only finish just one.

Prime Rib dinner. End cut. Alex and Rod both ordered it, and they loved it.