Kalle and Kimmo's Excellent American Adventure-Sunday

On Sunday afternoon we drove/walked to the Bridal Veil Falls in the Provo Canyon. It was a lovely, warm day and perfect for a little bit of hiking around.


Kalle and Kimmo at the bottom of the Bridal Veil Fall.


We hiked to the fall and enjoyed the nice spray of water.


You notice Rod is not in the pictures, that's because he was napping on our bed while we were hiking around.

After hiking around we drove to Sundance for some much needed refreshments. Ice cream tasted so good after a hot hike. We then decided to hop on the ski lift and ride it all the way up and all the way down.

Kalle and Kimmo on the Sundance ski lift.

And that's where Robert Redford's house is. Alex was smart to point out:"If Robert Redford is such an environmentalist and nature lover, why has he cut down all the trees around his property and created a huge lawn area that must use a lot of water to keep it green?" Good question. Mr. Redford, care to respond??

Kalle and Kimmo's Excellent American Adventure-Saturday

We skipped a few days of activities because Alex had a BYU basketball camp during the week where he received the "All Star" award. Congrats Alex! Then he had the Mountain View High School basketball camp so we were heavily involved in watching the games until Saturday morning. Alex's team even played a team from Sudan. That was pretty amazing. Unfortunately the Sudanese were not a match to our fighting Bruins.

Our All Star Alex

After Alex's last semi-final game (which they lost) we headed to Park City for a day of fun.

First we went to the Alpine Slide and then Kalle and I sat out of the Alpine Coaster. Kalle had hurt his ribs and back right before they left on their trip so he thought the rollercoaster would be too hard on his body.

Kalle and Kimmo on the ski lift in Park City

Alex and Rod on the ski lift in Park City

Kalle and Kimmo ready to race down the mountain on these yellow sleds. Who won? I beat Rod (only because he was behind a little girl, then her mother who wore granny pants. I warned him about the granny pants wearing mom that she will be too slow) otherwise, Rod would have beat me.

Alex is ready to punch it down the mountain.

After lunch at a Mexican restaurant, we headed to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for some carmel apples. They were so yummy.

Then we drove to the ski jump area and showed Kalle and Kimmo where the winter olympics were held.

The next necessary stop was at the outlet stores, where amazingly enough, Rod, Alex and I didn't buy one thing. Mark your journals, please! An historic event! Kimmo was able to buy some t-shirts that brought a smile on his face. He was truly a happy shopper. He was amazed how much selection there was.

Kalle and Kimmo's Excellent American Adventure-Day 2

Second day started with a bright sunny day and a breakfast buffet in Vegas. No cloud in the sky and predicted 106 F (41 C) temperature. We checked out of the hotel and then drove to the Hoover Dam. I was interested in seeing the new bridge that they have been building for almost 10 years now after 9/11/01. And the new bridge didn't disappoint. It was a modern day marvel for sure.

I forgot my camera in the car!! Thank goodness for a cell phone camera!

The new bridge. Picture taken from the Dam.

Kalle and Kimmo on the Dam...wearing black...wrong color choice.


Kalle, Kimmo and I on the Dam.

Kalle, Kimmo and Rod on the Dam.

It was a damn hot day at the Dam. We continued our trip to the Victory motorcycle shop where Rod wanted to make a deal right then and there...but didn't. I have a feeling he will be back. Then started the trip home.















Kalle said that he wouldn't sleep on the way home. I'm glad he was successful.

Kalle and Kimmo's Excellent American Adventure-Day 1

My cousin Kalevi (Kalle) and his 15-year old son Kimmo arrived in Las Vegas on the night of June 22nd. Rod and I drove to Vegas to pick them up and show the city for a day. They are here until July 6th and we are so happy to have them here, finally.

Let the fun begin...


Kalle and Kimmo coming out of the Customs where the Customs guy asked them four times:"Are you sure you are traveling only with backbags?" I told Kalle after that he should have told the guy "we are men, aren't we. We travel light."

The first stop was the Rio-hotel where Kalle and Kimmo were upgraded to a fabulous suite.


Kalle and Kimmo waiting to get checked-in to the hotel.

Next stop was the Rio buffet. After eating the airplane food, I think the two were starving.


To finish the meal, Kalle enjoyed some desserts and ice cream, of course.

Then the quick tour of the Strip started.


Kimmo, Kalle and me at the Bellagio garden. Now I must point out to the non-Finns...the Finns very seldom smile in the pictures. Doesn't mean they are not enjoying themselves, it is just a custom not to.


Kalle and Kimmo on the balcony at Bellagio overlooking the city. Paris hotel is on the background.

Kalle watching the dancing water fountains at Bellagio.

Paris or Vegas? Hard to tell.

Rod, Kalle and Kimmo at the Venetian hotel entrance hallway. They thought it was like Versailles.

St. Mark's Square in Venice or Venetian Hotel?

I think it is time to hit the sack. It is 2am. Tomorrow...Hoover Dam.

Our Father's Day Gift to Rod

No, the gift wasn't the sailor's hat, or the red jacket. It had more to do with what's behind Rod. Yes, it is a well manicured lawn, usually found at all golf courses. You might remember that last year we started the tradition of sending Rod away for Father's Day...to golf with Greg. So. last night Rod flew to Spokane to spend the next 3 days golfing with Greg.

Day 1 seems to be pretty miserable. Nothing but rain. But he treated himself to a new hat. I told him not to get a white one. I have ruined two of his brand new hats so far. One that he got last year during his golf trip and the other he got from Japan. Luckily, he is again golfing at the place where he can get a new hat, and next month he is going to Japan, so he can get another one there, too.

I hope not to see this hat (in the picture) ever again. Keep it in the golf bag, matey.

Let's hope day 2 and 3 are less rainy.

At least he is doing something that he loves.

Friends' Party

We started the birthday celebration on Sunday night when the Davis' and Williams' came over.



Alex ready to blow on his 15 candles


Success. What is the wish? He didn't tell us.


Because Saturday was a crappy day with rain and temperatures in the low 60s we decided to move the friends' party to Tuesday night. We had a slip-n slide and capture the flag and lots of pizza and drinks.


Alex and his friends. Not all of them could come so this is just a fraction of the friends who were there. They had a blast.















Kaylee, Hunter and Erika


Then Elle had a sleepover that night and they both climbed on my bed to watch TV and eat. Elle is happy because we had Nutella. She said that she only has healthy stuff at her house and never gets to eat a Nutella sandwich. Well, enjoy it girl!


Alex had a bowl of strawberries with a Nutella sandwich chaser.

Fifteen

Our baby, Alex, turned 15 yesterday. I can't believe how time has flown. Wasn't it just yesterday when I was swearing at Rod in the hospital for going down to the cafeteria and eating a roast dinner when I had had only ice chips all day? Well, it seems like yesterday but in reality, time has really flown by. Alex has grown up to be quite a young man. He is so fun to be around and we love to spend time with him. I think the time is upon us that he would rather spend time with his friends than with us "old" folks. And that's ok.

Alex's goals for this year are (according to me):

-Get a learners permit asap. (You need to pass the test first)
-Get Eagle's Scout (alright, I'll help)
-Get good grades on the 10th grade (again, I will help except with math)
-Play as much basketball as possible (not going to be there to help, but I'll watch)
-Have fun with friends (I'm staying home for this one)
-Golf with Dad this summer (I'm not going except if you want to hear me swear)
-Kiss his Mother goodnight every day (The best!)

We love you Alex. You are just the greatest, the joy of our lives.

What a handsome man!

Llama Love

Rod has expressed his undying love of llamas...for years now. One of his bucket list items is to hike to the mountains with llamas carrying all of his stuff. It could be any mountain, as long as llamas were involved.

So, this past weekend when we were in Payson at Alex's basketball tournament, we had some time between the games to get the most disgusting dinner, ever (Family Tree Restaurant in Santaquin. Who serves canned green beans at a restaurant??? Note to self: Never again) and to go look at the llamas at the Krishna temple in Salem.


The look on Rod's face says it all. It is llama love.


True happiness.


"You should see their eyes, they are so beautiful", says Rod. I had to go closer and sure enough, I could get lost in those eyes. Just don't spit on me, you filthy animal!

Cruise 2010- from Paradise to Hell

Monday morning at home. Harsh reality. By the end of the day, there was 2 inches of snow on the ground. May I remind you that it was May 24th.



Question of the day: Why do we live in Utah?

Cruise 2010-Virgin Islands-Day 7

Day 7 and day at sea going back to Ft. Lauderdale. We did nothing else but sun tanned the whole day. Not ready to go home yet.

And then here is the bikini shot that I promised.




Friends we made during this trip:


Joe and John. Such fun brothers that Alex hung out with. Kentucky accent and all.


Amy and Robbie. Joe and John's parents. Love them.


Zija people. Randy and Ann, Ken and Linda and us.


Randy and Ann in formals. Love Randy's tie. He is always so put together.


What a fun trip we had. It was so nice to get away from cell phones, emails and all of the busyness of life and just enjoy and totally relax.


Tomorrow: Home