A Great Place to Be

The inspiration for this post comes from a recent post by my sister-in-law about why she loves living in North Carolina. Today I have been pondering some wonderful things about living in SLC, UT so here goes (this post is for you, Ruth)! Don't worry, I stopped my IHEARTSLC brian dump at 20.

1. The seasons - not only do we have 4 distinct seasons, but you always have another season to look forward too when you get sick of one (not that I don't love you winter, but bring on spring!)

2. The variety of recreational activities - you can scuba dive, snow ski and water ski all in one day - where else is that possible?

3. I could get to at least 3 (soon to be more) temples in about 30 minutes.

4. There is a distribution center 10 minutes away (close to all my other shopping, mind you).

5. Temple square - lights for Christmas, Tabernacle Choir performances, flowers in the spring, apostles and prophets giving devotionals, etc.

6. I could walk the outside border of my ward in well under an hour (with dogs and kids - unless, all of my neighbors were out - in which case it could take all day, and I love that too!)

7. Knowing the difference between a mountain and a hill

8. Mountains - and the hiking, biking, camping, snowshoing, skiing, canoeing, backpacking, etc. that comes with them!

9. Snowtopped peaks on a sunny day

10. No humidity! When you do your hair and walk outside, it still looks done!

11. The family friendly atmosphere - friendly people, lots of kids, lots of kid-friendly venues

12. The University of Utah (my alma mater)

13. Variety of recreational options - swimming, boating, the beach (sure it is around lakes, but sand next to water = beach!), mountain sports above, fishing, horseback riding, paragliding, hot air ballooning, outdoor skating, etc, etc.

14. Free concerts in the summer

15. "LDS Pop" music concerts

16. You can live 15 minutes from downtown in a wonderfully rural area!

17. 10 scrapbooking stores in walking distance!

18. You can actually park your car downtown (have you ever been to Seattle or Washington D.C. - GOOD LUCK!)

19. 3 hopsitals in a 15 minute radius of my house (my hubby is a nurse, these things are important)!

20. And, most important of all - the family and friends that surround us - and what could be better than that?

So...what do you love about living in Salt Lake (you can comment even if you don't currently live here)?

Itty Bitty Blogger

Morgan loves blogging almost as much as I do! He is constantly asking to watch videos and pictures of all of his buddies and cousins.

Horton Hears a Who

Tonight my mom took us to see Horton Hears a Who. It was hillarious! At one surprising moment in the show, Morgan shouted "Oh No!" Good thing there were only about 10 people in the theater including us. Outside the theater was a fun display where we could take the kids' pictures. Here are some cute ones!

Fun at the Cabin

Last week we spent a couple of nights at my family's cabin east of Oakley. We had so much fun bumming around in our jammies, sledding, snowshoeing, reading, watching movies, and even organizing pictures. I didn't even take shampoo (which is utterly amazing, if you know me well).

The kids were so cute the whole time (and they even slept through the night Tuesday) that we took hundreds of pictures. So, instead of choosing a couple to represent, I am sharing all of them with you via slideshow!

If you are asked for a password, click here to view the slideshow. You will have to enter a password there, but there is a hint (I am working to fix the slideshow technical difficulties).

Funny Things

"I want to call Elmo, Mom." - Morgan, after Grandma Becky didn't answer her phone

Chloe, fast asleep, bobbed her head to the beat of John Mayer on our way home from the cabin. Did I mention she was fast asleep?

"We're going to ride the 4-wheeler!" - Morgan, when I told him on Tuesday that we were going to go up to the cabin. No, I didn't mention anything about riding the 4 wheeler, and we hadn't been to the cabin since last September. Apparently that memory of his is working just fine!

"Morgan will buckle me." - Mason, when I was getting him into his carseat after our adventure to the zoo. Morgan had unbuckled himself (from a 5 point harness carseat, mind you) when we got to the zoo and then looked at Mason and said, "Unbuckle yourself Mason." to which Mason reasponded, "I don't know how." "I'll do it for you," Morgan said proudly. So he did. Morgan undid himself and Mason in the time it took me to get the stroller out of the car - and Mason wanted Morgan to be his "personal buckler". I love 3-year-old friendships!

I know I am forgetting something, but I will keep you up to date when I think of it.

Great Website

Since it is Sunday, I thought I would share with you a wonderful online resource that I just found. It is the LDS church's new website about the Savior. It has some wonderful talks and testimonies from the latter-day prophets and apostles. It leaves you with no question as to whether Mormons are Christians. Plus, if you don't have a copy of this month's Ensign about the Savior, you can order one right there on the sight! I love modern technology! You can also link there from our blog sidebar.

We've had a cold!

I got a nasty cold about a week ago and I am still struggling to get over it. Chloe has obviously watched me blowing my nose A LOT, because today as I was reading, I found her getting out tissues and "blowing her nose". Amazing what they pick up, even before they turn one. I love the part where she ends up with 2 tissues and tries to put one back!

Sorry about the low quality video - it was long which meant something had to be sacrificed. Maybe I'll figure out YouTube and post a better version there. I'll add the link if I do!

A Priceless Moment

My little brother Stephen is awesome! He is so great with my kids and they LOVE him to death! We joined my family for FHE Monday and, after dinner and holding Chloe, Stephen took Morgan outside to play on the long board in the driveway. After a while, this is what we found.

Morgan is so lucky to have a best buddy in Uncle Stephen! Priceless!

Also - does my Mom's new garage look great or what? I wish our new garage were going to be that pretty!