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Showing posts with label Cabin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cabin. Show all posts
Friday, May 30, 2014
Monday, April 29, 2013
The First Rule of Four Wheeling...
When I joined Ryan's family in 2008 almost, I was taught two important rules about playing on four wheelers and snowmobiles: 1) always wear a helmet and 2) never go alone.
The first rule is a no-brainer, but when my brother, Nate was in an accident on a ride later that year, the doctor said his helmet saved his life. We look at that helmet every once in a while as a crazy reminder of why we always wear a helmet.
The second rule is illustrated by a story that is told and retold in the family. Tyler had a little bike, went for a ride, crashed it, had to make it back. Never go alone, right?
Well, this weekend I discovered Pre-Rule A: know how to start a four-wheeler before you ever go for a ride... story? I. Think. So.
Friday afternoon, Ryan, Adi, and I headed to the cabin with Brad and Jennifer. It was so much fun. We watched movies, ate junk food (and delicious cookies), and played games. We cleaned here and there, but for the most part we were all enjoying ourselves.
Early in the morning, Adi and I dawned our helmets for a couple little drives and then came back. Then a little later, Adi and Mark (a close, close family friend) took Adi on a ride in the Rhino. No big deal. We played some games and a little time passed, no big deal.
Then some more time passed and we started wondering about Mark and Adi... I checked my watch. No big deal. Then some more time passed and we did the same thing.
Finally, we thought that perhaps we should take a quick drive. Ryan's uncle, Kit, and I hopped on some four-wheelers and Kit took off. I tried to keep up, and soon enough he came around and said he hadn't seen them, so I headed down the other direction. No luck. So, I turned around again and came up over a hill to find Mark and Adi. (I should have known. I trust Mark implicitly.)
So, I said I'd drive up the trail a little bit to let Kit know and I'd be back in a jiffy.
Or. So. I. Thought.
After about three or four minutes on the trail, I thought it was a little bit out of my skill level (which remember, is novice), so I stopped, threw the four wheeler into reverse, backed up, and then tried to shift into drive.
Tried.
Yes. As I went to shift it stalled and um, oh wait, I didn't. know. how. to. turn. it. back. on.
I tried doing things with the throttle, and choke, but let's be honest, I don't even know how to drive a stick, so, it was no hope.
I checked my watch, we'd been gone about ten minutes. I tried starting it again. Hum. No luck.
Sooooo, I was stranded. I could see the cabin from the hill where I was sitting, but guaranteed they couldn't see me. I couldn't just leave the machine, could I? I had a few moments of panic, thinking that I'd broken the four wheeler. Great.
Luckily I had my phone. And full coverage. Phew.
Well, oh wait. No.
I goggled "how to start a Kodiak four wheeler", no luck. I doubt I would ever have been able to start it based on some of the super-complex information I was reading. Oh well.
Phil Dunphy's experience with a motorcycle came to mind...
About ten or fifteen minutes later, after a nice intake of Vitamin D, Kit rounded the bend and saw me sitting on the hill. That's the irony. I was just sitting there.
Well, turns out it had to be in neutral to start. Go figure.
I was... well, embarrassed. But, at least I can laugh about it after the fact.
Turns out also that five minutes after Mark and Adi made it home, Kit got there too. And well, McKenzie wasn't so they figured I was lost or something. Glad to know that they knew I was missing.
The first rule is a no-brainer, but when my brother, Nate was in an accident on a ride later that year, the doctor said his helmet saved his life. We look at that helmet every once in a while as a crazy reminder of why we always wear a helmet.
The second rule is illustrated by a story that is told and retold in the family. Tyler had a little bike, went for a ride, crashed it, had to make it back. Never go alone, right?
Well, this weekend I discovered Pre-Rule A: know how to start a four-wheeler before you ever go for a ride... story? I. Think. So.
Friday afternoon, Ryan, Adi, and I headed to the cabin with Brad and Jennifer. It was so much fun. We watched movies, ate junk food (and delicious cookies), and played games. We cleaned here and there, but for the most part we were all enjoying ourselves.
Early in the morning, Adi and I dawned our helmets for a couple little drives and then came back. Then a little later, Adi and Mark (a close, close family friend) took Adi on a ride in the Rhino. No big deal. We played some games and a little time passed, no big deal.
Then some more time passed and we started wondering about Mark and Adi... I checked my watch. No big deal. Then some more time passed and we did the same thing.
Finally, we thought that perhaps we should take a quick drive. Ryan's uncle, Kit, and I hopped on some four-wheelers and Kit took off. I tried to keep up, and soon enough he came around and said he hadn't seen them, so I headed down the other direction. No luck. So, I turned around again and came up over a hill to find Mark and Adi. (I should have known. I trust Mark implicitly.)
So, I said I'd drive up the trail a little bit to let Kit know and I'd be back in a jiffy.
Or. So. I. Thought.
After about three or four minutes on the trail, I thought it was a little bit out of my skill level (which remember, is novice), so I stopped, threw the four wheeler into reverse, backed up, and then tried to shift into drive.
Tried.
Yes. As I went to shift it stalled and um, oh wait, I didn't. know. how. to. turn. it. back. on.
I tried doing things with the throttle, and choke, but let's be honest, I don't even know how to drive a stick, so, it was no hope.
I checked my watch, we'd been gone about ten minutes. I tried starting it again. Hum. No luck.
Sooooo, I was stranded. I could see the cabin from the hill where I was sitting, but guaranteed they couldn't see me. I couldn't just leave the machine, could I? I had a few moments of panic, thinking that I'd broken the four wheeler. Great.
Luckily I had my phone. And full coverage. Phew.
Well, oh wait. No.
I goggled "how to start a Kodiak four wheeler", no luck. I doubt I would ever have been able to start it based on some of the super-complex information I was reading. Oh well.
Phil Dunphy's experience with a motorcycle came to mind...
And... I will admit I did laugh out loud a couple of times.
I was too concerned because it was nice, light outside, and I figured that they would know pretty quickly if I wasn't coming back.
Then I though I might send an SOS out to the world...
Stranded. At least I have my phone... #howdoyoustartafourwheeler #howlongtilltheynotice
About ten or fifteen minutes later, after a nice intake of Vitamin D, Kit rounded the bend and saw me sitting on the hill. That's the irony. I was just sitting there.
Well, turns out it had to be in neutral to start. Go figure.
I was... well, embarrassed. But, at least I can laugh about it after the fact.
Turns out also that five minutes after Mark and Adi made it home, Kit got there too. And well, McKenzie wasn't so they figured I was lost or something. Glad to know that they knew I was missing.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Boating
We went to the cabin last weekend to spend some time with Ryan's family. We always look forward to boating in the summer, and this trip was no exception!
But... this year it was a little colder than past Julys. We took jackets and blankets, and had fun all the same! (Adi wasn't really a fan, but I can't blame her.) Mark even taught me how to drive the boat--something I'll definitely continue learning for the next few years.
We love the cabin!
Friday, June 8, 2012
MIA.
I know. I know. It's almost been three weeks since I last posted. That is honestly unheard of, I blame it partly on my new found obsession with Lie to Me but also on our busy, crazy lives, and well, a funk.
But, I'm back! And updating, so...
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind!
Most important, Ryan and I celebrated four years of marriage! And this year for our try-to-get-a-picture-on-our-anniversary picture we snapped a picture in front of our new home (although you mostly get a lot of us).
(Circling the above picture... ) We also got a few painting projects done including our pistachio-green exercise room and our bright-red kitchen accent wall.
Adi had fun driving her convertible and gave us reason to laugh at her impromptu fountain splashing!
Over memorial day, we visited East Lawn where my mother's parents are buried and the Orem City Cemetery where my cousin Sheri is buried.
Adi had a great cabin weekend and officially wore her pink, power-ranger-esque helmet with Uncle Adam, I got a haircut at the BYU Salon (Gasp! I know, I was a little worried, but she did a great job and get this--one of the barbers has been there since 1965!), Adi had fun in an ottoman at TJ Maxx, we made homemade Buckwheat Blueberry pancakes...
And last, but definitely not least, we visited Grandpa Great one weekend where Adi was spoiled, spoiled, spoiled.
Life is good.
But, I'm back! And updating, so...
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind!
Most important, Ryan and I celebrated four years of marriage! And this year for our try-to-get-a-picture-on-our-anniversary picture we snapped a picture in front of our new home (although you mostly get a lot of us).
(Circling the above picture... ) We also got a few painting projects done including our pistachio-green exercise room and our bright-red kitchen accent wall.
Adi had fun driving her convertible and gave us reason to laugh at her impromptu fountain splashing!
Over memorial day, we visited East Lawn where my mother's parents are buried and the Orem City Cemetery where my cousin Sheri is buried.
Adi had a great cabin weekend and officially wore her pink, power-ranger-esque helmet with Uncle Adam, I got a haircut at the BYU Salon (Gasp! I know, I was a little worried, but she did a great job and get this--one of the barbers has been there since 1965!), Adi had fun in an ottoman at TJ Maxx, we made homemade Buckwheat Blueberry pancakes...
And last, but definitely not least, we visited Grandpa Great one weekend where Adi was spoiled, spoiled, spoiled.
Life is good.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Cupcake Wars
Inspired by us (Ryan, Ryan's siblings, and me) cooking breakfast together in the spring of 2010, my father-in-law has implemented cabin cooking challenges...
This year over the long President's Day weekend was Cupcake Wars. The funny, and frustrating thing about the challenge is that we each have a slight competitiveness that keeps things interesting.
This challenge's theme, inspired by Adi's 2nd birthday and Hannah's 22nd birthday was Disney Princesses. (:
We had a little bit of this...
Ariel and "The Little Mermaid" stole the show with gum paste...
Courtesy of Erin and Tyler
A little bit of that...
Prince Charming and the dragon from "Sleeping Beauty" battled it out in frosted sugar-cookie form...
Courtesy of Hannah and Andrew
And even a smidgen of...
Voilà
Pascal hung out in Rapunzel's tower from "Tangled" in Cream Cheese frosting...
Courtesy of Ryan and I
Best chocolate cake/cupcake ever? I think so. Taste the proof...
Speaking of cupcakes... Adi and I visited the Sweet Tooth Fairy yesterday for some last-minute visiting teaching surprises. And yes, we have some waiting in the freezer...
Scrumdiddlyumptious!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Fathers in My Life - Part 2
The first time I saw my father-in-law, I had pulled up to the house in Farmington when he was talking to the neighbor across the street, he smiled. I recognized him from pictures, and was embarrassed that I was so early.
Looking back almost four years I have been amazed at the neat relationship I have been able to develop with him. And, while many sons- and daughters-in-laws have horror stories about their in-laws, I can honestly say that I have the greatest in-laws ever.
Brad has been such an example to me. Besides being a hard-working and talented accountant, he is dedicated to his family, to his faith, and to his overall beliefs. He is extremely thoughtful and unabashedly generous. I have learned to be a better person, to stretch the boundaries of my comfort zone, and to appreciate nature in ways I would never have been able to do without his love and support.
One of my favorite memories with Brad was at our wedding luncheon. When he stood up to toast, he told the story of my first experience at the cabin--it was January, prime snowmobiling time. He asked if I'd ever ridden one, and I answered no... but I've been on a jet ski and a four-wheeler. So, off we went. When I failed to communicate was the fact that while I had ridden those machines, I had never driven those machines. I was scared. to. death. But, I prayed and offered a prayer something along the lines of "I will follow all instructions given me and do my best to prepare, but if I die, I know that it is thy will." After we got back from the ride, I conveyed these thoughts to Brad and he was horrified that I had been so scared and felt bad that he hadn't given me more than a 10-second intro to riding a snowmobile.
When he told this story at the luncheon he said that he had been impressed with the amount of faith I had shown, more like fear and resignation, but it's all semantics, right?
I have come to love Brad like my own dad, I feel so lucky. I mean who else can ask their father-in-law to add huge complex numbers in their head and get an immediate response? And who else can say that they've bonded with their father-in-law over Judge Judy?
I can. I have.
Here's to Brad, the best father-in-law a girl could ask for.
Looking back almost four years I have been amazed at the neat relationship I have been able to develop with him. And, while many sons- and daughters-in-laws have horror stories about their in-laws, I can honestly say that I have the greatest in-laws ever.
Brad has been such an example to me. Besides being a hard-working and talented accountant, he is dedicated to his family, to his faith, and to his overall beliefs. He is extremely thoughtful and unabashedly generous. I have learned to be a better person, to stretch the boundaries of my comfort zone, and to appreciate nature in ways I would never have been able to do without his love and support.
One of my favorite memories with Brad was at our wedding luncheon. When he stood up to toast, he told the story of my first experience at the cabin--it was January, prime snowmobiling time. He asked if I'd ever ridden one, and I answered no... but I've been on a jet ski and a four-wheeler. So, off we went. When I failed to communicate was the fact that while I had ridden those machines, I had never driven those machines. I was scared. to. death. But, I prayed and offered a prayer something along the lines of "I will follow all instructions given me and do my best to prepare, but if I die, I know that it is thy will." After we got back from the ride, I conveyed these thoughts to Brad and he was horrified that I had been so scared and felt bad that he hadn't given me more than a 10-second intro to riding a snowmobile.
When he told this story at the luncheon he said that he had been impressed with the amount of faith I had shown, more like fear and resignation, but it's all semantics, right?
I have come to love Brad like my own dad, I feel so lucky. I mean who else can ask their father-in-law to add huge complex numbers in their head and get an immediate response? And who else can say that they've bonded with their father-in-law over Judge Judy?
I can. I have.
Here's to Brad, the best father-in-law a girl could ask for.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
I Owe My Soul to the Company Store
In June of 1997, I spent a week at Clear Creek, a summer camp sponsored by Alpine School District, located near a small mining town. I loved it. As part of our camp we hiked, sang camp songs, and performed skits, but we also learned about Scofield, some of it's history and what it meant to work for "the company". Little did I know that I would later come to love that small mining town, Scofield, Utah.
Fast forward to January 2008 when my boyfriend invited me to his parents' cabin, just miles away from Clear Creek on the Scofiled Resevoir.
Lucky for me, I married that boyfriend.
And, lucky for us. We just spent the weekend here:
(Brad and Jennifer's Cabin at Aspen Cove)
With a drive up that looked like this:
And lake views that looked like this:
(The Scofield Resevoir, at its highest in at least ten years)
And breakfast that looked like this:
(Thanks to Ryan and Kyle for delicious "Cabin Breakfast")
The best part about the trip? We got to enjoy the company of our friends Sara and Kyle and their two adorable boys.
They're the greatest, and we have loved getting to know them. We were thrilled that they wanted to come with us and thrilled that they even wanted to adventure to Scofield!
Scofield, Utah according to Wikipedia is a town in Carbon County, Utah with a population of 28 at the 2000 census.
But, this wasn't always the case. In the late 1800's, Scofield was a booming mining town with a population over 600. However, on May 1, 1900, a huge explosion rocked the mine and devastated the town.
I remembered that we had learned about the disaster at Clear Creek, but my memories were vague. (In fact, all I could really remember was the phrase "I owe my soul to the company store" from a song we listened to the entrance to the mine. It wasn't until recently that I discovered the whole song and who "the company" was--think October Sky.)
Anyway, when we were planning for the trip, Sara and Kyle had mentioned the disaster, so when we made it to the cabin, we decided to take an adventure to Scofield for a closer look.
We stopped at the cemetery
Come to find out there were over 125 men buried in this cemetery who were killed in the accident. These wooden headstones are scattered everywhere and mark the graves of those killed in the 1900 disaster (with a more recent headstone to help identify the names on the illegible, rotting wood)
They had erected a memorial to the fallen, with this sculpture depicting the feeling of the accident.
It was tragic.
And the 5th worst mining accident in American history.
Over 200 men were killed, leaving 107 widows and more than 250 orphans.
The tomb of the unknown is dedicated to the men they couldn't identify and bury accordingly
Most of the men killed in the accident had only the wooden headstone, but a few had more elaborate memorials. This was one--crumbling after 110 years, but beautiful all the same.
Adi took at interest in the cemetery and wandered to see the various flowers and flags
I love this little girl!
Another thing this area is known for are the "Potguts" (aka rockchucks or the yellow-bellied marmot) and we got to see quite a few of them running around the grass and poking their heads out of their little holes. Even Adi liked them! (Here's a snap shot of Sara and Isaac checking one out.)
And one of a potgut and Isaac running to see it.
After checking out the cemetery, we visited the school house and tried to find the mine, but were unsuccessful... we'll just have to save that for another adventure.
When we got back to the cabin, we decided to roast marshmallows and Starburst candies because it had been too late the previous night.
Yummy Starbursts! (If you haven't tried this, you must. It takes technique, but if you do it right, it's caramelized with a slight sugar crunch on the outside and gooey and yummy on the inside.
Adi didn't seem to mind...
In fact, she loved it!
And so. did. I.
Overall it was a fun, relaxing trip--quick--but such a treat. Thanks to Sara, Kyle, Isaac, and Liam for a fun weekend!
Friday, June 17, 2011
S'mores
A s'more is a traditional nighttime campfire treat popular in the United States and Canada, consisting of a roasted marshmallow and a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker.
Perfect weekend plans? I think so.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Fall Pictures at the Cabin and Crawfish! Sick...
This past weekend we took a trip up to the cabin with the Davies family. Kenz LOVES fall, especially the leaves and all of the colors. I have to agree, it was beautiful. I even enjoyed my cold morning run. I saw some deer and heard some elk, and definitely enjoyed the colors. These are some pictures that Kenz took on our 4-wheeler ride.
Later Saturday night, we decided to catch some crawdads for our gumbo this next week. Adam and Andrew were especially excited, since they served their missions in the South. The first half hour was terrible, we didn't catch anything. Luckily a nice couple gave us the chicken leg that they were using to catch crawdads. After that, we had more luck. Finally after about an hour and a half we went back to the cabin. It was dark and cold.
Our Family
