End of Year Wrap Up

2016: OVER

Thanksgiving was splendid. Here are a few funny family candids by the Rob. He thinks it's great being in everyone's faces all night long. He got some lovely shots as well but these are more fun to post :)

We had a wonderful surprise party for Rob's grandpa. Family came in from out of town and we all went to lunch and had a good visit with all.

December was really nice. One night we went to the live nativity in Alpine.

We always put up our Christmas decorations on the 1st Sunday of December but this is torture for our kids because all their friends decorate up to a month earlier than us. Nate, Madeleine, and Caroline think Rob and I are the biggest grumps because we make them wait until December hits. We make up for it by being one of the last to take them down...

I had a work casino-themed Christmas party. I've been writing for the company for 2 years now but I've never met anyone in person so it was nice to put faces to names.

One night we went downtown for a bunch of festivities. We ate dinner and then took in the view of Temple Square from the top floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. We looked at the Macy's Christmas windows made out of candy. We took the train to the Grand America Hotel to do their window display scavenger hunt and eat gelato while listening to a great band in the lounge. We rode the Jingle Bus around town back to our car.

The 23rd brought the Raines Family Christmas Dinner and Party. There was a kid and an adult scavenger hunt, Christmas Pictionary, and lots of delicious food. After, we drove through Christmas Street in Taylorsville just like I did as a kid. More silly shots!

 

Madeleine had her Scera Theatre Christmas Performance. She is a natural.



Nate had his birthday at Top Golf with a few friends. I can't believe I have an 11 year old! At his checkup the doc said he needs to start eating 1 1/2 portions for his meals because he's under weight. He is 4th % for height.

We (Rob) tiled our bathroom floor. We (Rob) still have some decorating to do but it's looking beautiful!

I had the kids earn some money so we could take them to Dollar Tree so they could each buy gifts for their siblings. They love doing this!

On Christmas Eve Rob baked rolls, pizzas, and sugar cookies. We watched a Christmas movie, played board games, and did all the other traditional Christmas Eve things.

Christmas Day brought church and a lot of relaxing and playing with our new stuff. Rob's family was sick so festivities with them were pushed back a week.

I ended up getting sick Christmas afternoon, had a day off of sick on Tuesday, then woke up Wednesday morning really sick all the way through the end of the week.

New Year's Eve I was still recovering so I sent Rob ice skating with the kids. Cara bit a chunk out of her tongue while jumping on the couch. Then we all made it to midnight playing games and watching movies.

New Year's Day we had a delightful Christmas dinner with Rob's family.

I'm pretty sure there were a bunch of other things we did, like the usual shopping/returning/re-shopping dance, wrapping, losing gifts, buying too much, eating way too much, and listening to GOOD Christmas music (Anyone else sick of Mariah Carey's Christmas??? We like to find hidden gems that are awesome but never get played on the radio. Next year we'll have to share our playlist because it's da bomb and I promise you'll love it).

Bring on 2017 and all the LOVE and LIFE that it will bring!

Mountain Biking

rob

Last March on my 35th birthday I took the afternoon off work and took my really old mongoose mountain bike to corner canyon (one of the most commonly made bikes under multiple brands and it also happens to be the worst bike ever). I’d been interested in mountain biking for a while and wanted to give it a try.

Before investing in a new bike I wanted to take that old bike around the block a few times to prove to myself that I’d stick with it in the long term. After that fateful first ride I enjoyed myself immensely and also learned that a pair of good gloves is a necessity. Here is a photo of that old bike. Does it look familiar to anyone? I think almost everyone had one. Problem is that I rode one when I was 35…..

my old junk bike

That day kicked off a great new hobby. I was very interested in pursuing this new hobby but stuck with that bike for about until December of 2015 when I upgraded to a Kona Hardtail Mountain Bike and started using Strava to keep track of my rides. See photo below.

My Kona on the Trail

Since that time I’ve been out to ride 67 times and logged 406 miles. Also during this time Nate got a mountain bike and joins me frequently on Saturday morning rides. He is actually quite good! He had a knack for choosing good lines and can really ride that trail. Sometimes we bring along one of his good friends to join the fun. It also helps keep them motivated.

I can’t complain about a hobby that has become excellent father son bonding time, is a blast, is great exercise, makes me feel alive, and I can do with many friends living nearby. Nate and I frequently grab a doughnut on the way home! Here are a few photos from our numerous rides together.

Nate and Me at Solitude

Lambert

Bearclaw Poppy

near santa clara

lambert

doughnut time

Nate & Easton

poppy

Those who know me understand that I love the outdoors. I feel the call of nature and want to protect it. I’m not a fan of motorized vehicles and the resulting noise. Hiking and biking are my methods of choice to enjoy the great outdoors.

There is something invigorating about climbing a hill or a mountain. Rising above the noise and commotion of the valley. I love it and look forward to many more years of riding with Nate and hopefully one or both of my girls when they are ready. Now I need to figure out how to stay fit in the winter.

crest trail 1

crest 2

crest 3

crest 4

kip

lake

todd on spine