...do you want to move to the Salt Flats?

The salt flats were stunning as we drove to California for Christmas vacation. They are always mysterious, but I've never seen them quite so beautiful. The pics do not give justice to the beautiful day. As we drove I felt like we could be in Tajikistan or somewhere similarly exotic.  Metaphor: Tree of Utah has always intrigued me. So I finally looked it up. I like it. And I like the salt flats. I also really like this last shot of the sculpture by Declan McCullagh.

...haven't you always wanted to be a rock star?

Dad said Dave looks like ZZ Top with his beard, so I had to look up the band. Wow! I don't think Dave has made it to this level of hairiness...yet. If we had been successful in convincing Dave to dress up like one of the Three Amigos for the Christmas party, ZZ Top would have replaced the beardless loser in their band with Dave. My little buttercup...

...don't you want 10 of these?

We had a Sorensen Christmas party last night and April and Scott's kids were so cute! They dressed up for the Nativity and got presents from Grandma. Dave and I got a present too...the Minerva Teichert painting of Christ at His second coming. We had a wonderful dinner of asparagus and meat balls and made caramel apples too. And of course...we had to play fruit basket turnover. Dave wrestled with Beau until they both almost threw up. My favorite was Chet coming to the door at the beginning of the party with his ski goggles on. He looked so serious and he wouldn't smile. Then Sonora had to try them on too. I also caught the classic Scott picture with his eyes closed.

...Margot is great!

We celebrated Margot's birthday together. Dave mixed up his first ever cake. Hope you have a fabulous year Margot. Love you!

...I love my Snowbird pass

Me and a bunch of jokesters all went skiing on Saturday. Dad, Michelle, Lisa T., Mom and me in the pic. Dave is taking it from his phone for us. Great snow and good company. I tried out my new Shaka boots and they are awesome. I already ski better. Thanks to Chris at Inkline for the footbeds and molded liners.

...Mom knows what I like

Mom gave me an Anthro gift card for my birthday. So fun to go and browse for something new. I picked out this pretty sweater and wore it to church today. Thanks Mom!

...I love this birthday card from Ruby

My niece Ruby, seven years old, made this card for me on my birthday. I love it! Thanks Ruby :)

...I'm sorry I forgot my skins!

Dave and I went out for our first day of touring this season. We went up Big Cottonwood, got to the parking lot at the Spruces and I had remembered EVERYTHING but...my skins. Kind of an important part. So we went home, ate lunch, got my skins (Dave put them on my skis right then) and went up Little Cottonwood Canyon instead. We started on the Albion Basin Summit Road and ended up on the Patsy Marley ridge. We could see Twin Lakes Reservoir and Brighton. It was beautiful and so nice to be out of the smog. Dave called it our "inversion diversion." There were quite a few people out in the back country today. I think that's cool. 

...you know how I love Communal

Dave took me to Communal for my first time when we were dating. We stayed until everyone else had left and we didn't even notice. That is where we fell in love...I know...cheesy. But it's true! So I got to go again today for my birthday and it was amazing as usual. This was our appetizer of humus, crostini "little toasts", caramelized onions, pickles, and cured meats. Sounds crazy, but yummy nonetheless.

...you shouldn't have

Oh darlin...what's this for my birthday? What beautiful ski boots! And a very yummy eclair. The boots were a total surprise...and a darn good one. I want two birthdays every year :) Kinda weird to be 27 though. Can you believe Dave's wrapping job too??? Great taste.