December 30 Ryan and I took an early 5:30 AM flight to UT to meet up with Ryan's friend Scott and his wife Natalie. We barely got through the security lines and made the flight, but our snowboarding bags did not. When we arrived in SLC, Scott was waiting for us. We were rudely told that our bags were a "late check and had not made the flight and that they could not guarantee that they would be on the next flight, but guessed that they would be." We were told to wait or to call after the next flight had landed and then pick them up. So we left with Scott to go back to their home about 45 minutes from the airport. Weather conditions were making all flights late and it was really snowing. We originally were planning on snowboarding all day and then doing a half day on the 31, but with no idea of when our gear was going to arrive and if the weather conditions were going to ease up a bit we just decided to go to the Hawkes home where we ate lunch and hung out. Thanks for letting us stay with you guys and driving your car. We had a great time! Ryan kept calling the airlines about every half hour after the flight arrived with no luck getting anyone to pick up. He also tested his snow shoveling skills on their driveway while I took a nap.
It was wonderful to fall asleep to a window view of perfectly shaped flakes falling silently from the sky. About 3:30 we drove back to the airport where we found our bags (not to mention no one from the airlines ever bothered to call and let us know that they had arrived!). We were happy and the storm had never really ceased, so it was probably a good thing we didn't go out snowboarding in it as we would have been pretty miserable! Ryan and I really love boarding, but we really love it when it is sunny with lots of fresh powder, so it was nice to not have to feel guilty about losing out on a day of boarding. Instead, we went to the Gateway in downtown SLC and saw the Sherlock Holmes movie. After the movie we drove to Temple Square where we lucked out with some sweet parking on the street and walked around. It was snowing huge flakes and it was cold. The Christmas lights were all on still and the whole place was absolutely breathtaking. It was so magical and fun. We bundled up (I tested out my new jacket... and it is wonderful) and enjoyed some fresh air and pretty lights. We took some pictures and walked through some exhibts at the Church History Museum. We had an amazing time.
It was so romantic and I loved being with Ryan, holding his hand, catching huge snowflakes on our tongues and just spending time together. (If you have never seen the lights there, I would recommend it, but the snow and the lights made the experience unforgettable!) After walking around for about an hour and half, we headed back to the Hawkes house and went to bed (realizing that we would be getting some much needed uninterrupted sleep for the first time in a while :).
31 December: We woke up to sunshine and blue skies. The storm was gone and had dropped about 12 inches on the slopes. The forecast was warm and clear... just our luck! So we layered on our clothes, packed our bags and then headed to the slopes. We went to Brighton because we found a sweet deal on snowboarding passes if you bought online. So off we went. It was a perfect day- not too crowded, sunny, warm, and TONS of fresh powder. Brighton is great because they have a quad lift (Millie) that only serves intermediate and advanced runs, so it is never crowded with beginners. Ryan and I found this sweet jump that landed in a pile of powder and got some fun jump shots.
One of the best things about the day was some little things called Handwarmers. Ryan got them in his Christmas stocking (Walmart - $1.50 for 4) We put them in our gloves and I enjoyed a full day of warm hands (something I have never experienced!) It was wonderful. My new boots also were amazing and kept me warm and dry.
lunch at the lodge!
Needless to say it was an awesome day and I must say that I was exhausted after it was over. You just don't use those muscles everyday, not to mention the one faceplant into a huge pile of powder didn't help... After a perfect day we drove back into downtown where we met Scott and Natalie and baby Brooklyn at Crown's Burger. I got yummy onion rings and a salad. Then Scott drove us to the airport in his car. Thanks again Scott and Natalie for letting us crash at your house. It was so fun to hang out and we are just waiting for your guys to come down for some kayaking on the river. We boarded the plane with no problems. We arrived in Phoenix around 8:30 and were home to our girlies by 9:15. Much to our suprise they were all asleep thanks to our wonderful babysitter. So we enjoyed watching New Years on TV at home relaxing after a nice trip. It was an uneventful New Years but a perfect way to end 2009.
It was wonderful to fall asleep to a window view of perfectly shaped flakes falling silently from the sky. About 3:30 we drove back to the airport where we found our bags (not to mention no one from the airlines ever bothered to call and let us know that they had arrived!). We were happy and the storm had never really ceased, so it was probably a good thing we didn't go out snowboarding in it as we would have been pretty miserable! Ryan and I really love boarding, but we really love it when it is sunny with lots of fresh powder, so it was nice to not have to feel guilty about losing out on a day of boarding. Instead, we went to the Gateway in downtown SLC and saw the Sherlock Holmes movie. After the movie we drove to Temple Square where we lucked out with some sweet parking on the street and walked around. It was snowing huge flakes and it was cold. The Christmas lights were all on still and the whole place was absolutely breathtaking. It was so magical and fun. We bundled up (I tested out my new jacket... and it is wonderful) and enjoyed some fresh air and pretty lights. We took some pictures and walked through some exhibts at the Church History Museum. We had an amazing time.
It was so romantic and I loved being with Ryan, holding his hand, catching huge snowflakes on our tongues and just spending time together. (If you have never seen the lights there, I would recommend it, but the snow and the lights made the experience unforgettable!) After walking around for about an hour and half, we headed back to the Hawkes house and went to bed (realizing that we would be getting some much needed uninterrupted sleep for the first time in a while :).
31 December: We woke up to sunshine and blue skies. The storm was gone and had dropped about 12 inches on the slopes. The forecast was warm and clear... just our luck! So we layered on our clothes, packed our bags and then headed to the slopes. We went to Brighton because we found a sweet deal on snowboarding passes if you bought online. So off we went. It was a perfect day- not too crowded, sunny, warm, and TONS of fresh powder. Brighton is great because they have a quad lift (Millie) that only serves intermediate and advanced runs, so it is never crowded with beginners. Ryan and I found this sweet jump that landed in a pile of powder and got some fun jump shots.
One of the best things about the day was some little things called Handwarmers. Ryan got them in his Christmas stocking (Walmart - $1.50 for 4) We put them in our gloves and I enjoyed a full day of warm hands (something I have never experienced!) It was wonderful. My new boots also were amazing and kept me warm and dry.
lunch at the lodge!
Needless to say it was an awesome day and I must say that I was exhausted after it was over. You just don't use those muscles everyday, not to mention the one faceplant into a huge pile of powder didn't help... After a perfect day we drove back into downtown where we met Scott and Natalie and baby Brooklyn at Crown's Burger. I got yummy onion rings and a salad. Then Scott drove us to the airport in his car. Thanks again Scott and Natalie for letting us crash at your house. It was so fun to hang out and we are just waiting for your guys to come down for some kayaking on the river. We boarded the plane with no problems. We arrived in Phoenix around 8:30 and were home to our girlies by 9:15. Much to our suprise they were all asleep thanks to our wonderful babysitter. So we enjoyed watching New Years on TV at home relaxing after a nice trip. It was an uneventful New Years but a perfect way to end 2009.
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