Skiing, Watching, and Riding

A lot of verbs in just one day. We started the day at Utah Lake on another boating trip. Desiree' did a great job on one ski and wanted to go out of the wake and do some other tricks. She rode hard and fell hard too. This picture was taken as she fell and skipped across the water in a massive wipeout. Nothing like smacking your head on the water to keep your ego in check: Wave the flag, Ashlyn. Desiree' is down!But she is ok, with no permanent damage:Ashlyn and mommy:
Ashlyn and G-ma:

Kristen on Hunter's wakeboard for the first time:

Desiree' learning how to wakeboard:

Ashlyn and Grandpa:

Gathering around grandpa, driver extraordinaire:

After boating, we rushed home to shower and head out to watch Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Great movie. I need to read that series.

Desiree' went to see the midnight showing in PA on opening night a few weeks ago, but wanted to go with the rest of us again. Today was significant because it was Harry Potter's birthday in the book. Naturally, this called for left over cake to celebrate when we got back:
After the Harry Potter festivities, Desiree' rode one of Uncle Keith's horses. I would have liked to, but Autrey has given me strict orders not to "shake the baby". Even if I did ride the horse, I wouldn't be posting evidence that would get me in trouble with him...well, if he ever read this blog.

A Day for Open Houses

Today we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house and went on the tour of the inside. The paintings inside were absolutely gorgeous! Ummm...I promise my belly doesn't usually poke out that much...bad angle. Note to self: When everyone else wears black, don't wear white. See what I mean?

After the temple open house, we went to see Aunt Elaine and hang out at her "open house". Here we are after lunch at Zupas. I did try to convince Desiree' not to wear the flamingo shorts in public but, alas, to no avail:

On our way back from Aunt Elaine's, I went to one more "open house". Sarah Godfrey and I drove over to Traci and Mike Purser's condo to have dinner and catch up. We had a few good laughs about our time as college roomies. I forgot to take a picture, but I copied these off of their blog sites.

Boating

Grandma and Grandpa Holdaway took us to Utah Lake so we could have some fun in the water. Unfortunately, mom couldn't ski because of her back and I couldn't ski because of the possibility I might fall and hurt Dylan. We still had fun watching and cheering for everyone else. I love going boating. Kristen's first time skiing since Ashlyn was born last year...

...show off! I hope my body will still allow me to ski on one ski using only one foot next year.

On the jet-ski: Desiree' and Meagan
Being pulled in the tube: Mom, Kristen, and Ashlyn






Hunter Riley wakeboarding


Desiree' got up on one ski for the first time. It only took her 9 tries and she popped right out of the water each time after that. Pretty amazing. When I told Autrey about it tonight he said that she probably did well because she doesn't hardly weigh anything (you know, less water resistance). It only took Autrey about 4 or 5 tries in Lake Powell the summer we got married, but he thinks it also took about a tank of gas to drag him out of the water.

Auntie Shilo and Ashlyn

Meagan and Brianna Riley

I wasn't able to ski, but that didn't stop me from riding in the tube with Meagan...

slowly, of course:

Utah Baby Shower

This afternoon I arrived in Utah. Mom, Kristen, Meagan, Desiree', and Grandma Holdaway threw me a family baby shower at Grandma's house. We had a blast! It was so fun to see relatives I haven't seen since I moved 2 years ago.

The girls:

The food: chicken pillows, salad, and glorious fruit.

Aunt JaNae helped with the chicken pillows. So good!

The dessert maker: Kristen made 2 cakes, turtles, and caramel apples all from scratch.

G-ma and Ashlyn: Grandma Miller and Ashlyn:

Aunt B and Ashlyn:

The gifts:

The outfits:

The cards:

The toys:

The 12 blankets:

The best mom ever: