Winter Adventures

Life has been full this warm winter.  In mid-January, my parents treated us to a late-Christmas dinner at Fireside Dining at Deer Valley Resort.  One of my favorite culinary experiences of my life, it features four courses served from five stone fireplaces, imitating European Alp sheep-herder meals from more primitive days.  A cozy Alpine setting with fires blazing and the aroma of warm raclette infiltrating your senses...perfection.  It's also always a treat to be among Rawson adults from time to time.  

Notice Bret sporting his new "liberal glasses."  Fortunately, his politics have changed less than his eyewear as a result of his profession.  Speaking of lawyerdom, Bret's firm, Rawson & Goff, PLLC merged this week with a larger Salt Lake firm.  He will now be a partner at Mumford, Rawson & Bates in a high-rise downtown with a straight-shot view of angel Moroni from his office window.  Congrats, big brother!

I'm not sure about Wes as a hipster...

The Hogle Zoo in wintertime; one of the city's well-kept secrets.  While the choochoo and a few other attractions are put away until spring, the tigers are more active than ever!  The abnormally mild winter has encouraged us to get out when we might otherwise prefer not to brave the cold.

We got my parents a "sleigh ride" for Christmas this year, but as you can see, the lack of snow kind of made the sleigh part impossible, so we enjoyed a buggy ride instead with cowboy "Sparky" and 7-year old Hazy (he's had horse-cataracts since he was born but pulled that buggy with gusto, nonetheless).  My dad was overcome by circumstances, so Liam and I took his place beside my mom.  What an adventure!  I cannot even begin to explain how much Liam loved this experience (and my mom watching Liam loving the experience...).    

We made a little post-buggy ride stop at the Heber Crater, made more famous by its recent appearance in The Bachelor (worst season OF ALL TIME, btw.)  I am SO coming here with Wes after I birth this baby and feel more affable toward swimsuits again.

Perhaps in an effort to redeem himself from last year's Valentine's Day X-rated comedy show fiasco, Wes surprised me with a very romantic Jon Schmidt dinner/concert at the Desert Star in Murray.  Way to cheer up a preggo girl, Weston!  I had a wonderful time and love Jon Schmidt even more now that I've seen him in person. I have recommitted myself to learning how to play "All of Me."  Oh yes, it will be done.  

Winter views from our home taken from our master windows...unbelievable.  

I miss this girl!  My dear friend, "Miss Anne" returned home to Utah for a week in February to ski and visit friends and family, now as a newlywed.  It is a travesty that we live so far apart, but it was wonderful to have a brief visit before she returned to her new home in Minnesota.   

Liam is a graduate of Level 1: Parents & Tots Swimming Lessons at the Ecker Pool!  I am so proud of my baby boy for doing such a great job kick-kick-kicking, jumping bravely off the side and holding his breath under water.  He and Dadda had a great time swimming together, despite it taking twice the length of the lesson to get him ready to go home afterwards. Thank you, Dadda and thanks to Ms. Jackie for being such a great teacher!