Sun Valley Series Part 9: Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve in Sun Valley starts with a big ice skating show. They do a condensed version of the Nutcracker on ice, with a few numbers by the Carolers thrown in. Let me just tell you, this night was super fun! Imagine standing on an ice skating rink in Idaho on Christmas Eve in the freezing cold while a heavy snow is falling for about 45 minutes. Now imagine that you have to do this without a winter coat gloves, hat, etc. FREEZING. That about sums it up. The hats you see us wearing in the photo below are open on the top. (We may have taken that photo during the actual show. Don't tell.) By the end of the show, we had so much snow on top of our heads that it looked like the hats had a top. Good times. Immediately following the ice show, there is a torchlight parade on the mountain and fireworks. We had a little break between the ice show and our caroling rounds, so Steve and I had arranged a meeting place to watch the fireworks, but it was so crazy and crowded, that by the time we finally met up, the parade and the fireworks were over. So instead we went back to our hotel room and found that we had been visited by the elusive Mr. P.J. Elf. Megan opened her pajamas and I left for a long night of caroling rounds. Later on I found out what a fun night Megan and Steve had....to be continued!

Sun Valley Series Part 8: Bowling!

Okay, I am the world's worst blogger. This is why I don't have my own blog. Anyway, back to the Sun Valley fun. There is a tiny bowling alley in the basement of the Sun Valley Lodge--a fun way to spend a super cold afternoon! This was Megan's first time bowling and she was way excited. You can see in the second photo what great form she has. The third photo shows how she would stand and watch her ball roll down the lane (at about 1/2 MPH, I might add). All in all, it was a good time!

Sun Valley Series Part 7: White Elephant Party

One of the funnest nights in Sun Valley was the carolers white elephant party. There is a long standing tradition of trying to have the best, funniest white elephant, so there were lots of hilarious moments. In fact, by far the funniest and most outrageous Sun Valley moment occured at this party. However, as it is not exactly a family friendly story, I won't share it on this blog. ;-) If you were there, you know what it was. I didn't take too many photos at the party, but here are a few.

Before we got started, the kids had their own white elephant exchange. Aren't they a bunch of cuties? It must be because they all have gorgeous parents!

Steve was totally thrilled to get this giant remote control. And, seriously, he actually uses it.

Steve with the giant remote control, and my partner Cory with a giant calculator.

Best book title ever, I'm pretty sure. I'm still kicking myself that I didn't steal this from Abe.

Sun Valley Series Part 6: Ice Sculptures

So Sun Valley hires these super talented guys to do ice sculptures in the village during the holidays. When Megan first saw the guys setting up shop and getting ready to sculpt, she was immediately fascinated. Of course she went right up to them, asked them what they were doing, and had all kinds of questions about it. Needless to say, we got to be pretty friendly with them and checked on their progress several times a day while they were there. They told me that they have a machine that makes the ice blocks they use to carve these. Once machine makes four big blocks of ice at a time. In order to have enough blocks for the Sun Valley ice sculptures, they start making them in April. Then they put them in cardboard boxes that fit them exactly and keep them frozen. They also told me a bunch of ideas they have for next year's sculptures. Clearly, they plan ahead.

Here is one of the guys working on a reindeer sculpture.

Megan with the ice Christmas tree that had real ornaments set into it.

This one is my favorite--a giant ice throne.

Check out this eagle! Seriously, these guys are awesome.

Mr. President's Birthday Party

I believe Dianne made a request for pictures of Brian on the blog. Well, here you go! On Monday we celebrated Dad's birthday. It was a Presidential themed party in honor of President's Day and because he's Stake President.Here's the birthday boy blowing out his candles. Notice his awesome campaign button that says "Mr. President" on it. The rest of us wore buttons that said "Happy Birthday Mr. President."Dad loves Diet Dr. Pepper, so Nate and Nicole got him 60 bottles of it. They "doctored" (HA!) the labels to read "Dr. Lundberg." The man has so many titles!The house all decked out for the party. Kudos to the Party-Planning Committee for putting together an awesome party!

Finally, a video of the Man of the Hour making his entrance to the party. Happy Birthday Dad! We love you!

Sun Valley Series Part 5: Sledding

There is a great sledding hill just up the road from the Sun Valley village. We decided to hit it one day. Unfortunately, we went before there was really much snow. I would have liked to go back after the big snowfall, but Megan wasn't having any of it. Turns out she doesn't enjoy sledding so much.

This is one of the only two pictures I got of her going down the hill. After that she pretty much just played in the snow and refused to go down again.

Steve and Megan heading up the hill.

Steve is way proud of this action shot he took.

I think we can all see who enjoyed sledding the most.

Sun Valley Series Part 4: The Reason We Were There In the First Place

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun it was to be back with this group, caroling in Sun Valley with lots of old friends and some new ones, after ten years! I had such a wonderful time. The feeling of joy and magic that the Carolers bring into a room is something I've never experienced anywhere else. I love it. Here are a few photos, I'm sure I'll post more of these later.

Megan loves the carolers too. She wants to be one too someday!

With one of my old friends, Becca, and a new friend Whitney, at Trail Creek Cabin.

Two of my oldest and dearest friends, Becca and Holly. I love them!

"Group 2", as were we so lovingly known, in our new costumes. This is a fantastic group of people!

25 Random Things

Instead of another Sun Valley Series post, today I bring you 25 Random Things About Me, in the case that we are not facebook friends. Enjoy!

1. My parents moved from Utah to St. Louis, Missouri when I was three weeks old. I rode the entire way lying in a bassinet on the back seat, except when my mom was giving me a bottle. Then she would just turn around, pick me up, and hold me in the front seat to do so. How times have changed.
2. I have super double jointed fingers and elbows. Anybody who knows me very well has noticed. 3. The first movie I remember going to was The Fox and the Hound. It was a drive in movie.
4. My most vivid memories of elementary school are of first grade. I had a fantastic teacher and we did lots of fun projects. The best one was that we made dummies of ourselves (traced ourselves on butcher paper, cut out two, and stuffed them), dressed them in clothes that we brought from home, and put them in our chairs before back to school night. We really believed that our parents would think they were us. I still remember that mine was dressed in a red and white checked dress with an attached apron.
5. It's sacrilege to go on a road trip without chocolate flavored Twizzlers. This is my mom's fault.
6. I know it's annoying to read signs out the car window, but I can't stop myself sometimes. I'm like that old guy in the movie Forget Paris.
7. My favorite church calling ever was first counselor in the Young Women's Presidency. I'm still friends with those girls years later. (Shout out to my CV II girls! I'm such a nerd. They love me anyway.)
8. It's been four years since we moved back to Utah from Virginia, and I still miss it a lot. Some things and people especially.
9. The first show I ever performed in was Annie when I was ten years old. I remember that at the final callback, they had us sing "Tomorrow" and then recite the Pledge of Allegiance. This baffles my mind now. Why didn't they have us read from the script?
10. I am a night owl and a slight insomniac. I hate getting out of bed in the morning.
11. I drink too much Diet Coke. There, I said it.
12. I love shoes and handbags. It's a sickness, really.
13. I hate decorating my home. I was born without the gene that tells you how to do it. I wish I knew what to do, but I really don't. Consequently, my house looks really boring.
14. My daughter waits for someone to come get her up in the morning instead of getting herself up and coming into her parents' room like every other kid in the world. I have told her over and over that she doesn't have to wait for me to come get her, she can just get up. Secretly, though, I love it. Remember how much I hate to get up in the morning?
15. My friends from college are the ones who stuck with me for the long haul. I love them.
16. I still fantasize that I will somehow be able to live in NYC before I die. I don't really think it's going to happen, though.
17. I once did my entire wig prep while driving to the theater. Left the house with normal hair, drove myself to the theater, and arrived with my wig prep in place. This will probably only be impressive to other actresses. I know a few girls are already jealous that I can do it without looking in the mirror, let alone while driving.
18. My number one secret dream is to be a Rockette.
19. I have fallen into an orchestra pit twice. Neither one happened during a performance, thank heaven.
20. I wrecked both of my parents' cars in one blow when I was 16 years old. I was following them to a 4th of July parade and I rear-ended them. They were amazingly even-tempered about the whole thing.
21. Last week I got called to be the Ward Choir Director. (sigh)
22. I once starred in a series of TV commercials for a local restaurant in Logan, Utah. I couldn't go anywhere for about two years without hearing french fry jokes.
23. I used to compete in local Miss America affiliated pageants. I'm glad I did it.
24. Even though I'm a pretty decent pianist, I wish I would have practiced harder in my teen years.
25. My sisters and I used to pretend we were the characters on Kids Incorporated. If you don't know what this show is, go to YouTube immediately.

Sun Valley Series Part 3: Playing in the Snow

When we got settled in Sun Valley, Megan immediately wanted to go out and play in the snow. The problem at this point was that there was only a couple of inches. That didn't stop her, though, we bundled up and headed outdoors.
p.s. There might not have been much snow, but it was FREEZING.

Bringing Back Glory

After Dianne posted the photo of Harold 'Butch' Gutke on her blog I got to thinking, "That there is a phenomenal photo. USU Football needs a lil' something. This is just dying to be a shirt..." So I made it. Now I am off to the local printer. Place your order, limited time offer*

Update: The following was recently asked to readers of the Herald Journal October 5th, 2007, "Tell us who you think the best Cache Valley athletes are of all time. To qualify as a "Cache Valley athlete" an individual need not be a valley native, they must only have competed here for at least one year."

CV wrote on Oct 9, 2007 9:19 PM:
" If we are talking "all-time" and not just what we can remember from the past 15 years, Butch Gutke. Born and raised in Smithfield. USU football star from the early 40's. Drafted to the NFL, served our country in WWII instead. Coached for years at North Cache. "

Rick Okacek wrote on Oct 9, 2007 6:20 PM:
" 1940's USU football was Butch Gutke. A Cache Valley legend!..."

LeRoy Timmins wrote on Oct 9, 2007 11:05 AM:
" Coach Gutke coached me years ago at North Cache. He was a great role model and coach and I heard he was a great football player for Utah State in his day in the early 40's. Although, I think it was still the Agricultural College at the time. "

North Cache Alum wrote on Oct 8, 2007 12:51 PM:
" What about Butch Gutke? He starred for North Cache, Utah State and was drafted by the Giants to play football before he served his country in WWII. He went on to coach at North Cache for many years. Truly a legend in this valley."

Sun Valley Series Part Two: Our Christmas Tree

Of course we needed a tree in our room, so we brought this little guy along. I usually use these little gold ornaments as bowl fillers in my Christmas decor at home, but they were just right for this tree. I forgot to bring lights, but a quick trip to King's in Hailey fixed that. Please note the Sun Valley sun up on top--very appropriate, yes? Megan is clearly pleased with the finished product.

What We Did in Sun Valley: The Neverending Series

Okay, as promised, here we go. I have been putting this off because I have so many photos from Sun Valley and because I am not one of those blog savvy people that knows how to post lots of photos on one post. Picasa will only let me do four at a time and I am too lazy to learn how to do it any other way. So this could take a while. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

Part one of the series: What Megan Likes to Do in the Hotel Room at Night.
Ladie and gentlemen, I give you the queen of interpretive dance. It basically involved Megan doing interpretive dances with her blanket to the songs playing on her Little Einsteins computer. You can see in the third photo how much emotion she brings to her dance.

Stay tuned for more!

Does this blog even exist any more?

Now that Angela and Nicole have started up their own blogs, and of course Michael was the first to blog, and because Melissa doesn't care about the blog, I feel I need to take it upon myself to contribute to this blog. (That is pretty much a very terrible run-on sentence.) Michelle isn't putting much on here. We all would like to see more of her and Steve and of course Megan. So come on Michelle. Let us see pictures of Megan. I am now going to find my inner-blog and come up with something worthy of posting a picture. Who thinks I am capable?

Merry Christmas from Sun Valley!

Hello from Sun Valley! We are having a great time. Here are just a few pictures to whet your appetite for the many more to come. I'll try to get some more up before we come home. We miss you and can't wait to see all of you!

Sun Valley has amazing ice sculptures. We became friendly with the guys who carve them and Megan was really into checking their progress. This one is probably my favorite. I'll have to make sure I have a photo of each one.

It's been so much fun to be with old friends!

Megan and her much desired hippity-hop on Christmas Day. She is having tons of fun with this thing!

Helping dad clean the snow off the car. This was after one of the mild snowfalls. Just wait until you see what our car looked like after the snowstorm on Christmas Eve!

See you soon!