I'm BaAAack!

If you haven't heard, I moved back to Utah! Now before you get too excited, just know that this isn't a permanent move just like everything else in my life! I seem to go wherever the wind blows me :)

I was back in Utah hanging out with Emma and Duddy and stayed at Snowbird helping out with the tram because there have been a lot of injuries with their crew so to say they are short staffed would be an understatement. During my "guest appearance" one of the Chief Tram Ops put in her 2 week notice. I knew it was only a matter of time before they started to look my direction...after a lot of discussion and thoughtful prayer I decided to accept the position of Chief Tram Op and move back until Summer came. I'm back on my old crew with my old boss Duck. He is injured right now so can't technically be chief but in my eyes he is the 'Alpha Chief' and I'm just a regular tram op just getting paid more :)

Here are a couple pictures I've taken since being back:

I thought I'd seen enough sunrises in Australia to last me a lifetime but apparently not :) Since I get to work before the crack of dawn, I try to time my trips right so I can catch the sun rising over Mineral Basin. It somehow makes everything worth it!


I love how I didn't like subbing because they'd call me at 5:30 in the morning to teach but when my boss at Snowbird calls me at 4:18 in the morning telling me it's snowed more than they expected and they need a 5am tram trip I'm more than happy to come running...maybe it's because I think it's fun to carry bombs down on the tram with me!


So the moral of this post is: if you're around in Utah, we should be friends again!!!

Tennis Baby!

That's right......it's tennis tournament time again!

Ah how I love this time of year! You bask in the warm sun while watching quality tennis. It's just a good time with family and friends!

I wasn't the most responsible about remembering to bring my camera or having it charged but have no fear that I was able to still squeeze enough battery out to snag a photo with one of my Aussie favorites, Alicia Molik! She is a fighter and I love sitting front row and being able to hear her comments :)


Hit for Haiti was a fundraiser they put on at the tournament this year. They did a mix of current players and players from the vault. They mixed the 2 and created a doubles match. Roger and Kari went to the women's and then Roger was nice enough to let me swap him out for the men's. This was the first time the stadium was sold out for a night match and we only had 2 tickets. Thanks Rog!!!! I saw Nadal and Agassi play against Federer and Sampras. It was so much fun to be there in person and to get the crowd's take on everything! I was too enthralled with the match that I only took one picture (go me!). The players wore microphones so it was a mix of tennis and comedic performances!

Moon Light Skiing

There was a full moon a couple nights ago and I took full advantage of it! I made a fresh batch of cookies to bribe some friends and go skiing. We had a blast and a half and I can't wait until the next full moon!

Here I am in all my glory about to tear it up! Love my night time gear :)


Corduroy doesn't get much fresher than this!

Deer Valley

Once the girls took off, I headed back to the Yale house to hang out with the family. My parents won't ski the Bird and since I only ski at animal resorts that leaves us with the Deer!

Here is the gang at the top of Stein's Way:
Steve (Kari's dad), me, Kari, Roger, Fred, and Laura ...Kari's mom was nice enough to babysit Kendall while we all skied)



I love the beach but seriously?!?!! I'm not sure life gets more breath taking than this!


I loved being able to hang out with Kendall while the gang was in town! She was on the verge of crawling and we all found this entertaining to the point where she could keep us laughing for hours!

Here we are enjoying some time outside on the 'adult playground'


Come back soon you guys!!!

Kicked Out!

Sarah and Emma won't my only visitors in town, my parents and brother and his family came into town as well which bumped us out of the Yale house. At first I was super bummed cuz I love that house but when I realized I still got my employee discount for the hotels up at Snowbird, my frown turned upside down!

This was the view from our room :)



In case you ever wonder what I look like RIGHT after I wake up...


After our Girl's Night it was nice to not have to drive back down the canyon and even nicer to wake up and pop right onto the slopes. Here is our group shot!

Dinner at the Hilton

When Emma and I did our second season at the Bird we'd frequently do Girl's Nights at the Hilton aka employee housing. We always had a blast and a reunion trip back wouldn't have been the same without one! Thanks Chantel for letting us use your place

Here is Emma cooking up her feast! Such tasty food!


I wasn't lying about the tasty food...I think this was me going back for 3rds!


Emma, Chantel, and Lori


Aussie sandwich! Sarah, me and Kate


This was the night Torah Bright won the gold for women's half pipe for Australia. Sarah is VERY patriotic so we spent the majority the evening making fun of Australia and snowboarders. Needless to say after a couple bottles of wine this is what happened...

it was all in fun and games and I'm pretty sure I burned off at least 1 of my helpings from laughing so hard!

Thanks girls! I miss you already!!!

Day with Crystal

A bunch of Sarah's friends came over for the wedding as well and loved playing in the snow...a bit different from their summertime beach weather ;) It was Crystal's birthday while they were here and they all went snowmobiling. Here is the gang right before (Emma and I decided to spend the day making some turns in the powder instead)


My present to Crystal for her birthday was a trip to the Salt Lake temple. She has never been so we decided to do baptisms. I always love going to the temple. They're all so different and beautiful in their own way. Here we are out in front after a wonderful time inside :)


I couldn't resist


Insert any possible suggestions ;)

Snowbird Reunion

I just keep finding great reasons to come back to Utah. Sarah, Emma and I all started at the Bird together about 4 years ago and it's been far too long since we've all been together. Sarah's friend from Australia was getting married out in SLC so we decided this was a perfect time for a reunion.

Here are the girls after a fabulous day of skiing :)


Here are Sarah and Emma posing mid run at the oh so scenic Snowbird!


Emma and I loving the Wilbur chair. Many fond memories over here ;)


This trip wasn't just a reunion for the girls, but also for my many friends from the Bird. Here is one of my favorite patrollers, Derek! I love him because whenever I came to work on Wednesdays (my Monday) he would always greet me with the biggest smile on his face. Thanks for the amazing run Derek! Oh and next time, don't stalk me all day ;)