Our Little Drops of Sunshine: August 2012

8/14/12

Anniversary + Birthday Weekend Summer Getaway pt. 2

We woke up early the next day - my birthday. We called the hotel and we were told we can do an early check-in. YAY! So we headed to Park City, almost an hour drive from Provo. After checking in, we immediately checked-off the activities on our list.

There were a lot of summer activities at Canyons Resort. Although because I was pregnant, the activities I can do were limited. If it was just Carl, he'd probably take the zip line the whole day. We got a whole-day pass for the Gondola which took us up 7000 ft above ground. I was confident I could take that because its enclosed and it doesn't spin you like crazy. It was a little bumpy though. The Gondola ride took us at the base of the Alpine Lake Trail. We had lunch there, at the Red Pine Lodge, where Carl and I both had a big fat serving of burrito.

Carl and I at the top of Red Pine Gondola Ride

On the top of the trail was a man-made lake where you can fish or pedal boat. This is where our day got really interesting. Initially I wanted to try it out. Carl learned that the only way to get there is to take the lift. Carl wanted to take the lift - but I was hesitant because I was afraid I would fall. But I wanted to try pedal boating. You see the picture. We had to wait though, for maybe 30 or 45 minutes, because they temporary closed the lift (and the gondola too). Apparently they do that everytime there's lightning/thunder and they wait 15 minutes before clearing everything to operate again. It was a sunny day overall, almost 90 degrees... but up in the mountain, it was raining! It didn't dampen our mood at all. For weeks, I have been complaining about the heat - and now its raining! Can't complain... Until...

Oh well... I should know that advertisements usually lie. We decided not to pedal boat. There were mosquitoes everywhere. Nope... not doing it. We were already there, and there's no other way to go down but to hike. Good thing it was all down hill. But I wasn't prepared to hike, again I had no choice. We had a good time though. The other people in the trail were biking. We were the only one's "hiking." I got really tired though... but all the calories from our big fat serving of burrito was BURNED.

The happy hiker :)

We took the gondola again to go back to the hotel. We were so high up top that it felt like I can see everything everywhere in the valley. It was a very pretty sight!

When we got back to our room, I DESPERATELY needed a quick power nap. It was almost 4:00 pm when I woke up. I was STARVING. It was time for my most awaited meal of the year - a big steampot of seafood from Joe's Crab Shack! We had lobster, and crabs, and shrimps. WE HAD A BLAST. We headed back to Park City to get some night swimming before we went to bed. But it was RAINING like cats and dogs. We still tried to dip in the pool, but when Carl went in, he decided it was too cold. So change plans... swimming had to wait until the morning.

When we woke up, plans changed again. We decided to check out early and head to Salt Lake City to attend the temple. Remember Carl's birthday temple trip? Yup. It happened again. Carl thought the temple re-opens on the 11th. Apparently, the last day it is closed is the 11th.... So like last time, we killed time and then headed to L&L for lunch... We then watched a movie in Sandy, and ended our weekend with a visit to Jasmine's family... where a yummy chocolate cake was waiting for me...

I wonder what next year is gonna be like - Oh I know - its going to get better!

Anniversary + Birthday Weekend Summer Getaway pt. 1

Birthdays are amazing - and then you have anniversaries... what if you celebrate those two happy events together - need I say more. ITS PURE JOY.

This year, our anniversary and my birthday are more special than the others we've celebrated before. We initially planned this as our babymoon - that one last leisure trip most couples take before two becomes three. But then we thought, we don't really need one - every trip we've had so far, we've considered a "babymoon" especially because we've always hoped one day we'll wake up and I am finally pregnant. So... we just decided to go someplace near but still feel that we are somewhere far.

After weeks of brainstorming (YES we brainstorm things like this... we're such nerds), we FINALLY decided to spend the weekend in Park City. We booked a room in one of the hotels at Canyons Resort. This place is usually booked in the winter because snow sports enthusiasts flock Park City. But we found out its not exactly dead in the summer as bikers and hikers also enjoy the area. Pregnant lady that I am, I cannot bike or hike, but they had summer activities that weren't as strenuous so we gave it a go.

We didn't check in at the hotel until the morning of my birthday (the 10th). We spent our anniversary (the 9th) by treating ourselves to lunch at Tucanos where we had meat overload. I am TAKING ADVANTAGE of the fact that my appetite is back and my doctor is on the verge of pushing me to gain weight. We were so full after that and so we decided to go home and take a NAP...

We also went to the Provo Temple for an endowment session. It was a very special experience for us. We have been married for four years now... and we've been so many challenges, and we've overcome many trials. This year is very special, as most of you already know. Our special blessing is on the way and we're half-way through the pregnancy. We started out really anxious, but now we are over the top excited to meet this little baby. I cried a few tears while in the temple, for many reasons, one of those being grateful to the Lord for making us strong amidst trials in the many aspects of our married life. We are not a perfect couple and we've come across bumps along the road, but we're still here - together - and that's all that matters. We ended the day with a simple dinner at iHop... but before that I was surprised by a bunch of 2 dozen red roses waiting in the car seat - which I have no idea how Carl pulled off since the only time we weren't together that day was when he was in the temple dressing room.

Before we went to bed that night, Carl gave me my birthday presents. He gave me this little statuette of a couple holding a small child. I just cried. Like a baby. I remembering seeing those Willow Tree statuettes everytime I walk through the bookstore and tell myself one day I'll get one of those. And I finally have one - a perfect reminder that my little family is finally growing, and that this is God's gift to me. Carl also gifted me with a new handbag with a laptop slot. I'll be starting school AGAIN in a couple of weeks and my new bag is surely one that will used to its fullest. I am happy girl - tears and all.