Tis the season to snowshoe

Yes! It is official it's time to snowshoe. Saturday I went out for the first time this season and it was a beautiful start to a great snowshoeing season.
My friends Cody and Adam and their significant others and I headed up Lamb's Canyon. Adam and Tacy had to leave early and Cody and Margi were late so I spent some time hiking on my own, which was very pleasant (I like me).

Yes that is ice forming on my hair.

Most of the hike is along a stream and you are surrounded by beautiful aspens and pines. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera in the car. I took some photos with my camera phone, but I have no idea how to get the pics off except to text them. So if anyone knows how to do it give me a call.
The trail is a 1.75 mile hike to the Lamb's Canyon pass which then drops you into Millcreek Canyon on the Salt Lake side. The first half of the trail was well traveled from what looked like boarders hiking up for some good snow. The second half, well let's just say I think I was following moose tracks for awhile. I finally came to a spot where the tracks completely stopped. I followed some deer tracks left until those ended, then made a trail to the right to see if I could find a trail. By this point Adam and Tacy had left and I was alone waiting for Cody and Margi to follow my tracks up to me. I started to go up, but heard what I thought were some mini slides. Luckily Cody and Margi reached me and assured me that the avalanche conditions were ok.

Here is where it gets interesting. It was probably only another 50 yards to the pass. It took us another 2 hours to reach the pass/summit. The trail was straight up. We had to bushwhack our way up, weaving side to side trying to make the climb easier.
We reached the summit at 12pm. It was amazing. The canyon was so beautiful and of course at this perspective we could see so many easier ways up to the pass. Oh well. At least we were slow enough to look around and notice the 2 moose on the ridge line to our right. I am grateful they were far away because Margi kept calling them to come over.

Cody at the top

The hike down was remarkably fast which is typical. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I could have stayed up there longer. This is a new favorite trail despite the fact that we had to bushwhack the longest 50 yards (really with the weaving it was probably a half mile).

Yes, I found out how to get the pictures...Thanks Jake.

Bad Joke Christmas Letter

Sorry it has been awhile since my last post, but hopefully this makes up for it.


Season’s Greetings to all of our wonderful family and friends from the Bad Joke Girls (blonde, brunette, and a redhead). 2009 has been a busy year with many blessings. Though no one made the honor roll, no one’s soccer team won a tournament, and no one’s choir made it to the state sing off this year, we still had a lot of fun and have been very blessed along the way.

As roommates, we really enjoy each other’s company and try to have as many adventures as possible. This year we competed in a triathlon, each taking a different leg of the race. Ashley swam, Annie biked, and Talena ran. Even though a team of 14-year-olds beat us (oh wait, nope they were 11) we still had fun. We also enjoyed many camping and hiking trips (just can’t get enough of being outside).


Talena’s heart is so full with her cat family continuing to grow. She just added a new kitten to the crew. Snickerdoodle joins Mittens, Snowball Jr., Fluffy III, Ginger, Mrs. Whiskerson, Bubbles, Tiger, Pumpkin, Nub Nubs, and Friskers, and the late Snowball, Fluffy, Fluffy Jr., Blackie, Bucky, Sandy, Felix, Garfield, and Mopsy.

Talena didn’t win any races by being slow and steady, but we still think she’s a champion. She ran two 5Ks, two 10Ks, two half-marathons, and one full marathon. Wonder what she’s running from… She also scored a great job at Black Diamond, an outdoor equipment manufacturer, and can’t wait to try out all the equipment and stop being teased for being an outdoor pansy.


Annie’s had a rough year with medical bills, but her wart removal treatment went really well. She had 16 warts removed from behind her knee and 4 from her right wrist. Dr. Shamatu is truly skilled in his specialty and we’ll be forever grateful for his service to our family.

Annie’s ambition continues to amaze us. She swam, biked, and ran her first triathlon and did it all by herself. When she gets bored of the old U.S. of A. she takes trips to see other places of the world. This year she traveled to visit the kiwis, wombats, and koala bears in New Zealand and Australia. Good on ya’ Annie.


Ashley, our youngest, is a handful, but adds much joy to our lives. Having been just released from prison, Ashley is setting her sights high at keeping her life on track. She just got a job as a food preparer at McDonald’s and there is already talk of promoting her to cashier (keep your fingers crossed).

Ashley’s illustration work keeps her very busy. She’s already traveled to New York a couple of times promoting Shailie and also wishing that those cute little dress-up fashions would fit her too. Too bad you’re not shorter Ash. She’s also been using her talents in the religious side of things painting for a Book of Mormon Mania game and also Bible story illustrations for the Mennonites.

We are truly blessed to have each of you in our lives. You have touched our hearts this year and we’re grateful for your love and support. It has been our pleasure to know you or whatever. You and your kind hearts brighten our lives and enrich our souls. Merry Christmas everyone

Loves,
Bad Joke Girls
Talena, Ashley & Annie