Soccer season is upon us!

Just thought I would share how excited we are about soccer season starting up! Thomas worked on his man cave over the weekend and I must say it looks fantastic considering the space and not being able to paint how we want.





Photography credit to Sara who took our family pic and to Angie who is an amazing artist and painted our awesome RSL painting. I think I want to try and do one myself!

Real Salt Lake plays Columbus tonight and we pick up our season tickets. How much more awesome can this day get? Thoughts on the man cave additions?

And finally, if this doesn't get you pumped up for the new season you must not be an RSL fan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ohiH45QwC0

Gooooo ReAL Salt Lake!

Lost & Found- Our trip to Yellowstone last year!

I found this little black notebook that I used last year for various things and one of those were to document Thomas and I's trip to Yellowstone last August. It all began with me deciding I should write down what animal life we saw and then I realized our daily activities were of note as well.

Animals seen in Yellowstone: Swans, otters, deer, geese, bison, chipmunks (Chip N Dale Bros, Tortilla- a cousin), mountain goats, horses, a hawk, bald eagle and numerous fish.

Day 1- August 27
We had a few stops on our way up. Thomas had family in the Idaho Falls area so we decided to pay a visit to his grandparents and lay some flowers on their graves. Then off to Yellowstone we go! We set up camp at the Yellowstone KOA, had dinner at the Wolfpack Brewery (drank the Red Lodge Amber beer), walked around West Yellowstone. *It was really windy that day.

Day 2- August 28
Made breakfast, then made our way to Bunsen Peak (Got caught in construction). We got just a little over half way up Bunsen peak and a thunderstorm started, we figured we should turn around as getting caught in a thunderstorm would be a terrible idea. Along the trail we did meet two cute and fairly friendly chipmunks- hence Chip N Dale. We ate our lunch in the car (exciting I know!). We went through "the pass"- it is kind of a scary place to drive in bad weather. We toured the new Canyon Visitors Center, it is really nice! We then proceeded to drive through a crazy storm with wind, hail, rain and lightning. Stopped at the lower falls lookout- always beautiful.

We headed back to West Yellowstone to find out that high winds or a possible tornado had happened just minutes before we got back. At least (5) hotels were damaged, the city park had some damage. We were so concerned we rushed back to camp and ours was just fine! I made sloppy joes for dinner. Before we went to bed Thomas found a big smashed spider on his pillow. (GROSS!)

Day 3- August 29
It was a very busy day for us so we decided to have breakfast at the KOA, was well worth it! We went back to our tent to make it bear proof and we found a HUGE spider in our tent. Not cool! *side note: when we woke up it was a balmy 37 degrees in our tent! the space heater was our friend.

We decided to visit the geyser basin while doing a hike out there. We saw a sweet old tour bus.
We hiked to Fairy Falls, a beautiful waterfall, 197 ft! The whole time I was soooo paranoid of bears coming to get us because it was very back country! We met another chipmunk and decided it was the cousin of Chip n Dale, her name was Tortilla (for tortilla chip). We went to Old Faithful, always a good show. We decided to go back to the Lower Falls area, on our way we saw some buffalo and after I took a picture of them, they didn't like it and were giving me deadly looks.

While in the Lower Falls area Thomas decided that he wanted to do the Uncle Tom's trail. I remember telling myself last time we were in Yellowstone that I would NEVER do it because its 328 VERY STEEP steps. Well we did it and it was AMAZING, and so worth it!


Going down!!

We did it!

I have a love affair with the Madison river area. It is probably one of the most beautiful areas in the world. While driving through, Thomas had a call from mother nature and we made a pit stop. He thought he had seen a hawk swoop down and grab a fish, so he ran to the car to get the camera. The hawk was gone, so we decide to drive a little further down the road and to our left...We see the hawk swoop down into the river and come up with a fish. It was a total National Geographic moment. We were in awe! Just when we thought it couldn't get better we saw a bird perched on a dead tree...a BALD EAGLE. It was amazing!

After all that excitement we went shopping in West Yellowstone and then ate dinner at the Three Bears Restaurant. We went back to camp, made a fire and I had a much needed shower (that equaled a very happy Lindsey).

Day 4- August 30
As much as we love Yellowstone, we didn't want to pack up in the snow so we decided to leave that morning. Our legs were super sore from our awesome hikes but it was worth it.

I made breakfast while Thomas packed, good teamwork! All while it was RAINING and COLD.

We checked out and got a refund for not staying our full stay. It rained most of the way back home, not a very fun drive. We stopped in Idaho Falls and bought some cereal, wine and beer. Also drove around St. Anthony looking for the sand dunes Thomas' family used to go to (couldn't find the right road to turn on), what a charming little place.

Back home and it was sunny and beautiful!

Here are some pics from the trip! Enjoy!


Camp for the trip!

Proof of me cooking outdoors!

Thomas sporting the famous point at Fairy Falls!

The beautiful Madison River

P.S. A special thanks to the staff at the KOA for keeping the bears away...apparently I have a big fear of them!! Also, a big thanks to Thomas for keeping me bear free and safe through the whole trip- my hero!

Here's to 2011...

As you can tell our family has fallen off the radar for about 3 months! Most of our time has been spent celebrating the holidays and spending time with family. As time goes by I have realized more and more how important it is to be around the ones you love. You never know when they will be gone.

So this year I will be calling my grandparents more often, texting my cousins just to say hello and spending every little second I can with those closest to me. Especially my little troops (my kids), my husband and my sister. I'm so lucky to have all of you!

I have set my personal goals...not resolutions, but goals. I hope to accomplish them all one step at a time. Thomas has some very aggressive cycling to do this year, and the kids are getting bigger and smarter everyday. Jordan wants to play soccer this spring and Tori is dancing to her little hearts content in dance class. So here's to spending more time with those you love, reaching our goals and having fun while doing it!

Oh and we are going on a road trip to LA next week...sun, warmth and some soccer. (I find it funny I only blog right before I am about to go on a trip)

Cheers!

New Family Pics!

Do I not have the most beautiful family? We had such a blast taking family pics at Wheeler Farm. Here are some to share with all of you!

We're off to Denver for the annual cRapids match. Real Salt Lake is sitting in a great position to win the Supporters' Shield! I will post updates about our little family soon!

~Lindsey

Bike MS Make Up Ride

So we didn't make it to Logan for Bike MS but never fear all that training that Thomas did and the rides I went on were not all in vain! We held a make up ride for a few of us that weren't able to make it. We did a 30 mile ride, 15 miles out to Rocky Mtn Recycling and then 15 miles back to Harmon's in Midvale. We had a group of 9 of us along with 3 volunteers for on the way and a rest stop. It was a fun ride for all of us, we all enjoyed it for the most part. I dislike hills personally so that part was not fun. Here is a group shot of us at our rest stop, all thanks to RMR for the snacks!

We were so happy that we could do the ride while supporting the cause that has had us doing many fundraisers since the beginning of this year. Bob's Army (AZ Bike MS unit, UT Walk MS and UT Bike MS units) were able to raise over $12,400! It's truly amazing to know that we have and will help fight the war against MS with every penny we raise.

Until next year...thank you to everyone who has donated, volunteered, ridden, you are all awesome!

Reminiscing about the past while looking forward to the future

Last night my sister and I went to one of my dearest friends' wedding. Karina and I have been friends since 4th grade so we have made many memories over the years. We have all gone our seperate ways but it always amazes me how no matter far away or long its been since you saw each other it seems as you saw each other yesterday and can continue on being friends forever.

A few of our good old friends were there and we were talking about all the fun and crazy stuff we did as teenagers. I cant' imagine having no responsibilities and being able to go on an adventure everyday like we did. Moab, camping, Payson Lakes, Provo River,Vegas, California, etc.

I was also able to reconnect with my friend Tera. I must admit I had my doubts that we would have much in common anymore but to my surprise I realized how much I had missed her and how common our lives are with our kids and general interests.

Anywho...here's a picture of the girls at the wedding.



Soon another friend of ours is getting married but I feel this time it won't be reliving my past but about their future and our friendship getting stronger. Our friends from Portland will be coming back to Utah soon and I must say I'm so excited for this wedding because La Nae will become part of our family. Jorge and Thomas have been friends for many years and Jorge is considered family. Thomas will be one of his groomsmen, which I think he finds as an honor. It will be a celebration of love and friendship. I can't wait to get out on the dance floor! Maybe we will see some booty quakin' by Thomas!

World Cup Update

It has been a crazy start to the World Cup. First off, the host country South Africa was able to draw against Mexico, then the US draws with the wanks (England). Now the biggest news of them all, Spain LOSES to Switzerland! They were ranked #1 in the world by FIFA. Just insane.

Now to the events of the US vs England game! We are very dedicated fans so what else would we do the evening prior to the big game? PUB CRAWL! That is right, we did a pub crawl all over downtown SLC in the rain. It was fantastic! The following day was the US vs England match, we went to the Republican. It was an awesome atmosphere and so much fun to celebrate with everyone. The final score was 1-1. A draw against England is almost as good as a win in my book!
The following day we finished our weekend with Brunch at the Bohemian and watched the poor Aussies get pummeled by Germany 4-0.

During the week Thomas and I have been watching 0r getting updates on all the matches. I must admit some of the games have been a snooze fest because of the lack of goals. I hope it picks up! Next US match is Friday against Slovenia. Friday can't come soon enough, USA! USA! USA!


Thomas and I sporting our AO/USMNT gear