aspen lakes

Mare & Liz

We took a little field trip to Aspen Lakes in Heber, Utah last weekend.

We were scouting the place to see where we will put around 

300 people for a church youth camp this June.

It was amazing and I couldn't help taking a few photos.

Crossing our fingers that it won't be snowy by the time June rolls around, 

but you never know in the Utah mountains.

(It snowed on us in June at girl's camp a few years ago- brrr!)

The leaders who are planning the camp.

The pavilion that is the blueprint for my future house... for reals. 

The view from the pavilion- those doors can be open all day or shut if there's bad weather.

We even came across a moose couple, who just looked at us through the trees.

What a beautiful place!

It is usually for youth groups, but can be rented 

out in advance for large family reunions on the weekends too.

For more info about Aspen Lakes Campground, go here.

bellagio gardens- las vegas

We love visiting the Bellagio gardens in Las Vegas.

They are always changing with the seasons and since it was the Chinese New Year- it was all decked out in dragons and paper lanterns.

The kids love it too!

It must take a lot to maintain these gardens- I can't even imagine!

And did you know just a few steps away from the garden is a chocolate fountain with three different types of chocolate flowing? Pretty cool to see.

Colorful glass ceiling in the lobby by Dale Chihuly.

I could stare at it all day.

And let's not forget about the fountain show. 

Funny that visiting a hotel is like a little museum tour slash mini vacation.

Now if we could just afford to stay there overnight- ha!

springs preserve- las vegas

Here is yet another Las Vegas post.

But it is pretty much in our backyard right? 

We have found some fun things to do there as a family- 

besides visiting family which is usually our main reason for going down.

Anyway- last week while we were in Vegas, we went to the Springs Preserve.

It has a pretty cool history- a spring in the middle of the vast desert.

People passing through- pioneers, missionaries, gold rushers- would all stop by for drink and rest. 

Now it is preserved to help teach about the desert landscape, it's foliage and animals.

The day we went was SUPER windy and cold, so we mostly stayed inside.

There was so much to keep us busy.

We'll have to go back and see more of the outside exhibits.

We LOVED seeing the little tiny fox. 

He's about the size of a big cat and his tail is so fluffy.

All the exhibits were really interactive with video and sounds.

They had a flash flood room that was completely dry until the storm came and instantly filled up the riverbed. The kids loved this and we watched it a few times throughout the day.

spinning the water stones

They usually do a bird show outside, but of course the birds wouldn't fare well in the blustery winds.

So we went to the auditorium inside and sat right in the middle so the birds would fly right over us.

(Thanks to the advice from the nice grandpa usher.)

They told us that even if we ducked when the birds flew by, they would just go lower to use our heads as wind resistance. They flapped our hair with their wings every time and the kids loved it!

Lincoln was laughing so hard!

They even housed the BIGGEST, most disgusting black widow spider I have ever seen!

I could barely look at it! Y.I.K.E.S!

The icing on the cake for the kids was buying these $3 

wooden snakes they got to decorate however they wanted. 

desert plants

 I loved the architecture and design of the place too! 

We had fun and will go back someday!

Next time you take your family to Las Vegas- be sure to visit the Springs Preserve!

For more info visit the Springs Preserve Website.

snow at brighton

Last year winter seemed to end too soon (even with our late spring) and I didn't 

get to do everything I wanted with my family in the snow.

This year, it never really started. 

Of course it's the year the whole family got snowshoes for Christmas.

I can't complain about the warm days though- the boys have mostly worn their little jackets all winter and we haven't even brought out the snow boots yet. I love not having to deal with icy, slushy roads either.

But I still want to have some outside winter fun!

So with our lack of snow in the valley, we weren't sure if there was enough snow in the mountains to snowboard. We went to Brighton on Monday to find out there was plenty of the white stuff, and hardly anyone there! The day was gorgeous with blue skies and warm temps- the perfect day.

And it was all free thanks to our Seven Peaks passes! Pretty sure "free" is one of the best feelings out there. 

And although those passes are no longer available to purchase, it is once again-

LEARN TO SKI & SNOWBOARD MONTH in Utah!

It's a great time to learn! Or if you aren't into it- your kids might be!

You could take a book and enjoy the mountain beauty from the lodge while your kids learn a lifetime sport that I'm sure they'll thank you for. Or better yet- take lessons together? 

See end of post for the some great deals and ideas to enjoy the beautiful outdoors this winter.

It was so nice to get out of the inversion in the valley into the fresh, clear air in the mountains. 

It's even worth a drive up if you aren't planning to ski or board.  

Thanks to my iphone- I documented our day...

I couldn't get enough of the blazing sun! 

My fascination with taking photos of it continues.

We were actually getting hot after each run and would have dropped a layer if we had more time.

I'm not complaining- it was so nice!

on the lift

I love this view of the Heber valley!

cool wispy sky

Blue skies, bright white slopes and towering green trees were a feast for our eyes. 

Riding up the lift might be one of my favorite parts!

But there is nothing as exhilarating as boarding down the mountain (even if I am slow).

Adam noticed his binding was loose, so he stopped to fix it and it fell off! 

We were still pretty high up on the mountain and his board started to slide without him. 

A skier followed it to the edge of some trees as Adam chased it on foot.

He rode it like a sled for a little bit until the guys working the lift lent us their screwdriver.

A funny little hiccup and we were on our way.

Lovebirds on the lift... where's my board?!

snow dusted trees= love

The drive down the canyon was just as beautiful, even if it just had patches of snow.

One side with snow, the other with hardly any. Is this why the resorts are on the South side?

Our canyons are so amazing and I am constantly in awe of them!

Visit these links for some great beginner ski/boarder deals at Utah resorts:

http://www.skiutah.com/winter/locals/lssm

Plus some other deals and activities:

Ski free after 3 PM on Alta's beginner lift.

Register to get an X96 card online and get 2 for 1 night ski/board at Brighton.

Go here for some info on watching freestyle aerialists train at the Utah Olympic park (open 10-8 daily), 

or tour the park for free, or get a guided tour between 11-4 (tours leave on the hour) for $7 or $5 for youth and seniors. They'll even drive you to the top of the ski jump to see what it's like.

And although it's pricey ($200) you can also ride in a bobsled with a professional driver!

Or maybe just attend this Native American blessing ceremony for snow at Park City Resort. 

And

in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., many national parks are having free admission this Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Find the Utah list of parks with no entrance fees. 

I hope everyone gets outside this weekend!