We spent this past weekend doing just that.

We flew into the city on Thursday night. We got in around 4:00pm and we didn’t waste any time We got show tickets to see Billy Elliott on the first night. We checked into our hotel and then did a little shopping around the hotel. We grabbed a quick bite to eat a little deli and then went to the show. We both loved it! We love musicals and this one did not disappoint. The music was wonderful and so was the dancing. It was a great story. It was almost 3 hours long, but the time just flew by. It was the perfect way to spend our first night.

The next day we slept in late, had a nice breakfast at our hotel and then we both had plans to meet friends in the city. My mom went and met a friend that she hadn’t seen in 45 years. I went to meet a new friend I met at the Kelley Ryden and Tracy Raver newborn workshop. We planned to meet for lunch and then go shopping at Moods Fabrics for backdrops for newborn photography. Moods is the place that Kelley and Tracy get all of their wonderful fabrics. I was in heaven, and also a little overwhelmed. Luckily I had Royce there with me to help! We spent almost 3 hours just looking at fabrics. But it was soooo worth it. I can’t wait to get the package in the mail and start using them. My newborns are going to look so good We spent Friday evening seeing show that Royce recommended, Memphis. After Billy Elliott I was worried that we would be disappointed, but we were not. Memphis was fabulous too.

Saturday was our day to do some serious shopping We went back to the same deli and had a delicious breakfast. Then we were off to shop. We went all over the city and had a great time. We walked our legs off and we both got some really cute things. That night we went out to a great little Italian restaurant called Scalinatella. We both had a delicious meal and then walked back to the hotel. We were both ready for bed!

Sunday we did a little more shopping before it was time to head to the airport.

We had a really great time together. It was so nice to be able to spend a few days together, just the two of us. We both wanted to do the same things and we really enjoyed each other. It was so nice of my dad to send us on the trip and it was great for both of us. I hope we can do it again sometime

Scott and I have had season tickets to our local minor league hockey team, The Grizzlies, for about 10 years now. Before that we used to go to as many games as we could fit in. I used to be a HUGE Grizzlies fan. I read all the stats, kept up on the players, and went to all the team events. Then we had kids, and I just didn’t have time to be such a dedicated fan. But we did take Emma to see Canada vs. Finland in the 2002 Olympics when she was only 5 days old!

I have always wanted to go on a road trip to see the Grizzlies play. We just never seemed to be able to work it out when they were playing one of the two closest teams: Las Vegas Thunder or the Idaho Steelheads. This year for the first round of the playoffs we played Las Vegas. We tried to see if we could go see on of the away games, but it just didn’t work out. When Utah beat Las Vegas in the first round we were scheduled to play the Idaho Steelheads. The first two games just happened to be in Boise, Idaho on Friday and Saturday night. We decided to pack up the kids and make the trek up there for the weekend.

The kids were thrilled to be staying in a hotel with a free breakfast buffet and a pool. They were not so thrilled about going to the hockey games. But once we got there they had a lot of fun. Our seats were right by the Steelheads booster club. They had face painting and sign making booths set up. The kids were thrilled with that part!

All of the Boise fans went out of their way to make us feel at home. I was a little worried about it, since I have never been to an arena where I was cheering for the other team. But they were all great. Especially the booster club members. Of course, the Grizzlies didn’t give the Idaho fans much to be mad about. They slaughtered us the first night 7 to 2. The second night it was a better game, but the Steelheads managed to score a goal in the last 2 minutes to win the game.

I am really glad that we decided to go. It was fun to see the Grizzlies on the road and fun to spend time together as a family. Maybe we will get to do it again next season. Now the Grizzlies have a tough road ahead of them in this best of 7 series!

The weekend after Emma’s birthday Scott and I headed to California for one of his childhood friend’s birthday parties. It was a so much fun to see a bunch of our old friends. The kids stayed home at my parent’s house. We just spent the whole weekend relaxing and spending time with friends.

Then last weekend we headed back to California–without kids again! This time they stayed with Scott’s mom. One of our dear friends turned 70, so we went out for the party. I got to do a little photo shoot for some of our friends, as well. I got some really cute photos! I can’t wait to get them all edited so I can share them. It was also Scott’s birthday, so we had a little surprise party for him. It was awesome to see old friends. People came to Scott’s party that we hadn’t seen in years!!! The only unfortunate part of the weekend was that we both came down with strep throat.

Besides traveling, we have just been busy with our usual family things. Ian has been playing hockey. He has had a few little scrimmages in the past few weeks. They are so cute! It is so fun so see them out skating around. They all look so tiny. Often there are more of them laying on the ice than there are playing the game. He also started a skating class last week. Emma is still taking ballet, and she loves it. She is also taking an after school art class. She can never get enough art! All three kids have been busy with ski lessons. I, however, am happy to see the ski season winding down. I love that the kids are learning to ski, and loving it, but it makes for a lot of running around for me.

This time of year everyone starts looking forward to spring, and I am no exception. I have been enjoying skate skiing, but I am ready to start biking. Scott and I signed up to do the Cycle Salt Lake Century in May. So now I have extra motivation to start getting back in shape. Last year I wasn’t quite ready and it was a tough ride. I don’t want to repeat that again!

That is about it for now! I’ll try not to wait so long before I blog again. I have been better about keeping up my photography blog. If you haven’t checked it out you might want to pay me a visit over there: http://kerrysundahlphotography.com/blog/

I had such a great vacation in Maui. It was extremely relaxing. I enjoyed being away from the computer and all the new responsibilities that I have lately with my new photography business. I enjoyed just taking a few photos for fun. I really enjoyed playing with my new Canon G11 camera, too. Here are a few snapshots from our trip to the Maui Ocean Center.

And here is my last sunset of the year:

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We have been coming to Maui for Christmas for about 15 years now. The only Christmas my kids know is one spent on the beach in Maui. All of our Christmas traditions are built around things we started doing here on vacation. One of the things we always do is go to mass on Christmas eve. This year was no exception. Then we come home and have a nice dinner and let the kids open one present.

Another thing I always do is get the kids matching Christmas pajamas. This year I decided to wrap them and give them to the kids. They were all so excited to open a present, but Ian was pissed when he opened his. He took one look at them and said “Pajamas?!? I didn’t want these!!” and then proceeded to throw them across the room. I wish I had a photo to capture the absolute look of disgust on his face. It was really priceless.

Scott and I both burst out laughing. I know we should have scolded him for not being gracious when he got a gift, but we just couldn’t help it. He was just so incredulous that his gift was pajamas! Once we stopped laughing we did explain to him that he needs to be kind to the gift giver and appreciate that they gave him a gift, even if it wasn’t one he wanted. But it was still funny!

He is the funniest kid and he always has us laughing!

I have been the worst at taking photos on this trip! The good news is, I am really enjoying the trip. So much so that I want to enjoy the moments while they are happening rather than hiding behind my camera. I have so many stories I want to write about but I just haven’t wanted to sit in front of the computer.

Here are a few photos from the week.

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This year, though, she really started to get it. She practiced a whole day in the pool and then we decided to let her try out her new skills in the ocean.

My mom and I took her to Napili beach to do a little snorkeling for real. I went in with her and was surprised at how well she did. We swam out to a shallow reef and she really enjoyed seeing all the fish. She got a little nervous when the water got deeper, but she still really enjoyed it.

A few days later Bryan and Mary planned a snorkeling trip on a boat to Molokini. I didn’t think it would be a good trip for Ian and Nora, but I thought that Emma would really like it. Scott decided to take her and have a special daddy and daughter date.

I wish I could have been there, but I was happy to hear they had a great time. They rented an underwater camera and they took a bunch of fun photos.

Here is Emma going down the slide on the boat to start snorkeling.

They had quite and eventful day. They saw all kinds of fish, a sea turtle and lots of whales!

I am so glad that they had a fun time and so thankful that I have a wonderful husband who is so involved in our kids lives!

How sad is it that I am in Maui with 2 cameras and the only photo I have taken is with my phone!

Here is my “weekly winner”

Please visit Lotus at Sarcastic Mom to view all the Weekly Winners participants.

I did see one spectacular sunset this week. I didn’t have my camera but I snapped a photo of it with my phone. Unfortunately wordpress seems to be having some issues and I can’t post a photo. GRRR! Maybe tomorrow

And this:

With all this cold weather we have been having, I really can’t wait!!