Ice Skating, January 25, 2012

I remember my first time ice skating. My Uncle Steve made a small rink in his backyard. Once it was ready, I just stepped out on it and skated. I loved it! I actually thought it was easier than roller skating. Of course, I was 10 and was a very proficient roller skater, before I ever stepped onto the ice.
This was Taylor's very first time on the ice, she's five, and not a proficient roller skater, so this was a little scarier for her. I finally convinced her to get out there with me. We pretty much did this every time. I skated backwards and held her hands. The ice felt much harder and slicker than I remember, so I was okay with our slow pace. Anissa went out fearlessly as she is on roller skates, but Taylor was okay with our own routine of I skate backwards and hold her hands as we make our way around. We did have a brief break while the Zamboni came out, so we took some pictures with the clock tower behind us.
I did try to get her to hold the wall and feel a little more confident on her own, momentarily, but she didn't like that too much.
We went back to what we were doing and went around the rink about five times. It did take us awhile, were were going pretty slow.
Makenna wasn't too big on this either, so these two girls watched and played a bit. And, this is when Makenna tipped over and Taylor tried to catch her.
I stayed out with Makenna and Taylor so Lorinda and Melissa could do some actual skating.
Then we walked over for dinner to Red Robin, because they always love that.We would have taken them over to the carousel too, but it was closed for some repairs. See it there on the other side of the river, behind us.
Crossing the bridge to River Park Square.
After dinner, we got balloons at Nordstroms and walked around a bit, then had a treat. The little girls had cookies.
The big girls had our own table too, and I had a black and white coffee or mocha, but it was very tasty.
We walked back through the park (briskly) to our cars. This is the top of the canopy, all lit up.
It was a wonderful girls day out. We may try this ice skating stuff again...perhaps, next year.

Silver Rapids...December 30, 2011

Lorinda invited us for another fabulous day at Silver Rapids Water Park.
It's so nice to walk from the parking, lot all bundled up because it's so cold outside, and into 80+ degrees to play in the water.
It's never as busy as Boulder Beach in the summer, so we can really relax and enjoy the day.
After spending the day floating and sliding, we went out for a nice dinner.
There were still Christmas lights in the tree outside.
It was another relaxing and fun day with the girls. Thanks Lorinda and Chris!!

Roller Skating, December 15, 2011

One of the super fun things about my cousin Lorinda homeschooling her daughter Anissa, at what I like to call "The Sheppard's School for Girls," is the field trips. They made a ginger bread house for one of their projects. Good job ladies.
Today's field trip was at Skate Plaza. This was Taylor's first time on roller skates. This was my first time back in my roller blades since I broke both of my arms at this very skating rink, 10 years earlier. Taylor knows about my little incident, so we came well prepared.
Taylor was a little hesitant at first, we tried practicing on the carpet and on a little floor near some tables by the end of the rink.
Taylor made a friend and became a little braver.
Anissa is pretty fearless, and doesn't mind falling either. She just gets right back up and at it.
Taylor and I circled the rink several times like this...
All it took was Anissa asking Taylor if she was really skating and saying that it didn't really look like she was for Taylor to become motivated to only hold my hand and go as fast as her little skates could take her. She was very determined to have Anissa see how she was doing. A little competition really gets this girl moving. It was a very fun day!! We love our field trips with the Sheppard's School for Girls.

Disney on Ice...December 1, 2011

My cousin Lorinda and I decided to take our little ladies to Disney on Ice again this year. We thought it would be fun to let them dress up like Princesses too. Taylor is wearing her Cinderella outfit.
We took them to dinner at Red Robin, always a favorite, before the show. Makenna decided we were sitting much to close to the stage. Lorinda ended up sitting up high, much further away from the action so Makenna wouldn't be scared. She wasn't scared last year, but there was no convincing her. So, Taylor, Anissa and I sat in our assigned seats front and center.
Although our seats were close, we decided we didn't like sitting at that level in those chairs. Next year, anything after Row K.
Then we got some after the evening silly poses with us all...
We do love our girls' night out!

Girls' Night out at the Davenport, 11-9-11

The Davenport Hotel was having a special re-opening celebration of some kind, so Melissa, Lorinda, Taylor and I went to check it out
I do love to visit the Davenport. However, we usually only go at Christmas to see the trees.

Taylor enjoyed watching the little fish in the planter...
We had a wonderful dinner...
Then we walked around and explored the different areas of the hotel...
Like the ballrooms, spa, and read many of the historical pictures featured around the Davenport.

Taylor and I sitting in some of my favorite chairs. We also bought some soft peanut brittle, very yummy.

Grandma Peak's 90th Birthday dinner Party

My grandma Peak turned 90 on October 4, 2011. They had an open house the Saturday before, so people could drop by and wish her a happy birthday, have some snacks and visit a bit. On her actual birthday, several of us got together at Olive Garden for a birthday dinner.



90 years is a long time and I still love to look at grandma's pictures and hear stories of when her and my grandpa were first married and traveling to California because he was in the military, with my mom as a small child. Growing up in Wisconsin...moving to California and later to Idaho. My mom talked about her her grandma Emma who was a wonderful christian lady and how my mom remembers her reading her bible. That is just how my grandma is too. I remember her babysitting my brother and me and watching bible studies on TV, or listening to them on the radio. She has always been such a great example and easy to talk to. I'm so glad Taylor gets to enjoy her too, at her "great" grandma's house and play with the same things I played with when I was young.
She just seems timeless and the same great lady she has been my whole life. My grandma is such a wonderful constant in our life...cheerful and fun....we love you grandma Peak.