Kyle, Jeremie, & Eric (Jer's Bro) Hike Mt. Timp

Kyle, Jeremie, and Eric (Jer's brother) hiked up Mt. Timpanogos on July 23. It took us 6 hours up, but only 4 hours down. We were surprised by all of the snow up the mountain. There were about 200 hikers that signed in on our path (Timpanooke), but there were also probably another 200 hikers climbing from the Aspen Grove trail on the other side. The EMT at the bottom of the trail said that when the trail is clear, they get about 1,000 hikers on each path daily for a total of 2,000 trying to reach the peak. With all of the snow still on the mountain, most hikers on our path turned back at the snow fields, but Kyle was relentless. The hike was scary at parts, but our fears were partially misguided as we learned that sliding down the mountain wasn't necessarily a bad thing; however, we did see a guy fall off a ledge and slide 50 feet down the mountain inadvertently. His wife screamed at first, but he just had the wind knocked out of him. (Grandparents don't worry, Jeremie taught Kyle what to do if he were to slip down the mountain). All in all, it was a great hike and Kyle wants to do it again. Kyle rates it as his favorite hike (2. Donut Falls; 3. Y-mountain). He even said that he would do it again in September if Grandpa Snowder visits from Texas for the blessing of baby Isla.

A fun slide down the mountain.

We came across a herd of about 50 mountain goats that crossed our path

Fun at Newport and Malibu Beaches (and Disneyland)

We spent the last week of March in California visiting the beach and Disneyland. Lots of fun and memories.

Heads up!!

No, Sarah wasn't driving the boat.

 Will be even more scary for Mom in 10 years.

 Notice Teya's excited face on Space Mountain

Kyle and Cara were in the front car, and Kyle had different thoughts

Batman Teams Up with Zorro

Swim Meet in Logan

Our family had a mini-vacation thanks to Cara and Kyle swimming at the Bridgerland Open Swim Meet in Logan. This was only their second swim meet, so they didn't have any qualifying times to move them to the faster heats. Both did very well and won almost all of their heats. They swam multiple events over two days including: 50 Free, 100 IM, 50 Backstroke, 100 Free, 50 Breathstroke, 200 IM Medley, and 100 Free Medley. Out of 10 teams that were there, Kyle finished 8th Overall for boys 9 and under, and Cara finished 9th Overall for girls 10 and under. Cara also qualified for the State Championship Meet in a couple of her events, quite remarkable for someone who hasn't competed before.

As the videos show, without prequalifying times, Cara and Kyle were placed in the first heats and blew the other newbies out of the water.

Kyle in the 50y Free
(Green Cap)

Kyle in the 50y Fly
(Green Cap)

Cara in the 50y Free

(Green Cap in Lane 1)

As well as they did, if they work on strengthening their kick, they can further excel.

And if you are still interested, Kyle did really well in the 100 Free.

Kyle's First Pinewood Derby

Kyle and Jer didn't do so bad at the Pinewood Derby. They had fun making the car together, and it ran pretty fast too. Teya and Tadd also contributed to the car design.

Kyle's is the blue car in the near lane (Lane 1).

Great Chili, Crazy Costumes, and an Overdose of Candy -- It Must be Halloween

Guess which holiday that Mom is so glad is over that she took down the Halloween decorations on Sunday (Halloween) and put up Thanksgiving decorations. She also bought the kid's candy from them, and gave it all to Jer to dispose of (like he is really going to do that). She can't wait until the Christmas music starts on Nov 1.

Anyway, Halloween seemed to last forever at our house. It started over a month ago when Sarah started making the kid's costumes, which turned out great.

Last week, the kids had a crazy hair day at school. We then had a fun Halloween party at the Lewis's on the 23rd where we carved pumpkins and the kids started to accumulate their candy. We enjoyed the Ward Halloween party on Friday night, where Sarah won the Best Chili Award.

Crazy Hair Day at School
(on purpose this time)

Carved pumpkins at the Lewis's

Potato Head Family
(Tortilla Form, two little potatoes, and Pickle Form from Toy Story 3)

Jer won the funny costume award

(Thanks to a friend at work who provided the idea, the hat, and the suspenders)

Doh!-Nut Falls

After the YM canceled their hike to Lone Peak this weekend, I (Jer) and Kyle went hiking Friday afternoon. We set off for donut falls, characterized as a small waterfall that goes through a rock hole. I calls it Doh!-Nut falls because it took three attempts to find a way to actually reach the falls. On the first attempt, a middle age couple was trying to climb the steep wall on the east side of the falls. They turned around after it got to steep. We climbed to the top of the cliff and didn't want to go down the same way. (Lesson one taught to Cub Scout Kyle, it is easier to climb up a cliff than to climb down.) We followed a game trail that led us back to the creek. On our second attempt, we backtracked to find a trail that heads up the west side of the canyon. We did get a better view of the falls on the west side, but we hadn't reached the cave. On our third attempt, we went back to the creek and just bouldered up to the falls, which really wasn't that difficult, and much safer than the steep climb that we took on our first attempt. Doh!!

On the way down, we stopped at Hidden Falls. Not quite as impressive as Donut Falls, nor as fun to get to, but it did have a cool mine.

Hidden Falls

Kyle & Cara's Biathlon

Kyle and Cara had fun competing in the Alta Canyon Rec Center Kids Biathlon which included a 100-meter swim and a 1-mile run. Kyle won the overall and Cara placed second, with Kyle finishing about a minute ahead of Cara. Kyle's swim training has helped him get in shape.




Cara finishing the race:

Kyle's finish wasn't as dramatic but the video is interesting. Watch for the lady staging a finish, and Tadd running through the finish line trying to have some fun himself.

SNOWDER FAMILY SHOWS SUPPORT FOR PET SUPER ADOPTION WEEKEND

Kids beg Mom for a dog. Will she break . . .?

Actually, surveys show that 5 out of 6 Snowder's want a dog. The sole dissenting vote won't give and has been under pressure to bend. Neighbors have weighed in on the debate and one posted the pet adoption poster on our lawn. Thanks Doug! We never give up hope. We want a cockapoo, a breed that doesn't shed, is hypoallergenic, doesn't get to big, and is great with kids.

Hot Days of July

Sailing on the Jordanelle:

Fun With the Lewis Side of the Family

Kids' Vacation to Yosemite

The kids had a great time in Yosemite. Thanks Grandma & Grandpa Snowder. Cara almost made it to Half Dome. Kyle floated down the river. Teya saw lots of wild animals.


Phone Conversation with Home:

Teya: We saw a coyote and a fox.
Mom: Did you pet the fox?
Teya: Mom. It was a FOX!