The Finlays: February 2012

Skiing in Park City

Ian and I flew to Utah this past weekend for our yearly trip to Park City to ski. We arrived early Friday morning and met up with Ian's cousin, Erin. We skied Deer Valley and the conditions were near perfect.

We stayed at the St. Regis in Park City. It is pretty much like heaven to stay there. We enjoyed free hot chocolates and apple ciders every afternoon.

Some of our siblings met us up there to tour the Olympic Training Center. We watched a skeleton competition, ski jumping, and a kids moguls competition.

Being here brought back happy memories for Ian of riding down the bobsled track last year.

A New Niece!

I am an aunt again! My niece, Genevieve Virginia Linton was born on January 11th. She is darling and her older sisters love her!

Republican Caucus

Ian and I attended our first Republican caucus meeting this year. I was so proud to be an American as I cast my vote. The night before we attended a rally for Romney. It was at my old alma motter - Arapahoe High School. We sat with some friends and neighbors that I had grown up with.

As I was talking to some friends and neighbors in the week leading up to the caucus, I was so disappointed in the apathy towards voting and the election in general. Most people didn't even know what a caucus was or hadn't planned on attending. When I watch what is happening around the world, with people revolting against their government to fight for their rights and the right to vote their own leaders into office, I think it is a shame that so many of us live in this country where we have so many rights and privileges given to us and we don't exercise the right to vote. Even though we each only get one vote, it does make a difference!

Snowshoeing

A few weekends ago it snowed and snowed and snowed in true Colorado fashion! The snow was so deep we decided to go snowshoeing at the local dam. We finished our hike right as the sun was setting.

Carly and Max Wedding

In December, my cousin Carly married Max. They are another great couple and she looked stunning. It was extra special being in the temple with them because my Grandpa Anderson was able to marry and seal them for time and eternity.

The siblings again. We were missing Jennie who was about to have her baby.

The Western Stock Show

In January, the stockshow and rodeo come to town! We had a hodgepodge group of our family - my Dad, Whitney, Nathan, myself, and my two nieces Kate and Caroline. We had a great time looking and petting the animals, eating pizza, and the kids got to ride ponies.

Christmas

We spent Christmas this year in California with the Finlays. We started the week off with a girls only breakfast at Mimi's Cafe.

We toured some of the floats being made for the Parade of Roses. As you know, everything that goes ont he floats for the parade must be living material or once living material. The details are incredible. A woman was putting cinnamon on the cheeks of this monkey to add color.

The Finlays neighbor, Larry, invited us all over for homemade pizza in his outdoor pizza oven.

Christmas Day.

The annual ping pong tournament. We never did find out the winner...

The whole Finlay and Ferguson families on Christmas Day.

Alana and Steve Are Married!

Alana and Steve Johnson got married on December 17, 2011 in the Los Angeles LDS Temple. They make such a great couple and the day was wonderful.

Brielle, Gavin, Coco, and Ethan all dressed up.

I am so glad that I get to spend eternity with this man!

Thanksgiving in CO

Wow! I just realized I haven't updated this blog since last November! We spent Thanksgiving last year in Colorado with my family. Ian and I bought our own smoker and smoked our first turkey. It is a Finlay family tradition to smoke the Thanksgiving turkey and it is so delicious and moist. Everyone loved it!

It is an Anderson family tradition to go bowling on Thanksgiving day. When we were little it was an effort to get all the kids out of the house so my mom could cook dinner. Even though we are adults, we still continue this tradition.