Sunday, January 27, 2013

An Eggs, Vinyl, and Down Birthday

Back to Boise for...my birthday! YAY! I've rarely had guests on my personal holiday, much less visitors from the north! Despite the snowy conditions, we were all game to walk downtown...
For breakfast! Breakfast with nephews, a good ol' time.
Then, shopping at our little record store in town. My brother-in-law and the gingers, checkin' out the vinyl. Made me wistful for the days when you would wander around checkin' out cover art and hangin' around the listening stations...and not downloading something you will never see the liner notes for.
Then over to the GoLite store to acquire my new down winter birthday coat. I pretty much haven't taken it off since I got it and love love love it!! Our guests headed to the airport and we popped downtown for nacho, then we watched the ball drop and our heads hit the pillows. Happy 2013!
My fave pic of all of us! So long, family! Thanks for SUCH a fun winter vacation! 

A Bluebird Day at Brundage!

We wrapped up goings-on in McCall and beat feet for Brundage for a bluebird day of downhill skiing.
How cold was it? This is my still-wet hair, frozen solid after approximately 10 minutes between the house and the truck.
Sally wins the award for the CUTEST SKI PANTS EVER. Also useful in identifying said sister-in-law on the slopes.
When I complimented my husband on his cool snowboard, he reminded me that I bought it for him. "I did? Huh. I guess I did.... I'm awesome."
Brothers, prepping to get on the lift.
My husband and Ollie, waiting for the others...
 My husband and Louie...the snowboarders.

A mid-day snack break in the out-of-doors. Where was I, you ask, if not skiing? Crossing an item off my bucket list: hanging out in the ski lodge drinking decaf and looking pretty. I also completed my holiday cards and read a bit. It was GLORIOUS!
And then the shuttle bus back to the trucks! So long, Brundage!

Machinin' Back to Town

But alas, you can't live in the hot springs. At least you'd get really really pruney. So after refueling with turkey bagel samiches and bags of tiny goldfish, we were headed back to town.
I was really surprised that it was easier than I thought it was going to be to transition from hot springs to snow gear. The room with the wood stove helped a LOT.
And then back on the machines! Everyone in our group drove...except me! With Louie in the driver's seat...
...and Ollie at the helm, we were off!
OK, there was a minor incident after a mis-judgment during a turning-around event, but thankfully it didn't involve one of those trees. And quickly, Ron Swanson negotiated us out this pickle.
And the, the road back to town was ours!

Turkey Can Never Beat Cow.

At Christmas Louis mentioned that he thought Uncle Jon looked like Ron Swanson, from the TV show Parks and Rec.
Initially I laughed, because he doesn't look like Ron to me at all. But the more I thought about my husband's countenance and disposition...and occasion deliveries of the law he's laying down...I realized he does seem like Ron Swanson in many ways. For those of you not familiar with Ron, check out these.
Especially after I surveyed these hot springs pix, where he has the same stoic expression in each...
Some Swansonism that could have been spoken by my husband.... “When people get a little too chummy with me I like to call them by the wrong name to let them know I don’t really care about them.”

“It’s always a good idea to demonstrate to your coworkers that you are capable of withstanding a tremendous amount of pain.”

"Clear alcohols are for rich women on diets."

“America: The only country that matters. If you want to experience other ‘cultures,’ use an atlas or a ham radio.”

Ollie Under Water

Oliver was a willing guinea pig for my underwater shots. Are you ready?
How about now?
OK, 1, 2, 3....GO!
Initial underwater shots...not terribly relaxed...
Too far away...
NEED! OXYGEN!!
Gravel bottom. Too shallow to really be considered free-diving. ;)
Ah-HAH!
Success! Probably my fave underwater shot ever!

Live Action Video!

My underwater camera does video too! Video isn't usually my medium, as represented by the quality of this shot, but still fun!

In Hot Water

After a bit of lunch, we were all in the water! I think this is my second-fave pic of all of us...so cute!
SuperSal!
Lou, captured almost smiling!
We loved the tiny snow-covered birdhouse above Sally's head, that says something like "Burgdorf Resort, 1906."
A rare and uncommon photo of me and brother-in-law!
OMG!! So cute!

Burgdorf Hot Springs!

We successfully arrived at Burgdorf without too many incidents.
And this time, we hit the hot springs! So unusual to see the artwork on my delicate ginger exposed... cloud cover allows them to be out in the day.
I wore my AWESOME new Nike Dri-fit top that my brother-in-law got me for Christmas. That I LOVE!
Oh, and I brought the aforementioned underwater camera, which I also love.
Yay for winter hot springs-ing!

Snowmachining Gang

So badass. ;)
We got three double-seaters and were off!
Please. No one. Fall in that. Brrr!
All six of us entering the Payette National Forest!
I got to ride with this guy again. :)
It was mostly a lovely day for adventuring!