Montage Deer Valley

I spent a week at the Montage Deer Valley for work. Beautiful room, beautiful setting and toasted housemade marshmallows every night!

It was also over my birthday. Although I didn't get to spend it with my family, I did get to meet one of my personal heroes, Bryan Stevenson.

 

 

I spent the afternoon of my birthday at the Utah Olympic Park going extreme zip-lining. One of the steepest in the world with speeds up to 55 mph. Great views too!

 

 

Ski jump practice:

 

Chair lift rides at the hotel:

Art Cars

We started at the Rose Gardens and ended up at the Art Car show where the vehicles ranged from charming to grotesque (REAL TEETH)!

 

Izaak Walton

We volunteered by planting native species at the Bush Lake Chapter site of Izaak Walton...and caught a few frogs and bugs too!

These plants were planted just last year! Can't wait to see how ours grow!

The beach there is perfect for hot summer nights with friends!

China Reunion

Today marks a decade since Jia joined our family! We had our annual get together with Jia's travel group (the families of the girls who were adopted at the same place and time as Jia). We call the girls "the other Jias" because they all had the same first name. There were gifts, giggles, crafts, treats, and games galore. At the end of the day, Jia said, "I feel loved." We are so grateful to have this sweet soul in our lives.

 

 

 

Jia's New Birthday!

One of the surprise discoveries we made when visiting Jia's hometown is that her birthday is not August 11th, but instead July 8th! She was very excited to be instantly older.

Jia, Willa and cousin Han spent the day going on rides at the Mall of America.

Then they camped in the backyard with friend, Kat.

Her present from us was a long awaited phone.

And she asked for adorable new specs from Grandma and Grandpa!

Happy 11th birthday to our clever, creative, kind Jia!