parks

Over Easter weekend, me and the boys played at Liberty Park downtown while Adam went to his favorite record store- Randy's. If it's been a while, he just has to get up there to see the new stock. We aren't going to hang out at home without him- we get enough of that during the week.

Anyway- I have to keep remembering that the boys won't always be this happy just by going to the park. But for now- it's almost as fun as anything we pay to do. Might as well do the free stuff I say. 

Ollie climbing on the outside of the structure. 

They also climb on top of the things they aren't supposed to. 

Maybe they are too old?

Notice Lincoln's vans that were ruined- you guessed it- on his bike.

He wouldn't wear any other pair and asked me to fix them.

So I whipped out the white duct tape- ha!

(They have since been retired.)

Ollie and his camera stance- stinker.

aspen lakes

Mare & Liz

Last weekend I went to Aspen Lakes in Heber with a few of my neighbors to scout out our camping spot for a church camp this summer for 300 people. It had snowed the night before and was beyond gorgeous.

I can't believe we get to camp there! 

We even saw two moose after we had passed their tracks a 

few times on the roads and trails as we hiked around. 

This one just looked at us as he munched some food. 

Good thing there were trees between us- I was ready to run!

frozen lake

We will be using these boats... hopefully in warmer weather, 

but you never know in the Utah mountains in early June. 

Some of the stake leaders in charge of getting things planned and ready.

This is the pavilion where we will eat and gather in case of bad weather.

The doors along all the sides can be open or closed.

I want my house to look like this someday because it is amazing!

I love all the windows and light, the high wood ceilings and even the concrete floor.

Seriously- this is my dream house!

Now if I can just get this view for my future house...

Gosh, it was amazing up there.

I'm excited to finally do all the activities we and the youth 

committee have been planning for months and months. 

I'm sure I'll have some summer photos of Aspen Lakes then too. 

Hopefully I can do my duties while I'm there rather than snapping pics the whole time?

SPOL. 

guitars

Adam is so funny. 

Here are a few snapshots of him enjoying what he loves best- music.

1. a cool record holder he found at an antique store.

2-3. having some friends listen to his latest favorite on his

grandparent's amazing passed-down record player.

4-5. cleaning, taking apart, tuning up one of his babies-- 

probably as he tells me about something music-y.
5. winding down with a song

I love this guy.

And one of the {many} reasons why include bringing music into our lives!

my mountains

This is my view from my back porch and window. 

Really this is with the zoom lens, but a normal lens makes it look way further than it really is. 

I watch Mount Timpanogas all day everyday, from our dining room table.
It's my constant, even if is forever changing from golden to pink with the sunrise or sunset, dark or dressed in white because of clouds or snow.

I love it and I feel so spoiled to have this view!
It never gets old.

Light on the valley floor.

Ollie's mom

The other day I signed an email- "Ollie's Mom"

It was to his soccer coach about bringing the treat to the game. 

It's funny how your identity changes throughout your life.

I loved my maiden name- McEntire.

Then suddenly with marriage came the at-first-awkward-yet-sweet, answering to Mrs. Swalberg.

We had a trip planned with Adam's family a month after we were married so I rushed to change my name on my driver's license so it could match my plane ticket... and like that, McEntire was gone.

But don't worry, I had practiced writing Sinika Swalberg for a few years before that.

Then I remember after Elliott was born, the pediatrician called 

to tell me his bilirubin levels and asked for "Elliott's mom". 

And of course, with each kid after that, I am Ollie's mom or 

Lincoln's mom for anything doctor's office, school or sports related. 

And I don't mind one bit.

I was noticing the other day at a restaurant as we were writing all our names on our leftover takeout boxes, Adam usually writes "Dad" on his box, and I always write "Sini". 

I guess I need to just be me sometimes too.

Ollie- on his "crazy hair day" for kindergarten.

He talked about having a mohawk for weeks before this.

He was very excited, even though we had no idea it would be this tall!

The hair glue hairspray we found at Walmart worked perfectly.

brother love

Ollie has also been wanting to wear his cleats to school every day and plays tackle football at recess.

In kindergarten.

I've seen him play a couple of times with his little buddies,
Beau, Weston and Dawson and they are really good.

But football? Who is this kid?

And our little town's BBQ restaurant has a wall that can be signed by the military and you can leave notes for them on the board- Elliott and Ollie just had to leave one.
(See below)

skiing at the park

Linds- skiing

We didn't have too many snowy days this winter which is very strange 

and kind of refreshing from our usual snow-packed days.

On President's Day the boys were out of school and I got a call 

from my mom that her and Linds would be skiing at the park 

if we wanted to join them.

We snagged Ollie's snowshoes on the way out and after 

dropping Elliott off at a birthday party, met up with them.

I'm sure we were a sight to see for all my neighbors, whose houses back the park...

Benny and Ollie

My mom and Linc

I feel bad that I never found the boots after I packed them away last Spring. 

But we didn't need them this winter. 

Except for this day.

Addie- 4 years, skiing.

Cutest thing ever.

Linc doing the Charlie Brown...

Little Will was so funny feasting on the snow.

He would take a mouthful and chew it with his eyes closed like it was manna from heaven.

Elli and Ben

Me and my adventurous Momma

View of Mt. Timpanogas from our neighborhood- gorgeous.

Ski tracks and Utah Lake.

Since it was our only chance so far, we made a snowman when we got home.

Linc tasting the fresh powder.

Wearing Adam's 30-year-old little red boots.

My neighbor's crazy curly shrub covered in snow.

Goodbye snow. Maybe we'll see you next year?