Family are Friends

Christmastime with family

snowshoeing up Big Cottonwood on Christmas Eve

Friends are Family

...more fun things we've been doing!?

Snowmobiling to Bade's cabin * Jamming with the Elements in the bug hut...what?, you've never heard of the Elements? Wierd, they're probably the best band I've ever heard * Ugly sweater party (in which Mark and I took a stunning 1st place) and gingerbread houses!
*More pics of Christmas joys to come!*

(Lets be honest, people only read the few bits of words on blogs if there are pictures)

What have we been doing lately? Working hard of course! (really, this is the busiest time of year at my work). But, we've also been having a lot of fun.

Carole and Ron are in town, so of course we've been shredding. A ladies evening out was awesome with a massage, dinner, humongo ice cream cones, and a movie at the mansion (thanks Zach for the treats).

We also went up to Baden's cabin and came out with only a few bruises from sledding down. I baked Christmas goodies with my Mama, Liz, Jenn, Kerrah, and Sheri (hence the picture of homemade wassail).

I also had a sleep over in Park City with my mom where I locked my keys in my car (while it was running) while I stood outside in the early morning snow before I found a way to break in with my super powers and a really long stick.

This weekend?: sledding, soccer, eating, sleeping, skiing, ugly sweater friend gingerbread house party, lovely church meeting, and playing with friends and family. Whew, this is going to be awesome. More pictures to come.

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The First Snow

Yesterday afternoon the snow finally came to the valley. It was a beautiful snowfall which was followed by a Christmas concert by the Utah Chamber Artists up the the U (with sugar cookies and wassail, yum!). Last Saturday we put up lights on the cottage aka our house and Sunday up went the tree. I'll have to post more pics soon. Happy winter everyone.

Lately

Its been a bit since I've posted, so here is what has been going on lately:

Mark had a wonderful birthday! Breakfast with friends and fam, rollerblading at Sugarhouse park, lunch with friends, dinner with me at Cafe Madrid, and an episode of The Office for dessert. What an awesome day.

We're enjoying the warm weather while we can. I love running outside in the mornings still. But...we're hoping the snow will come sooner or later. We're getting passes to Brighton and are excited to wear snow clothes and take lots of pictures!

We are so thankful for all of our many blessings and are enjoying life!

Oh, and I got a haircut. It much more fun to surprise people in person, but as we all know, a good post on a blog always includes a picture.

Kids are just....flippin cool

I wanted to post some photos of my nephew Max, or as I call him, Maximus - he is such a stud and I love to play around with him. I started to let him use my skate deck a little bit and he is starting to get the hang of it pretty quick. Soon he'll be giving Ryan Sheckler a run for his money. But really though, aren't kids just funny? They are so fun to goof around with and just be imaginative - I guess that i like to act like i'm a real pirate, or a ninja with sweet bowstaff skills, or sometimes a dragon-faced pillow monster but hey, who doesn't?

Bring out the blades...

For the first time in who knows how many years, I dusted off my brother's size HUMONGO rollerblades and went out for a spin. I have come to only one conclusion: yes, rollerblading is still awesomely cool. If you don't believe me, take a look at this sweet picture and you'll know what I'm talking about.

My Mom

This post is dedicated to my mom for her birthday.
Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is your birthday and I just wanted to tell you how much I love and appreciate you. I am here because of you and am so thankful for Grandma and Grandpa for having such a happy beautiful daughter! I'm sure they are watching you today, wishing you a happy day too.

Journal Entry 2.27.99 (I was 15)
"'She never gave up once. My mom is my hero'. My mom is the greatest. She's a good mother, hard worker, brave, athletic, kind, and has a strong testimony. I'm pretty lucky!"


3.18.02
"My mom is amazingly strong. Holy crap, she's the bravest ever"

5.9.04
"Carol F. Kusterle. She's the best. She knows everything."

5.27.05
"We walked to the temple with my mom and John. We were sealed by Grandpa Fetzer. He did a wonderful job. My mom helped me get ready. I love her and don't show her enough."


6.28.05
"When my mom would leave us messages or daily jobs, she would always draw that smiley face"..."Mom and I walked around the yeard. Since I left I just keep thinking about her and her work and life in that house. I miss the smell of the house. So may things happened there..."

I love you mom. Thanks for being who you are...it has helped me become who I am. I have so many memories-you gardening, telling me not to suck my thumb, picking tomatoes, going to the pool, trips to the cabin, girls trip to Colorado, picking up pinecones and apricots, watching movies...too many to list.

Just know that you're the best mom ever,
and I hope you have a great day.

Are you brothers?

It is a common question Mark and his best friend, Aaron, get asked when they're together. In high school they eventually just started saying 'yes' to the question.This past weekend Aaron had to come to Salt Lake for work (he and his wife Carole are living in San Diego) and we got to spend some time with him. Never have I heard Mark laugh harder or longer than when he's with Aaron. They are happiest when with each other, uh, well, of course not happier than when they're with their lovely wives.

They went snowboarding about 5 times, one of which was until about 1am in the moonlight, had a sleepover, played the guitar, went to Cafe Rio, talked about bodily functions and rank smelling snowboard gear, and had such a good time.Thanks for letting us spend time with you while you were here Aaron, come again soon (and bring Elorac).

Virtual Pumpkin Carving

Because I know you're checking this while bored at work....go here

Dawn Patrol

Since Ali was already getting up at 5:45 am to go yoga, I decided that I was going to be productive too and go shred the gnar. So I got ready and headed up Little Cottonwood Canyon and into the windy abyss. I arrived at the base of the Collins lift around 6:30 and began my ascent. There were only a few other souls brave enough to show themselves so I was excited to be alone and relish in the simplicity of my surroundings. I scrambled up the hill until I had found a secluded peak on which I could perch for a few minutes. Evidently my brain was somewhat functional when I woke up because I remembered to bring along my Nikon camera. The sunrise was incredibly picturesque and was one of those things you could sit back and watch for hours. I tried to make the most of it and snapped a few shots before I strapped in. Plugging in some "Sweet Beats" (a CD mix comprised of mostly Enya) I started making my way down. Although it was starting to warm up, I made turn after turn in the soft, white goodness until my leg started to burn. When I got to my car I pulled out my phone: 8:15 - just enough time to get to work.

Here are some of the images from that day and from the day before. Enjoy and get out there and shred the gnar! (our blog header photo is also from that morning)

Great people talk about ideas.
Average people talk about things.
Small people talk about other people.

Love Your Job

I work for Backcountry.com. In case you've never heard of it, check it out now!
As of Thursday, I will have worked there for 3 years! (That's big for me-I've never been at one job for that long). Backcountry.com also owns and operates Dogfunk.com, Tramdock.com, SteepandCheap.com, WhiskeyMilitia.com, and GearEngine.com

Why I love my job:
-I use the product I sell, making my job so much easier and fun.
-I get to work with the best people, including my sister Liz, who have become my friends.
-I get incredible gear discounts, and free gear!
-The company is growing exponetially
-Opportunity to advance is very probable. I became a Phone Supervisor on 9/10/07 and was offered the Phone Manager position yesterday. (I said no, if you want to know more you can ask me).
-The CEO and President are personable and very involved. Although we are owned by Liberty Media, you would never know anything had changed from day one when they started the company in 1996.
-The company party held every October is the best! It's called the Adventure Contest Party. Basically-the more activities you do outside, the more points you can earn. The more points you have, the better your chances are of winning one of the "big prizes".

The party was last Saturday at The Depot downtown. Everyone goes away with something (this year everyone got an Ogio bag, a pair of Skullcandy headphones for themselves and a pair for their guest, a North Face hat for themselves and one for their guest).

This is my fourth party and I finally won a "big prize"! I was one of the latter ones to get picked so there weren't as many options (like the 5 day trip to Jackson Hole), but I did pick up a FREE Thule rack set up, wooohooo! We also walked away with a brand new complete Zoo York skate deck, Mark was very happy.

Before working at Backcountry I don't think I ever realized I could love a job or a company that I work for, but now I do.

Outback in the House

So we finally caved and got what Ali has been desperately longing for since high school: a subaru.
This one happened to be an LL Bean edition (whoo super fancy, I know) and is maroon like this cool picture. Now that we have one, I'm sure trips up Mt Everest and the outback of Australia will certainly become the norm just like in all those commercials. So if any of you feel daring and dashing and want a sweet lift, give us a call

New Food

I love to make new food! There are classics from my mom and the neighborhood cookbook that are here to stay, but sometimes you just need a new dish. Some people would prefer to go out, which I do- but its hard on the wallet, so I turn to new recipes instead.

They usually turn out delicious...and then there are times when you know you need to throw that recipe away. I usually look through Real Simple for new recipes, Epicurious.com, Cooking Light magazine, or FoodNetwork.com...and if it has a good picture-that is what will motivate me to make it. Here are a few things I've made recently that I've really liked:
spinach frittata
barley risotto with asparagus and parmesan
chicken piccata &
lemon risotto

another fav I made, but can't remember where it is from is for a mango shake (I'd like to consider it a mango smoothie since that sounds better when eating it for breakfast)
1 mango
1 peach or banana (my personal addition)
1 cup soy milk
1 cup ice
1 cup vanilla ice cream
YUM!


...and right now I have the Lionhouse classics Chocolate Cheesecake baking in the oven for my sis Liz's birthday tomorrow!...I'll let you know if that one is a keep or not. And please share if you have any good recipes you've made and loved lately!

All your photographic needs!!

A call to all - if you or anybody you know has need of some sweet photography skills (wedding, reception, bridals, engagements, family portraits, events, etc) definitely let me know. We are offering referral incentives for those who refer peeps to us. For example, if you refer someone and we shoot their wedding, then we'll give you $150! That's right - 150 bones. So help us out and we'll make it worth your while for sure. Also, be sure to check out the website too - dreamphotodesign.com

Fall times

Have you had or made any changes in your life lately? Like what?
I love how the seasons inspire change. I walked out my front door today around 7am. I could feel it. I could smell it. Fall is coming. Its that smell that you remember when walking to elementary school or walking around campus during college. Fall has inspired me to:
-Drink hot chocolate while reading a good book
-Think about snow
-Wear sweatshirts even if its not cold enough yet
-Look at re-decorating my house (I need some serious help!)
-Wake up and run early while I can (doesn't get light until 6:45ish now)
-Make pumpkin pie
-Take walks and talk with Mark