Having a Real Good Time

I love soccer! It’s a blast to play and it’s one of the few sports I actually enjoy watching. But despite my interest in this activity, I had never been to a Real Salt Lake game until this season. Jason’s brother, Jeremy, and his wife, Kara, invited us to attend a few games with them this summer. Since I’ve wanted to check out our local MLS team for some time, Jason and I gladly accepted.

Here I am with my big lugg of a brother
Here I am with my brother-in-law. Members of Jason's family are obviously prone to fits of idiocy whenever they spot a camera.

Although we’ve only gone to a handful of games, we’ve already become Real freaks, as is apparent by our abundance of team paraphernalia: jerseys, scarves, jackets…oh yes, and a monstrous flag.

It’s been great enjoying a few perfect summer evenings with 20,000 drum playing, catcalling, flag waving, screaming soccer fanatics. Bring on the raging fans and go Real!

A Campfire Dinner: Birthday Celebration Numero Tres

No, I didn’t learn how to count in Spanish from Bono. So what happened to numero dos? Jason’s second birthday bash was on his actual birthday and involved the two of us seeing the new Harry Potter flick and eating dinner at Café Trio, a darling little Italian place in Salt Lake City that is very reasonably priced. Rosemary flatbread topped with caramelized onions and a balsamic drizzle, served with goat cheese and roasted tomatoes and red peppers…need I say more? Jason and I had a lot of fun on this excursion and came home very full but since that is the extent of my comments regarding that particular outing, not exactly a post-worthy amount of information, I will skip to Jason’s third birthday party.

Some of the men doing manly things in the woods. I don't know what Jeremy was
Some of the men doing manly things in the woods. I don't know what Jeremy was doing...besides ruining my picture.

I painstakingly planned an evening at a campsite up in American Fork Canyon for Jason’s final birthday celebration. I invited some of our friends and family to join us for tinfoil dinners, grilled corn on the cob, s’mores, and hotdogs. Everyone brought their roasting sticks and camp chairs and we spent an evening under the stars around the toasty campfire.

Aimee, Liz, Kara, and Vinny
Aimee, Liz, Kara, and Vinny

Making tinfoil dinners for that many people was quite an operation. Those of you who have made these before know that all the ingredients have to be cut up into ridiculously tiny pieces in order to cook properly on the fire’s coals. I spent over four hours chopping fifty five red potatoes, roughly 30 pieces of bacon, 6 onions, and an entire Costco-size bag of baby carrots. I was happy with the resulting dinners though and everyone seemed to enjoy my recipe concoction.

The Sabin brothers: creepy aren't they?
The Sabin brothers. Creepy aren't they?

After dinner we sang happy birthday to Jason and his brother Jeremy, Jeremy’s birthday is just a few days after Jason’s, and gorged ourselves on yummy Dippidee cupcakes. I was utterly stuffed at that point – a sentiment that I believe was echoed by everyone present.

Jeremy and Jason blowing on their cupcakes. Despite how it looks, they weren't actually holding hands.
Jeremy and Jason blowing on their cupcakes. Despite how it looks, they weren't actually holding hands.

Many thanks to all of you who shared the evening with us and celebrated the commencement of another year in the life of a fantastic man. Happy birthday Jason!

Park City: Birthday Celebration Numero Uno

In order to properly celebrate Jason’s birthday I started the partying early. Last Friday I whisked him away to Park City for the weekend. We had a grand time!

I wanted to take him to a classy restaurant Friday night. It was hard to pick one since Park City has quite a few I’m eager to try. We ended up eating some fantastic Western American cuisine at the Purple Sage. The food there was full of completely surprising flavor combinations – it was unique and delicious!

Jason pulling his sled to the slide.
Jason pulling his sled to the slide.

We spent Saturday playing at the Park City Mountain Resort. We rode the Alpine Coaster, ZipRider, and of course the classic Alpine Slide. The coaster was my favorite; it’s an exhilarating little ride. I was slightly intimidated by the ZipRider, due to the frequent shrieks emanating from its patrons. Since I have a propensity to scream, I thought embarrassment was inevitable when it was my turn to descend. But I’m happy to say that I uttered not a peep. It actually wasn’t scary at all, kind of like riding a fast windy lift.

That's me getting ready to head out on the coaster.
That's me getting ready to head out on the coaster.

Jason and I also found time during our stay to wander along Park City’s picturesque main street and take a scenic moonlight drive up in the beautiful surrounding mountains.

Me and Jas taking in the nightlife on main street.
Me and Jas taking in the nightlife on main street.

It was a wonderful weekend filled with the enticingly fresh scents of pine and warm earth, delectable cuisine, radiant sunshine, and of course the best company a girl could ask for.