Amethyst Lake Hiking Adventure

Backcountry hiking adventures has always been on my bucket list. Dave, Jen, Mike and I decided that Amethyst Lake would be the perfect place to go. Here we are at the begining of our journey. Ahh... ignorance is bliss. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. It took us just a little over 5 hours, and gained 2,000 feet by the time we arrived at out destination. Needless to say I slept good despite the cold hard ground. On a scale of 1-10, and 10 being the best I give this hike a 9 1/2. Next year we hike the Subway in Zion. Good times!!!

Girls gone wild! Literally

Gotta act like we are cool, cause we are!

My bestest friends.

Exploring Amethyst Lake Utah, 2009 with our most excellent friends, the Johnson's and Tim's dog Molly.

Dave, Mike, Jen and me at 12,000 feet. Can you see snow in the background?

Official Bean Counter

It is official, I am now woking for Uncle Sam as an Auditor, and to prove it, here is my official Auditor photo. Who would have thought that I would ever become a bean counter? Me, the math hater. It just proves that the government will hire anyone.

Fun in Heber, Utah

On a beautiful cloudy day, Mikey and some of his good friends, piled into the truck, as we searched out Utah's newest and coolest skate park. Heber city skate park is located just 17 miles past Park City. We spent almost the whole day skating concrete and trying out new tricks. After making a brief stop at the local pizza joint, we decided to head to Park City to check out the local action there. Once there we were all quickly impressed with a young man without legs, out-skating the best of us. We had lots of fun and no major broken bones to speak of. It was an awesome day!

Mikey showing all how to fly like a bird.

2009 Odgen Marathon

To celebrate my birthday every year, I decided that I would run the Ogden Marathon. This year was special because Dave decided that despite recovering from cancer, he wanted to join in the fun with me. This marathon is one of the most scenic marathons around and is a Boston qualifier. Our start began at the park in the small town of Eden. The first 4 miles are on a incline to the mouth of the canyon. From there, it's 6 miles of downhill through the canyon where you are treated to a cool breeze and the sound of the melting spring run-off. The last 3 miles are on a winding tree shaded path. The last half mile of the race is lined with thousands of cheering spectators ringing cowbells and shouting words of encouragement.

Dave and Kathleen 2009 Marathon finishers

Dave and I share a victory kiss.

Dave finishes strong. 13.1 miles is no big deal to him.

My big finish - 13.1 miles is a long way.

Anniversary Trees

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Dave and I decided that for our 21st anniversary that instead of buying each other crap we don't want, we would buy trees to plant at our Bear Lake property. This little Blue Spruce will hopefully be 20 feet tall some day.

Here is a view from our property of Bear Lake

Here is a view of Swan Peak, also from the property. We are getting it surveyed in the next couple of weeks.

That's yours truly planting the smaller of the three trees.

Dave's Recovery

This photo was taken the day after his surgery. The doctor removed Dave's lymph nodes where the cancer was located. This is the last part of Dave's cancer treatments. With the grace of God, he should make a full recovery and be back to work by April. Thank you to everyone who has supported our family during this crisis. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family.
This photo was taken on Dave's 47th birthday. He was done with Chemo and was almost done with his radiation treatments at this point. His weight was down to about 160 lbs when this was taken. He barely made it through the treatments without going on a feeding tube.

The photo taken below is of Dave when we found out that he had Squamous Cell Carcinoma. As you look at his right side of the neck (his left), you can see the abnormal distention of his skin. That lump only took a couple of weeks to get that big and you could see it grow by the day.

ATV Fun at Monte Cristo

What do avid snowmobile riders do for fun in the summer? We ride ATV's. Dave and I checked out the dusty trails where we noramlly ride our snowmobiles in the winter. The terrain looks entirely different.

We Grow Them Big in Utah

How do you like my tomato? After waiting patiently for months for this monster to ripen, it was with much anticipation that I plucked this vine-ripened tomato for use in a yummy salsa recipe.

Kathleen's Salsa Recipe.

5 tomatoes

1 Lime

1 white onion

1-2 bell peppers

2-4 Jalapeno peppers

1 bunch cilantro

1 small garlic clove

1 tsp salt or to taste

Bring to boil 2 quarts hot water. Drop tomatoes in boiling water 3-5 minutes or until skin cracks. Place tomatoes in cold water and remove the skins when cooled. Dice tomatoes in large plastic container. Add chopped onions, bell peppers, Jalapeno peppers, grated garlic, lime juice, and cilantro. Let flavors meld for about half an hour if you can. I can't wait that long. I always double the recipe because my family usually eats half of it before I even get the second batch of chips cooked.

Re-Discovering an Old Love

You are never too old to have fun - This is me skating at Layton skate park.

Same photo, just black and white.

Concrete Rodeo

Finger Flippin Mike
Hang on to it Mike!!!

Mad Dog Mike tore it up at his third skateboard competition last sunday. He placed 7th out of his age group. Allowing 2, one minute course runs, three judges score on technique, originality and if one can stay on the board the entire time. His first run scored him a 54 out of 100 and his second score was a 50. His dream is to be able to attend Camp Woodward Skate Camp next year.

Kathleen's Big Adventure

In celebration of my 41st birthday, I decided to run a half marathon. (13.1 miles) As you can see by these pictures I finsished the race making better time than I expected. I projected the run to take me 3 hours, but I ended up completing the run in 2:50. Dave said he is going to run with me next year!

Easter 2008

Annual Easter photo op with newest member of the Wittner clan Crystal. This will probably be the last family photo for at least a couple of years. Chris will be moving to Florida to be with his fiance and Tim will be going on his mission with the church. "Parting is such sweet sorrow."

Chris' fiance Crystal and myself getting to know each other at dinner.

Shakespear is Alive and Well

Michael had to pick a project and make it from scratch for a school. He decided that he wanted to make a costume. He chose to make a period costume and picked on of the most complicated patterns ever. It took him over a month to sew from start to finish. Yes I did help a bit, but he did most of the sewing.

Romeo, Romeo, where art thou Romeo?

Chris Turns 22

Chris an Dave share a toast at Chris' B-day dinner.

Wow look at all those candles on the cake. I hope there is a fire extiguisher close by.

Executive Ride at Monte Cristo

Cory, Michael J., Jen, Larry, Me, (as if you couldn't tell) Mikey, and Dave overlooking the "Grand Canyon". This is not the real Grand Canyon of course, but the Grand Canyon of Monte Cristo. I just realized looking at this picture, Mikey is as tall as Dave.

Dave and I are standing on the edge of a very steep drop off. I'm having to hold on to Dave out of shear fear. (Booger Kiss Ridge)

My good friend Jen Johnson showing that she can play with the big boys.

Michael J. just can't seem to keep his skis level with the ground.

Michael J showing his testosterone.

Mikey catching some big air.

Mikey went big and a tree jumped right out in front of him.

Beaver Creek Trip

Even though I had a ten page paper to write, Dave convinced me that we needed to have a mini vacation. We gallivanted off to our favorite bed and breakfast for a couple of days of snowmobiling fun. Dave and I, equiped with GPS, made our way into Idaho along a ridgeline, to a marvelous place called "Hogs Trough". The veiws were spectacular from there.

Dave is looking mighty fine at the begining of a beautiful day.

Dave and I found our way to Sunrise campground. In the background, if you look real close, you an see frozen Bear Lake.

This is a picture of a cool looking dead tree located in one of my favorite playgrounds, Peter Sinks. This area is located a few miles away from our future cabin site.

Our New Addition to the Family

Meet Wilson; he is my new puppy. His breed is called a Shorkie. A cross between a Shitz Zhu and a Yorkie. Dave bought him for me as an early Valentines Day present.

How could you not love a face like that?

I don't know which is cutest, Dave or Wilson.