NEW YEAR'S EVE DAY 2013

It is always a treat when you save the best for last!  We're not certain 

Dec. 31, 2013, was the very best day of the year, but it was a competitive 

contender even though it started very early...5:00 a.m.to be exact!

We had leave home at 6:00 a.m. to be to the SL Temple on time for 

Brian and Darcy's sealing on their FIRST wedding anniversary.

As you can see it was still rather dark when guests arrived.

The sealing room carried that special Spirit that suggests the presence of loved

ones seen and unseen in addition to the Spirit of the sacred occasion and place.

This is Brian and Darcy leaving the temple after the ceremony.

It was very chilly regardless of  what Darcy's attire 

might suggest and there was a cold breeze.

The gorgeous white and pink roses were like a breath of fresh air.

This shot was to say, "We love you Karrie and wish you were here!"

Wedding pictures after a year of marriage with a little one on the 

way are not the same as those on your actual wedding day.

But in some ways the love is already deeper!

Check out the fancy boots underneath the wedding dress.  

Brian knew about them and they made him smile anyway.

Here's some of the guests that attended.  

We picked Andrea up in Payson and brought her along.

Jody still has her arm in a sling from a recent rotator cuff repair surgery.

As usual, Uncle Kent and Aunt Rebecca were there to help document the joyous event.

Luke and Marie were among those who came.  

Grandpa Marvin and Emily were noticeably absent.

Abriana drove from southern Utah with Sethan to be there.

On our way to JB's for breakfast I took some day time 

shots of Temple Square. This was one of my favorites.

The day had dawned by the time we came out of the temple.

Joseph and Emma: A pattern for eternal companionship.

The Wisemen seeking the Savior!  Amazingly life-like!

Following breakfast with the wedding party, we headed up Parley's Canyon, 

past Park City and down into Heber to the Heber Valley Train Yard.

Andrea, Malea, Colton and Dad. It was a tight fit for them all!

Andrea sneaked past the yellow caution ribbon for a shot 

on a train engine with a nice liquid over-haul.

Our two baby girls: Andrea and Malea.

On our way to the Midway Ice Castle , we saw
the Heber Creeper returning from a run.

This is the passenger car and it was loaded.

The final car was another passenger car, so this train had no caboose.

We arrived in Midway before the Ice Castle opened to the public 

so we went to a little shop across the road to look around for a while.

This is Andrea outside of that shop. 

This is the entrance to the ice castle from outside.

These shots were taken outside the castle as well.

Dad, Andrea, Colton and Malea on the  SW side of the ice castle.

This is the nursery when the creator makes ice sickles.

They are welded together to form the framework for the walls and passageways of the castle.

This is the trail grooming tiller that keeps the
walk ways loose and safe to walk on.

These guys were picking up the big chunks of ice 

loosened by the tiller and hauling them away.

This is Andrea in the gazebo west of the ice castle
and near the new skating rink. You can see
Malea and Colton snuggling in the background.

We made our way full circle around the castle just in time for it to open.

Dad and I have been to the castle twice before and due to the "holiday" rat

of the day, we decided to contribute to the other's entrance fee and sit it out...

But Andrea took the camera! :)  The following were taken inside the castle!

Malea and Colton.

Colton took this picture of Andrea. 

 He has a program to enhance the contrast of the ice.

A true princess is always care free and at home in a castle.

Andrea promised to take some shots from unique
angles in honor of Tyler W.She did well!

By February this shot will have changed a lot.  There will be an 

archway completed by then if the weather stays cold.  Loved the sun!

A castle corridor.

An archway.

Shot taken beneath the arch way.

This is the large courtyard inside the castle.

Another narrow passageway to beauty and adventure.

A shot from beneath the archway.  There are lights embedded in 

the ice, so you'll have to imagine what the castle looks like after 

dark and plan a trip to Utah in the winter to see for yourself! :)

Sparklers at midnight!