My name is Anna Lee Merced and I'm vising Utah from Michigan. I arrived at Violet's house at dusk, and the first thing I looked for were these: The Rocky Mountains!
After enjoying the view, a girl named Violet let me into her house. I met Violet when she visited me a couple of years ago. I was a little shy at first.
"Hi Anna Lee! Remember me? My name is Violet and I'm so glad you came to my house! And guess what, you will be here for my birthday!" Violet said jumping up and down.
Soon I felt right at home, Violet was so happy to see me, and we both love Yosemite National Park very much, so it was easy to find something to talk about.
On the second day I was in Utah, Violet's Mama and Daddy wanted to take me up the mountains, because they could tell how much I missed them. Here in Utah, the mountains are called the Wasatch Front, they are on the western edge of the Rockies. And look at the color of the sky!
And look what we found! A moose print! Jessica explained a little bit about prints and she showed me how to identify this as a moose. The easiest way to tell is because it is so big!
I'm so glad I'm here! I've missed the west!
A few days later Violet and I went to her farmhouse in Mt. Pleasant Utah. Mt. Pleasant is a small town in central Utah. I felt so lucky to be able to see so much of Utah on my visit.
And in the yard there were lots of prints. Violet pointed out that they were different than moose, these were deer prints!
We climbed up on the fence because Buffy (my bison) wanted a better view. Buffy is from Yellowstone and he misses the west more than me.
Then Violet showed me where she likes to build forts under the tree. Buffy and North (her polar bear) got to know each other.
The next day we took lots of drives and found really interesting things to look at. All the fields of untouched white snow were very pretty.
And look at the mountains off in the distance. So pretty.
We even spotted some bald eagles!
Back in Salt Lake, a few days later, Violet celebrated her 11th birthday. She had a cooking party. I was really worried about cooking since Katie doesn't cook, but we still had a lot of fun! Here is a link to the entire album - http://picasaweb.google.com/jessicartrump/VioletS11thBirthday#5289132007041335522
Violet was in charge of making meatballs, and it looked so gross but tasted really good!
The next day I wanted to give Violet my present, Katie had made it just for her.
Violet was very surprised and happy.
A nightshirt! With Shy Violet from Rainbow Brite on it.
Violet loved it, she says she loves to watch her Mama's old Rainbow Brite movies and Shy Violet is her favorite!
A few days later Violet and I got to go on a very special adventure to a cabin in the Utah mountains.
The first rule when you get there is to take off your boots and put on some shoes so you don't track water everywhere.
As soon as we took off our coats and hats Violet showed me all around.
"And we get to sleep up here in the loft!" Violet told me.
The loft area felt like a tree house! I can't believe I get to sleep up here!
Next Violet showed me the view. Yep, this is the view right from the cabin!
The next morning when I opened my eyes I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. I wish I could open my eyes to this view every day!
And doesn't Violet look cute in her new nightshirt?
Later that day we decided to take a walk in the woods. We walked down a hill near the cabin and enjoyed the sunshine. It was such a pretty day in the woods!
And look at the snow! It had partially melted and then re-frozen to form these huge ice crystals! Violet and I decided to pretend we were Ice Princesses.
Aren't the crystals pretty? Everything shined and glimmered just like a real princess's castle.
Then we make snow angles.
And even threw snowballs!
But our favorite game of all was looking at the ice crystals and pretending we were the princesses of the forest.
A few days later we celebrated the inauguration of our 44th United States President.
Violet and I are very proud to be Americans today, we even dressed up in ball gowns to celebrate!
And then guess what we did that weekend? Went back to the farmhouse! Violet says I might be the first travel doll to visit twice.
Violet showed me all around main street. All the buildings are really old and they remind me of some of the old towns we have in Michigan.
And we drove between the towns down there. The views were so pretty, big white fields and clear blue sky!
We even saw some hawks. This one is just about to take off.
One of the places we visited was Spring City, where the entire town is a historic district. The only other entire town that is a historic district in the US is Williamsburg Virginia.
First we visited Spring City Cemetery. It is very very beautiful here.
There are lots of old graves, but Violet and I were careful to tread lightly and treat the people buried here with respect.
"Where should we go next, Violet?" I asked.
Next Violet wanted to show me the old Spring City school house. Isn't it pretty with the setting sun? This building was built in 1899! I will miss Central Utah.
A few days later it was the Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) and Lei Mei was hosting a party to celebrate the year of the Ox.
At first I was a little nervous, but Lei Mei is really nice and we started smiling and laughing very quickly.
Lei Mei says that all Chinese feasts start with tea. She asked us if we would like some, and of course we said yes!
Lei Mei showed us what all the food was and everything was so yummy! We ate and talked for a long time, but soon it was time to ring in the new year!
After our feast Lei Mei jumped up and grabbed a dragon toy.
Soon we were all ringing in the new year! "Gung Hay Fat Choy!" means "Happy New Year" in Chinese.
Soon it was Valentine's Day and Violet's Mama hosted a surprise Valentine's tea for us!
The table was set with pretty white china and there was a plate full of cookies!
"Isn't this a fun Valentine's?" Violet asks, after she pours herself a cup of tea.
"Oh yes!" I agree. Tomorrow I leave, and I know I will miss it here.
Happy Valentine's Day!
The next day Violet and I finish packing all of my items. "Well goodbye, then" I say.
And then Violet gives me a big hug and says she'll miss me. I know I'll miss her. Goodbye Utah!
