Thanksgiving & my 40th Birthday in Park City, Utah

This year, I celebrated my 40th birthday in the most memorable way – family, fun, and the beauty of the mountains. My husband, our daughter, Sailor, my mom (who graciously agreed to travel along and be a part-time babysitter), and I spent four days in Park City, Utah, where we combined Thanksgiving celebrations with birthday adventures. Here's a peek at our unforgettable trip!

Day 1: A Full Day of Adventure

We arrived in Utah at 8:30 a.m. with a whole day ahead of us, so we decided to make the most of it. After picking up our rental car, we headed straight to Provo, where we kicked off our sightseeing adventure. The highlight for me was definitely visiting Swig, the viral soda restaurant. I tried the Texas Tab, which was so good! If you haven't had a Swig drink, you're missing out! It’s Viral for a reason! From there, we toured the Brigham Young University campus, which was stunning.

After our time in Provo, we took a scenic drive through the snow-capped mountains toward Park City. The drive was gorgeous, and it was the perfect introduction to the winter wonderland we were about to explore. Once we arrived, we settled into our cozy condo in mountain Park (talk about a prime location — right next to the beginner’s lift!).

Day 2: Snowboarding, Shopping, and a Delicious Dinner

The second day of our trip was filled with excitement and some serious snowboarding action. While my mom enjoyed a peaceful day of shopping in Park City, we hit the slopes. Sailor, who is only 6 years old, is already in her 4th season snowboarding — and every year, she just keeps getting better! Watching her shred(ish) down the mountain is one of the coolest things as a parent. She’s a awesome!

After a day on the slopes, we treated ourselves to an amazing Thanksgiving dinner at Rime Restaurant at the St. Regis Deer Valley. The restaurant sits atop the mountain, accessible via a funicular (a ride that Sailor loved!). Dinner was delicious, with breathtaking views to match! I forgot to try the turkey but the Prime Rib was a winner!

Later that night, we took a relaxing dip in the indoor/outdoor pool at our condo. The temperature outside was a chilly 17 degrees, but the warm water was the perfect way to unwind.

Day 3: Shopping, Ice Skating, and More

Friday was a more laid-back day. We spent the morning shopping in the downtown village of Park City, while my husband enjoyed the local pub, “No Name Bar”, where he caught the raiders football game. Sadly, his team didn’t win (but, let’s be real, he's used to that).

Hubs and I also stopped into Pig Pen Saloon for a cocktail that evening, I had the “Influencer” (espresso martini). And we met a cool local to chat with.

Day 4: Coffee and ice skating

My mom and I found a cozy café to enjoy some coffee & people-watching while Say & the hubs boarded. Then, we all hit the ice rink for a bit of ice skating, followed by dinner at Flanagan’s downtown. If you ever find yourself there, do yourself a favor and try their pastry-covered Reuben bites — they were out of this world!

Day 5: A Gorgeous Goodbye

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. Our flight didn’t leave until 10 p.m., though, so we had a whole day to explore. We made our way to Salt Lake City to see the Mormon Temple. Unfortunately, the temple was under. So we headed to Morton Salt Factory and were treated to the surreal beauty of a mirrored lake. If you’ve never seen a lake so still that the reflections of the mountains create the optical illusion that you’re driving off the earth, you’re in for a treat. It was a magical view, and it left us all in awe.

Final Thoughts

As I reflect on this trip, I can't help but feel incredibly blessed — even though I’m now officially 40. It’s a new chapter, and I’m excited for what’s to come!

Here’s to more adventures, family memories, and a whole lot of love in the years ahead.