Bear Lake

Every year my family has a family campout. Each of the kids gets a turn deciding on where we go so we each get a say. This year my brother was in charge and we went to Bear Lake. We had plenty of fun in the sun, water and on the beach. We have fun wherever we go, but the kids sure enjoy Bear Lake. Since we have had such a slow start to the summer the water was a bit chilly but by the end of the day the sun would warm it up enough. Besides having to change our reservations for a different site and then a run-in with our neighbor campers regarding our waverunner things went off without a hitch. Can't wait till next year.

Electric Boat Parade

This last Friday Jon and I went out to the Saratoga Springs Marina for their Electric Boat Parade. It was something different to do and as an extra added bonus it was free (so were the millions of bugs, yucky). There were only about eight to ten boats and only three of them went all out with lights. It was fun to see them all decorated and the lights reflecting off the water. Maybe next year they will have more boats participate. I thought it was a fun idea. I have learned that it is hard to take a picture of a moving object, no matter how slow it is going. And then trying to keep the bugs off me made it that much more difficult. So sorry about the pictures, hopefully you get the idea.










Here is a little video I took with my camera - all you can see are lights, but believe me they were attached to a boat.

STRAWBERRIES!!!

I love to garden. Growing up my parents would have the occasional "Wonderful World of Work" for Family Home Evening where we would spend time in the yard weeding, pruning, planting, etc. I hated those nights when I was younger but somehow it rubbed off and now I like the time I get to spend outdoors working.

Last year I planted some strawberry plants but since it was their first year I didn't get any fruit. This year the plants have taken off and the fruit just keeps coming. I am loving it. That is the best part of gardening, seeing the fruits of your labors.

This year I didn't plant an actual garden since we are selling our home. So I guess I will just have to enjoy the strawberries and the upcoming raspberries while they last.

Wedded Bliss

Last Sunday was our anniversary and after eight years of marriage Jon and I are more in love with each passing day. Here's how it all started. My older sister and I started UVSC in the fall of '96. Soon after she kept telling me about this boy in her class that I needed to go out with and she kept telling Jon about a little sister he needed to meet. Well after two years we finally met at a graduation party for my sister.




It only took Jon six more months to ask me out. If you ask Jon it's all because he finally got bored enough. After a year and a half of dating we finally tied the knot.

As Jon was a convert to the church we had a year to plan the big day. My parents were able to give me the wedding of my dreams.


















My dad is not a dancer and I made him promise to dance with me at my wedding. He followed through and was an awesome dance partner.



We spent our honeymoon in Orlando / Tampa Florida. We had a great time at Sea World, Kennedy Space Center, Orlando Science Center and Busch Gardens. We even got to spend time with Jon's Uncle and his family. Here we are at Sea World.



Jon and I both love the outdoors. Whether it be playing with family, four wheeling, rock crawling, hiking or camping (rain, snow or shine).

Family Home Evening up Springville Canyon with my family

In January 2003 I was able to introduce Jon to one of my favorite places - Zion's National Park




Four wheeling and sledding up American Fork Canyon



Four Wheeling with friends up American Fork Canyon




Every Easter we head down to Moab for the annual Jeep Safari. Here is a picture of our first crawler. I call it the beast. The beast and I did not get along. I am glad Jon sold this and now we have Old Blue.




One Memorial Day we spent down in Moab. Boy was it hot and miserable.


We enjoy Sunday drives and here we are amongst the falls colors in Springville Canyon



Every September we go camping with Jon's family and friends in the Unitah's. As you can see we endure even the harshest of elements.

Jon and I have even survived building a house together



One of our funnest adventures was a cruise we took in 2007. Here's a picture from my beach chair.

It has been a wonderful eight years and I know the best years are yet to come.

Door to Door

Anyone who really knows me knows that I am wary of strangers (don't ask why, it could be the whole "Don't talk to strangers" thing you learn as a child) and I hate door to door salesmen. If I want to buy something I will take the time to go buy it or I will find it online myself.

The other night Jon and I were on our way to the store and I saw this man all dressed up with a bunch of spray bottles in a neighborhood near ours. I told Jon "the spray bottle guys are back" and I thought to myself that they will probably hit our neighborhood this week. Sure enough I received a knock on my door last night and of course it was while I was trying to prepare dinner. Now I just may be the meanest person, but I have never bought something from a door to door saleman and after they tell what they are selling I immediately tell them that I am not interested. I do this simply for the fact that I do not want to waste their time nor mine. If I were a door to door saleman I wouldn't want somebody to waste my time.

The salesman last night made two mistakes. First off he just assumes what type of person I am. He is a complete stranger to me how does he know what type of person I am. Second he started his schpill by asking if I had ever heard of his company, I told him I had (because a couple of years ago they had come to my door and I said no then too) and then he wanted me to take a pamphlet. Not wanting to waste my time nor waste paper I did not take it and told him I wasn't interested. He then proceeds to tell me how easy it is to accept a piece of paper. He says "I hold it out and you just take it from me, it's that simple". Seriously, is he mocking me now? Like I don't know how to grab a piece of paper? And is this supposed to make me want to buy something from him now? That was the end of that, I smiled said no thank you and closed the door. And now I have to admit that it is sad that he has taken up this much of my time already, but I just had to vent. Also I had to let those of you know (and you know who you are) that it is okay to say no to a door to door salesman if you don't need the product. I lived through it and my wallet thanks me for it.

CAMPFIRE FUN

Saturday night we headed out west with the Browns and Schaeffers to roast hot dogs and have some s'mores. I have been itching to go camping and since that wasn't an option we decided a campfire in the desert would suffice. We decided to invite some friends along to join in the fun.
The more the merrier.

Chad amazed us with his Boy Scout skills by lighting the fire with one match (and no gasoline). Jon and Carson went for a hike with the intent to scare Zach and Drake who made it to the top of the hillside. Jon and Carson reached success and the boys quickly made their way back to the campfire. We played a friendly game of light-up bocci ball and Chad and Brinley were the winners for the night. I think Chad had the advantage of Brinley on his team :)

Overall it was a fun filled night. Good food and great company. Thanks all for the wonderful memories.

A True Princess

I have to admit that I just do not feel like a real "princess". But after seeing this picture I can now live up to being a "princess" at all times. This is more my style. So this is for all you TRUE PRINCESSES out there.