ODE TO A DOUBLE CHIN

Double Chin, Double Chin
Where on earth did you begin?
Was it the ice cream, chocolates and chips
That tasted so good on my lips?
One day you showed up on my face
I wish you'd find some other place
You just hang there
As if to say "I don't care"
But wait, what is that I see
Your source is from the sting of a bee
"Oh thank Heaven" I say
You'll be gone in seven days

That's right, I now have a double chin thanks to a small honey bee. Sunday I was out with my father-in-law looking at his honey bees. It was cloudy and windy and bees are very testy in such weather conditions. My father-in-law was moving some of the boxes and as soon as he told me that the bees would get feisty one came up and got me under my chin. I didn't even see it or hear it buzzing around and wham it got me good. I started running away hollering and flailing my arms about trying to keep other attackers away. In my defense there were two more buzzing around in my hair. All my father-in-law could do was just laugh at me. Because I was running around like a mad woman I didn't get the stinger out fast enough and now I am dealing with a double chin that itches like crazy. As if the double chin weren't bad enough, the skin is all red making it much more noticeable. So hopefully by the end of the week it will be gone and I'll be back to my single chin.

Aunt Sharon

Jon's Aunt Sharon was in town two weeks ago. She was on the move from California to Tennessee and made a short stop in Utah to visit family. Aunt Sharon has a laid back personality and is fun to be around. Of course we had to introduce her to our family pastime. Here are some pictures of our adventure.

I Survived!

Yesterday my friend and I went down south for some family business of hers. We made it down there okay but as we were coming into Wellington a lady decided to make a left hand turn right in front of us. We were going about 40-50 mph, my friend slammed on the brakes and tried to swerve out of the way but the lady still wasn't watching and we plowed right into her. I think that if the other lady had applied her brakes when we started to swerve we would have missed each other. The lady came out in tears and felt so bad. We all walked away with just aches and bruises.

Since my friend swerved she didn't have much damage to her car. The other car was not so lucky and had even caught on fire. My friend's car was able to start and we thought she would be able to drive it home but the bumper got pushed into the tire. A tow truck driver was able to pull it out and then we started down the road. As we were driving it was apparent that we would not be able to drive it home as the transmission was out. Luckily she had seen a friend drive by (I know how strange is that) and she got a hold of him and he was able to drive us back home. It took almost three hours before we left Wellington to head home. It made for quite an adventure and a very long day.

It was my first real accident and I'm happy to say I only came out with a small bruise on my knee. Hopefully it's my first and last!

Here is my friend's car



And here is the other car

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.