Easter

Boy am I behind. It has been over two months and I am just writing about our Easter trip to Moab. Besides some rowdy campers we had a good time. I think if the same group goes next year we may need to find a new place to camp. Staying up till two in the morning listening to loud music is not my idea of fun. I was in bed at a decent time but the tent unfortunately does not muffle any outside noise therefore keeping me up till the wee hours of the morning. If I don't get my beauty rest I am a grumpy soul in the morning. Normally this particular party group is off camping elsewhere and then meet up with the rest of us to run trails during the day. But for some reason this year they decided to camp with us. This year we did Pritchett Canyon, Hell's Revenge, Metal Masher and multiple trips to the Pickle. This was my father-in-law's first time wheeling in Moab, so Jon spent time helping him on each trail, spotting him and letting him get a feel for his vehicle and how it reacts on the rocks.

Our first day there it snowed in the morning. We went to the arena to walk around the vendor booths and then by afternoon it had stopped snowing and a few of us decided to go on Hell's Revenge. There were only four vehicles in our group and not many people were out on the trail so we made it through fairly quick. We would have done it faster but Jimbo ended up breaking down and Jon had to tow him out. We still had a good time though. I was being lazy with the camera this day and didn't take any pictures.

The next day we did Pritchett Canyon. This is a favorite of Zach Sweeney's so almost every trip we end up doing this trail. This time we didn't do the whole trail and turned around at rocker knocker. I like to finish the trails instead of turning around but I'm not driving and I would rather stay with the group then go off by ourselves.

Jon's Dad

Claire Bear

Jon's Dad and Gaylon

Zach's old and new vehicles

Jon climbing a hill he despises, so much so he won't let anybody ride with him

Molly

The next day was the big trail day for those on guided tours. We knew that all the trails would be closed so we didn't do much in morning just went crawling out by our campsite. By afternoon we made our way to the start of Rusty Nail but it was still closed so we decided to go on Metal Masher. The day was overcast and cold but we had our new soft top on to make it warm inside the vehicle. With it being so cold I did not want to get out and take pictures, so no pictures this day either.

Before we packed up to go home we ran the Pickle one last time.

Entrance to the Pickle

Happy Easter!!

Narrowly getting through

We look so little compared to Zach's

Zach's old pulling new - new got stuck

Jon climbing the last hill

And he's out

Jon's dad climbing the last hill

Miss Bree

Overall it was a good trip. On future trips I would like to experience different trails but again it is better to stay with the group.

Free Tulips

Last fall Jon got some topsoil from a friend for our garden. We spread some of it in one of our garden boxes but most of it is still in a pile. I recently noticed tulips coming up out of the dirt. That was unexpected, but delightful. I like tulips and free ones are even better. In all I found about 10 bulbs - not bad. I wasn't sure exactly where I wanted to plant them so I transplanted them into a planter. I sure hope they make it. They are looking a little sad now but I think they will perk up.

I love this dog

Last year our neighbors got a dog. She is just the cutest thing. If I had a dog I would want it to be just like her. Every night when I come home from work she runs over to the fence to greet me. Often times I will go over and pet her (which she loves)and sometimes I even give her a doggie treat (which she loves even more). Jon has even bought a couple of toys for the dog to go fetch. She has the fetch part down but she doesn't always bring them back to Jon. If we are ever out in the yard working she will give us a gentle bark so we know that she is there and wants some attention. If we ignore her she will get a little bit louder until we acknowledge her. Often times we see her barking at the birds, bugs in the dirt and of course any dog that passes by. I think we got the best deal on this dog. We get to play with it and pet it all we want with out having to take care of it, feed it, clean up after it etc. She really is a cutie.

Soft Top

Jon has been wanting a soft top for his 4-Runner for a very long time. There just always seemed something more important to buy, fix up, etc that we never bought one - till now. I wanted to surprise Jon with it, but I am horrible at keeping stuff from him (I tell him everything) and I couldn't keep this from him.

I ordered it, it arrived in two days and later that week Jon and his dad installed it. Looks good!!


When we go wheeling we take the top off the 4-Runner, unless we are wheeling in the snow. The hard top adds a lot of extra weight, and extra weight on top makes a huge difference when out rock crawling. This soft top will reduce the weight as well as keep in some needed heat when it is chilly outside.

I have the best husband

I always clean the house on Saturday. Is it because I grew up always cleaning on Saturday or maybe it's the Primary song I learned as a child? You know the one "Saturday is a special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday. We clean the house...." I've thought about changing the day to a weekday but I never want to clean the house after coming home from work. Anyways, back to why my guy is so great. The past few months he has really pitched in and helped me clean the house each week. He will dust, vacuum, sweep, mop, do the dishes, basically anything except clean the bathrooms. Hey, I will take it. Bathrooms don't bother me so much because I grew up cleaning the bathroom every week. With his help each week this gives us more time to play on Saturdays! I love him, he's the best!

For the Birds

Last Saturday I was up making my bed and all I can hear is constant chirping coming from outside. I take a look and our backyard is covered with birds. I guess my lawn must be full of worms because they were pecking the ground like this might be their last meal. I run downstairs so I can take a picture to show Jon. I open the door very quietly so as not to disturb the hungry birds but the second I opened that door they all flew away. I knew they would be back, they're hungry after all. They did come back, but not nearly as many. This time I decided to take a picture through the window. I really enjoyed the listening to the birds it gave me hope that spring is on it's way and then eventually SUMMER!! Can't wait.

Can't Seem to Let Go

The other day I was doing my weekly shopping and on my list (yes I love lists, can't go to the store without one) was my usual facial moisturizer. I go to the isle it is always located in and I can't seem to find it. I start scouring the whole isle, my eyes passing every single product. It is nowhere to be seen. I start checking the other isles "just in case" but who was I kidding I knew it wouldn't be there. So I find an employee and ask if they have it. Just my luck, the employee doesn't speak English very well and doesn't really understand what I am asking. I then go on my way resolved to just buy it at another store.

Easier said than done. The next day I went to two local grocery stores as well as Target and Smith's and scoured their isles but to no avail. I then search the internet but every site says it is out of stock. Then I see the word - the thing that I have been suspecting but dreading DISCONTINUED. WHAT?!?!?! I have used this product for years how could they just up and discontinue it? When you're attached it is hard to let go.

Now I am left with the daunting task of finding a replacement. My sensitive, dry skin in combination with our harsh winters as well as my frugality will make this a challenge. So if you see me and my face is bright red or my skin is flaking off from lack of hydration please know that I'm working on it and just haven't found the right combination.

As a side note I do know there are more important issues in life besides my moisturizer but this little rant will help me let go and move on - who knows maybe I'll find something better.