Teachers on Vacation

In July I got to go camping up to Red fish Lake with some of my friends that teach school with me. I had been up there once before with my family and remembered having a good time, but this time I was really able to enjoy the scenery. It was beautiful.....and very hot!

Day one we drove up there and set up camp just past Red Fish but still by a lake. We walked around the lake and sat on the edge and put our feet in. It was fun to talk to all my school friends and hear about their summer activities. We also had a birthday party for Amy and played games like who knows Amy the best. I did not do so well at that game....well in fact I lost.

On day two we went on a 7 mile hike. It wasn't a difficult hike but it was a very hot day. As you can see from the picture below I had to move a few bolders and clear a path to our destination.

Along the way we were followed by a small fox, but we finally made it to the third Lake, which was our Destination.

It was a short trip but lots of fun, and one of the most beautiful places I have been so far in my life adventures. Hopefully I won't have to wait another 20 years before I go back.

Aloha!

On my birthday last year I won a trip to Hawaii. I was excited in June when I actually got to use it and on June 14th, two days after Jessica's Wedding. I was on my way to the Hawaii Island of Oahu. I got to go with family and friends. Lacie, and
my sister Erin and her husband Todd
and Todd's sister Emily and her husband Matt all came along to enjoy the fun.

While we were in Hawaii we got to Hike both Diamond Head (an old Volcano) and Waimea Water Fall.

We stopped at food stands on the side of the road and tried fresh coconut milk.

We went to the Dole Plantation and became one with the landscaping as we took this picture.

We got to go snorkling at Hanama bay, and even though it took me awhile to get the hang of breathing through a tube while being under water. I am happy to say I finally got the hang of it and was able to see some beautiful fish underwater. I even got to meet a huge sea turtle which could manuver much better under water then I could.

We went to the PCC and learned about the Polenisian Islands and some of their culture. We were amazed with their strength, gracefulness, and musicality as they entertained us all day long.

We got to see the temple that is just down the street from the PCC and the BYU Hawaii campus.

Here is a picture of the Arizona Memorial from our Helicopter ride. It was fun to see it from the air after we had visited Pearl Harborthe day before.

We got to walk around and see the different ships that are at Pearl Harbor as we waited for our ticket time to visit the Arizona Memorial. This was one of the hottests days that we were in Hawaii, so we spent much time in the air conditioned gift shop.

But more then anything that we did my favorite time spent was at the beach. I loved swimming in the salt water, laying on the warm sand, and walking on the beach and feeling the sand on my feet. Why did I love Hawaii???

The food was so good. I tried Thai food for the first time, we had the yummiest polish dogs at the Puka Dog, we visited Leanords Bakery and had Malasadas(YUM YUM, mango was our favorite), we also had great luau food at the PCC, and sometimes we just made sandwiches in our Condominium.

The flowers were amazing, the colors were viberant and they smelt wonderful.

It was beautiful

And a whole lot of fun :)

Brandon and Jessica's Wedding

I recently went home to celebrate the wedding of my sister Jessica. It was fun to get to see everyone. I have four sisters and we all got to come home for the wedding.

They came with their cute families so let me introduce them for those of you who do not know and some of you who haven't seen them in a while.

Stephanie and Jason have two kids and live in....just kidding promised not to tell :)

Erin and Todd have three kids. One had just gotten up from a nap and was not into getting her picture taken, even after the promise of a new barbie. Can you guess which one this is?

We were all glad that Kerie got to come but sad that she had to leave half her family home. She came with one kid in tow and dad at home with the other. J

essica married Brandon K to add another in-law to the family.

My mom and dad right before the reception, looking very relaxed but nearing exhaustion.

Jessica wanted to be able to involve all of us in the wedding festivities so in the three days that we were at my parents home we did it all: shower, dinner with the new in-laws, hair, made food, decorate the gym and the wedding day rituals. WARNING: This blog is a little lengthy as I run through the days leading up to the wedding.

2 Days before the Wedding

Today we had much to do to prepare for the wedding. Jessica would like to have the reception in the back yard so we are preparing the house and yard for lots of guests.

Jill came to the house and we all got our hair done. She was at the house all day long.

Made dinner and ate with the new in-laws.

... and still had fun.

One Day Before the Wedding

Today we had the bridal Shower,

these are the moms with the bridethe quilt mom made for Jess

Bridal shower games! Make a wedding dress out of toilet paper!

Bridal Shower Treats...Yummy!

I went to Mindy's to make the piggy's in a blanket, But I did most of the work ;)

They liked doing it so much that they made more for themselves the next day...Crazy!

and we decorated the church because it was still cold and rainy and it didn't look like we would be able to have and outside reception.

the best wedding coordinator

The Wedding DAY

Jessica and her bridesmaids had a slumber party the night before the wedding at the house and all got ready together in the morning. That morning Jessica needed to be at the temple by 9:30, she was up at 5. A high school friend of Jessica's did her hair and

then it was off to the temple....in the rain.

When they came out of the temple it was still cold and raining but we were able to get a few pictures in before heading to the luncheon.

It was fun to see the nieces and nephews watch Jessica come out of the temple. They could not take their eyes off her, but that didn't mean that they wanted their picture taken with her.

The luncheon and reception were wonderful.

We got to see family and friends and have fun together.

Congratulations Bradon and Jessica, and thanks for a wonderful day.