My 'stay'cation blues

Jon and I got back late last night from a 3 day trip to southern Utah with my family. It was a struggle to get it planned and to make sure everyone could meet and make the time we had picked out. It's difficult gathering 4 families and a total of 15 people together-but oh boy, was it worth it. We had such an amazing time; it really brought each and everyone of us together again. We had kind of lost that family touch but I feel like the last three days mended what had been taken from us. I am amazed by God's country and the opportunities we have to view it and experience it as a whole. The sights we saw were truly magical. It was fun for me to reminisce back to times when I had seen these areas before and an honor to show Jon Utah's playground for the first time.
Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
I love this place. I remember being a little girl climbing around in the formations pretending they were my houses. Jon had a heyday here; his legs were sore the next day from all the jumping and leaping he did from rock to rock.

The kids thorougly enjoyed climbing all over Goblin Valley. It was really hot and they didn't last long. We were able to get all the boys minus Dad & Ethan up on this Goblin and I stole a picture of them being silly. Kirk, Jaden, Jon, Nate, & Codey.

Here is an opening to an old uranium mine just north of Temple Mountain. It was discovered in 1898 and there are still remnants of the town and people that once lived there. It is almost eery looking into these old mines, most are fenced or gated off now because of the dangers one could face if they entered these 100+ year constructions.
Dead Horse Point, Utah Here's Mom, Dad, & me standing on the legendary Dead Horse Point, where once cowboys herded mustangs onto this 2,000 foot high rock cliff ledge. They picked the ones they wanted and left the others to die coralled there without any water. The views were amazing from this height. This was my favorite part of the trip.
Here's Jon being a smart ass on the very top of the 2,000 ft. high rocky cliff ledge. Jon pushed me to the limit by getting as close to the edge as possible. (He likes to live dangerously or prove he's macho) Everytime I'd catch him pulling these types of stunts my own knees would get wobbly. At one point I heard a lady yell "Suicide, what are you doing?!" I looked at my Dad & said "Let me guess, that's my husband she's yelling at..." & sure enough it was. Turns out he was hanging off the edge on his belly throwing a huge boulder over so he could watch & hear it fall.


'Double Arch' @ Arches National Park I couldn't believe how many arches there were in this park. This was my first time experiencing this recreation. The process of how they form this way is incredible. I noticed while passing others how many different languages and accents I heard, it left me feeling big headed because I live in such a beautiful state that has much to offer. Lucky me.
Jon in the opening at 'Double Arch'. He made me very nervous by being up there but I am so glad I was able to capture this shot.

'Delicate Arch' of the most famous at Arches National Park. We weren't able to hike the treacherous 2 miles with the little ones so we decided to take the smaller hike up to the "Upper View Point" We spent some time up on the rocks and it was peaceful.
Jon caught me gazing at the landscape from the rocks at the "upper view point". Like I said it was very peaceful. I gathered my thoughts here and thought about how thankful I was to have my whole family with me.
We stopped on the way home at Nine Mile Mountain and rode the four wheelers for a bit. It was fun going from hot weather and redrock to fall-like weather and pine trees. I drove Atti around on the machine and she didn't like it very much. She was shaking, but I made her tough it out. I'm a mean mom, I know.


Jon & I after going up a neat canyon in Nine Mile. I love him so much. He blends in w/ my family so well, he was meant for us.


Just the 5 of us as we started out. We have grown tremendously but every once in awhile I like to showcase just the 'roots'.


All in all the trip was a success. I had a great time and I'm looking forward to going again sometime in the future. The most important part to me was spending the time with my family and creating an everlasting memory. Hopefully this summer I will have much more to come!

San Diego

Jon and I had ourselves a little Spring getaway to San Diego, California. We decided to tag along with my Dad to his auction down there, which afterwards my Mom decided to go too. It was nice to reconnect with them, it feels weird not living at home anymore...sometimes I forget to call and I know that makes them feel bad. We were only gone for 5 days but it felt like we were gone for ages. Those are the kind of trips I like, I hate it when they fly right by. It was neat to see the auction process and I was able to spend some good quality time with my Mom, browsing thrift stoors and the neat malls they have in Cali. It was nice for Jon and I too, we haven't done much lately, we've been saving our wad of cash flow (I wish it were truely a wad) for the summer months and home updates. We ate some really good food and Jon got to see the ocean again which I think is one of his favorite things. Dont tell him I said so though ;) I am amazed by different culture-even experiencing it just two states away. The people there were so friendly (unlike Utah)my mom and I got several comments on our nails, outfits, just personal outerappearance etc. Lots of people said their "hello's" too which isn't a familiar trait here in Utah unless you know someone. There we were complete strangers but still received what we called "special treatment". Which is sad, because it shouldn't be special treatment at all, it should just be the norm. But anyway even the vegetation in California suprised me, their landscaping is so beautiful and not only are their palms something we don't get, but they had several different trees that I noticed as well. Here we have our pines and quakies, it's just natural to us here, but I'm sure to visitors they notice the difference the way I did within their environment. Needless to say we had a wonderful time, here are a few pictures to share our experience.

Where we stayed our first night...

Mom and I on our day of shopping....

The trailor loaded up after the auction...

Jon and I @ Seaport Village...

A beautiful shop next to Mission Bay....

Nothing like bare feet at the beach...

I got soaked up to my knees!

Jonny looking sexy...

my FABULOUS fav. five

So I'm sure we all have our celebrity crushes, here are mine:

Teddy Geiger: There is something about him that's appealing to me. He seems like he would be really sweet.

Robert Pattinson: Let's face it ladies, we all want a piece of edward.

Ryan Gosling: He's got that grunge appeal, I was hooked after 'The Notebook'

Andy Samberg: Ok, ok...I realize he's not the most attractive character out of the bunch, but he makes me laugh and that's always a turn on.

Brad Pitt: I don't think I really need to explain why...it is what it is. He's gorgeous.

Some things never change

...oh, but they do.

I can look back on the past five years of my life and I see extreme change. It's been on my mind lately anyway, but its funny the things that happen to bring what's changed to the surface of my brain evermore. I ran into a gal that I used to work with @ Union Grill, aw, my first job-such memories. I was only 18 years old then, so naive, and close to clueless on what it was like to be responsible for something. In ways I envy who I was then, I constantly envy my past which is a continuous problem and also not what I'd like to touch on right now...so moving on...
Jon and I had a conversation about how we're always living for tomorrow. Everybody is always pushing to get through today. I think what happens to most of us is that we forget we are living today. Today is as much a part of your life as tomorrow will be, or the next day. I know I'm guilty for living for my weekends. Do I enjoy myself more on the weekends? Well sure, but I'd like to start enjoying everyday as I do my weekends. Even though work is involved, I should be able to remind myself to enjoy a minor part of each passing day. If you want to get severely deep into this and be technically frank...if you think about it, each day that passes only leads you closer to your inevitable death. A sick thought, but an eye opener I think. All of us should start slowing down, smell the roses, watch the sunset-or if you're ambitious the sunrise. Joy can be found in so many things that we take for granite. It makes complete sense to me now that when I was younger I was anxiously awaiting being older, and now that I'm older I'm wishing I could go back to my younger days again. If I would have slowed down back then I would have been able to better enjoy the things that I had no idea would change, the people that would come and go. It's a great lesson I've learned the hard way. I'm going to make a point to start living today and living just how I want to. Take this advice or leave it, but I'm going to be vain and say this is very good advice.

Folks, what was once the title to a great soap opera...'these are the days of our lives,' your life. Start realizing it. Live for today, and everyday after that.

Shout OUT! to my Sarah Clydie

I'm envious of this young gal, she's much smarter than I was at the age of fifteen.
Like her, I am the youngest child in my family and it wasn't long ago that I remember the time when my siblings were getting married and moving on in their life and I just felt sort of left behind. I am unsure if Sarah feels this way, but I'm sure she can relate a little bit. I went through my rebellious teen phase where family came second to friends and popularity, only to realize later on in my life that family should always come first. Over numerous occasions Sarah has proven to me that she understands the concept of family already and she does what she can to pull us all together, and might I mention what a grueling task this can be. I find now that I am the one in my immediate family doing what I can to plan trips, game nights, dinners out...or any opportunity for my family to spend quality time together. It isn't easy getting several different lives to meet together all the same night and at the same time, but when you do it is more than worth it.
Last weekend Sarah planned a poker night for all of us and believe it or not we were all able to make it. We had an amazing night-had the parents up until 1:30am, and laughed until we cried. It's an everlasting memory I'll have all thanks to you Ms. Sarah. You are such a beautiful and strong girl...I just wanted you to know that somebody notices.
I love you, sis. :)

mY baby girl

Attika is the sweetest thing since chocolate; I had surgery last Friday and she has hunkered down right by my side through recovery. Now I know one can argue, Atti is normally always lazy (most dogs typically are) but for some reason she's been extra sweet and has shared "camp couch" with me this entire time. There is just something about a dog's love. Thanks Atti, mama appreciates your compassion.

Jon has been equally as supportive, taking care of poor pathetic me. He took me for a ride up the Ogden Canyon on Saturday, it was beautiful. Here are a few cool shots from that trip.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.. ya filthy animal...

The build up to the holidays is the best, when the actual day finally gets here it just flies on by. I can't believe all the preparation you go through and how quickly its all over. I'm glad I was able to watch my favorite holiday films though, my favs:
1. Christmas Vacation
2. A Christmas Story
3. Home Alone 1 & 2
4. Rudolph (the classic cartoon)
5. Elf
6. The Grinch who stole Christmas (the classic cartoon)
Spending the time with family and loved ones made it best of all for me. I'm so glad everyone is healthy and that we are able to create special memories with one another.

Now that 2009 is here I am looking forward to a fresh start. 2008 had its ups and downs, but I'm really looking forward to leaving it in the past. Hello new year and new life! I can't wait!

Powell: My Heaven

Ever since I can remember my family and I have been going down to Lake Powell. Being that its located in the very state I live in and that it's also one of my favorite places to vacation makes it nice for me. As far as I'm concerned there isn't any place like it; the way the glistening blue green fades into the calcium deposited white of water levels past, and finally into the ever famous russet brown and black that dominates Southern Utah.



I could list a hundred reasons why I love this place:
1. sun
2. beautiful
3. hot
4. relaxing
5. memorable
The lake is so powerful in all of its 186 miles. Sometimes the feelings I get are indescribable when I'm down there. The open aired freedom of the water, the sun, and the sky gives anyone the ability to breath. Breath deep and sure. The last time we were down there it was almost like therapy for me. Like I had checked into a rehabilitation center where I could completely be myself. Previous to our trip my grandmother passed away- literally days before we left, and last summer was close to hell. I've had a pretty eventful year. The night before we left we had to attend a friend's wedding and I was able to stand up for myself towards two supposed "friends" of mine, a first for me-it was a liberating experience. (and too long of a story to tell) I appreciated that I had this beautiful place to mull over my past, present, and future feelings. This time around I was able to breeze through the first two books of the Twilight Saga, I tanned, I swam, ate good food...I took it all in and God it was great.

If I had to chose my serenity, here is where it would be:
Here are a few pictures of my time down there:

Attika and I on a boat ride. It was so cute-she loved being in the sun, she instantly fell asleep.

All of us that went. We hiked up to Rainbow Bridge.

Nate (my brother) and I while we were exploring Face Canyon.

Playing Polish Poker. The only cute one at this table is Bree. lol.

Attika and Ketta on their first boat ride. They loved it.

Bree and I on our hike.

Gunsight Butte, where we camped. The houseboat.

Jon and the girls @ Dangling Rope Marina.

Our last night there just over the wall someone put on the most amazing firework show. It was incredible.

Jon and I.

Creating our own firework show.

Where I spent most of my time reading Twilight.

A beautiful place.