Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Moab and Friends

L.O.V.E going to Moab, UT. Twice in one month...I'm liking this concept! I've always thought Moab was too far away (6 hours with stops and pulling a trailer). I don't know what mental block I was having, cuz this twice in a month idea was G.R.E.A.T! Especially one with kids, and then next with friends. And 6 hours???? Come on, really - that's a walk in the park. So if you've not been to Moab - try it! It doesn't require 4-wheelers or a jeep. There are lots of hikers and bicyclist too. But if your one of those - watch out for my dust, cuz a 4-wheeler is the only way for me! :) My order of priorities is my camera (a.k.a. my baby), my 4-wheeler (also a.k.a. my baby), then my family! (just kidding of course... kind of). ;)

This trip we brought some neighbor friends who had heard of us talking about our 4-wheeling trips to Moab, but had never been there. So Ira became their tour guide, and we had a great time - and got to know these neighbors pretty well. Nothing like a trip together to get to know people better! But as the saying goes...what happened in Moab stays in Moab. Now neither of these other couples reads my blog, so I really could spill the beans - but I'll just use that information as black mail if needs be. Just kidding of course. But I will say...it was fun getting to know them better.

Oh, and one more thing. I think I met my match in taking as many pictures as me. I thought Roger took more pictures then me. But as I counted them, I still came out ahead. (I don't think that's a good thing). But it was so great having everyone wait for someone other then just me to take pictures. That being said...this is your warning of a picture overload.

If you've been to Moab - you've probably been to "Top of the World". One of the things I love about Moab is being reminded of God's creations all around. It is absolutely breath taking (for more reasons then one I might add. You'll know what I mean when you see some pictures below).


Our riding companions:

LuAnne and Sheraton Peterson Marilyn and Roger Douglas
Roger and Ira have become very close in their church service together. Roger has taken Ira under his wing, and taught him and led him. He has become more like a father or brother for Ira, and they are quite a pair. They seem to share the same thoughts, and sense of humor. I have learned that when they are together...I'll never understand what all the chuckles are about.
Sheraton on the edge - Ira playing it a little safer (good thing - cuz I'd a killed him if getting that close didn't kill him first!). It made my stomach sick to see Sheraton getting that close. He claims he had plenty of room - not from where I was standing, he didn't. That is a 3000 foot drop off - maybe we forgot to tell him that part, just in case he couldn't see it himself!


Gemeni Bridges



Tusher Tunnels.

This tunnel goes straight through the mountain to the other side. The top picture is one side, the bottom picture is taken showing the other side. Since I'm not good with distances - I don't know how long the tunnel is, but it's quite long.
The desert was almost in bloom - but not quite. There was one small group of cactus that was in bloom - I think cuz it knew Roger and I were there to take it's picture. I had always wanted to see cactus in bloom.






One of the wonderful things about Moab is getting away from the cold of Cache Valley. Unfortunatly, this trip was FREEZING! It even snowed a few times on us. Bbbbrrrrrrr!!!!

But I still would go in a heartbeat - even in the snow!I had like 5 layers on, and winter gloves, and was barely warm enough. Bummer time to try to get away from the cold of Cache Valley!
Our last day - Ira was determined to wear shorts. He says it's not a vacation unless he can wear shorts. Luckily for him, it didn't snow - we actually saw blue sky - and it reached about 60 degrees!








We went around that thin ledge at Chicken corners - not as scary as it seemed when looking at it from a distance. But still had to hold onto the ledge. This was me with Roger Douglas.

Good thing I have hair wings in case I fall off the edge - I can fly!




This is what happens when your having a little too much fun! Here's Sheraton at home all casted up. He rolled his bike on the second day, and broke his wrist. He still drove for the rest of that day and another day like that. I can't imagine the pain he was in, but didn't complain! He claims he loved every bit of it - and would do it all again. I wonder if his employers feel that way since he needs both hands to work, and can't go back for 6 weeks! (silly picture - he's trying to get away from my camera).




Wednesday, April 21, 2010

It's Raining or...

It seems most of my funny conversation posts are with Jarin - he's such a character. Todays comment went something like this:...oh, first I have to set up the surroundings. We were in the car, and it was a downpour. Then Jarin said...

"Mom, why are the clouds peeing on us?"

So how's a mom supposed to respond to that one? I'm asking...how?!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

What I call fun...

*being hot

*getting a sunburn

*being dirty from head to toe

*dust getting in my eyes, hair, nose, ears, teeth, etc...
*achy shoulders, back and uummmm...ya - achy EVERYTHING!

*eating dirt
*finding trees, or sagebrush to call a latrine

CAMPING/4-WHEELING/HIKING ...It doesn't get any better then that!!! (Especially when it's in warm, sunny Moab for 4 days). GOTTA LUV IT!!!!


Jarin was winking at me in this picture...what a "ladies man"
My dirty Kamden




Emi riding her motorcycle










Left over from an old mining camp







Ira caught "Freddy" for the kids to play with. Good thing we talked them into letting Freddy go back home!



Notice Kam's smile? Take a GOOD look! This is one of two pictures we have of him where he isn't crying! He was being SO stubborn, and independent. Didn't want to be held or helped AT ALL! However, he did do really good when he was on the 4-wheeler. That is a change from last year. Last year, he would cry almost the whole time. This time he insisted on his hands being on the steering wheel, so he was "driving". Made it a bit tricky at times.
I think we have another "biking-baby" on our hands. I call that successful parenting! :)


Welcome Spring...hahaha

I know there's a reason I love living in Cache Valley so much - but on days like this, it's hard to remember what that reason is. This picture was at our city Easter Egg hunt. Bbbbrrrrrrrr!!!
Welcome to Cache Valley spring! Oh wait...you took a detour. But I will embrace you with open arms when you decide to come for a visit. This project is always done outside - but not this year. Thank goodness for bleach!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

April Fools!

Mother Nature played a cruel April Fools joke on us.
NOT FUNNY!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Time Out

Is this the expression a little boy in time-out should be making? Am I doing something wrong here?

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Mom's "Play" time

It seems like I am always having the funniest conversations with Jarin. He's just a great kid. So here was our conversation yesterday...

Jarin: I don't like to do jobs

Me: Me neither, but we have to do them

Jarin: You do too like cleaning, all moms do

Me: We don't like to clean, but we have to so our homes look and feel nice

Jarin: When moms clean, that is your play time.

Me: (speechless)...then UNCONTROLLABLE LAUGHTER!!!!

So let me get this straight...when I tell my kids to get to work, they think that's my way of playing with them. Aaahhhh...I like this concept. I'm killing two birds with one stone - quality time with my kids, AND getting my house clean!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I took Emilie on a girl date last weekend. I decided to surprise her with it. So after school on Friday, I told her to pack her bags, and off we went. We went to Salt Lake City, and met up with Emilie's best friend, Lindsay. We went to their favorite restaurant, Golden Corral. (side note: I really DON'T like Golden Corral - too much food and not enough self-control = SICK!). The girls wanted to go to Toys R Us - where they ran through the aisles begging to buy toys. (the answer remains "Do YOU have money to buy that?). Then Emi and I were off to our Hotel. We did all the fun stuff we girls do...getting lost at the hotel trying to find the hot tub, soaking in the hot tub (heavenly), jumping on the bed, and sleeping soundly through the entire night. Room service and a spa treatment would have been nice, but...we had to save something for the next girls date (just kidding Ira)! And what do girls do best when we get together??? We eat and laugh! So that is what we did. We got the giggles when the guy sitting across the aisle from us kept doing the "farmer blow", over and over and over. It was so unbelievable, that it became hilarious. He even had a CLEAN paper napkin sitting on his table!Then off we went on the Trax to the Disney On Ice show.

After the show we went to Temple Square, where we watched the movie on Joseph Smith and the restoration. I was so glad we went to it. I had seen it several times, but I think I really needed the message right now. I so admire Joseph and Emma and the early members of the church - for their endurance through all the trials they faced. It was a good reminder to me that no "sacrifice" is too great for the Lords work. And that anything I have been asked to endure doesn't even hold a candle to what those early saints endured. This church is not Joseph Smith's church. It is Jesus Christs church. However, I love Joseph Smith and his sweet wife, Emma. I hope someday to meet them and personally thank them for the things they went through so that I could have the knowledge that I have.

No girl trip would be complete without some shopping at a mall (personally, I really don't like malls - but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!...painful as it may be). We found this "gotta have it" hat for Emi. CUTE!!! (the hat's cute too :) ).


Also: a definent MUST on any girl trip...KRISPY KREAM DONUTS!!!! I haven't had one of those in many years - I think they have an entire days calories in one donut - but OH YUMMY! (so I had 2!!!!)

Thanks for the fun date Emi Girl.