Vacation...

If you could call it that...maybe the term trip would define it better. We were gone for 14 days and saw Appomattox Courthouse, Monticello, Washington D.C., Gettysburg, Palmyra, Niagara Falls, Kirtland, Indiana (my mom's side of family), Carthage, Nauvoo, Kanesville, and Winter Quarters by car. We were waking up early, driving a lot, and getting to bed late. We had originally decided to take the trip because Dave will be teaching Doctrine and Covenants this year in Seminary and had thought that it would be a good thing to see all the places he'd be teaching about. Overall it was an awesome experience. Here are pictures from the U.S. History part of our trip and tomorrow I will do the Church History.

Appomattox Courthouse

Monticello

Mount Vernon

Lincoln Memorial

The Mall

The Holocaust Museum

Smithsonian

Gettysburg

Gettysburg


I had been to all of these places before (except Appomattox Courthouse), but it was Dave's first time. It was an incredible experience to see the history and lives of those who helped to establish our country. We felt the Spirit a number of times as we thought of how God's hand has been here all along. One of my favorites this time around was to see the flag that the Star Spangled Banner was written about. It was powerful to see this old worn flag and to have the great pride in our country. It was especially meaningful this time around because it was just after we celebrated the 4th of July and because of Taylor's recent deployment--being reminded of what he was willing to sacrifice for. So, regardless of the record heat days while in the D.C area, it really was an awesome experience!

June!

more specifically Birthdays and Ragnar.

Dave's Birthday...


My Birthday...


Ragnar

Dave's Van--Their team was made up of Seminary teachers and wives (and a couple of friends). Their name...Run and Not be Weary. What else would you expect!

Waiting for his 3rd leg to start.

The team at the finish line.


(and no Annie, I will not cheat for you...)

Family Reunions

At the beginning of June, right after Dave's school got out, we went with the his family up to Christmas Meadows in the Uintahs. It was great weather while we were. We stayed in a cabin where we watched movies, played minute to win it, and went 4-wheeling(which is the only thing we took pictures of...oops). It was an awesome break.




On the way home we stopped by Provo Falls. They were beautiful. Thanks mom and dad for the wonderful time!!!

The end of July we were able to get all of my family together and meet up with them in Sunny San Diego...unfortunately there was very little sun and about 10 degrees below average! It was still wonderful. We went to the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center, made Smores, went to Sea World (my first time), and played at the beach. It's hard to get us all together so it was fun to be around all the siblings, their spouses and the 18 grandkids! Chaos.

Mormon Battalion VC

Grandkids (this was like the 15th picture to be taken...don't they look happy?)

Dave relaxing!!

Sea World--these nieces and nephew wanted to come home and live with us after this fun filled day!


On the Beach

Crazy Family...really


And here's me and Dave.


It was an awesome trip. So great to be with family. Thanks mom and dad!!!

7 Days of Posts

I have been a bit of a slacker in the blogging world. So my goal is to do one post a day to get caught up! I haven't always been a huge blogger because I felt like blogs are ways of bragging about yourself...but a friend of mine brought up that it's as much, if not more, a picture journal for her family history than anything else. I like that. So I am going to try harder...we'll see how it goes, because I write the same goals in my writing journal and I often fail! Here goes 7 days of posts!

HOME IMPROVEMENT--since the last post was about the bad things that have happened!

Preparing the backyard for a makeover:



The Product: we love it...yes Dave, WE! It's been really nice to have done. We'll go out and read in the hammock and eat dinner on the table. Dave's used the grill we are babysitting for Our brother-in-law while he's in Iraq. And the box in the corner will be a garden next summer!!! It will be fun to do it up a bit more next summer with potted plants and vines.



The other addition in our home is the entertainment center that Dave made with my Dad. It was my parents wedding gift to us...and Dave got to learn more about carpentry. Here's a in the beginning picture:



and some poor side shots of the final...that's okay it's not completely decorated around so when that happens I'll post the final.(Along the wall on the right side of the picture!) It's good to document the progress right?



Well, until tomorrow!

The Joys of Owning a Home

Leaky roof = quarter sized hole in ceiling

Flood in the backyard

that went into the front

Luckily both problems were covered by HOA! So at least we are getting our money's worth out of that monthly payment, right?!

2 Years, One Week, and One Day

...have gone by since being married! My how time flies by. Here are pictures to reminisce...

 

 

 

 

that was then, here is now...




It has been two wonderful years. I am so grateful for Dave--he really is absolutely PERFECT for me. I am glad that I waited!!!

Who'da Thunk?

 

Dave and I have both been accepted into a Master's Program. Dave has been accepted into Utah State's Family Human Development Masters Program, and I have been accepted into University of Utah's Modern Dance Masters Program (some members of my family have disowned me!). Who knows what the future will hold!?!