Mt. Nebo Loop

October 19 - Meet my brother Jeff. He comes up with crazy ideas...lots of them. 

This time he roped my sister, Stephanie and I into one of those crazy ideas. However, I must say that this crazy idea turned into a very fun and memorable excursion. He called me out of the blue one day and said "I want to go on a drive through the Nebo Loop and you can take pictures". He made it happen. The Aspen leaves were at their brilliant yellow peak. It was a beautiful drive.

A picture of the lazy photographer. :)

 Well, here's proof that we did actually get out of the van. :)  We were pretty much the only ones driving this road in the middle of a weekday, except one other car. They were two men in their 30's dressed in business attire. They became our interest as we'd pass them and then they'd pass us. For some reason we tried to figure out their story. Were they on a lunch break? In town for business? It wasn't a rental car so maybe one was from out of town and the other was showing him around? What's your theory?  ;)

We turned a corner and there was Mt. Nebo! It's peak is the highest in Utah. It was beautiful all covered in snow.

 From one point you can see the Utah County valley. That is Utah Lake and Mt. Timpanogos in the distance.

 Another of Jeff's crazy ideas. :) He wanted a picture of him upside down in front of Mt. Nebo. I obliged. :)

Here is part of the group from the viewpoint of the roof of my van. :) McKenna and Ryan were actually along for the ride as well. They were such good kids. They stayed in their car seats for the two-hour ride and stayed so quiet. 

There is a short walk you can take to see "Devil's Kitchen"...an amazing red rock formation. Jeff scouted it out for us and counted his steps, but he was way off. :)

Thanks for the crazy idea, Jeff. I can't wait to hear what you come up with next....but I can't guarantee I'll go along with it. ;)

My Oregon Trip - Day 3

This trip was by far not long enough. It's always hard to enjoy the last day, when the end is looming like a dark cloud overhead. I woke up Sunday morning and my countdown began to the hours and minutes until I had to catch my plane. :( I missed my family like crazy, but I was not ready to go yet. But how could I get too down when there was this cute little guy around. This was an extra special weekend with the blessing of baby Rex. 

My newest nephew on his blessing blanket made by Grandma.

The two stars of the weekend.

My sister and I are both learning the art of photography. We had fun playing with our niece and nephew and they were very patient with us. Laurel is holding a white baby blanket behind Kari. I wish I had taken a picture of that!

Traci is one of those mothers that I hope to become (if I ever grow up). She is kind and patient and does so many amazing things for her family. I truly wish they lived closer so that I could take daily notes from her.

I never want to be the first to leave anything. I want to make sure the party is good and dead before I go. I hate missing out! But it worked out that I was the first to leave. My parents and sister left the next day. After church Scott became tied-up in his bishop duties and, to no fault of his own, missed my goodbye hug. He left me a voicemail which I received once I was to my gate and it made me cry...okay, more like bawl! I had to send myself to the restroom to compose myself. I didn't think it would be so hard to leave. I was happy to return to my family, but I cried several more times the next day as well. We made so many great memories in that short time we had together. Move to Utah...Scott, Traci, Laurel, and Doug!! And there you have it...my trip to Oregon! And it was pure bliss.

My Trip to Oregon - Day 2

The next morning was spent getting ready for Kari's big day! On Saturday, October 9th Kari became a baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! She looked like an angel! 

A mother-daughter shot after braiding her hair.

My brother is the bishop of their ward and he is so loved by the members. It was neat to see him up giving the "Bishops Remarks" after the baptism. Kari has amazing parents!

Little Joel is so stinkin' cute! I wish I could put sound to his pictures because he has the sweetest little voice. He was shy when I first arrived but he was cuddling up next to me by the end. And I had the privilege of entertaining him during the baptism program. We traced his hand about a million times on paper. :) I realize that I don't have many pictures of Kurt from the weekend. He was so fun to chase around the house. Around and around the living room and family room. He is a kind kid that loves to make others happy. Oh, and he has the best giggle!

The whole crowd. We had so much fun with Dick and Jane as well!

Kari found a lady bug while we were taking pictures. She fell in love with that little bug and kept checking on it. She's looking at her bug in this shot, but it also made for a sweet pose.

Kari's baptism bug. :)

After the baptism we returned back to the house and enjoyed each other's company. Kari opened presents from family...lots of family. She is a very loved girl! Scott grilled hot dogs and the kids had a picnic lunch in the backyard, played in the leaves, and roasted marshmallows. The adults talked and talked and it was wonderful! Later in the evening we had a pizza party, chased and tickled the kids, and I colored with Maddie, Kari, and Kurt until their mom sent them to bed. :( 

My Trip to Oregon - Day 1

My sweet little niece, who lives far too far away in Oregon, made the decision to be baptized on October 8, 2011. I really wanted to support her big day. My loving husband agreed and a fun trip was born! I left on Thursday, October 6th. Flying all alone was very exciting and it made me realize how much Dave does for me when we travel. It was just me! Flying alone is far more simple than hauling kids and their belongings. I sat peacefully in my seat, entertained just me, and even took a few pictures. Bliss....well, until the turbulence started...the worst I've ever experienced. The captain even called off the beverage service and the attendants frantically returned to their seats. I will admit that I said a few prayers. It was scary.

 My parents also drove out for the weekend and picked me up at the Portland airport on the way through. My brother, Scott and his wife, Traci let me stay with them and I loved reconnecting with their family. I got to be a fun aunt since I didn't have my own kids to watch after. And another treat...My sister, Laurel and her family arrived late that evening from Colorado.

The next day we drove to the beautiful Oregon coast and stopped at a few sites. 

 We visited the Hatfield Marine Science Center. It was a small aquarium, but there was a lot to see. This exhibit allowed us to touch the sea anemones.

My brother Scott, nephew Ethan, nephew Joel.

 

 From there we drove to Yaquina Bay and saw the tide pools at low tide. It was so awesome to see and touch anemones and starfish in real nature. I finally got the guts to stick my finger in an anemone and the yucky suction feeling made me scream and pull my finger out. They asked us not to pull fast, but it was a reflex...sorry little guy. Kari was my little buddy at the tide pools. I had fun exploring with her.

My mom and sister, Laurel at the Yaquina Bay tide pools.

The shore was covered in these black rocks. I think my mom said it was Basalt. I wanted to take some home but it was a protected park. Blast.

Nephew Joel, Brother Scott, Sister-in-Law Traci, Nephew Rex (under Traci's coat), Nephew Kurt, and Niece Kari

 I cannot describe the excitement of our next stop. We walked up the path from the tide pools to a LIGHTHOUSE!!! I don't know why I have such a fascination with them, but I've wanted to see one as long as I can think of. This was my first! If I recall correctly, I'm pretty sure I did an actual happy dance when I saw it. They are just so amazing to see...and just as fun to photograph!

View from the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

Our last stop of the day was Lincoln City. We drove our cars down onto the beach and watched the tide come in. I love watching ocean waves!

What?! I really missed him, okay!

My parents and me.

My sweet niece, Kari and me, at Lincoln City beach.

As you can see from the pictures, there was a light mist the entire day and by the end of it, we were soaked. We drove up to a fun little restaurant and enjoyed soup and salad. Such a fun day! I kept saying how much I wanted to bring my family back here someday and I still plan on it!