The Gorge

My childhood was filled with wonderful trips to places like Lake Powell, Flaming Gorge, Southern Utah, Redwoods, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon...and many others. If there were science lessons to be learned, beautiful hikes to take, impressive land features to see, adventures to be had, and most of all fish to catch at a particular place we probably traveled there. Looking back on it now, I feel so fortunate to have had those kind of experiences. My parents were kind enough to invite us on a trip to Flaming Gorge a couple of weeks ago. After a long school year, a break was very much needed for Heath and my Dad. My Mom and I got talking during the trip about how refreshing it is to relive childhood experiences. She just got back from Hawaii and body surfing there took her back to the days she spent in the surf while vacationing in France as a little girl. This trip did the same thing for me. I felt the child-like adventurous side of me come back- especially when Heath and I were on top of a 35 ft cliff or while we were wrestling for position on the tube, hanging out on the boat while the fishermen caught fish after fish, or when my Dad quizzed me about some rock formation.

The trip was wonderful. Jack handled camping fairly well. He loved watching the wake the boat made and found out he loves sucking the juice out of grapes. I got much needed sun and time outside, my Mom got Jack-time, and Heath and my Dad caught 50+ fish. It was a great start to summer.

Fish were caught...

 

Cliffs were jumped...

Life jackets were worn... (even though we think his cheeks alone could make him float!)

Tubes were ridden... (just so everyone knows- I knocked Heath off.)

Sun was soaked...

Naps were taken...

Glassy water was skied... (my first time in 2 years!)

Boats were driven...

Mohawks and mullets were styled...

More wonderful memories were made...

Thanks for the fun-filled trip Mom and Dad!

Wrangler Bums

Heath has a pair of wranglers that he usually wears when he works with the cows. If I'm being honest, I would have to say I don't find them attractive, but Heath is convinced I love them on him... Thank goodness he just wears them to work in. Even though I don't love the wrangler look, I couldn't resist posting pictures of this little buck-a-roo. He has a very cute wrangler bum! (sorry husband.)

This handsome cowboy outfit was a DI find from Jack's Aunt Lisa...as are most of his clothes. I must say he is one cute little cowboy. Heath was beaming with pride when he saw Jackster dressed like this. Like father...like son. I love my boys.

24 months. 104 weeks. 730 days. 17,520 hours...

Marriage definitely helps perfect us. This quote often reminds me why a happy marriage takes work. "Our marriage really can be the most satisfying and sanctifying- and most demanding- experience of our lives. It is more than coincidence that the most sanctifying experiences of our spiritual lives should also be the most demanding experiences. Family life, with marriage at its center, is the homeroom of the earth school our Father created to give His children a place to learn and to grow. Our homes are laboratories where we test and develop our religion.
"Once a couple is married in the temple, they are not yet living a celestial life. Rather, they walk out of the temple much the Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden- to enter a sometimes tough and lonely world. Their temple wedding gives them the authority of eternal marriage, but they will spend the rest of their lives working to create a marriage of celestial quality, striving and growing against opposition."
-Bruce C. Hafen

24 months. 104 weeks. 730 days. 17,520 hours...Any way you calculate it 2 years isn't very long in the big picture, especially when compared to veteran couples like my mom and dad and my in-laws. We have a long way to go, but some days it seems like we've always known each other- like we've been married 24 years not 24 months (in a good way of course!). Other days I find out something new about Heath or I realize I have so much to learn about being married. Lucky for me, Heath is very forgiving...or at least forgetful! As the hours, days, weeks, months, and years continue to add up I hope we will keep learning how to be more loving, be more patient, more forgiving, more selfless, more unified, more Christ-like.

I'm so grateful for this Heath and all he does to work toward creating a marriage of celestial quality, especially in the face of adversity.

Heath would agree, I know because he told me last night:), that we are each other's best friend. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Best friends have disagreements about how to pronounce the word syrup.
Best friends give each other back rubs after rough days or head aches.
Best friends can get annoyed of each other when dirty socks end up on the floor right next to the laundry basket! or when the other says she is ready to go but still has 10 more minutes.
Best friends do things just because they know how much the other loves it... ie-walking through a field of cows or competing in triathlons.
Best friends tell each other when they have a booger.

Best friends make important decisions together like building a house.

Best friends argue about who gets to take the Captain to Priesthood/Relief Society. 

Best friends forgive and keep loving. 

Best friends eat graham crackers and milk late at night together and talk.
Best friends are entertained for hours taking photo booth pictures...

Happy 2 Year Anniversary Guap! 

I love you.

To celebrate Heath and I went to the Temple and dinner at the Olive Garden. My sister Bec and Brotha-in-law Jake offered to baby sit. Bec is one of my role models, so I thought Jack was in good hands until I found these pictures on my camera...

The answer is Aunt Bec...

Jack has some pretty cute cousins...

Animal Expert Jed

Super Princess Madilyn

Giggly Emmers

(Emily is 3.5 months older than Jack...they weight the same...)

Thanks Bec and Jake!