Back from Utah

We survived! We made it back from our road trip to Utah to see Scott and Nikki Spjut get married. It was a beautiful wedding and it was so much fun to see our Spjut family. I especially enjoyed getting to spend time with Ryan's aunts, uncles and grandmas. The last time I saw most of them was at our wedding. And I was a bit distracted that day.

We also got to see some of our college gang - which was really nice. You have to say something for friends who will come to Salt Lake early on a Saturday morning. Those are class A people. Sorry for the ones we missed - but we're coming back for Christmas, so we'll try again in December.

Here are some pics of all the good times...

We were happier than we look - I swear.Ryan and his sister Kylie.Liberty Park carousel with Grandma.This is what she looked like as we pulled into the driveway at home. I don't know if you can tell - but she has chocolate everywhere.

At the park we were excited to introduce Madilyn to our friends. But she was mostly interested in the Welsh's dog. Here are some pics of when we did tear her away.

Also... as a PS. We're going to make the blog private. If you'd like to view, just send me an email with the email address you want. Thanks!

Breakfast in the Park

The good news is we're going to be in Utah next weekend for the wedding of our sister-in-law-to-be. Even better news, we're getting people together at a park from the good ole days to catch up and have fun.... and to find out how many people that spy on us through our blog are willing to be outed for a little free food.

The not-as-good news is that we only have time on Saturday morning. So we'll be there from 8:30ish to 10:30ish. If you're going to be in the area and aren't averse to the early morning - we would love to see you. Email me for details, or if you can think of anyone else who is living in the area!

I'm not eating sugar for 2 weeks. I know that Melissa will think that sounds wimpy since she is doing it for an entire month - but trust me, 2 weeks is enough for me. And I'm on day 3 - so I will easily admit to said wimpiness.

There are a couple of things I want to gain (or lose) from this. Obviously eating better and shedding some lbs are on the agenda - but I also just want to see if I have the resolve to finish something I know is good for me - even when I don't really want to do it. I want to prove to myself that I actually do have an inkling of self-discipline. I'm only on day 3, so I can't brag yet, but there is something fulfilling about gritting my teeth and getting through something I know is good for me.

I know I'm not the only one, so tell me what is something you do (not just contemplate doing) that is not particularly pleasant, but worth doing? What is the thing you give up now, in order to gain something better later? Inspire me~ because I still have 11 days to go. :)

And we're back...

So we did make it back from California. And you may notice that we are a different shade than the natives. For all of you who aren't still wearing coats in June, I hear you will envy us in August (which seems to be the brief period deemed "summer" here.)
Anyway, we had a great time in California with the Adams side of our family. Here are some of the highlights...

Madilyn got to see her cousins Hallie and Mason. This is probably the only quiet time the girls spent together. Otherwise there was a lot of running, splashing, playing and other little girl things.

She got to spend time with her aunts and uncles. This is Uncle Daniel who reached the ripe old age of 22 while we were in town.

Aunt Sarah and Grandpa.

A little more time with Grandpa.

She left me for Grandma as soon as she saw her.

Christy and Devin and company.

We also saw Lauren and her girls. Christy and I drove down to see her.

We got a couple good shots of the girls (I'm not sure why Mason didn't make it in - maybe it was safer for him.)

These shots are more typical of our photo shoot - and our day in general. Still it was great to see Lauren and her cute girls.

And if you're wondering why Ryan is conspicuously absent from the pics, well he was out working and being trained in LA for the week - and thus paying for all our fun. Thanks Ry!

Beach Bum

Here is one of the great things about Seattle (and it could also be said of Yucaipa)... This weekend we went to the beach. Last weekend we went to the mountains. What a great place to have both available. Granted, it was still pretty cold, but the natives were there in their beach attire and many of them were even in the water. There were even some tan people there - but I'm sure that had to be fake-n-bake. You can see below what a real Seattle tan looks like.

Madilyn loved the dirt and the rocks, and the dirt... We had to remind ourselves that part of going to the beach for kids is getting dirty.She wasn't such a fan of the swing.But she did love playing in the water with her dad.

We're off to California next week. Even more pics to come! (Lucky you!)

Tagged by CQ

Ok, Here is the info from Kassie's tag.

TAG

1. Pick up the nearest book

2. Open to page 123

3. Find the 5th sentence

4. Post the next 3 sentences

5. Tag 3 people & acknowledge who tagged you

Here we go...

The book is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, not because anyone is reading it, but because Madilyn loves to pull books off of the shelf - loves it.

The other option was Teachings of President Spencer W. Kimball - unfortunately I don't think anyone is reading that one either... oops.

"I found myself similar, yet at the same time strangely unlike to the beings concerning whom I read and to whose conversation I was a listener. I symapthized with and partly understood them, but I was uninformed in mind;I was dependent on none and related to none."

We'll pretend a semicolon makes three. So thanks to Kassie and let's tag Melissa, Thom and Emily. Those are my most readery friends. :)

Mountain Man

Ryan played tour guide this weekend. He planned a hike on Mount Blanchard for us - and it was great. We got up to the scenic view point and it was one of the prettiest views I've ever seen.


I don't think the pictures do it justice. It was beautiful. We got there just in time to see this guy take off.

We talked to his friend who said they stay up for hours if the wind is right.
Afterwards we took a little hike and considered ourselves to really be getting into the Seattle spirit.