3rd Stop - Nanna's

On Sunday, we left behind the land of Mormons and Mountains to head to the land of Potatoes and Crazy Weather. Idaho, in normal speak. We drove during the day and what typically takes a person 5 1/2 hours to drive, took us 8 1/2. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth on this journey.

We pulled into Nanna's Case Ranch just in time for dinner. The whole family bound from the truck like those clowns in the extra small bug cars at the circus. Aunt Marti swung by to join the fray. Then, our friend Sara and her 3 month old daughter Raegan paid us a visit.

It was a little people convention of the cutest proportions when Sara arrived with another baby for Addie's entertainment.

Monday, we took it pretty easy since we'd done quite a bit of driving and socializing the previous days. It was nice to have a low pressure day for the kids to regroup.

Tuesday, Allen set out to remodel Mom's bathroom. What? You don't do major house renovations on your summer vacations? He raised the vanity by 3 inches, put on a new counter top, put the sink back in, and framed up a pocket door.

While he worked in the bathroom, Marti went with the girls and I to the local park.This park was awesome. It has a huge water park in addition to a regular park area, a group of over sized musical instruments, and a pond. It was crazy hot and the middle of summer so there must have been, like, a 1000, I mean, 150 kids there. Lexi ran on the play area but refused to go in the water. So, we hiked over to the pond where we watched a little boy catch a duck with his fishing hook. The duck reared up, flapping his wings furiously and quacking at the offending pain in his backside. Of course, Lexi started yelling, "What happened Mommy? What happened to that duck?" The duck escaped the hook and was no worse for the wear, but the whole episode made for an entertaining trip to the park.

2nd Stop - Colyar's

We stayed with Allen's mission and college friend, Craig and his family while we were in Utah. They are amazing folks with a cute daughter, Savannah (5) and a really charming son, Justin (18 months). We puttered around their beautiful place in between other visits and enjoyed catching up.

Saturday night, Craig had arranged for almost all of Allen's good college buddies to have a party. Craig also happens to be an avid bike racer (who knows if that is the right term or not). So, he casually told us he would be riding 100 miles that morning and then be home in time to have the party. Whaaaa? Are you kidding? I couldn't walk down the street and host a party for over 20 people without pulling my hair out. So, while he was racing around Utah, we drove up Tibble Fork Canyon to the reservoir. Of course, it was beautiful. The water was c-o-l-d! straight snow run off. It was that heart-stopping, extremity-numbing water that is only found in the high elevation lakes. Allen actually screamed like a girl when he dove in. Lexi followed close behind but started crying because it was so uncomfortable. Allen carried her around in the deeper water.

Allen eyeing the water. He knew it was frigid cold, but was contemplating diving in head first.

Lexi - before she realized just how cold the water would get.

Allen packed Lexi around. He's sucking wind here as the water rises.

Addie didn't seem to mind the temperature and loved splashing with her toes.

There was a small outlet of water that went right into the lake. It wasn't too deep so Lexi could play in it without going into cardiac arrest. Going under the bridge was a real adventure.

Lexi was so cold she laid down on her towel and curled up to try and get warm.

Craig finished the race early and came home to host a really fun reunion. We got to see Shane, Toby, Vaughn, Jess, Ken and their families. Allen was clearly enjoying reminiscing about all of the fun they had in college. Every one of those guys has done well for himself and his family. The kids played outside while we laughed at the stories of the "glory days".

Of course, I didn't take any pictures. Not a one. Not a single stinkin' one of a whole group of guys who almost never get together but could all make it to this one event. I'm pretty miffed about the whole thing.

We left for Boise Sunday morning after a banana pancakes and bacon breakfast. We had a great time with the Colyars and loved seeing how great everyone was doing!

1st Stop - Aunt Camille's

We prepped and packed and girded up our loins for our trek to Idaho. When traveling with two young 'uns, you just never know how things will work out. We set out in the evening, hoping to avoid meltdowns and tantrums by driving overnight. Our plan worked. Mostly. Everyone was up at 4 a.m. but we partied in the trailer and made our way into Utah Valley about 7 a.m. We parked our beauty of a trailer in front of Allen's good friends' house (in one of the nicest neighborhoods, I might add - across from BYU Football coach Bronco Mendenhall. Allen considered stalking him, but I told him Bronco would probably not consort with people like us judging from the condition of our rig.) and called them from the porch - We're here! You know, just like the creepy girl from Poltergeist.

That evening, we drove to Springville to visit with Allen's Auntie Camille and her family. We BBQ'd and visited while Lexi destroyed their apple tree and played with the garden knomes. Camille entertained Addie and we had a very nice time catching up.

Allen's cousin Jenny with Lexi. They became pretty good friends in the short time we were there.

The kids really, really enjoyed the fountain.

The weather was great and we had a nice time just hanging out with family.

To Pass the Time...

Our Very Own Cinderella

Out of the Mouths...

Me: C'mon Lex! Time to say prayer.

Lexi: Mom, I'm just too busy to pray.
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Me: Oh man! I dropped it. I made a mess.

Lexi: You made a mess, mom? OH. MINE. GOSH. mom.
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Me: Uh-oh.

Lexi: What happened, Mom?

Me: I ripped my shopping list. Bummer.

Lexi: Dude.
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Just Wondering

When they say a dishwasher is an "energy saver" whose energy are they really talking about? I'm pretty sure it's not mine since the dumb thing doesn't dry half of my crap and I have to spend my hard earned energy drying it all with a dishtowel.

I Wanna Help!

I made chocolate chip cake bars a couple of Sundays ago. I asked Lexi if she wanted to help me. She enthusiastically replied, "YES!" and helped us mix ingredients. But, I think she really just wanted to help with clean up. And by clean up, I mean this:

Adversity

One of my best friends of all time was robbed. While she was sitting in Sunday school! I always feel like if I'm serving the Lord, I'll at least have a little bit of protection while I'm serving. You know, I'll do all I can and the Lord will help keep the pathway bright. But, alas, that is not often the case. As my friend explained, "There are obviously different levels of protection available to us at different times". She didn't blame God for allowing something bad to happen. As I pondered her situation and all of the different types of adversity we are confronted with, I had this come to my mind: If anyone deserved protection while on the Lord's errand, it would have been Joseph Smith. But, he was tried more than your average man. How many times was the poor man attacked or tarred and feathered? How many people gossiped about him without even knowing him? How many of his kids died? I mean, the poor guy was put through the wringer all while serving Heavenly Father. At one point, while stuck in jail for crimes he hadn't even committed, he finally asked the Lord, "What the heck?!?" The 122nd section of the Doctrine and Covenants gives us the answer to that famous question we all ask when life gets tough: WHY????

"If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;

If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;

And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, (which, by the way, always makes me think of this)



know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

Are we greater than the Savior? Why should we expect to have tribulation pass over our door while he suffered beyond measure? And what kind of people would we be if we didn't learn those special lessons that only a tough road can bring?

As I've read and re-read this scripture, I find myself dwelling on the promise rather than the list of the many things that we might be tried with during this life. That promise is this: "...God shall be with you forever and ever". Often, I forget that he is my friend and knows my struggles. He knows my potential and wants me to reach it. Thus, he allows challenges to present themselves and doesn't protect (notice I didn't say he inflicts challenges; rather, he doesn't shield me entirely from them) me from every trial I may face so that I might become the best possible me. He sets the bar high always knowing I can reach it. It may seem twisted, but it does make me feel a little better to know that there is one person out there who never doubts my abilities to rise to the challenge.

Ponder This

When you don't have the money, there is no such thing as good deal.

Probably the Sexiest Thing I've Ever Seen

Sometimes I Don't Want To...

• Read my scriptures every day
• Eat healthy food
• Go to church
• Workout
• Respond with kindness
  
• Give of myself
• Be a human jungle gym
• Practice ABC's over and over and over...again
• Fulfill my calling to the best of my abilities
• Make healthy lunches every. single. day.
• Create a healthy menu for dinner every. single. freakin'. night.
  
• Be the example
• Be patient
• Put the laundry away
• Clean the house
• Shower and do my hair and do my makeup and put on clothes that don't even fit that great

But, I'll feel better if I do.

I Will Survive