Finals

Well, it's that time of the year... finals time. This is the time where Zac starts to pace around and mutter to himself.
Now Zac would have you believe that I am Charley Brown (putting off papers) but I would like to remind you who is NOT in school anymore. Andy once played Snoopy in the favorite play of mine.
Regardless of who is who, this is a classic. Gotta love Peanuts

Yellowstone - a look at 4 months ago

Zac decided to grow a beard for our week long stint in the great outdoors. . . I'm proud to say that after aprroximately 5 long months of coaxing, he's managed to keep this a growing tradition (get it? growing? hahaha)

Before...

After...

(Can't see anything? Don't worry... your eyes aren't going bad)

Now...

{Father Abraham.. had seven sons (seven sons!) Seven sons had Father Abraham... ...}

He likes to twist it in his fingers whilst trying to think. He does that a lot - trying to think that is, the twisting comes naturally.

I really can't believe how long it's taken me to write about this. I have no excuses. All I do these days is sew and watch as much reality TV as Zac will let me. But Yellowstone was quite the adventure, and I can't let it die.

Let's start with the fact that anyone who was unable to make the trek was GREATLY missed. It probably would have been helpful to have Lance's analytical mind when it came to losing mom's car in the parking lot of an apartment complex and Andy's calming words when I cried at a truck-stop thinking I had parked it illegally and it had thusly been towed.

To the nice man that pulled over to make sure I was ok: Thank you, whoever/wherever you are. I was merely a deranged emotional woman overcome and racked with guilt...

Luckily the car was found - right where I parked it, mind you - and no one had to pitch in to pay a towing fee...

You see Amy and Jefferson were flying in from GA. Jefferson's mom was glad to pick them up from the airport, but not as willing to drive them the five hours north to Yellowstone (I'm not sure why.) Mom wanted to leave in the early morning light, so the plan was to drop off a car at the J-dawg's mom's house, give her the keys and continue on our merry way. Well, let's just say that not only was it merry, but mom and Dell got pulled over for speeding in a construction zone, and we were two hours north when Amy called to ask us where we parked the car. CUE Jana's freak out session, worrying all who passed by and witnessed her stomping about and shrieking sporadically frantic phrases such as "IT DIDN'T HAVE A SIGN!" (a "no parking or you will be towed" sign, that is)

The day got off a little rough, but we managed the 6 and something hour drive to the Madsen River only to find out that we had to come up with some crazy amount of cash because the po-dunk camp grounds has a website, but won't take a check or credit card AND they are incapable of posting that ON their website.

Not having cellphone service was only a problem when mom realized she had given Brent and Britta (driving from CO) the wrong directions. Amy and I spent the better half of the afternoon driving around looking for at least two bars and trying to snag a few seconds of airtime with Britta.

AND ALL THIS ADVENTURE IN JUST THE FIRST DAY! I wasn't entirely sure how much more super duper fun I could handle. But handle it, I did, and there were several "Best!" parts of the trip.

Including our awesome cabins. One was even equipped with a pink stove and the ground slanted ever so slightly to give you a sense of vertigo when you walked around. We were even a stones throw from the river which, several of us discovered, was freezing.

We played, we fished (well most of us "fished") Hayden caught bugs and fish and one toad (but Mia found it), we cooked, we hiked, we even celebrated birthdays. But most of all, we just enjoyed spending time together.

The only thing we didn't do was visit Quake Lake... and I still feel bad about that, mom.

Thanks to all who traveled far and wide, thanks to mom for all the crazy planning. Family is the best place to be. Even if you braid your hair and refuse to wash it for the whole trip, they still love you.

OH yeah! and we went to see OLD FAITHFUL.
I did find it rather... faithful

And Zac did a LOT of fishing.

Exciting!

I know I've been the ultimate slacker. I still plan to post all about this amazing summer we've had and all the fun, but for now I'm feeling pretty good about this...

More info to come.

Post Edit:
For those who live in the SLC vacinity and want/need something to do on Saturday November 28 AND you were hoping to see a Christmas Concert but didn't get tickets to the Mo-tab concert... Consider this as an alternative. Tickets are FREE-99, but you have to have a ticket to gain entrance to the Tabernacle. BONUS: it's after they light the lights on temple square... you might as well see an awesome concert while you're down there.
TWO shows, ONE night-O-fun! Show times @ 5:30pm and 7:30pm
Tickets can be obtained here:

Cali-for-ni-a

Four score and fifty-seven years ago (not really) I google-mapped my brother's address. From Salt Lake to Sacramento it boasted a 9 hour and 15 minute travel time. This was the email I sent to him.

"Did you know that it's only a 9hr 15min drive from my place to yours? What do you want to bet I can make in less?"

Plus it was over the fourth of July. That meant I had a day off, and the rest of the weekend to make it super fun. This is what I learned

• When you've never seen the Salt Flats, you HAVE to stop and take a picture. It is really cool.

• Don't walk bare foot on the salt flats- that is gross..
......


• if you do walk bare foot, you're not allowed to wash your feet in the restroom sinks... you are, however, banashed to the hose just out side (try not to blast your skin off)

This is what else I learned...

• Have a Summer mascot (preferrably a $1 toy from IHop) and post him on the dashboard.


• When driving across Nevada, DON'T listen to "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy"
• When driving that LONG stretch, you can very well lose your mind
• Always count on construction SOMEWHERE!
• IT DOES NOT TAKE 9 1/2 HOURS TO DRIVE FROM SLC TO SACRAMENTO!

Despite my devious speed demon ways, we arrived approximately 10 1/2 hours after our departure. BAH!

Even though my lead foot didn't end up pulling it's weight (HA!) We had a blast... Here's a run down

Thanks for such a fun time Lance, Kelsey, Erik and Brock!

If all that fun wasn't enough to convince me to come back - which it is - but if wasn't, THIS would for sure have me back in a second!

John

Rest in Peace

Good Friend

For those of you who missed the memorial, it was a beautiful tribute to such a wonderful man. I know, with out a doubt, that John is doing work on the other side. That, as he was loved here on earth, he will be loved in heaven.

All who knew him were blessed to be a part of his life. What a great example of Christ-like attributes and genuine love and generosity for your fellow man. He will be greatly missed.

Back to School

Guess who started school today?!!!

Guess who didn't!!!

You'll have to decide who is cooler.

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time, there was a boy who liked to play jokes. One day he asked his mother if he could go play in the woods. She was a poor woman, and didn't have time to entertain the child. "Yes, you can play in the woods. But be sure to look out for wolves. If you see one, cry for help and someone will come rescue you."
The boy was excited and as he entered the woods a grand idea came into his mind. Would they really come if he cried? What a funny little joke.
"Wolf! Wolf!" the little boy cried, and his father came running!
"Where?" the protective father asked.
The boy roared in laughter, and the father turned and walked away. As he left he warned, "be careful boy. One day there will be a wolf, and I will not believe you when you cry."
The boy rolled in laughter, what a funny joke!!
The next day the boy went to play in the woods. Out of the shadows came a wolf. Terrified he cried in urgency, "WOLF! Wolf!" But no one came... and the boy was gobbled up.

My friends, I cried wolf..
I merely meant to tell you that Zac and I both passed the classes we took together this semester. I don't know what gave you the idea that I was pregnant... No idea whatsoever... I'm innocent I swear.
August Fools (hey it may not be April, but at least it starts with an "A")