Return to Ricks College

So my good friend Karan and former roommate from Ricks (now BYU-Idaho) was back in the States from England visiting family in Montana. She and her family were going to be in Rexburg for a weekend so we've been planning to meet up there for months now. The day finally arrived. Woo Hoo! There's something about South-East Idaho that just feels like home to me. Maybe it's because I was born while we lived there, maybe it's because I went to school there, or maybe it's part of my "ancesteral" home.

Karan and I spent the afternoon wandering around campus and being amazed at home much the place has changed since we were there. We went to our old dorm and took this picture in front of our old apartment.

Ricks used to seem like the biggest place in the world to me, in reality, it's a very small and quaint campus. I think it felt so big because I felt SO grown up back then. Funny how time changes your perspective on that.

We had a great time reminiscing and re-living the old glory days. The only thing that would have made it better would have been Shannon and Robynn. Where are you guys? Karan, you're the best! I'm so lucky to not only have had you for a roommate, but you're the kind of friend that is forever. Love you tons!!

Travelling Sisterhood Week #5

Destination: Cabella's. Hey, other people drive for days to visit Cabella's. Why can't we enjoy it? It's kind of like the Bean Museum at BYU only cooler. Tons of wild life to view and a water-feature in the middle of the store. We stopped here to feed the fish.

Four beauties amongst the "moose". What's the plural of moose? Mice...mooses...mooooose?

Did you know they have a shooting gallery? I'm pretty sure everyone was a better shot than me. I could only hit things in the first or second row. Looks like I need some more practice. Rumors are that an indoor shooting range is going in by my house. Could this be a new hobby? Maybe if I learn to shoot a real gun, the guns at Cabella's will be easier to handle.

Travelling Sisterhood Week #4

My sister is one of the most compassionate, kind and selfless people I know. I want to be more like her when I grow up. This week Crystal babysat her neighbor's children while the 37 year old mom went to the hospital for a mastectomy. Imagine finding out that you have breast cancer and in a matter of days you're in the hospital for surgery and will soon be starting chemotherapy and you have a 1 and a 3 year-old. Overwhelming.

So for our travels we babysat 2 very darling but out-of-sorts little girls that didn't understand why their mom wasn't there. We tried to distract them by playing outside and splashing in the pool. I'm not sure it worked.

Best wishes to her neighbor for a speedy and full recovery. God bless.

FCCLA and Disneyland

A trip to FCCLA Nationals has been a staple of my Summer for my entire career. I've been to lots of fun places: San Diego, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Orlando and of course...Anaheim, CA. I've missed the last few years due to budget cuts and other factors. This year I was back in action. We took a group of 13 girls and 2 boys and spent a week attending meetings, competing in events and having a good old time at Disneyland. I've decided 5 days is the perfect amount of time to take teenagers on a trip. 7 days is 2 too many. :) It's a long week with non-stop action. I was exhausted at the end, but glad to have been there.

We took a few of the girls to church at the Crystal Cathedral. A fun and different church-going experience. That's one of my favorite things to do...find somewhere new and interesting for church while we're gone. It's fascinating to see how the various churches operate.

Diane and I have been to Anaheim three times now with FCCLA. Each time we're there we have tried to have lunch at the Blue Bayou. You know, that cool restaurant you see at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Well, this year we finally made it! Totally worth it! Ambiance. Delicious. Dream. Come. True...

Travelling Sisterhood Week #3

Huber Grove is this quaint old farm settlement in Heber. We drove up the canyon and wandered around the grounds. There was an old farm house, an outhouse (which was a geo-cash site), a dairy, the orchards and then a beautiful grove behind the house. There's a path that wanders through the grove and makes a loop back to the house. It's a beautiful property and very well-maintained. Fun to explore a new place together!

Happy Independence Day!

After missing the parade for the last several years, we decided to brave it again this year. I've always loved the 4th of July. The patriotism, the parade, the family time, the picnic, the fireworks. Caleb and his boys went super early to secure us a spot in the shade in front of Provo High. It was right at the beginning of the parade route, things moved quickly, all the bands were playing, it was nice and cool and the perfect place for parade viewing. It made us all remember why we loved going to the parade in the first place. We followed up the parade with a picnic at Mom & Dad's. God Bless America!

Travelling Sisterhood Week #2

This week the Sisterhood of the Travelling Van headed out to Nielson's Grove Park. Located just off Sanhill Road between Orem and Provo. We're actually related to the "Nielson's" of this particular Grove, so it's like visiting our ancestoral home-land, sort-of.
What is it about feeding ducks that is just so fun and takes you right back to giggling like a little girl again? Two loaves of stale bread later, the ducks were full. We tried to get the giant swing going...we needed some muscle power to get it going this year.

The sisters: Maren (almost 2), Addy (8) and Sydnee (6).

Crystal and her girls:

Mom and her girls:

I know...we all hate having our picture taken, but one day we'll look back and see how young we all were, well, sort-of young. Thanks for another great day!

Taco Tuesday

Afterall, this blog is called Taco Tuesday. Here's a pic of some delicious steak tacos I made last Tuesday. I L-O-V-E Mexican food and generally eat a taco or something of the sort every Tuesday. I like trying new recipes or inventing something new from leftovers or trying a new local taco shop...any recommendations? Want to join me?

Uncle Jim's Cabin

My Uncle Jim and Aunt Rosemarie have a delightful cabin up at Strawberry. Each year they invite the extended family up for an afternoon. This was the first year I was able to go in a long time. We had a great time sitting on the deck and visiting with each other. My cousins, sister and I sat and reminisced about our childhood and high school memories and had some good laughs. Sydnee took my camera and entertained herself by taking pictures of everything she could find. 100+ pictures later, you get some insight into what the world looks like to a 6 year-old. She actually took some really good shots. She's got a bit of an artistic eye. She took all of these pictures...impressive!

It was a great day and we all enjoyed ourselves so much. Thanks Uncle Jim and Aunt Rosemarie!!