Thursday, August 28, 2008

San Fransico Treat

This past June, Dave's older brother Rob graduated from Dental school. So, we drove out to San Fransico with Dorothy (Dave's mother) to celebrate and visit. Dorothy, Scottie, Rob, Dave and Susie.
Rob putting his diploma to good use just minutes after graduating! :) Cousin Jakson being the gentleman he is by helping Susie down the stairs.
Cousins Quincy, Jak, and Susie. (picture actually taken in Utah this past July)
While in San Fran, we stayed with Dave's younger brother Scottie (also in Dental school, graduating this coming year!) and his wife Mal. They took us to this beautiful red-wood forest preserve called Muir Woods.
Me, Susie, Dave, Dorothy, Scottie, and Mal.
Poor Susie had to wear a make-shift coat, because her mother didn't prepare well enough. Oops.
This red-wood had been struck by lightning. The inside was all hallowed out... it was neat.
Dorothy, Dave, Susie and me at a gorgeous park in San Fran.
Looks like Susie is being blown by the wind, but reality is... this is her bed-head after waking from a nap... no kidding.
Scottie and Dave thought it would be fun to hold fire to a helium balloon... they had heard in one of their science classes that it would explode like a small bomb. They both were laughing hysterically, but their poor mother was about to have a heart-attack assuming that two of her boys would end up with 3rd degree burns. Well, good news, the balloon did not explode it just deflated, and the two crazy brothers were not burned, and their poor mother did not have a heart-attack.

Susie just loves Uncle Scott... she often talks about him.

Susie, Mal, and Elli (the dog) all holding hands to dance to the music. Good times!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Joyful June

Enjoyed most of our June in Utah doing things we love with people we love...

Fishing with Friends
Went fishing with Dave's mission companion, Michael Moore and his wife, Caroline. Happy to report that I caught more (not to mention bigger) fish than my David... just love when I out-do the husband... feels good.
Adam's Canyon Hike
We have missed the mountains like crazy here in pancake-Illinois... so, it was heaven to be able to not only see, but venture up a rocky height!
Adam's Canyon is a hike, somewhat near where I grew up, that leads to a waterfall... a gorgeous trail. The water is freezing, but feels so good to stand under after a hot hike.

On the way up.

Dave looks as if he is pregnant too in this pic.

I-spy Dave in the upper-left portion of this photo. (Left and a little up from a bush) I couldn't help but cringe as he scaled the rock, it was a bit slippery from mist of the waterfall... and, oh how I did not want him to fall.

Fairyland Canyon

On our way to Lake Powell we found a beautiful canyon to hike, Fairyland Canyon. It was awesome.

Dave was making me nervous by walking so close to the edge of a cliff, but he kept saying that he could jump off it and be fine, and I unfortunately said, "prove it." And... well, you see the picture.

Fairyland made me want to DANCE.

Lake Powell, Heaven on Earth!

Both Dave and my favorite place on Earth is between the red rocks of Lake Powell. We were privileged to go with Dave's Uncles and Aunts (Thank you again!!). A great time was had!
Clark, Dave's cousin.
Scott, Dave's Uncle.
Jane, cute cousin of Dave's.
Blake, cousin of Dave's... really good at wake-surfing.Jeff, Dave's uncle.

Dave with his tough Grandpa John. John has skin cancer, and gave us a good scare this Lake Powell trip by camping-out by himself and getting heat stroke. Luckily, he was okay and tough enough to venture on... although asleep most of the trip.Dave, Grandpa John, and Scottie (Dave's brother) making yumalichious homemade ice cream. Grandpa John took his turn to crank the handle and impressed us all with his strength, especially since he had almost killed himself in the sun!
Glad I had the excuse of pregnacy, because the tubing was crazy with these boys! Left to Right: Scottie (Dave's Brother), Jonathan (cousin), and Dave.
Aunt Jana, Grandma Effie, and Aunt Teresa taking a dip.
Dave caught some amazing air on the wakeboard... he even cleared the wake a few times!
Wake boarding at 4 months pregnant, Stupid? Maybe, but I couldn't resist after seeing Dave go. I vowed that I would let go of the rope if I felt even a bit wobbley. It was a nice, smooth ride... I think the baby liked it too.
Something new to us... wake surfing. I wasn't going to try it this trip, but Dave did really well... it was fun to watch.

Salt Lake City Temple
My parents watched Susie so Dave and I could have a nice night-out together. We went to the Roof resturaunt, then walked the grounds of the SLC temple.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

May Visitor!

This past May, Dave's mother, Dorothy came for a visit. She was with us only a week, but we filled those seven days with lots of Illinois....
Botanic Gardens
Chicago
The Famous BEAN
(Picture taken from reflection off of bean... that's the cause of distortion;
we normally are very attractive people) :)
Shedd Aquarium
Look to the left of Susie's head... you should see a fish as big as she.
Dolphin Show
Wicked
The Beautiful... Nauvoo
"Look out for Grandma Dorothy!"
Carthage Jail
My favorite part of our Nauvoo trip was Carthage Jail. It was a humbling experience to be in the room where the Prophet Joseph was killed... there was a special spirit there.
Dorothy standing by the window in which Joseph Smith fell to his death, after being shot. Bullet holes still show in the door.
Caterpillar's on Parade Susie and Dorothy, marching through the apartment, with toy caterpillar's dragging behind them. Kind Grandma paraded with Susie (and the caterpillar's) about fifteen minutes
longer than I would have! Thank goodness for Grandma's!

The week went fast... but that's what happens when you're having fun. Come again soon Grandma Dorothy!