Ode to the Beach

What is it about a beach that leaves me speachless and gigling? If I am close to a beach at any time, I have to go and put my feet in the sane and let the waves wash over my feet.

I like to watch my feet sinking in the sand...and stare out into the great beyond wondering if there is someone on the other side of the ocean doing the same thing.

I love the feeling of the sand between my toes and the sound of the waves crashing. They are so powerful with an awe inspiring strength.

I feel the need to see how close I can let the water get to touching my feet before running as fast as I can to get away from it...and feel like I have won when it doesn't catch me.

This is the beach we chose to my be regular Mecca this year. Isn't it beautiful? We drove along the coast up to San Fransisco from Big Basin Redwood State Park. It was only a 10 minute stop, but a highlight of our trip for me.

California Dreamin'

Well, Doug and I had our 2007 Family Vacation--yup, that's me and Doug on a vacation. Doug's brother, Jeff was married in California August 25th and we decided to make a fun week of it! We camped with Doug's sister Natalie and her husband, Dave and their kids--Amanda, Maren, and Spencer. Here, we are by Big Basin Redwood State Park in a Wildlife Reserve. There is a GIGANTIC male elephant seal on the beach behind us. It's a face only a mother could love...

The redwoods are amazing-so tall and beautiful. It made me feel so small and insignificant. These kids were the cutest. They were brave. It was a 3 mile hike or so out and back to see these seals.

Australian Memories

One of my favorite families from my mission in Sydney, Australia was the Torrens family. When I first came to Nowra, I met Sister Torrens. Her family didn't come to church. She came as often as she could. It was a long trip from Kangaroo Valley to Nowra to go to church. We started going out to the breath-taking Valley regularly. Sis. Torrens would make us dinner and we would share a message with her family. Bro. Kevin Torrens soon became one of my favorite people to teach. He asked passionate questions and wanted to understand why he should take time away from work to go to church on Sunday. We promised them blessings and that the Lord was mindful of them and his concerns. They took a leap of faith and he, Sis. Torrens, Josh, and Adam came to church.

Well, a few months ago I received an email from Josh. Attached was his mission call. He is about 24 and chose to serve a mission. I picked him up from their airport and took him to Temple Square. We took a few photos in the Conference Center. My brother, Matt came with me so I wouldn't be alone with him (missionary rules) and one of my former companions from Nowra works across from temple square and met us for a little bit. It was great to talk with him and catch up.

Family Reunion

So most of the time reunions are a bit lame, but when it comes to just my immediate family--I love them! We went to Seven Peaks water park and then had a slip and slide in the back yard the next day. The kids loved it and we loved acting like kids. Most of my sisters that had kids didn't fully get to enjoy the slip and slide. Meanwhile, Doug and I went out in style. I got a lot of advice on how to "ride the slide" correctly. I had great teachers. I would like to thank my niece Emmeli, nephews Taylor and Matt, and Doug for making me the slider that I was that day.

Ready...(pretty nervous at this point)
Set... (not excited for the impact of hitting my body against the lawn)

Go! (I had some critics help me improve my form after this. My first slide wasn't the best)

Doug became a kid carrying expert--and they loved it! (Doug with my niece, Natalie)

Us at Seven Peaks--Doug's cute smile.

My cute brother, David, who just came home from his mission (notice the white line where his collared shirt used to permanently sit). I thought this photo made him look like a beach babe. He didn't even know that anyone was looking.

My nephew Cameron loved the water (and that's an understatement) and he didn't want to get out. I noticed his shriveled little fingers and had to get a photo taken. Such a cute kid!

Doug being the human kid carrier--with my nephew Jacob.

Roughing it

Yes, I love Girls Camp. I am now a Beehive advisor in my ward and we went to Mutual Dell for camp Tuesday through Friday of this past week. You may remember that Mutual Dell is up American Fork Canyon and that there was an 11-year old boy who was killed by a bear just a month or so ago up that Canyon. It made all of us a bit jittery. However, for me, I was in a text just next to the food tent--on the end of the tent closest to the food tent. I must admit, I was a bit nervous that I would become food for a neighboring bear.

This photo was taken just after the hike with two of my favorite Miamaids. Doug and I taught them both in our Sunday School class. We had a blast on the hike. Apparently, the Camp Leader thought I would enjoy a round two of the hike seeing as I was "physically fit", I went and led another ward on the hike. It ended in Timpooneke camp ground (the one where the bear had killed the boy) and a beautiful view of Mt Timpanogos. I had the girls do some fun poses as we waited for our ride. With this view, I didn't mind waiting a while to the cars to come get us...I let everyone else go first and took the last car back.


Aren't these girls great? We had 27 girls up there at the Stake camp with somewhere around 200-300 girls total. It was a blast. Needless to say, I was ready for some good sleep by the time I got home. I missed Doug, refrigerators (I hauled all my food up there in a cooler--being that the menu was pulled pork, hot dogs and the like), dry ground (it rained a lot!) and my soft, comfortable bed. This was going to be longest Doug and I had been apart...so we couldn't let that happen. Doug came up the 2nd night and spent the night as the Priesthood leader up there. The YW president and the Camp Director let me spend the night in Doug's tent--best night sleep I had up there. We were furthest away from the screaming girls! It was wonderful.

Riding the wakes

Doug and I went to Island Park, Idaho and spent time with my family last weekend. We had a great time at the family cabin and there was only one dead (baby) mouse! That made my stay. I was able to sleep through the night without being concerned with every rustle and noise. That was great. While we were there, we hit the lake most of the day Saturday and Doug and I felt we'd made a lot of progress in our wakeboarding skills. So, I thought I'd show you our SUPER STAR moments.

This is Doug looking like a cowboy riding a wake...a good jump. He started jumping the wake that day.

Me on the other hand, I just made a lot of faces--I am guessing they are concentrating. I know that when ever I am doing something that requires focus, I tend to show it ALL on my face!

Web Sites

I made this! I have been doing some web design for work and think it's fun. So, I definately didn't program the html, but I did do the layout (with some help from my friend Gavin who's in design school). But, I love this part of my job.