vacation time... but no vacation!

Jeff and I both have been off work since Christmas Eve and will be off through the fifth of January. We have had a few days of r&r, but the all the rest have been hard work. We are finally re-doing all of the base and case in the upstairs of our home. We're replacing the doors and Jason is welding our custom railing! Jeff's dad is so graciously letting us borrow all of the saws and power tools. It's alot of work but will be so worth it when it's done. We are planning on selling the home in the spring and buying a new one in Herriman or South Jordan. I can't wait!!! It'll be a little sad to let this one go after all of our hard work and custom designs, but the next people to live here will have a very nice home! :)

FORGOTTEN DOG'S CHRISTMAS

Twas the night before Christmas
when all thru the house

Not a creature was stirring
not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nick soon would be there.

The children all nestled all snug in their beds
With no thought of the dog filling their head.

And mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap
Knew the dog was cold, but didn't care about that.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash
Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But Santa Clause with eyes full of tears.

He unchained the dog once so lively and quick
Last year's Christmas present now painfully sick.

More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name
and the dog ran to him despite all his pain.

Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen
On Comet on Cupid on Donner and Blitzen.

To the top of the porch to the top of the wall
Let's find this dog a home where he will be loved by all.

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
For Santa had made one thing quite clear.

The gift of a dog is not just for the season
We had gotten the dog for all the wrong reasons.

In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing we missed

A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain.

And I heard him explain as he rode out of site,
"You weren't given a gift, you were given a life."

It is sooo true. Please, everyone, remember the little life you get is a lifetime commitment; not just cute for the moment. Please adopt, do not encourage breeders. There are so many that will be lonely this Christmas. Check the pounds, the humane society, look at all those loving eyes and faces. Open your hearts to the ones that really need a home and let's stop making it easy for backyard breeders to make a buck.

Microscopic Art!

Needle Sized Art Very incredible story! Not only is this mans art cool but he got a ton of cash for it!

The Social Security Office Experience

After a year and a couple of months, I finally got around to officially changing my last name to Lane. I had done it right after we got married on my driver's license, just not my SS card. I now realize why I had been avoiding this annoying process, let me share...

Yesterday afternoon I left work early and headed to the SS office in Murray. I had my name change form all filled out along with my passport and marriage license. I was all set, naively thinking I would be in and out because I was so prepared. Ha! I was completely wrong. As I arrived, I found a parking spot right away and it was a pretty good one! Again, a misleading sign as to what was to come. I grabbed all of my documentation and confidently walked into the office. The first thing I noticed was how nasty and germ ridden the door handle was. It's just a pet peeve of mine, I hate touching door handles and gas pumps. This door handle was the worst I had ever seen, it was GROSS! As I walked in, I saw way more people than there were cars for, where did they all come from?? I stood in a small line and got a number, it was A196.

I looked around the room to see if there were any empty chairs. I have to give you a little background first... rewind to earlier this week. I tried a new aerobics class on Monday afternoon and could barely walk the next day, no joke, my legs wouldn't even stand me up out of my bed, they wouldn't straighten!!! That being said, I was also wearing the tallest pair of heels I own. So.. Just my luck, there was one chair left in the middle of one of the rows. I quickly claimed it and sat down.

The first number to be called after I had sat down was A175. Augh! That's 21 people in front of me and each person took at least 5 minutes! After about 1 minute of sitting, I noticed an overwhelming smell of filth and pee?? I thought maybe it was the chair I was sitting in, maybe somebody had an accident? ewww! Then I quickly realized it was the two men, I would say somewhere in their sixties or so, sitting next to me on the right. I was overwhelmed by the stench and tried to turn my head to the left, hoping for fresh air. Nope, still breathing it in, I couldn't help it and I gagged! That was it, I couldn't stay there any longer. I didn't want to hurt any feelings and be obvious that their hygiene was non-existent. I kinda felt bad, maybe they didn't have any money for water or could only afford it every now and then? I don't know?? I nonchalantly stood up, legs aching, and walked the the back of the room and pretended to read some boring form on applying for a social security number or something.

While standing and waiting, I started to notice all of the other people in the room and really noticed how different we all are. How vast the habits and standards from one person to the next. I made sure to give a little smile to everybody who looked at me, not one person smiled back! Not one, not even the little kids. Finally after about 45 minutes of waiting my number was called and I was able to complete my mission. This experience has made me a little more appreciative of who I've grown to be, and how fortunate I am. I have a great mother, an amazing husband, wonderful in-laws, darn good pets, and a really great job, with really great people. I am so thankful for the life I live and the good fortune I've been blessed with and worked hard for.

Chapter 2 - Rocky Lane

Rocky turned 8 this year. He has experienced a wide variety of events in his life, most happy and fun, some scary and unsure. Rocky was one of 9 puppies birthed by Lacey Lane, a beautiful golden retriever who passed earlier this year due to cancer. She was 11. Lacey Lane belongs to Jared and Lindsay Lane who love her dearly. 8 years ago, on a camping trip Lacey hooked up with a Yellow Labrador Retriever and conceived our best buddy, Rocky. Jeff got to watch him be born and then fostered the 8 puppies (1 died) until they were all given away. Jeff would go home on his lunch break to take care of the puppies and picked Rocky because he was the most laid back out of them all. He says when he would get there, all of the other puppies and Lacey would rush to the front of the kennel and whimper and whine with excitement. Rocky, however, would stay at the back of the kennel and wait for things to calm down. Jeff knew that was the pup for him and sharpied his name on the inside of his ear! I met Rocky 3 years ago, we went on our first camping trip together to Flaming Gorge. I knew he was special the first time I met him. There was just something about him. Rocky is my favorite dog, I love him so much, I am VERY grateful for such a wonderful dog who teaches us how to be kinder every day. He has so much love to give, and he'll give it to anyone who wants it. He is great at loving everybody, no matter their faults or their annoying habits. Rocky once saved me from falling into a campfire, I had tripped on a rock and was going face down into the fire, when all of the sudden, he darted the opposite way, which pulled me away from the fire. His leash was around my wrist. I know he knew what he was doing. He is Jeff and I's best friend! Earlier this year, as some of you readers know, he was paralyzed. Click here for the story http://jeffandelise.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html You'll have to scroll down through the postings, unless you already know the story. He is about 98% recovered. He runs and plays just like he used to. He still has a tiny limp in his right rear leg, but that is small potatoes compared to being paralyzed. If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting this sweet angel, I hope you get to sometime. Rocky has changed my life for the better and I strive to be as kind and loving as he is!

Jeff and I went to his parent's house last night for dinner and Grandpa Lane was there with such a cool story. The article below is from the Standard Examiner in Ogden, they interviewed him and published his story!! He was chosen to fly to Washington DC to visit the WWII memorial. He talked with excitement about it and said it was a REALLY long day, 4.5 hours there and 4.5 hours back!!

Roy vet recipient of Honor Flight
By RACHEL J. TROTTER
Standard-Examiner correspondent

ROY — Herbert Lane says he's no hero, but there are those who would disagree. The 85-year-old World War II veteran isn't sure why he was chosen by the nonprofit group, Honor Flight
Network, for a free trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial today. But his son knows why. "He'll claim he's not one of the heroes, but they are all heroes," Ken
Lane said of his father and all the others who fought in World War II. He submitted his father's name to the Ohio-based Honor Flight Network in August 2007 after he noticed a flyer about it from a local newspaper.
Honor Flight's goal is to make sure as many World War II veterans as possible visit their memorial. Time is running out, because they are getting older and many are dying or find it too
difficult to travel, James McLaughlin, president of Honor Flight Network said, in a phone interview from Ohio. The group also wants to send Korean and Vietnam war veterans to Washington once the World War II veterans have had their turn.
Ken Lane was thrilled when he found out his father had been picked. "I just thought we weren't going to hear from them, it had been so long," he said. His father got a call from McLaughlin about three weeks ago offering him the trip and asking if he had a companion who could accompany him.
Herbert Lane has felt a wide range of emotions since that phone call. "I was surprised and then I
thought, 'Gee, that would be neat,' " he said with a smile. But he thought,"the old man isn't as young as he used to be," so he's glad to have his son going with him. He decided to take Ken, his oldest son, on the trip, because he left to go to war when Ken was only 6 months old. He didn't get home until the boy was 3.
Ken Lane said his father doesn't talk a lot about his war days, but he hopes that when they go to Washington he will open up. McLaughlin said that's common. When the veterans arrive at the memorial, it opens the floodgate of memories, and they often start talking, especially with the other veterans on the trip.
"The effect is simply amazing. It's an opportunity for closure," McLaughlin said.

Lane spent more than a year in Germany with the Air Corps and on the front lines in the
infantry near the end of the war. "I wasn't a hero, I was one of the lucky ones," he says.
Herbert Lane admits he's tried to think of those days in Germany"as little as possible. He marched across Germany with the 30th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Division of the 3rd Army.
"I was one of the lucky ones. Yes, I had frontline combat, but others paid a bigger price," he said. He remembers soon after he arrived in Germany, the troops got a visit from Gen. George S. Patton, who stood only a few feet from Herbert.
"I still remember what he said," Herbert said. "He told us he was glad to have new
blood, and all I thought was, 'You aren't getting any of my blood!'"Ken Lane feels strongly
about the service of all veterans, but knows the price his father paid by not being able to be with or communicate with his family for three years.
Herbert Lane keeps a handful of photos of himself from World War II in a family album.

Thankful

Sorry I haven't gotten around to Rocky's debut, I promise I haven't forgotten. Jeff and I will work on it tonight, hopefully we can have something posted tomorrow.

"It's an eagle!!"

I'm always on the lookout for eagles, everywhere we go! Jeff is usually driving so I get to watch for cool stuff. Everytime I see a big bird, big enough to be an eagle, I automatically yell out, "It's an eagle!!" Jeff will take a look and say, " no it's not, that's just a hawk, not every bird you see is an eagle!" So, I'll continue to look, knowing what I saw was an eagle (even if it wasn't ;)) and not caring if Jeff agreed with me or not. :)

On my way to work this morning, doing my usual thing, taking my usual boring route, I noticed a BIG bird on top of the lamp post at the top of the freeway entrance. I took off my sunglasses to get a better look and thought to myself, is it an owl??? As I got closer I realized I was looking at a golden eagle!!! Can you believe it? I looked to my left to see what it was staring at and there it was a dead doe- poor mama, right there at Redwood Road and 2-15. The eagle must have been hungry but couldn't get to it because of all of the cars. So anyway, as you can imagine, I was thrilled that I saw an eagle, and so close to home! I called Jeff and said... "guess what I just saw!!"

Our family so far... chapter 1 of 8... Princess Bella

Miss Bella just turned 4 on September 27. I can't believe she's already 4. The first couple of years were kinda challenging. Her mother is a house cat and her father is a feral cat that lives in fields. She always has been more "wild" than domestic. When she was a baby, she would attack anything that moved... yes, that seems absolutely normal for a kitten, but on top of that, if you were eating popcorn, she would growl at you and swat the popcorn out of your hand so that she could eat it, while growling! She also did this with Jolly Ranchers and any kind of fruity sucker. She knew who liked her and who she liked, she peed on Arnie's shoulder and would make evil scary faces at Lindsay. To this day, when Lindsay tries to pet her, Bella will hiss and scratch at her. I don't know why this is and I've tried to tell her to be nice, but she just won't listen! In Bella's older years she has had to adjust to quite a bit of change, moving to and from San Diego, being forced to accept new roommates, Rocky, Rustad AND Kaia! To say the least, she has done an awesome job and I'm so very proud of her. If you notice in the top corner pic, her and Rocky are laying together on the rug! I NEVER thought that this would happen. She still hisses at Kaia, and probably for good reason, but for the most part is learning to accept having to share living quarters with her.

This is the first chapter out of eight more to come. Please check back next week for all about Rocky! What a sweet soul, you won't want to miss it!

I voted today! : )

I woke up bright and early so I would be able to cast my vote for national, state and local candidates. This year I've felt an overwhelming amount of pressure from family, media, friends and emails. On the way to my polling location this morning, I was really feeling the pressure... have I made the right choices on who to vote for? Am I sure I know what I'm voting for? I met my mother at our location at 8:00 am and thankfully she had her voter info pamphlet for a refresher. I was really nervous, I didn't want to cast my vote for something I don't believe in, or reinstate a judge that could possibly sentence an innocent person to prison. This is heavy stuff! I read through the pamphlet once more and felt confident in the choices I had made. After voting, I really started thinking about how important our local votes are for the future of our state. I wish the state or county would have a "voter education course" that all registered voters must attend and maybe it could have a little quiz at the end that they would have to pass. It really scares me that some voters have no idea what they are voting for, much less who is even running! How can that be allowed? To me, it's pure irresponsibility and disrespect to our county, state and country. Good luck in casting your votes today, the line at my polling place wasn't long at all and it took only about 25 minutes. God Bless America! We are so very lucky to have this right as citizens. Please exercise it.

Tag! Jeff's it! hahaha

So Shaelene tagged me, but Jeff has volunteered to let me get his answers for it. This is me typing but Jeff talking starting.... now!

8 things I am passionate about:
1- my wife
2- my family
3- my animals
4- my house plants and my fish
5- shooting at the archery course
6- being "green"
7- my friends
8- bow hunting

8 words or phrases I use often:
1- What!?!?
2- Hullo?
3- avoid the presence of all evil
4- measure twice cut once
5- to each his own
6- later..
7- Have a good day
8- Is what it is is

8 things I have learned from the past:
1- dont lie, dont cheat, dont steal
2- what goes around, comes around..here
3- trust your gut
4- good things come to those who wait
5- everything happens for a reason
6- patience is a virtue
7- don't over commit yourself
8- always be honest

8 places I want to go to or see:
1- Amsterdam
2- Oregon
3- Washington
4- British Columbia.. bc
5- Humboldt County
6- New Zealand
7- Paul Bunion's wood pile
8- home

8 things I currently need or want:
1- ride my CR500
2- new socks
3- retire NOW
4- finish remodeling my house
5- open my garage door business
6- Rocky to live forever
7- hmm.. i dont know
8-


I tag... Jodi, Karrie, Jill, Lindsay Lane, Amanda.

Beautiful New Mexico!

After about 12 hours of driving, we arrived in Taos, NM. The scenery is very similar to the Salt Lake Valley. It has really tall mountains surrounding the area.
So, as some of you readers may already know, (if you've read the pevious post) I thought we were going to Angel Fire New Mexico, but actually our hotel is in Taos and Jeff's jobsite is in Angel Fire. This is such a neat area with little shops and chili pepper wreath thingys all over! I wish I had another lady here with me to tour the shops! When we first got to Taos, we went to our hotel, the Quality Inn... the lobby was decent and we were excited! We got to our room and it was so dirty, there were flies and the carpet was nasty, it was a real downer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the kinda gal that can't handle a little dirt! : ) But this was too much, Rocky and Kaia were on edge the whole time, we just didn't get a good vibe. So... we drove through town and looked at another place called the El Pueblo Lodge. That place wasn't too well off itself! ;) It was super old, which I kinda liked... ya know the style, old southwestern style!? but it was the kinda old that hadn't been kept up on. I was losing hope because both of us really didn't want to stay at the QI... augh! As we were headed back to the Quality Inn we mistakenly drove right past it and for some miraculous reason found a way nicer place, nothing too fancy schmancy!! : ) I went inside and the place was normal, not dirty, not smelly, normal! Needless to say, we immediately switched hotels and our whole visit changed, we were able to relax a bit after a very long drive! This place is wonderful though, we really like it here.. really kind people! Last night, coinsidentally, there was a hot air ballon thing going on a few blocks from our hotel, they were lighting up in the dark, it was really cool!



In the above picture you can see that Taos is part of a loop on the map, it's called "The Enchanted Circle". What an amazing drive! We drove the entire loop and got to see some way cool stuff, I spotted a coyote as big as Kaia! It was such a beautiful drive through the canyon which parts drove through Carson National Forest. I was surprised to see how much it looked like Big or Little Cottonwood, but different. I never would have guessed that New Mexico would be so mountainous and full of wildlife. There are rivers and lakes and reservoirs everywhere! I really want to catch some trout before I leave and take it home for my bro to smoke! yum.

We found the LDS church/office suite, and I was once again suprised! I guess I'm just so used to seeing LDS churches in Utah and thought they were all the same. Angel Fire's LDS church is in a little community center with multiple sepearte office suites... the "ward house" is an office suite! Wow! This made me realize for the first time how fortunate LDS members are in Utah, to have a nice big clean ward house to worship in.
Anyway, that's all for today. I'm taking lots of pics, but I don't have the cord thingy to transfer the pics onto my computer.

Love, Elise, Jeff, Rocky and Kaia

Angel Fire, New Mexico

Ever heard of it? I hadn't so I began researching and I am SOOO excited to go there!

Angel Fire is a high-altitude haven in New Mexico's Moreno Valley. At 8,400 feet above sea level the valley is surrounded by towering mountains typically splashed by spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

The Ute Indians gave Angel Fire its name when they saw those glowing skies and called it the "fire of the angels."

Summers are cool and dry. You'll rarely find a day with temperatures hotter than 80 degrees, even in July and August when everywhere else is red hot.

As some of you know, Jeffrey travels on occasion for work. This time, he is going to Angel Fire, New Mexico and asked me if I wanted to go with him! Of course I do! It's so hard for me to sleep without him home, I'm scared of the dark : ) so I checked with work and got it cleared to work remotely from the hotel during the days! I am so excited, we're taking Rocky and Kaia, they are going to love going for daily runs in this new place. I'd like to get two queen beds, one for Jeff & I and one for Rocky and Kaia. : ) I'll post pics and stories while I'm there! Have any of you ever been here?

Handbag winner!!

Jess Knight, of Eagle Mountain, Congrats!

http://www.handbagplanet.com/contest-winners.html?coupon=launch&utm_campaign=Handbag%20Planet%20Reveals%20Winners%2E%2E%2E&utm_content=peechaz82@yahoo.com.com&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_term=Click%20Here%20to%20view%20the%20Winners

Tag.. you're it!

This is so much fun!

Seven Random Facts about me!!

1. I have pumpkin orange countertops in my kitchen (which go wonderfully with my fall decor)
2. I have a passion for animals of all kinds
3. I love to mow the lawn too! Jeff and I got into a little tiff about who was going to mow the lawn when we first got our lawnmower. : )
4. I am a frugal shopper and love to find free stuff on craigslist. We got our dishwasher and sliding glass door for free there
5. I have never broken a major bone, only my big toe
6. My favorite place to be is with my husby
7. Harmon's is my favorite grocery store, actually the only one I shop at!

I tag...... Amanda, Jodi & Jess

"The Big One"

So I'm sure, if you live in Utah and pay any attention at all, you have heard that the Wasatch Front is over due for a major earthquake It is expected to be 7.0 or greater. I read an article published in the Deseret News back in 2006 about the worst case scenario for WHEN, not if, "The Big One" hits. I think it's so important that we take the necessary steps to ensure safety of ourselves and loved ones as best we can before it's too late. Below are some excerpts from the article... remember, this is all just a prediction and in the worst case scenario...

- It is 2 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2008, a freezing, snowy Friday. Most people are still at work or school — which, unfortunately, is the worst-case scenario for what is about to happen.

The next few seconds will release geologic pressure that built over 13 centuries, and — as scientists had predicted back in 2006 — will soon kill more than 6,000 people, injure 90,000 and cause a $40 billion economic hit.

- Utahns now will find they will need to depend on such preparation for far longer than officials in previous decades had once warned — and may need to survive with their "72-hour" emergency kits for five days or longer.

Police, fire and other emergency responders will be too busy to reach most people for days — so individuals and families will have to rely on themselves and their neighbors for help

- The movement soon leaves a new 10-foot-tall ledge or "scarp" — a height that varies at different points along the fault — as scientists had predicted. The scarp is 29 miles long and now divides areas west and east of it like a great wall. Roads that were once level now have a 10-foot drop-off. Power, water and gas lines there snap.

- Shaking is so severe throughout Salt Lake County that virtually no one there is able to stand without falling. Unsecured hot-water heaters in many homes shake loose and break natural gas and water lines. Fires start.

- Next, the severe shaking makes some saturated, sandy soils act like a liquid, or more accurately like quicksand. This "liquefaction" causes some buildings to sink or roll over in unstable soils. Landslides follow in some areas.

- All this damage has happened in under a minute

- Significantly, as people start looking for help, about a quarter of all area police and fire stations have themselves suffered at least moderate damage and a handful are beyond repair. One emergency communications center in Salt Lake City has been knocked out of service.

About 152,000 people are now newly homeless, and it is a freezing winter day.

- "I think people in our valley have expected to call 911 and have help there in three minutes. But in the event of a catastrophic event, it's not going to happen. People are going to be on their own. It will give new meaning to individual and family preparation."

I'm going to desinate a night within the next few weeks where anyone who wants can come to my house and put their kits together. Let me know if you want to join and I'll get you the information and cost for each pack.

If you want to read the article in its entirety...
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,635199749,00.html?pg=1


Here are some links that I've found very helpful...

Be Ready Utah http://www.bereadyutah.gov
U of U seismograph stations(best site for research and information): http://www.seis.utah.edu/
Local Quake Threat: http://www.quake.utah.edu/lqthreat/threat.shtml
Liquefaction potential maps: http://www.quake.utah.edu/lqthreat/liquefaction.shtml

4th picture in your 4th folder...

How fun is this! Thanks manda! This is the 4th pic in my 4th folder. We were in the San Francisco airport waiting for our flight to board. We were headed home from Jeff's cousin wedding in Santa Cruz, which was so much fun! Mike and Roye's wedding nestled in the beautimous Redwoods! It was so romantic! What a cool wedding! I remember right across the street, Sami showed me albino peacocks!

enter to win a FREE handbag

I saw this link on Jill's blog and tried it out, you enter your name and your email address and then pick which handbag you want to win! It's completely FREE! Handbag Planet is trying to get their name out there. Check it out... good luck! www.handbagplanet.com

1 year of blissful marriage!!!

Yes, can you believe it?? It's already been a year! In celebration of our commitment to each other we had an anniversary weekend! Monday was the actual day, but we decided to go all out and celebrate it 4 days in a row!!! Whoo hooo!! Friday night we went to Sushi at Tsunami, it was so delicious, I swear they had just flown the fish in 15 minutes before we got there! Saturday, Jeff had planned a fancy schmancy dinner in Park City, so I called one of my most dearest friends, Heather, to go shopping with me and help me find the perfect dress!

Jeff and I ate dinner at Grappa on Main Street, it was really fun! Then, we headed to the Marriott downtown. We stayed there on our wedding night too, so it's sentimental to us. : ) We drank our Dom Perignon (gift from the Molletts)and reminised about our wedding ceremony, reception and honeymoon. It was so nice... Then on Sunday we went a little more low key and ate at Five Guys Burgers and Fries! Yumm! There beef is all natural!!! After that we went shopping and got some good smelling lotions, perfumes, and oil stuff for the house. Yes, there's more! Monday, finally rolled around, we ate lunch at the Point, where we got married of course, and then we went to Brewvies to watch Pineapple Express, which I don't recommend. duh! duh! Then, we went home for a dinner, made by Jeff Lane! Enjoy the pics!

Annie's 2nd birthday!! (Sep 20th)

My niece Annie (beeba) turned 2 on September 20th. The party started at the Kangaroo Zoo in Pleasant Grove. You can see from the pics there aren't any real kangaroos, but they call it that because it has alot of different bouncy blow up jumper thingys : ) After that we went back to her house for pizza and presents! She got super spoiled and enjoyed every minute of it. Happy Birthday Beeba!

Kristin's visit September 11-15

My littlest sister from Washington came to stay with Jeff and I a few weeks ago. We got to know each other and just hung out and had a great time! I hadn't seen her since she was 7 and she's now 17!!! She brought her way cool boyfriend, Josh with her too. It was alot of fun getting to know these guys. My favorite part of the whole trip was watching Krisi and Josh get to know their adorable nieces and nephew. It was so satisfying for me. I think it brought me peace and closure in regards to my family situation in Washington. I can't wait for our next visit with Krisi and Josh whether it be Jeff and I going up there or them coming back down here.

The leaves are changing!

Have you noticed? Can you feel the crispness in the air? I love this time of the year, it's just so beautiful. Today is the first day since early spring, I have worn a sweater. I love summer time, but man! I miss wearing my sweaters and dressing warm. The official first day of Autumn isn't until Spetmeber 22nd this year, but it's just so close, I can't wait.

How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground.
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

O'Hara family vacation

We spent this past weekend in sunny St. George. It was the first family vacation we have taken since Disneyland 11 years ago! We all have additions now, I never realized how big the O'Hara's are now until I looked at this pic. We just hung out as a family all weekend, It was alot of fun. The house we stayed in was on the Entrada golf course. It was beautiful. It had 5 bedrooms and 6 baths. It was perfect!

The Hunt!

We're back, and yes, Jeff got a deer, not sure if you can call it a buck. It's a he she, a hermaphrodite! It had both male and female anatomy! Have you ever heard of anything so freaky? It was a fun hunt, Jeff hunted morning and night for 5 days, and brought this one back to camp.
We slept during the day and watched movies on the laptop! See Kaia under Jeff's legs? LOL
Rocky thought the horseshoe pit was the perfect spot for him, he must have thought the boys dug it out just for him! : )

Paunsaugunt Plateau scouting trip

Wow! We just got back from the Paunsaugunt. Saturday morning, we woke up early to go look around and see what the business is this year. We saw some really nice 3 and 4 points, probably about 20 or so. As the morning went one, we decided to drive on this road Jeff found last year, it runs parallel with the main road where we saw the 20 bucks. As we were driving along, we saw a few deer cross the road in front of us and we started to get excited. At 8:40 am, we saw the cactus buck or one just like him!!! Jeff got some sweet footage, I'll try to load it today so you can see what I'm talking about. It's at least a 12 by 12 and has "junk" all over it's rack, knobby points that stick out. This is the one Jeff will be trying for, unless he happens to see something, bigger and better. ; )
After we got back from the morning scout, we were setting up camp and Rocky and Kaia were running all over the place, chasing birds, digging and playing like the crazy dogs they are when Jeff and I heard a bark/yelp? Not really sure, but about 15 minutes later, I noticed a pretty gnarly gash on Kaia above her left front leg. We decided we better take her to the Vet in case she had been bitten by some wild animal or something. We drove 2 hours to Cedar City and found a Vet that met us at his office, he sewed Kaia up with 2 stitches and we drove back to camp. She's a little sore, but she is doing good and healing fast. Poor baby!
Later that night on the evening scout, we say 3 bull elk and a cow elk with her baby. It was so cool, that was my first time EVER seeing bull elk in the wild. Amazing! Saturday morning, we saw about 15 cow elk and the same 20 or so bucks from the morning before, we looked for the trashy buck, but didn't get the chance to see him again. : (
Sometimes it's crazy how things fall into place, I think it has alot to do with what you're thinking and the energy you release. It's just amazing!

Dallas, Texas????

So, the map I have to the right shows me how many people viewed my blog today and where they're from, most of the time I can tell who has looked at it by the location, i.e. orem, ut? That's probably my favorite cousin Meg. Auburn, Wa? That's probably, my cute little sis, Kristin. Dallas, Tx?? Who are you? I'm so glad you read my blog, but who are you? I'm so curious? Marcella? leave me a comment, reveal yourself! : ) Love ya, peace out!

Blue Lake 2008

Jeff and I spent the past 5 days up Ephraim Canyon right off of Skyline Drive with the Lane's and the Oviatt's. It's a yearly tradition for both families. Jeff has been going there since he was 2. We had so much fun, Ron and Amanda and the girls made it up. Although they had a bit of trouble, they got 2 flat tires, and to top it off on Saturday night, leaving Blue Lake to go back to camp, they got disconnected and we couldn't find them for 3 hours. I had all 3 girls and Eden was starting to get hungry, I about lost it, and then my sweet mother in law, Connie came to my rescue and took Eden, found her a binky, changed her diaper and got her wrapped up. It was SCARY!!!! I'm so glad everything turned out ok, and they made it back safely.

Lindsay and I got to shoot a bow and arrow for the first time ever, she hit the target in the leg and I hit it in the eye! Can you believe it?!? It was sooooo much fun!

Kaia went swimming for the first time, she's always been scared, but this time, she jumped right in and splashed away! It was such a great trip. Enjoy the pics!

Bye, bye Excursion... see you soon!

Yay! We are finally in a position where we could have the engine replaced in the Excursion! Last week, we had it towed to the shop, bye bye! By last Saturday, it was finished. We've been driving it and never realized how much we missed it until we got it working again. It's been sitting for almost a year, since it bit the dust on the way home from the Paunsaugunt last year. That was a crazy story. Anyway, we are so excited to have it back, the dogs LOVE it. We even have a ramp for Rocky so he doesn't have to try to jump in.

Funny Pics and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com

PAUNSAUGUNT BOW HUNT

Jeff drew out!!! At first he didn't, then he got a call from the DWR on Friday telling him that one of the lucky hunters that drew out had surrendered their tag for some reason or another and that if Jeff wanted, he could have the tag because he was next in line! He is extremely happy and hopes to find the cactus buck!

Funny Pictures and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com

More Funny Pictures and Myspace Layouts atpYzam.com

Harrison Gains Black June 15, 2008

Joe and Kari had their new little baby on Father's Day, June 15th, 2008. He weighed in at 6lbs and 10 oz. He is 19 inches long and has the cutest strawberry blonde hair. He looks just like his daddy, same head shape and even the same hairline. Too cute! There are so many babies being born in our immediate friends circle right now. Jeff was thinking about it the other day and asked, "I wonder what was going on 9 months ago?" Duh! Our wedding.... love was definitely in the air and we are so glad so many people felt it! Congratulations Joe, Kari, Haley, Riley! Welcome to Earth, Harrison, may you always be blessed!