Weekend at the Cabin

We did a family get-a-way up at my parents cabin this weekend. As always we love spending time together as a family. Since my brother Ryan and his wife Karen and their family are moving to New Jersey this week, it was our last little hurrah before they hop on the plane. It's always so relaxing and beautiful up there. The snow has finally melted, all the spring flowers are in bloom and the deer are plentiful. We always have a great time riding 4 wheelers. watching movies, eating yummy treats, staying up late laughing (especially after all the little kids have gone to bed.) On Saturday, we pulled the canoe out and took it onto a spring run-off pond. It was so much fun. I especially like taking the little kids for a ride in the canoe. We saw lots of salamanders in the pond...if only we had a net to catch them. We even made it the entire afternoon without tiping the boat! What great memories! I'll miss Ryan and Karen and their adorible 4 kids so much, but I know that have a great adventure ahead of them.

Strawberries, Strawberries, Strawberries

We've only lived in Pleasant Grove for four months and already were able to celebrate our first of many "Strawberry Days" earlier this month. It was quite the small town festival. My sister Camille and her family came down and spent the weekend. We woke up early and went to the morning parade where we saw my darling niece who was on a float for Little Miss Lindon. It's always fun to know someone in a parade. We cheered loud for her! Then we went swimming in our pool to cool off on the hot Saturday. Afterwards we headed over to the Strawberry Days Rodeo. I am always amazed at why people think that riding an animal that will buck you off and almost kill you is a sport and that it's fun. I'm not quite sure but it sure is entertaining. My favorite would have to be the mutton bustin - where 1-3 year olds ride these lambs and hang on for dear life. It's actually quite hilarious to watch.

Stephen and I are enjoying some famous Strawberries and Cream. We couldn't get enough of these at Strawberry Days.

Here's my cute niece Jenna(the one on the right in pink) on the Little Miss Lindon Float. Which my sister and the other mom's spent HOURS making.

Christmas in June?!?

I just have to share my new favorite addition to our home. We are so excited to get a baby grand piano! Stephen and I have been fighting to take turns playing it ever since it arrived. ;o) The first night we had it we spent about 3 hours just taking turns playing it and singing together. It was so much fun. I've been saving for a very long time for this and now that we're in a more permanent place we went looking. I now have learned the rule 'don't look unless your intending to really buy'! We found a piano store that is going out of business and just couldn't pass it up. I would have to admit I'm quite rusty and have lost a lot. I'm excited that I'll be able to practice and polish my piano playing skills.

Road Trip

Stephen and I decided to take a last minute road trip down to Arches National Park this weekend. We couldn't wait to go camping this summer. So we through together our things and hopped in the car. We got there late that night and tried to find a campsite in the dark. After looking at about 7 campsites we finally found a place to pitch our tent. Then the next morning we got up early and headed into the park. We did a few hikes that day, but I would have to say that my favorite part was the hike to Delicate Arch. It is so massive as it sits on the edge of a cliff. We then hit the road again and headed back home. It was a great little get-a-way especially for being spontaneous and the weather was wonderful. I love the beautiful red rocks down in Southern Utah!