tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23857075020595573092024-03-12T16:12:09.971-07:00Our StoryJeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-28330132272094764822011-11-17T18:02:00.000-08:002011-11-17T18:02:37.760-08:00Random Events<div style="text-align: center;">Here are some random events that we have had going on lately:</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFGiUaaBd70/TsW6dgfJStI/AAAAAAAAAcc/-9v2AP8oWYo/s1600/IMG_1197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFGiUaaBd70/TsW6dgfJStI/AAAAAAAAAcc/-9v2AP8oWYo/s400/IMG_1197.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We took a weekend trip up to my parent's house. We all went on a hike at our favorite spot, Briones Regional Park.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Otqeya8GwQo/TsW6wbxUwkI/AAAAAAAAAck/V6riZFJgMRA/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Otqeya8GwQo/TsW6wbxUwkI/AAAAAAAAAck/V6riZFJgMRA/s400/IMG_1205.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also while we were in the Bay Area, we had a wonderful meal over at the Robinson's house. Jeff and Dustin both got their hair done while we were there.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BbBIHcBoqA4/TsW7E6DKRpI/AAAAAAAAAcs/zX_xV5fn7vg/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BbBIHcBoqA4/TsW7E6DKRpI/AAAAAAAAAcs/zX_xV5fn7vg/s400/IMG_1356.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A big group of us went to a Galaxy playoff game. Here is Jeff looking really happy after the big win!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Qw3oT3u_Dg/TsW7WGs_vQI/AAAAAAAAAc0/lC9njYGtwSw/s1600/IMG_1385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Qw3oT3u_Dg/TsW7WGs_vQI/AAAAAAAAAc0/lC9njYGtwSw/s400/IMG_1385.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last Friday Jeff surprised me at work with flowers just because! I had no idea he was coming and all of my coworkers were jealous. It was so sweet of him!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3dC9Lwlu-NM/TsW7kcy6C0I/AAAAAAAAAc8/X15lil8X29k/s1600/IMG_1392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3dC9Lwlu-NM/TsW7kcy6C0I/AAAAAAAAAc8/X15lil8X29k/s400/IMG_1392.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On Saturday we got to go to the LA Kings hockey game! My boss has really good season tickets and couldn't go to that game so he gave them to me. They were such great seats and we had a lot of fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-71840735614246995722011-11-17T17:48:00.000-08:002011-11-17T17:48:43.921-08:00Fall<div style="text-align: center;">We have had a great fall season this year! Despite the weather in Southern California being pretty different from your typical fall, we were still able to do a bunch of activities to get us into the fall spirit!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was so excited to get to actually go to Lombardi Ranch with Jeff's family this year. Previous years, we have lived too far away and been too busy. I met up with everyone after work and it was a lot of fun. We walked around looking at the animals, decorations, and millions of pumpkins. Then a few of us took Ellie and Paige in the corn maze! It was pretty cool and the girls loved it! Afterwards we had Bill's famous chilli for dinner and it was so good as always. I am so glad we were able to make it this year for such a fun family tradition!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jtgm_1p3jd0/TsW1_nyw6dI/AAAAAAAAAbU/IZCl0kfxRO4/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jtgm_1p3jd0/TsW1_nyw6dI/AAAAAAAAAbU/IZCl0kfxRO4/s400/IMG_1211.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvlAQpGhoJo/TsW2D2b4N6I/AAAAAAAAAbc/B3KyLIyhqCU/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvlAQpGhoJo/TsW2D2b4N6I/AAAAAAAAAbc/B3KyLIyhqCU/s400/IMG_1222.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8t-Rg81012U/TsW2KhnZl_I/AAAAAAAAAbk/N_CeDhfikq8/s1600/IMG_1223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8t-Rg81012U/TsW2KhnZl_I/AAAAAAAAAbk/N_CeDhfikq8/s400/IMG_1223.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A few days before Halloween, we had some friends over to all carve pumpkins together. Jeff got really into his and spent four hours carving it. He was so proud of his work, he was showing it off to everyone. I must say, it did turn out pretty good!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0MEEDFe3bz8/TsW4FGLrO4I/AAAAAAAAAcE/sxObYbskaNg/s1600/IMG_1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0MEEDFe3bz8/TsW4FGLrO4I/AAAAAAAAAcE/sxObYbskaNg/s400/IMG_1224.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jeff working hard on his masterpiece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jBnk4ojIAs/TsW2pOdTFfI/AAAAAAAAAbs/MV9m-WM3fBA/s1600/IMG_1238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jBnk4ojIAs/TsW2pOdTFfI/AAAAAAAAAbs/MV9m-WM3fBA/s400/IMG_1238.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jeff's Galaxy Pumpkin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hYhdiIbJ1c/TsW2uwj7mlI/AAAAAAAAAb0/w1exyYXrV0o/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hYhdiIbJ1c/TsW2uwj7mlI/AAAAAAAAAb0/w1exyYXrV0o/s400/IMG_1242.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My Happy Pumpkin</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On Halloween we got to go Trick or Treating with Jackie and Claire. Claire was dressed as Elmo and she was so cute as she went from house to house. After about the first house she got the hang of it and this is exactly what she said to each person to answer a door:</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Trick or Treat! Thank you! Happy Halloween! I like your Elmo costume!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">followed by:</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Next house! Next house! Next house! Next house!..."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was so cute and hilarious! She kept hearing everyone say they liked her Elmo costume, so she just kept saying the same thing back to everyone else! We had such a fun time with her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rkHUiEYboYs/TsW3rEdUHBI/AAAAAAAAAb8/-AXLdGp3IWU/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rkHUiEYboYs/TsW3rEdUHBI/AAAAAAAAAb8/-AXLdGp3IWU/s400/IMG_1253.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Despite there being such warm weather at the beginning of the season, the cold has definitely kicked in recently just in time for Thanksgiving. Two weeks ago it hailed harder than I have ever seen. It was crazy and the hail stayed in the grass until the next morning!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RN3triUz85s/TsW4r5lQzLI/AAAAAAAAAcM/Hv2S3YD0vfY/s1600/IMG_1362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RN3triUz85s/TsW4r5lQzLI/AAAAAAAAAcM/Hv2S3YD0vfY/s400/IMG_1362.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jeff and Jim under attack.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djGVGZfXYic/TsW4wCidPsI/AAAAAAAAAcU/5yaHPetNYSQ/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djGVGZfXYic/TsW4wCidPsI/AAAAAAAAAcU/5yaHPetNYSQ/s400/IMG_1373.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It looked like it snowed but it was all hail!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We have had a great fall this year! We moved in with Jeff's parents and this have been going great! We love the ward here. I found a new job that has been going really well. And Jeff is continuing on with his search for a job as a policeman.</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-7849377175704944492011-11-17T17:29:00.000-08:002011-11-17T17:29:32.145-08:00Jeff's 28th Birthday<div style="text-align: center;">Jeff turned 28 back in September. To celebrate I made a yummy dinner and pie that he requested. We had a few friends come over and he blew out his candles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlno6QvnXMk/TsWyZOdFGII/AAAAAAAAAa0/gRNguhx3phk/s1600/IMG_1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlno6QvnXMk/TsWyZOdFGII/AAAAAAAAAa0/gRNguhx3phk/s320/IMG_1181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few days before his birthday I let him go pick out a brand new surf board!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDnBm36txaE/TsWynFvKn2I/AAAAAAAAAa8/ueshCitMI-k/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDnBm36txaE/TsWynFvKn2I/AAAAAAAAAa8/ueshCitMI-k/s320/IMG_1179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And on his birthday I surprised him with a Go Pro camera! This is a really cool camera that he attaches to his surf board so he can take videos of himself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some of the pictures we got from his Go Pro:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3bHbfpNLag/TsW0V5wDdCI/AAAAAAAAAbE/8zwtNdseqMQ/s1600/IMG_1357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3bHbfpNLag/TsW0V5wDdCI/AAAAAAAAAbE/8zwtNdseqMQ/s400/IMG_1357.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9aWzJiFggo/TsW0XCOHp6I/AAAAAAAAAbM/wwBDUIHi70U/s1600/IMG_1358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9aWzJiFggo/TsW0XCOHp6I/AAAAAAAAAbM/wwBDUIHi70U/s400/IMG_1358.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pretty cool, huh?? Jeff loves watching himself in the videos over and over again. He thinks he really is a Pro Surfer now. I am excited because I actually can watch him surf and I don't have to go to the beach in the winter at 5:00am.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Overall, Jeff had a great birthday!</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-83002066443825432512011-09-13T16:44:00.000-07:002011-09-13T16:44:42.693-07:00Girls Weekend-Scottsdale, Arizona<div style="text-align: center;">For Labor Day Weekend Jaicy, Alysse, Mollie and I headed to Scottsdale, Arizona for a much needed girls weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We stayed at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort and Spa thanks to the reccommendation of Mollie's friend Nicole Marriott herself! We heard so many wonderful things about this resort from many sources and it definitely lived up to what we heard.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The spa at the resort was our daily destination.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f56UKMj76kY/Tm_fNvB3QzI/AAAAAAAAAac/sSOZjs4gXqE/s1600/IMG_1162jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f56UKMj76kY/Tm_fNvB3QzI/AAAAAAAAAac/sSOZjs4gXqE/s400/IMG_1162jpg.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We had some delicious breakfasts at Sprouts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJU6xlo-1QE/Tm_fPW_e8pI/AAAAAAAAAag/uxqG8-tAhJk/s1600/IMG_1166jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJU6xlo-1QE/Tm_fPW_e8pI/AAAAAAAAAag/uxqG8-tAhJk/s400/IMG_1166jpg.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lots and lots of our time was spent in the pool in order to escape the Arizona heat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwleEj7ine8/Tm_fQzljWII/AAAAAAAAAak/3QfzRmxxJFE/s1600/IMG_1165jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwleEj7ine8/Tm_fQzljWII/AAAAAAAAAak/3QfzRmxxJFE/s400/IMG_1165jpg.jpg" width="393" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> On Saturday we all got a swedish massage and on Sunday we all got the most heavenly facial ever. Since we bought spa services both days we got access to the spa for the whole weekend! It was great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dObt-hUMCt4/Tm_fRv2iSpI/AAAAAAAAAao/Xp3mK4QMSLo/s1600/IMG_1161jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dObt-hUMCt4/Tm_fRv2iSpI/AAAAAAAAAao/Xp3mK4QMSLo/s400/IMG_1161jpg.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We ate some yummy salad and pizza one night and then some excellent Mexican food the next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WBEIFk8dUc/Tm_fSujq80I/AAAAAAAAAas/B4KkB-Gqi2s/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WBEIFk8dUc/Tm_fSujq80I/AAAAAAAAAas/B4KkB-Gqi2s/s400/IMG_1158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhGkbVHertI/Tm_fTJuF1KI/AAAAAAAAAaw/NCE7HNEZ2x8/s1600/IMG_1163jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhGkbVHertI/Tm_fTJuF1KI/AAAAAAAAAaw/NCE7HNEZ2x8/s400/IMG_1163jpg.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was so good to catch up on each others lives and relive old memories together. We plan on making girls weekend an annual thing and you better believe we have some big plans for next year up our sleeves already!</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-64121426011119563292011-09-13T15:36:00.000-07:002011-09-13T15:36:06.059-07:00A Day in LA<div style="text-align: center;">A few weeks ago Jeff and I both randomly had a Thursday off of work. His dad had given him a gift card for Flemings a while ago so we decided to head into downtown Los Angeles to spend the day there and then eat a fancy meal.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our first stop (and the only one with pictures) was a spot from a movie. Can you figure out which one?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--lzRy1RL3EM/Tm_XVj7ojWI/AAAAAAAAAaI/FLU9YPOjnik/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--lzRy1RL3EM/Tm_XVj7ojWI/AAAAAAAAAaI/FLU9YPOjnik/s400/IMG_1133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> 500 Days of Summer! This is the bench that Tom takes Summer to and says is his favorite spot. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eWp9PJXuJt8/Tm_XcMUQbmI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/P7pDIkJ_eyk/s1600/IMG_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eWp9PJXuJt8/Tm_XcMUQbmI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/P7pDIkJ_eyk/s400/IMG_1144.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> It definitely looked more appealing in the movie than it did in person with all of the homeless people sleeping a few yards away. Nevertheless, we sat and enjoyed the tiny park among the tall buildings for a little while.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvkp1Xl18RM/Tm_XYqB8bXI/AAAAAAAAAaM/SezjhAkRrkY/s1600/IMG_1135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvkp1Xl18RM/Tm_XYqB8bXI/AAAAAAAAAaM/SezjhAkRrkY/s400/IMG_1135.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIl-q773Z5Q/Tm_XfMlxbSI/AAAAAAAAAaU/lgBBh3yyTIo/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIl-q773Z5Q/Tm_XfMlxbSI/AAAAAAAAAaU/lgBBh3yyTIo/s400/IMG_1150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HdvEbZNTwug/Tm_XiseMMsI/AAAAAAAAAaY/hA1g56XOhqA/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HdvEbZNTwug/Tm_XiseMMsI/AAAAAAAAAaY/hA1g56XOhqA/s400/IMG_1152.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The rest of our day was spent observing busy business men, exploring downtown LA by car and by foot, a trip to the fashion district for some new fabric (YAY!), and then a wonderfully delicious meal at Flemings. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a great way to spend our random Thursday of freedom.</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-57698665066139132072011-08-30T20:20:00.000-07:002011-08-30T20:20:53.047-07:00August in a Nutshell<div style="text-align: center;">August was definitely the craziest month of the summer for us. Here is a recap:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">SURGERY</span></u></strong><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></u></strong>It started with a hernia surgery for Jeff. All went well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CAdblgsOoE/Tl2bfE7-zGI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/YmEsul627lU/s1600/photo5432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CAdblgsOoE/Tl2bfE7-zGI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/YmEsul627lU/s320/photo5432.JPG" width="239" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">FAMILY REUNION</span></strong></u></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we went up to the Bay Area again for a little family reunion where we got to see some of my relatives that I don't see too often.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NosKTEcZ2KU/Tl2b28BppNI/AAAAAAAAAaA/5GD88rJGP4o/s1600/284324_2304185400999_1140164759_32763034_7072350_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NosKTEcZ2KU/Tl2b28BppNI/AAAAAAAAAaA/5GD88rJGP4o/s320/284324_2304185400999_1140164759_32763034_7072350_n.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">REFUGIO</span></strong></u></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next it was time for the Thompson's annual Refugio trip. It was once again a great week of camping by the beach with lots of friends, family, games, laughs, food, and fun.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A few highlights of this year's trip were: Angie's $200 midnight swim in the ocean, french braiding my nieces' hair, playing Blongo Ball on the beach and bocce ball on the grass, Zane's job opportunity to buy cap guns to restock the store, taking family pictures (this will be a highlight once we get them), and a play put on by the nieces and their friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBqPBYzoNls/Tl2kZWmp82I/AAAAAAAAAaE/POqWXW0fg0M/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBqPBYzoNls/Tl2kZWmp82I/AAAAAAAAAaE/POqWXW0fg0M/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The only downsides were that the weather wasn't too great and we kept up the tradition of an ER visit. We thought we made it through the whole week with no injuries, but as we were packing up, the trailer was dropped on Bill's finger. It was cut up really bad so Jeff and I took him to the ER in Goleta. He got a few stitches and all is well. It was still a wonderful week of camping!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">MATT AND ELYSE'S WEDDING</span></u></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of Jeff's best friends from high school got married in Mesa, Arizona on August 20. As expected, it was HOT but it was a beautiful day! We went to their sealing in Mesa in the morning, a luncheon in the afternoon, and their beautiful reception at a country club in Tuscon that night. It was a great day and we are so excited for Matt and Elyse!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The following weekend they had their open house in Canyon Country, so we got to see them two weekends in a row!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE ON OUR LIVES</span></strong></u></div><div style="text-align: center;">Throughout the summer, Jeff and I were praying and fasting and made the decision for him not to go back to law school. It was a really tough choice, but we are happy with it and looking forward to the future. Jeff is trying to get into a police academy anywhere in California. He has been applying all over and we are so excited to think about where we could end up. For now, we are going to be moving up to Canyon Country for the time being so that we can save money until we know where we are going. Life keeps throwing new surprises our way, but we are excited for the adventures to come!</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-14333844410608028572011-08-03T12:54:00.000-07:002011-08-03T12:54:37.647-07:00First Anniversary!<div style="text-align: center;">July 31 was our one year anniversary! Part of me feels like we have always been married and the other part of me feels like our wedding day was yesterday. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwGReYx0giY/TjmcpAdGjHI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/BtzL7aDb7v0/s1600/34707_745894948627_24612490_41784321_6810061_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwGReYx0giY/TjmcpAdGjHI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/BtzL7aDb7v0/s320/34707_745894948627_24612490_41784321_6810061_n.jpg" t$="true" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This year sure has flown by! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To celebrate, we stayed a night in Santa Barbara on our way back from Girls Camp.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On Friday morning we got a delicious breakfast, drove around and found a pretty park in the hills, visited the Santa Barbara mission, and did a little shopping on State Street. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vx4aaHqmugU/Tjmk3wO1XkI/AAAAAAAAAZo/eH365JlCMpE/s1600/sb12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vx4aaHqmugU/Tjmk3wO1XkI/AAAAAAAAAZo/eH365JlCMpE/s320/sb12.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsJJDz1k04k/Tjmk-CFUyxI/AAAAAAAAAZs/33Ci2R6DU_I/s1600/sb8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsJJDz1k04k/Tjmk-CFUyxI/AAAAAAAAAZs/33Ci2R6DU_I/s320/sb8.JPG" t$="true" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6SAwUt85QqU/TjmlGso5cHI/AAAAAAAAAZw/7vNgGzxDwEM/s1600/sb11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6SAwUt85QqU/TjmlGso5cHI/AAAAAAAAAZw/7vNgGzxDwEM/s320/sb11.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqZNzLAuUS4/Tjmgo6FOa2I/AAAAAAAAAZU/JB3fjolXlX4/s1600/sb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqZNzLAuUS4/Tjmgo6FOa2I/AAAAAAAAAZU/JB3fjolXlX4/s320/sb.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we were able to check into our hotel and went to dinner. After dinner we took a stroll on the pier and stopped in the candy shop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3llDYJLKMo/Tjmht8MRmWI/AAAAAAAAAZc/xwjo3JVbfm4/s1600/sb7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3llDYJLKMo/Tjmht8MRmWI/AAAAAAAAAZc/xwjo3JVbfm4/s320/sb7.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noFJgjr6tdg/Tjmh1PznzII/AAAAAAAAAZg/TE5A3htj10U/s1600/sb5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noFJgjr6tdg/Tjmh1PznzII/AAAAAAAAAZg/TE5A3htj10U/s320/sb5.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cKgQw14DZKQ/Tjmg0AydTZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/dr4acG2GM0s/s1600/sb2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cKgQw14DZKQ/Tjmg0AydTZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/dr4acG2GM0s/s320/sb2.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yrh80g0bJLM/Tjmh5CnXUYI/AAAAAAAAAZk/vfjvGgic2Q0/s1600/sb6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yrh80g0bJLM/Tjmh5CnXUYI/AAAAAAAAAZk/vfjvGgic2Q0/s320/sb6.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday we enjoyed breakfast in bed, rented bikes and rode down the beach and around state street, and had a relaxing lunch before heading home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After church on Sunday we enjoyed the top of the cake from our wedding. It thawed out perfectly and tasted great!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a perfect weekend to celebrate our first year as Mr. and Mrs.!</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-64004332493122442282011-08-03T11:51:00.000-07:002011-08-03T11:51:30.548-07:00Girls Camp<div align="center">Girls camp is a week long camp that each stake of our church puts on every summer for all of the girls ages 12-18. I went every year when I was growing up and this year I had the chance to go back and bring my husband with me!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Jeff's mom is the Girls Camp extraordinaire. No seriously. She teaches Sunday School for adults. She isn't in Young Womens. But somehow she is basically in charge of Girls Camp. It is amazing. Anyways, she asked me to give a talk at their camp this year and asked Jeff to teach surf lessons so we were lucky enough to go for the entire week. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">This Girls Camp was very different from the one I would go to growing up. There were a lot of little differences but the biggest one was that we were at the BEACH!!! How cool is that? They got these group campsites and all of the girls stayed in huge tents right next to the ocean. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6pv6HvTYDao/TjmWLIltLZI/AAAAAAAAAZM/9MSBeCVdtZs/s1600/girls+camp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6pv6HvTYDao/TjmWLIltLZI/AAAAAAAAAZM/9MSBeCVdtZs/s320/girls+camp.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">I apologize but this is the only picture I took all week. Oops.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Every day we headed down to the beach. Jeff taught surf lessons and the girls LOVED IT. We all played capture the flag, went kayaking, and swam in the ocean. Every night we ate a delicious dinner and enjoyed some very entertaining and spiritual campfires.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Jeff and I had a great week. Jeff loved getting the inside scoop about what Girls Camp is really like. I loved getting to know the girls and reminiscing on my Girls Camp days. I was wishing the whole week that I was 16 again and having the time of my life with all of my friends. It feels like it was just yesterday that my friends and I were at Girls Camp. Time sure has flown but I am glad that I have opportunities to be a leader and example for those girls now.</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-17285550356507954302011-08-03T11:23:00.000-07:002011-08-03T11:23:21.942-07:00Dodger Game<div style="text-align: center;">A few weeks ago we got to attend Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium. Even though I might not be the biggest Dodger fan, it was still fun to be at a baseball game! I used to go to A's and Giants games all the time in high school and during summers when I was home from college. It had been a while since the last time I went to a game and it was good to be back (even if it was for the wrong team). We met Jeff's family there and some people from his parent's stake and a fun time was had by all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qe10I6sLIJg/TjmRuc9HEHI/AAAAAAAAAZA/lvaq5L6KgBk/s1600/dodger+game4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qe10I6sLIJg/TjmRuc9HEHI/AAAAAAAAAZA/lvaq5L6KgBk/s320/dodger+game4.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-sxDAt6-Cg/TjmRwHZGciI/AAAAAAAAAZE/F6SlmpE1tjE/s1600/dodger+game2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-sxDAt6-Cg/TjmRwHZGciI/AAAAAAAAAZE/F6SlmpE1tjE/s320/dodger+game2.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2feKDpUs5ew/TjmR4FtR1kI/AAAAAAAAAZI/IDn-ZA06wds/s1600/dodger+game.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2feKDpUs5ew/TjmR4FtR1kI/AAAAAAAAAZI/IDn-ZA06wds/s320/dodger+game.JPG" t$="true" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-8970468615068353792011-07-11T23:23:00.000-07:002011-07-11T23:23:16.020-07:00PJ and Courtney's Wedding<div style="text-align: center;">On Wednesday July 6 we headed up to the Bay Area so that we could attend PJ and Courtney's wedding and all of their festivities. It was a busy weekend but as always, we had the best time ever! I love any chance I get to be reunited with my friends!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On Thursday there was a BBQ for friends of the bride and groom at Hap Magee Park. We had burgers and got to all catch up with each other. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-frHPUXomNyA/ThvQn5xrS4I/AAAAAAAAAW0/p_9IoGX1TFA/s1600/IMG_0864.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-frHPUXomNyA/ThvQn5xrS4I/AAAAAAAAAW0/p_9IoGX1TFA/s400/IMG_0864.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All of the girls at the BBQ.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Right after the BBQ, we headed to the Sellands' for a PJ Party. We all surprised Courtney by getting into our PJs and making her do the same! Jaicy made Courtney a cute shirt that had a picture of PJ and said "my new bedtime buddy." We all lounged on the floor, did each other's hair, made friendship bracelets, talked about PJ, drank root beer floats, and then watched a slideshow that I made for Courtney. It was a great night!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLOAWcepq1U/Thve3Dl-RKI/AAAAAAAAAW8/Uwj65uFNzjw/s1600/IMG_0865.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLOAWcepq1U/Thve3Dl-RKI/AAAAAAAAAW8/Uwj65uFNzjw/s400/IMG_0865.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i0KPz1LFpzk/Thve4OW0gWI/AAAAAAAAAXA/sbfP_pSBBj4/s1600/IMG_0866.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i0KPz1LFpzk/Thve4OW0gWI/AAAAAAAAAXA/sbfP_pSBBj4/s400/IMG_0866.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friday morning we had a bridal shower brunch for Court. Jaicy made THE MOST DELICIOUS BREAKFAST, read us a letter from PJ to Courtney and then Courtney opened her presents. I loved having so much girl time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This has nothing to do with the wedding, but that afternoon we went swimming at Kim's house. Kim is terrified of lizards of any kind and of course when we got in the pool we found a HUGE lizard/iguana/dinosaur. We had never seen anything like it in California and it could very possibly be a runaway pet. It was hilarious because even after Jeff took it out of the pool, it kept hanging out on the lawn nearby. Kim kept an eye on it the whole time to make sure it didn't attack. We are still wondering what the heck it was!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday July 9th was the big day! Courtney and PJ had been waiting for this day since December and it certainly didn't disappoint! In the morning we went to the Oakland Temple for their sealing. PJ's grandpa was able to seal them and it was beautiful. Afterwards we took pictures at the temple and congratulated the newlyweds.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SaHMUBAz5Bc/ThvjE6pRfqI/AAAAAAAAAXs/5N_AAOTqxf0/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SaHMUBAz5Bc/ThvjE6pRfqI/AAAAAAAAAXs/5N_AAOTqxf0/s320/IMG_0978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oISlG3eANg/ThviwIwp4xI/AAAAAAAAAXc/MgM1wtndSlo/s1600/263889_2160419803495_1036530305_32459807_6053227_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oISlG3eANg/ThviwIwp4xI/AAAAAAAAAXc/MgM1wtndSlo/s400/263889_2160419803495_1036530305_32459807_6053227_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jF8nZCHJcLE/ThviwQZBFpI/AAAAAAAAAXg/CmyVX-N470Q/s1600/264928_2160425323633_1036530305_32459829_5356168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jF8nZCHJcLE/ThviwQZBFpI/AAAAAAAAAXg/CmyVX-N470Q/s400/264928_2160425323633_1036530305_32459829_5356168_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBxKDGavjLA/Thvi5v2WeHI/AAAAAAAAAXk/H7uH3_4frHA/s1600/IMG_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBxKDGavjLA/Thvi5v2WeHI/AAAAAAAAAXk/H7uH3_4frHA/s320/IMG_0966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3DrM3CQAFY/Thvi8U6i-EI/AAAAAAAAAXo/E29pufAIuqQ/s1600/263463_2160418323458_1036530305_32459803_403578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3DrM3CQAFY/Thvi8U6i-EI/AAAAAAAAAXo/E29pufAIuqQ/s400/263463_2160418323458_1036530305_32459803_403578_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jeff, Emily, Dustin, Katie, Kim, Ben and I went to High Tech Burrito to grab a quick lunch then went to help set up for the reception.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Their reception was at the old one room school house on the outskirts of Danville. Most of us hadn't been there since elementary school field trips. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6YJPEoEIe8/Thvg070FdPI/AAAAAAAAAXE/BCV6IdHt2O8/s1600/IMG_0863.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6YJPEoEIe8/Thvg070FdPI/AAAAAAAAAXE/BCV6IdHt2O8/s400/IMG_0863.BMP" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My grandma even found this old picture of Courtney and I at the school house on our field trip in either 2nd or 3rd grade! Little did she know then that her wedding would be right there 15 years later!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The location was so beautiful and the O'Connors and Andersens put together an AMAZING reception with all of the cutest details. We set up all of the pennant flags, flowers, food tables, drink tables, dessert station, kids area, and made sure everything was perfect for when the bride and groom arrived. Everything looked flawless!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-37af3i1rhFY/ThvhjqvQqSI/AAAAAAAAAXI/JSGSyHWy5KQ/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-37af3i1rhFY/ThvhjqvQqSI/AAAAAAAAAXI/JSGSyHWy5KQ/s320/IMG_0977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6m_EZnEh58k/Thvhpdaz_vI/AAAAAAAAAXM/SD38gqMpigs/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6m_EZnEh58k/Thvhpdaz_vI/AAAAAAAAAXM/SD38gqMpigs/s320/IMG_0872.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxLhiwEOVrg/ThvhqlQC61I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/vtG61CZw_ZQ/s1600/IMG_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxLhiwEOVrg/ThvhqlQC61I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/vtG61CZw_ZQ/s320/IMG_0973.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sOF2HN6BK4/Thvhqyph84I/AAAAAAAAAXU/yFgXf69zdTQ/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sOF2HN6BK4/Thvhqyph84I/AAAAAAAAAXU/yFgXf69zdTQ/s320/IMG_0974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxivt7hF7tI/ThvlUJAp88I/AAAAAAAAAYw/qve2Q7p0TiU/s1600/IMG_0879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxivt7hF7tI/ThvlUJAp88I/AAAAAAAAAYw/qve2Q7p0TiU/s320/IMG_0879.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Such a cute idea! A board to post when you met Courtney and PJ.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohuIxzyCaUQ/ThvhrG5p_2I/AAAAAAAAAXY/tzizPwshRro/s1600/IMG_0968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohuIxzyCaUQ/ThvhrG5p_2I/AAAAAAAAAXY/tzizPwshRro/s320/IMG_0968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFR_88CzsoM/ThvjhWhXaLI/AAAAAAAAAXw/FQXgm91QqZo/s1600/261427_2160430523763_1036530305_32459847_5626572_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFR_88CzsoM/ThvjhWhXaLI/AAAAAAAAAXw/FQXgm91QqZo/s320/261427_2160430523763_1036530305_32459847_5626572_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">They even used a school bus as a shuttle to get people to the school house!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They had a beautiful ring ceremony conducted by the singles ward bishop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-W6yPvQxSg/Thvj8V84UqI/AAAAAAAAAX0/RZFxniaAzCs/s1600/IMG_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-W6yPvQxSg/Thvj8V84UqI/AAAAAAAAAX0/RZFxniaAzCs/s320/IMG_0970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QXGSLCA1Dc/Thvj8-TMF6I/AAAAAAAAAX4/7thetiJCado/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QXGSLCA1Dc/Thvj8-TMF6I/AAAAAAAAAX4/7thetiJCado/s320/IMG_0976.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADG5M9--xqs/Thvj9W1h8dI/AAAAAAAAAX8/ItGZcO7Xvlg/s1600/IMG_0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADG5M9--xqs/Thvj9W1h8dI/AAAAAAAAAX8/ItGZcO7Xvlg/s320/IMG_0964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Then the fun began! We ate delicious food, watched them cut the cake and dance for the first time as husband and wife, and then we were on the dance floor for the rest of the night. Exactly how a wedding should be. It was perfect!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-firDIrlV05g/ThvkkGkkONI/AAAAAAAAAYA/dakawL7gGFY/s1600/264842_2160438643966_1036530305_32459874_5115754_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-firDIrlV05g/ThvkkGkkONI/AAAAAAAAAYA/dakawL7gGFY/s400/264842_2160438643966_1036530305_32459874_5115754_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> YUM. Domenicos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gkFysMjAAoQ/Thvkn-ed2EI/AAAAAAAAAYE/oUR4W5N_nuA/s1600/268480_992136408585_6418435_45762279_8065171_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gkFysMjAAoQ/Thvkn-ed2EI/AAAAAAAAAYE/oUR4W5N_nuA/s400/268480_992136408585_6418435_45762279_8065171_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nTjF6Cqmc0/ThvkqkdhWAI/AAAAAAAAAYI/ADdZUXQP6-Q/s1600/269867_2160432323808_1036530305_32459853_298291_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nTjF6Cqmc0/ThvkqkdhWAI/AAAAAAAAAYI/ADdZUXQP6-Q/s400/269867_2160432323808_1036530305_32459853_298291_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHF6bxTxYSg/ThvkuutbKCI/AAAAAAAAAYM/9Vo3T4fXxyM/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHF6bxTxYSg/ThvkuutbKCI/AAAAAAAAAYM/9Vo3T4fXxyM/s400/IMG_0896.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZwdvdssmvw/ThvkxuBUgfI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/7J-V4mSBdEI/s1600/261362_2160444204105_1036530305_32459897_3751498_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZwdvdssmvw/ThvkxuBUgfI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/7J-V4mSBdEI/s400/261362_2160444204105_1036530305_32459897_3751498_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFkQI4lzvXY/ThvkzWYIUkI/AAAAAAAAAYU/rw0jFF1HTBA/s1600/263517_2160445324133_1036530305_32459900_7875579_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFkQI4lzvXY/ThvkzWYIUkI/AAAAAAAAAYU/rw0jFF1HTBA/s400/263517_2160445324133_1036530305_32459900_7875579_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAQuzNWfMqA/Thvk19np0ZI/AAAAAAAAAYY/fQPmWtJLv2o/s1600/270437_2160446084152_1036530305_32459903_1765145_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAQuzNWfMqA/Thvk19np0ZI/AAAAAAAAAYY/fQPmWtJLv2o/s400/270437_2160446084152_1036530305_32459903_1765145_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQ-v49rQ-6Y/ThvlC-E_fpI/AAAAAAAAAYc/UfAuLZiS4hY/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQ-v49rQ-6Y/ThvlC-E_fpI/AAAAAAAAAYc/UfAuLZiS4hY/s400/IMG_0971.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0w8FKJfrdaE/ThvlEzCrHXI/AAAAAAAAAYg/SmrqD1At1O0/s1600/IMG_0969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0w8FKJfrdaE/ThvlEzCrHXI/AAAAAAAAAYg/SmrqD1At1O0/s400/IMG_0969.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot9d8oVWIaA/ThvlFOAP1yI/AAAAAAAAAYk/CjWXIIrYIjA/s1600/268497_2160434363859_1036530305_32459859_3624320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot9d8oVWIaA/ThvlFOAP1yI/AAAAAAAAAYk/CjWXIIrYIjA/s400/268497_2160434363859_1036530305_32459859_3624320_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">They even bought a real bird for this cute bird cage!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhI7CMS-XZM/ThvlHFwo8_I/AAAAAAAAAYo/Rm5bqEjo10k/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhI7CMS-XZM/ThvlHFwo8_I/AAAAAAAAAYo/Rm5bqEjo10k/s400/IMG_0946.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-82DNaa8OaQo/ThvlJrBwwAI/AAAAAAAAAYs/i3-2GS3Xe0g/s1600/IMG_0926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-82DNaa8OaQo/ThvlJrBwwAI/AAAAAAAAAYs/i3-2GS3Xe0g/s320/IMG_0926.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I am SO SO SO happy for Courtney and PJ. I am so glad they found each other and decided to get married. It worked out so perfectly and I know they will continue to be a perfect match for the rest of eternity!</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-15247295601763804822011-07-11T21:38:00.000-07:002011-07-11T21:38:23.724-07:004th of July<div style="text-align: center;">For the Fourth of July we headed up to Jeff's parent's house for the annual Thompson Fourth of July party. There was swimming. There was delicious food. There was fireworks. Perfect. The Fourth of July is easily my favorite holiday because I love any excuse for these backyards activities. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36wqBJaKPmk/ThvNhoMbTrI/AAAAAAAAAWU/_w112hbcTkw/s1600/IMG_0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36wqBJaKPmk/ThvNhoMbTrI/AAAAAAAAAWU/_w112hbcTkw/s320/IMG_0761.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I made these sugar cookies and some red white and blue cupcakes for the party.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Since we were swimming and eating all day I only got pictures of the fireworks that night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_K8VoPPygwU/ThvNj264kDI/AAAAAAAAAWY/Mar__vySQoI/s1600/IMG_0773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_K8VoPPygwU/ThvNj264kDI/AAAAAAAAAWY/Mar__vySQoI/s320/IMG_0773.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Across the street people were shooting off amazing fire works. They must have spent a fortune because it seemed so professional! That was fine with us because we got to see a great show!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5O9smadcHI/ThvNlxdgE8I/AAAAAAAAAWc/xwP11-Jro6s/s1600/IMG_0774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5O9smadcHI/ThvNlxdgE8I/AAAAAAAAAWc/xwP11-Jro6s/s320/IMG_0774.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jeff and I had bought a bunch of fireworks while we were in Arizona and Adam bought even more. The boys had the time of their lives shooting them all off in the street.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yz51y0DXGt8/ThvNqM7Y1CI/AAAAAAAAAWg/RO7RA7HtXmE/s1600/IMG_0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yz51y0DXGt8/ThvNqM7Y1CI/AAAAAAAAAWg/RO7RA7HtXmE/s320/IMG_0779.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I stuck to the sparklers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4BIpXFThxQ/ThvNteMUB5I/AAAAAAAAAWk/_1Te19hqoNU/s1600/IMG_0788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4BIpXFThxQ/ThvNteMUB5I/AAAAAAAAAWk/_1Te19hqoNU/s320/IMG_0788.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqSKpl_hHFc/ThvN0Zv9vqI/AAAAAAAAAWo/0mT2J2H3LNY/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqSKpl_hHFc/ThvN0Zv9vqI/AAAAAAAAAWo/0mT2J2H3LNY/s320/IMG_0815.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zUcFLu80P10/ThvN9DUxzZI/AAAAAAAAAWs/WCf7dnua_ro/s1600/IMG_0823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zUcFLu80P10/ThvN9DUxzZI/AAAAAAAAAWs/WCf7dnua_ro/s320/IMG_0823.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Even Claire got to try a sparkler! She did so well and I think she enjoyed them! (She definitely didn't enjoy the big ones the boys were shooting off).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VznjVPBppBM/ThvN_WipevI/AAAAAAAAAWw/T4Aw34G8PJw/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VznjVPBppBM/ThvN_WipevI/AAAAAAAAAWw/T4Aw34G8PJw/s320/IMG_0829.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After all of our fireworks were gone, we went into the backyard to see what other shows were going on. The Thompson's backyard has a view of all of Santa Clarita and we could see fireworks going off in every direction. It was pretty cool!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a great day celebrating the beginning of this country with family and friends! </div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-67988530313989864372011-07-06T09:17:00.000-07:002011-07-06T09:17:08.691-07:00Mesa, Arizona<div style="text-align: center;">As we drove further south, it got hotter. 100 degrees, I'm ok with. But when we got to Mesa, it was 115 and we could definitely feel a difference. It was hot. Thursday evening we got to David's cool, air conditioned house and settled in for the night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Since we had a full extra day in Mesa than we had planned to, we called Jeff's friend Becky that he grew up with in Canyon Country. She has four little boys and we were excited to see them and catch up with Becky. We went swimming with them and it was a great afternoon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That evening Alysse went through the temple. It was a great experience and so exciting for Alysse!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That night we got to see Jeff's friend Matt and his fiance Elyse. It was so fun to see them and we can't wait for their upcoming wedding.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On Saturday, we got up, had breakfast and headed back to the temple. This time we were there for Cody and Alysse's sealing. It was so special and we are so happy for them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ueU0JdF-otQ/ThSIxONO5NI/AAAAAAAAAWM/PZivgmVY-jc/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ueU0JdF-otQ/ThSIxONO5NI/AAAAAAAAAWM/PZivgmVY-jc/s320/photo1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a few pictures outside the temple, we had had enough of the heat and we all went to lunch. It was fun catching up with Cody, Alysse, the Allen family, Nichelle and Bishop McWhirter. We had a nice Mexican lunch and enjoyed celebrating this joyous occasion.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That afternoon there was yet another US mens soccer game on. We drove into Phoenix with David and some of his friends to a sports pub. It was a fun place to watch the game, but unfortunately they lost.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After the game, we met up with the Allens again for some late night frozen yogurt. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday, Cody's grandma was kind enough to make us all some pancakes before we all headed to church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Overall, it was such a great weekend and we loved all the time we got to spend with the newlyweds! And on top of being there for their special day, Jeff got to catch up with some friends. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We were sad for our trip to be over, but ready to go home and get back to a regular showering routine.</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-24703772483650551982011-07-06T09:04:00.000-07:002011-07-06T09:04:38.865-07:00Slide Rock State Park<div style="text-align: center;">Once we left the Grand Canyon, we were headed for Mesa, Arizona. Jeff's friend David that we were staying with wasn't going to be off work until later in the day so we decided to take our time as we drove down.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We stopped in Flagstaff and had a nice lunch. Then we decided to take a minor detour and go to Sedona. The drive to Sedona was so pretty! We drove through a beautiful forest and we noticed lots of cool campgrounds along a river. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, just north of Sedona we saw a bunch of people pulling over to the side of the road and getting in swimsuits. It was 100 degrees outside so we were intrigued. We drove a little further to find a sign and parking lot for Slide Rock State Park. There were a lot of cars waiting to pay to get into the parking lot and we didn't want to have to pay. We turned around and found the last parking spot on the side of the road. We still weren't sure what Slide Rock State Park was, but if it included swimming we were fine with that! We put on our swimsuits and hiked down to where all the people were going.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once we were able to see, we saw this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnlvFCjkSMA/ThSFOB_GuzI/AAAAAAAAAV0/MoxgUgQ-jUI/s1600/photo3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnlvFCjkSMA/ThSFOB_GuzI/AAAAAAAAAV0/MoxgUgQ-jUI/s320/photo3.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There were tons of people swimming in the river and we couldn't wait to go check it out!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, the state park really stuck to its name. There were small parts of the river that had formed natural rock slides. There must have been hundreds of people enjoying the natural waterpark, so we joined in on the fun. The water was the perfect temperature and we had a blast sliding around. We would definitely recommend this park to anyone that is going to be in Arizona!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_lpubftVAXg/ThSGRwRCTvI/AAAAAAAAAV4/6TBqsfqB21M/s1600/photo8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_lpubftVAXg/ThSGRwRCTvI/AAAAAAAAAV4/6TBqsfqB21M/s320/photo8.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLhtfQ83w0k/ThSGTGkdznI/AAAAAAAAAV8/F-oVuJsL7O4/s1600/photo6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLhtfQ83w0k/ThSGTGkdznI/AAAAAAAAAV8/F-oVuJsL7O4/s320/photo6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-8j4OloRcI/ThSGUls_bTI/AAAAAAAAAWA/l8BXymYbT98/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-8j4OloRcI/ThSGUls_bTI/AAAAAAAAAWA/l8BXymYbT98/s320/photo5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFNPG8HfIMM/ThSGWl9YEYI/AAAAAAAAAWE/FdO82KSfgUc/s1600/photo4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFNPG8HfIMM/ThSGWl9YEYI/AAAAAAAAAWE/FdO82KSfgUc/s320/photo4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ksf280FB1Dg/ThSGXkBZ89I/AAAAAAAAAWI/RkKibQFGzOo/s1600/photo2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ksf280FB1Dg/ThSGXkBZ89I/AAAAAAAAAWI/RkKibQFGzOo/s320/photo2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we drove through Sedona after our refreshing swim, we wished that we had camped there one night instead of spending so much time at the Grand Canyon.</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-63909987363151984172011-07-05T22:38:00.000-07:002011-07-05T22:38:42.697-07:00Grand Canyon National Park<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">At 4:00 in the morning on Tuesday June 20 Jeff and I were both awake in our tent in Zion National Park. Since we had to make the 5 hour drive to the Grand Canyon and make sure to get a campsite, we decided to get up and go. The drive was really pretty... according to Jeff. I slept the entire time, while Jeff took pictures and video of himself to stay awake. He even stopped at some cave dwellings and walked around by himself. He was very sad that I was not awake at 5 in the morning to enjoy this awesome drive with him!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m92hw_qsRek/ThP0b32RzNI/AAAAAAAAAVs/wnQ7bC0CDrg/s1600/photo67.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m92hw_qsRek/ThP0b32RzNI/AAAAAAAAAVs/wnQ7bC0CDrg/s320/photo67.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Anyways, we got to the Grand Canyon very early and had no trouble at all getting a campsite. So much for leaving so early. Oh well! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WnNJpv-rlPA/ThP0phwp4tI/AAAAAAAAAVw/sDy1Qh4zBk0/s1600/photo12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WnNJpv-rlPA/ThP0phwp4tI/AAAAAAAAAVw/sDy1Qh4zBk0/s320/photo12.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We set up camp and went over to see the canyon. We were staying at Desert View Campground so we looked at the view down there before driving into Grand Canyon Village. We climbed the watch tower and took it all in.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hEgV2-_kdsc/ThPfnBI2VRI/AAAAAAAAAUo/whFPuaYmpDo/s1600/photo66.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hEgV2-_kdsc/ThPfnBI2VRI/AAAAAAAAAUo/whFPuaYmpDo/s320/photo66.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YD36CtxgTT4/ThPgROYtayI/AAAAAAAAAU8/ykn6CBzXWSc/s1600/photo52.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YD36CtxgTT4/ThPgROYtayI/AAAAAAAAAU8/ykn6CBzXWSc/s320/photo52.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muxr2dW-Vlg/ThPgTI7lhJI/AAAAAAAAAVA/uJXlNEKFk-Q/s1600/photo54.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muxr2dW-Vlg/ThPgTI7lhJI/AAAAAAAAAVA/uJXlNEKFk-Q/s320/photo54.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> These are cool pictures that we took through the telescope in the watchtower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXO599xBQnA/ThPfyHv4BnI/AAAAAAAAAUs/K2YCucYs4ZM/s1600/photo64.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXO599xBQnA/ThPfyHv4BnI/AAAAAAAAAUs/K2YCucYs4ZM/s320/photo64.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3FoQVmIBwc/ThPf0Z3rTNI/AAAAAAAAAUw/f96a0zln-k4/s1600/photo61.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3FoQVmIBwc/ThPf0Z3rTNI/AAAAAAAAAUw/f96a0zln-k4/s320/photo61.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9zWbR6L1tRs/ThPf01nHzcI/AAAAAAAAAU0/Jaeg8-tkip4/s1600/photo58.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9zWbR6L1tRs/ThPf01nHzcI/AAAAAAAAAU0/Jaeg8-tkip4/s320/photo58.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We headed over to Grand Canyon Village where we walked around, took in the views and then enjoyed lunch followed by some ice cream. Then we rode in a shuttle to see a few more views.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcOlOyYL7D4/ThPlvZz78II/AAAAAAAAAVE/irwtcNzcyrw/s1600/photo43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcOlOyYL7D4/ThPlvZz78II/AAAAAAAAAVE/irwtcNzcyrw/s320/photo43.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ar0YztL2844/ThPlwp-Pe8I/AAAAAAAAAVI/6GPHqxOnVPs/s1600/photo41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ar0YztL2844/ThPlwp-Pe8I/AAAAAAAAAVI/6GPHqxOnVPs/s320/photo41.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqOzhJFFrhg/ThPl-6No9DI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/58boeixgQ8s/s1600/photo44.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqOzhJFFrhg/ThPl-6No9DI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/58boeixgQ8s/s320/photo44.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7N9Sc4Gdkc/ThPmHm_OVjI/AAAAAAAAAVU/yRGNbbKhe7Q/s1600/photo36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7N9Sc4Gdkc/ThPmHm_OVjI/AAAAAAAAAVU/yRGNbbKhe7Q/s320/photo36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We began to realize that there was nothing else for us to do besides go to various lookouts to take pictures. Sure, there were plenty of hikes we could go on but after all the hiking we did in Utah it didn't sound intriguing. All of the other things we wanted to do like a mule ride, rafting trip, and helicoptor ride were far too expensive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So after taking A LOT of pictures at A LOT of viewpoints, we decided it was finally time to take a shower. It has never felt so good to be clean. We then headed back to camp, made dinner and relaxed. At sunset, we headed over to see the view again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2GfeTMWm3aU/ThPxrI5fvKI/AAAAAAAAAVY/DXtydKlh2D0/s1600/photo31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2GfeTMWm3aU/ThPxrI5fvKI/AAAAAAAAAVY/DXtydKlh2D0/s320/photo31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oeKmE8Ka0nY/ThPxsiC7F8I/AAAAAAAAAVc/KK4qzex_8Hk/s1600/photo30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oeKmE8Ka0nY/ThPxsiC7F8I/AAAAAAAAAVc/KK4qzex_8Hk/s320/photo30.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bm5tAvJNGeM/ThPxulseMRI/AAAAAAAAAVg/ixY6MLKuN8M/s1600/photo29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bm5tAvJNGeM/ThPxulseMRI/AAAAAAAAAVg/ixY6MLKuN8M/s320/photo29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On Wednesday, we did a little looking around at the visitor's center then rented bikes. We rode the bikes to yet another viewpoint and took pictures. It was nice to be a little active again though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2iwqVi8VDY/ThPyayoPy3I/AAAAAAAAAVk/Ti_FeoThr8E/s1600/photo24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2iwqVi8VDY/ThPyayoPy3I/AAAAAAAAAVk/Ti_FeoThr8E/s320/photo24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0O4LKdAhvAc/ThPyczUf2NI/AAAAAAAAAVo/8ej9DeReXEc/s1600/photo22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0O4LKdAhvAc/ThPyczUf2NI/AAAAAAAAAVo/8ej9DeReXEc/s320/photo22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can you tell we were getting bored? I feel guilty saying it, but we were.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That afternoon we went into the city of Tusayan and watched the US soccer game. We then headed back, made dinner and decided that in the morning we would pack up and cut our trip to the Grand Canyon a day short.</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-33882475195633159172011-07-05T19:40:00.000-07:002011-07-05T19:40:25.131-07:00Bryce Canyon National Park<div style="text-align: center;">On Monday June 20 we drove to Bryce Canyon National Park. First thing we did when we got there was go for an ATV ride! It was dusty but fun to ride through the woods. Jeff loved driving it and speeding up whenever he could. We followed our guide along a trail and ended overlooking the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUPux7X09Mk/ThPG8vn9YBI/AAAAAAAAATY/D0U6WpQhSek/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUPux7X09Mk/ThPG8vn9YBI/AAAAAAAAATY/D0U6WpQhSek/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VjjH-eAd9R8/ThPHF0wfPzI/AAAAAAAAATc/80f_858fWJU/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VjjH-eAd9R8/ThPHF0wfPzI/AAAAAAAAATc/80f_858fWJU/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C38jBIyJatQ/ThPHP51L6-I/AAAAAAAAATg/wLgxwDf2ulQ/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C38jBIyJatQ/ThPHP51L6-I/AAAAAAAAATg/wLgxwDf2ulQ/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+314.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsbp1NMVVL8/ThPHSH-kzYI/AAAAAAAAATk/ZKFaOoj_lyc/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsbp1NMVVL8/ThPHSH-kzYI/AAAAAAAAATk/ZKFaOoj_lyc/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+321.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJOZnECP7zU/ThPHdLV2VPI/AAAAAAAAATo/kbBpMLly-BQ/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJOZnECP7zU/ThPHdLV2VPI/AAAAAAAAATo/kbBpMLly-BQ/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4ucadWc2dQ/ThPHh9AJPQI/AAAAAAAAATs/nITShlgZF5w/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4ucadWc2dQ/ThPHh9AJPQI/AAAAAAAAATs/nITShlgZF5w/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we headed into the park to see a little bit of Bryce. It is a lot smaller than Zion but has such cool rock formations!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOZ3jdaXWrM/ThPIE96PkDI/AAAAAAAAATw/igHDC1p0Rx4/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOZ3jdaXWrM/ThPIE96PkDI/AAAAAAAAATw/igHDC1p0Rx4/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMDiDH_g0YA/ThPIJQ-ecmI/AAAAAAAAAT0/nXITPBehGSo/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMDiDH_g0YA/ThPIJQ-ecmI/AAAAAAAAAT0/nXITPBehGSo/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7DB0rQTWh4/ThPIa7Sb9tI/AAAAAAAAAT4/LT7c1LnqHN0/s1600/photo76.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7DB0rQTWh4/ThPIa7Sb9tI/AAAAAAAAAT4/LT7c1LnqHN0/s320/photo76.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After lunch, we hiked the Navajo Loop down into the canyon. This was an awesome hike!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VeOgdi-t9AU/ThPI-IVIqgI/AAAAAAAAAT8/Kjfl2nRa_7Q/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VeOgdi-t9AU/ThPI-IVIqgI/AAAAAAAAAT8/Kjfl2nRa_7Q/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbPHXbZyH-E/ThPJAlUSQEI/AAAAAAAAAUA/O9rzJISvLug/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbPHXbZyH-E/ThPJAlUSQEI/AAAAAAAAAUA/O9rzJISvLug/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EiilFPaSquw/ThPJNzjH-QI/AAAAAAAAAUE/b_nvleAFn-Y/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EiilFPaSquw/ThPJNzjH-QI/AAAAAAAAAUE/b_nvleAFn-Y/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+375.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dDiK3uYyC18/ThPJQia-jxI/AAAAAAAAAUI/ExBQhnety2w/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dDiK3uYyC18/ThPJQia-jxI/AAAAAAAAAUI/ExBQhnety2w/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJPPItUzzVk/ThPJakvfmNI/AAAAAAAAAUM/iyr1Xs5jgdA/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJPPItUzzVk/ThPJakvfmNI/AAAAAAAAAUM/iyr1Xs5jgdA/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+384.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yj9wU4lRCYI/ThPJdpgLzhI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/T1OTBTV8FG0/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yj9wU4lRCYI/ThPJdpgLzhI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/T1OTBTV8FG0/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+389.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-suKY-akHJlc/ThPJuZxHo6I/AAAAAAAAAUU/82EdrZ11PoY/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-suKY-akHJlc/ThPJuZxHo6I/AAAAAAAAAUU/82EdrZ11PoY/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+394.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zd2xrYuWS0/ThPJv-CnPtI/AAAAAAAAAUY/hHq4aCSJn3U/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zd2xrYuWS0/ThPJv-CnPtI/AAAAAAAAAUY/hHq4aCSJn3U/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+398.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were glad that we spent a day in Bryce, but Zion National Park was by far our favorite! As we drove back into Zion we stopped to take some pictures of the Checkerboard Mesa and this arch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzVJIawxouM/ThPKW5lEjxI/AAAAAAAAAUc/aFISyC-oqxk/s1600/photo72.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzVJIawxouM/ThPKW5lEjxI/AAAAAAAAAUc/aFISyC-oqxk/s320/photo72.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4bQZvobwTLY/ThPKYwVpFvI/AAAAAAAAAUg/LJ87l7VBZGs/s1600/photo69.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4bQZvobwTLY/ThPKYwVpFvI/AAAAAAAAAUg/LJ87l7VBZGs/s320/photo69.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Then we hung out with this guy for the rest of the night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_J0sRgc3WM/ThPKaNZAzhI/AAAAAAAAAUk/B3X5LhG5iA8/s1600/photo68.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_J0sRgc3WM/ThPKaNZAzhI/AAAAAAAAAUk/B3X5LhG5iA8/s320/photo68.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-75555493400462633712011-07-05T19:12:00.000-07:002011-07-05T19:12:46.785-07:00Zion National Park<div style="text-align: center;">A few weeks ago, we set off on our very first camping trip planned 100% by the two of us! The week before our trip we really realized how much planning (mostly for food) goes into a week long camping trip. So after much time spent preparing meals, grocery shopping and packing we were off!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our first stop was Zion National Park. We were amazed as we drove into the canyon and found a campsite. This place is beautiful!! We got there early on Saturday June 18 to make sure that we could get ourselves a campsite. We had no trouble and realized how easy it is setting up camp when there are only two of us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqlH1PpI-98/ThOqctvXtPI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/a6Y8_XLFeFE/s1600/photo87.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqlH1PpI-98/ThOqctvXtPI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/a6Y8_XLFeFE/s320/photo87.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is our campsite. It was so fun using all of the camping stuff we got for our wedding!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cdQ-naegGlw/ThO9Dx9vpNI/AAAAAAAAASI/hiYsbgD5Yyc/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cdQ-naegGlw/ThO9Dx9vpNI/AAAAAAAAASI/hiYsbgD5Yyc/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9g3-6MrxglA/ThOqmovyvqI/AAAAAAAAARA/T1RQRfvrjPM/s1600/photo85.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9g3-6MrxglA/ThOqmovyvqI/AAAAAAAAARA/T1RQRfvrjPM/s320/photo85.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The view from our campsite.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once our tent was up, we were quickly on the shuttle to go further into the canyon. While on the shuttle, there is a recording telling annoucing where you are and giving some facts about the surroundings. Our plan was to just ride for a little while and get off when we felt like it. The recording on the shuttle was explaining there was a stop coming up where we could get off to do a hike called Angel's Landing. It said this was a very strenuous hike and that people were cautioned not to do it if they are afraid of heights. We decided to do it and jumped off the shuttle! This hike consisted of a long paved trail of steep switchbacks until we reached a point called Scouts Lookout. Here we enjoyed a nice lunch surrounded by other hikers and hungry chipmunks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YamKcOWymuc/ThO2VI_VssI/AAAAAAAAARE/k2Z1oSANBrc/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YamKcOWymuc/ThO2VI_VssI/AAAAAAAAARE/k2Z1oSANBrc/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZ_UbDm6U94/ThO2ZoOa8FI/AAAAAAAAARI/9vt6ug4FBm4/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZ_UbDm6U94/ThO2ZoOa8FI/AAAAAAAAARI/9vt6ug4FBm4/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJWOYZm5zKU/ThO2iABCfcI/AAAAAAAAARM/zB8bXEHstlY/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJWOYZm5zKU/ThO2iABCfcI/AAAAAAAAARM/zB8bXEHstlY/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjcan-rf35I/ThO2wCuc1CI/AAAAAAAAARQ/VHCjpgMo4GU/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjcan-rf35I/ThO2wCuc1CI/AAAAAAAAARQ/VHCjpgMo4GU/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zRYR26RN7Q/ThO20-l9uOI/AAAAAAAAARU/3GSJ_fM7-aA/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zRYR26RN7Q/ThO20-l9uOI/AAAAAAAAARU/3GSJ_fM7-aA/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The rest of the trail ahead of us looked challenging but not too bad. We talked to some people sitting by us and they said it was only about 20 minutes longer. We figured that we had come this far, so we should do it. Plus the view was supposed to be amazing. We started on this climb (not hike) and soon learned it was MUCH longer than 20 minutes and pretty challenging. We were basically just climbing along a cliff to get to the next mountain over. At some parts there were chains to hold onto to keep us from falling off the mountain. It was surprising how many people were on the trail. The problem with this was that it is really only wide enough for one person to barely make it across the ridge without falling, so we had to stop a lot to try and let others by. In the end it was definitely worth it!! It tested our strength but we saw such a beautiful view at the end. The reason it is called Angel's Landing is because a man who was in the park a long time ago said that only angel's would be able to get to the peak. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0Dsgcpi7x4/ThO4-G_Jy5I/AAAAAAAAARY/wqQGvJ0i7pk/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0Dsgcpi7x4/ThO4-G_Jy5I/AAAAAAAAARY/wqQGvJ0i7pk/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jeff getting a little freaked out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x03aNWucTGs/ThO5HxKrQMI/AAAAAAAAARc/ip8jMmYskr8/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x03aNWucTGs/ThO5HxKrQMI/AAAAAAAAARc/ip8jMmYskr8/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+103.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is what we are about to hike...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qy9d1upj4f8/ThO5KuDQEnI/AAAAAAAAARg/lT5KqZOZ650/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qy9d1upj4f8/ThO5KuDQEnI/AAAAAAAAARg/lT5KqZOZ650/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Good thing there is a chain?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Le0QhGzHrb8/ThO5gClZbFI/AAAAAAAAARo/xkCdiFnpG5w/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Le0QhGzHrb8/ThO5gClZbFI/AAAAAAAAARo/xkCdiFnpG5w/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jeff's artistic shot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AD-tOEtrYgQ/ThO5j9bIkHI/AAAAAAAAARs/bip-QOZV0PY/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AD-tOEtrYgQ/ThO5j9bIkHI/AAAAAAAAARs/bip-QOZV0PY/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+113.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We made it to the top!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quB4fWuCsJg/ThO5m9gLmsI/AAAAAAAAARw/fzPSecCFOjE/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quB4fWuCsJg/ThO5m9gLmsI/AAAAAAAAARw/fzPSecCFOjE/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The view facing south.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5afM4uyRUrM/ThO5tsAY4hI/AAAAAAAAAR0/0ZHvHjCznMs/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5afM4uyRUrM/ThO5tsAY4hI/AAAAAAAAAR0/0ZHvHjCznMs/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The view facing north.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VLJhWzO0BQ4/ThO52GhiUWI/AAAAAAAAAR4/GLOEbx6xiYg/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VLJhWzO0BQ4/ThO52GhiUWI/AAAAAAAAAR4/GLOEbx6xiYg/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking back as we go down in shock that we just climbed that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Overall, we were so glad we did it. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into since we had barely been in the park for an hour when we took off on the hike. The rest of our trip we heard people talking about how crazy all the people hiking Angel's Landing are. We felt so accomplished for having done it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After that hike we were so exhausted. We got some water and headed back to camp right away. Unfortunately our campground didn't have any showers, so we took a little dip in the Virgin river to try to clean off. It was pretty cold though so only Jeff went in all the way. We made dinner and went to look at the museum. Outside the museum we could see some really cool peaks called West Temple, Sundial, Altar of Sacrifice, and Beehives. On the other side of the canyon we saw the very impressive Natural Bridge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ItfQgREJmKw/ThO8gIUFK8I/AAAAAAAAAR8/lIHXhJ7971M/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ItfQgREJmKw/ThO8gIUFK8I/AAAAAAAAAR8/lIHXhJ7971M/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMb0otmIFd8/ThO8n1AZE9I/AAAAAAAAASA/bRqHtVWPgKQ/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMb0otmIFd8/ThO8n1AZE9I/AAAAAAAAASA/bRqHtVWPgKQ/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> See the natural bridge right there in the middle of this one? It is hard to see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ZBNdkMj4FU/ThO8qQt946I/AAAAAAAAASE/-8vfOXygAyE/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ZBNdkMj4FU/ThO8qQt946I/AAAAAAAAASE/-8vfOXygAyE/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is a picture of a farmer that lived in the canyon on it. He is crazy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On Sunday we decided to try some of the much easier hikes in the park so that we could see more of the landmarks. Our first stop was Weeping Rock. A very simple hike compared to the day before, it ended at a really cool rock that drips water all over it's viewers year round.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0sY9zkMgPkI/ThO9rie4cJI/AAAAAAAAASM/nki8JbAiP1A/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0sY9zkMgPkI/ThO9rie4cJI/AAAAAAAAASM/nki8JbAiP1A/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jPRiPTYKduc/ThO9wMMlEWI/AAAAAAAAASQ/A1Djx9AFDSI/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jPRiPTYKduc/ThO9wMMlEWI/AAAAAAAAASQ/A1Djx9AFDSI/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJfjO0p2v0Y/ThO95OqHJWI/AAAAAAAAASU/5_GN1HMxqrA/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJfjO0p2v0Y/ThO95OqHJWI/AAAAAAAAASU/5_GN1HMxqrA/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+180.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Epbr7BY1A0U/ThO-Dhtvf2I/AAAAAAAAASY/tbhRx_ws5Bg/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Epbr7BY1A0U/ThO-Dhtvf2I/AAAAAAAAASY/tbhRx_ws5Bg/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KViWLiLKPnE/ThO-JTMzghI/AAAAAAAAASc/zDiUeXUNvL8/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KViWLiLKPnE/ThO-JTMzghI/AAAAAAAAASc/zDiUeXUNvL8/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next we did the River Walk along the Virgin River. This was a very pretty walk and we enjoyed our lunch sitting next to the river.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Me7V2pcbFao/ThO-kt6cA4I/AAAAAAAAASg/pdXI3D_wxSI/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Me7V2pcbFao/ThO-kt6cA4I/AAAAAAAAASg/pdXI3D_wxSI/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+198.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aVCxnamtYXM/ThO-nRNCSsI/AAAAAAAAASk/rJwteGsRMKs/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aVCxnamtYXM/ThO-nRNCSsI/AAAAAAAAASk/rJwteGsRMKs/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+199.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kO4C4gM0OMk/ThO-uwD6xzI/AAAAAAAAASo/7qxtWAwi09Y/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kO4C4gM0OMk/ThO-uwD6xzI/AAAAAAAAASo/7qxtWAwi09Y/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+206.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aVN6vbMj2HE/ThO-yuugZVI/AAAAAAAAASs/H4BPHQP5fXw/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aVN6vbMj2HE/ThO-yuugZVI/AAAAAAAAASs/H4BPHQP5fXw/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19VCcEXJGYw/ThO_BwhxQhI/AAAAAAAAASw/KCRRImGuhRU/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19VCcEXJGYw/ThO_BwhxQhI/AAAAAAAAASw/KCRRImGuhRU/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nI1jhJgh0rc/ThO_EJgBLKI/AAAAAAAAAS0/RFhzVUZWcU0/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nI1jhJgh0rc/ThO_EJgBLKI/AAAAAAAAAS0/RFhzVUZWcU0/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+222.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next we went to see the Emerald Pools. We were a little fooled by their name. They were really just swamps, but we still had fun on the hike. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1e417RCVBWM/ThO_ddr51GI/AAAAAAAAAS4/acPB-9vBq5M/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1e417RCVBWM/ThO_ddr51GI/AAAAAAAAAS4/acPB-9vBq5M/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+228.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D6r85uTlOlA/ThO_gb29jnI/AAAAAAAAAS8/wQwoi2zmetk/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D6r85uTlOlA/ThO_gb29jnI/AAAAAAAAAS8/wQwoi2zmetk/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpuvayleonU/ThO_mAPXJDI/AAAAAAAAATA/IEIssqLDlGg/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpuvayleonU/ThO_mAPXJDI/AAAAAAAAATA/IEIssqLDlGg/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+235.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJlVYN3dB68/ThO_xCcpV6I/AAAAAAAAATE/1iuE49iP8L4/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJlVYN3dB68/ThO_xCcpV6I/AAAAAAAAATE/1iuE49iP8L4/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_phCipv-24/ThO_zWd03mI/AAAAAAAAATI/RZPL1tlusKg/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_phCipv-24/ThO_zWd03mI/AAAAAAAAATI/RZPL1tlusKg/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+248.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d418yrgONT0/ThO_3dAKQ_I/AAAAAAAAATM/rCw9f54X10Y/s1600/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d418yrgONT0/ThO_3dAKQ_I/AAAAAAAAATM/rCw9f54X10Y/s320/Camping+in+UT+and+AZ+252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That night after dinner we went to the lodge for a talk given by a ranger. It was about the Civilian Conservation Corps and a man name Belden Lewis' diary. It was so interesting and it was nice to be inside the beautiful lodge. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We camped in Zion until Tuesday morning but on Monday we took a little day trip...</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-59268676366396168542011-06-16T13:52:00.000-07:002011-06-16T13:52:24.193-07:00Craftgawker<div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to my friend, Defrisc, I am now hooked on the website craftgawker.com. I check everyday to see what neat crafts and cute ideas people around the creative blog world post. Most of my sewing projects have been from tutorials I have found on this website. I would highly recommend it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted to show you guys some cool things I found recently.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNtrDMMtysw/TfpoZaaCOpI/AAAAAAAAAQg/Ae2cRVzV93s/s1600/tetrisstickynotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNtrDMMtysw/TfpoZaaCOpI/AAAAAAAAAQg/Ae2cRVzV93s/s1600/tetrisstickynotes.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, isn't this the coolest idea ever? Not something I would ever need, but I still think it is such a cool idea!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taONSh5GZ20/TfpojBA2vCI/AAAAAAAAAQk/UfOYN6w-R50/s1600/19765_zoom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taONSh5GZ20/TfpojBA2vCI/AAAAAAAAAQk/UfOYN6w-R50/s320/19765_zoom1.jpg" t8="true" width="271" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is something I would love to get (or maybe even make!) for my dad aka the record king of the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D3c8AM2cMM4/TfppqrTPkWI/AAAAAAAAAQo/4eTDYsQI5_E/s1600/21-crayon-letter-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D3c8AM2cMM4/TfppqrTPkWI/AAAAAAAAAQo/4eTDYsQI5_E/s320/21-crayon-letter-01.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A letter for a kids room made out of crayons! Perfect!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuttMyoZ57o/TfppxEtypZI/AAAAAAAAAQs/ykngfR4Ie0k/s1600/12ca3c22801ccec0e88368f7fb568417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuttMyoZ57o/TfppxEtypZI/AAAAAAAAAQs/ykngfR4Ie0k/s320/12ca3c22801ccec0e88368f7fb568417.jpg" t8="true" width="284" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or buttons! So cute.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zs7gnKD5PVY/TfpsNj63sjI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/NfiK3n1DLAA/s1600/20000_zoom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zs7gnKD5PVY/TfpsNj63sjI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/NfiK3n1DLAA/s320/20000_zoom1.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-upho5f-veKU/Tfpq1y8C8_I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/XbfPGSjRYao/s1600/110614-world1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-upho5f-veKU/Tfpq1y8C8_I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/XbfPGSjRYao/s320/110614-world1.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the coolest thing ever! It is a map of the world where you scratch off all the places you travel to. I would love to own this and scratch off as much as I could some day. I love it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another post for another day... foodgawker.com. Ahhhmazing! Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-67967190701950340642011-06-13T17:49:00.000-07:002011-06-13T17:49:02.541-07:00Accomplishments<div style="text-align: center;">After reading the title of this post I'm sure you are assuming that Jeff is now a pro soccer player and pro surfer and that I am the next Pioneer Woman and going to star in a Broadway show. Well sorry to disappoint, but you are wrong. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just wanted to post a quick update to let you know our small feats from the last few weeks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jeff finished his first year of law school. We don't know his grades yet, but just making it out alive is an accomplishment. He is now working for his dad for the summer and so far enjoying it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I learned how to drive a stick! When Jeff hurt his left ankle, we were really in a pickle. Both of us could only drive my car so I had to quickly learn to drive his. Well I have made it to and from work for the last week now!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jeff succesfully learned to cook some delicious steaks on a CHARCOAL grill.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On Friday we are leaving for a week long camping trip. Jeff and I have never camped without our families or other people planning everything for us before. We are starting to realize how much work is required. So after next week I'll let you know whether or not I can classify our trip as an accomplishment or not...</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-26028003486412770172011-06-09T19:15:00.000-07:002011-06-09T19:15:48.108-07:00Mom's Visit<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">This last weekend my mom came down to visit us in Rancho Cucamonga. We moved here almost a year ago and she was the only one left in my family who hadn't seen our place. She flew in Friday afternoon and left Sunday morning. It was a short trip but it was great to see her again and show her our first apartment together!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">On Friday night we went to another Galaxy game with Jeff's family. This time it was Military Appreciation Night. We all went to support Johnny as they introduced him as a member of the Coast Guard in front of all the fans before the game started. My mom loved getting to see most of Jeff's family again and playing with our nieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XcMod09TxEM/TfF5xaA_N9I/AAAAAAAAAQA/3Hk_Lf7hONk/s1600/photo12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XcMod09TxEM/TfF5xaA_N9I/AAAAAAAAAQA/3Hk_Lf7hONk/s400/photo12.JPG" t8="true" width="298" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Me and My Mom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tnLbCC4vs6M/TfF5qhunD4I/AAAAAAAAAPo/7qf84DpD5b0/s1600/photo4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tnLbCC4vs6M/TfF5qhunD4I/AAAAAAAAAPo/7qf84DpD5b0/s400/photo4.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Aunt Lauren.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slzp7lyiqHA/TfF5r_WdDhI/AAAAAAAAAPs/UIO8ElX3oY8/s1600/photo7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slzp7lyiqHA/TfF5r_WdDhI/AAAAAAAAAPs/UIO8ElX3oY8/s400/photo7.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Claire Bear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pO2lRnyKvQI/TfF5suAyDmI/AAAAAAAAAPw/R42n-M88EeI/s1600/photo8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pO2lRnyKvQI/TfF5suAyDmI/AAAAAAAAAPw/R42n-M88EeI/s400/photo8.JPG" t8="true" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Elle Belle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-auHuZzu6j9U/TfF5tngouZI/AAAAAAAAAP0/lugBLJ_CtY0/s1600/photo9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-auHuZzu6j9U/TfF5tngouZI/AAAAAAAAAP0/lugBLJ_CtY0/s400/photo9.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Thompson Men.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQ1JSX0_M98/TfF5vQV9iGI/AAAAAAAAAP4/LGUJ7BqviSA/s1600/photo10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQ1JSX0_M98/TfF5vQV9iGI/AAAAAAAAAP4/LGUJ7BqviSA/s400/photo10.JPG" t8="true" width="298" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> Silly Girls.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJdvVEhUjbQ/TfF5wXc2NxI/AAAAAAAAAP8/Hfaf5heiRQM/s1600/photo11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJdvVEhUjbQ/TfF5wXc2NxI/AAAAAAAAAP8/Hfaf5heiRQM/s320/photo11.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">On Saturday my mom spoiled us like crazy! We went on a shopping spree and got a patio set, BBQ and some stuff we needed for our upcoming camping trip. A BIG thank you goes to my mom!! It was such a fun day picking stuff out then setting it all up. Then my mom and Jeff came to watch my soccer game. (Jeff and I play on a coed team but a few weeks ago Jeff rolled his ankle and is still recovering. I feel so bad for him!) After the game, we came back and made delicious kabobs on the new BBQ. It was another great day!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRl5rJT4rWk/TfF7yLwis6I/AAAAAAAAAQM/l8cNT5KVAkw/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRl5rJT4rWk/TfF7yLwis6I/AAAAAAAAAQM/l8cNT5KVAkw/s400/photo5.JPG" t8="true" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6f6fcqcrN8/TfF7zlaF9YI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/EtB1MVHJa_w/s1600/photo6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6f6fcqcrN8/TfF7zlaF9YI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/EtB1MVHJa_w/s400/photo6.JPG" t8="true" width="298" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We loved having my mom visit!! Thanks so much for coming! We love you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">PS-- This week I made these seat cushions to put on the chairs of our new patio set! I love them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbYns94XDWA/TfF8NtArfPI/AAAAAAAAAQU/oPW45_3rbGA/s1600/photo14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbYns94XDWA/TfF8NtArfPI/AAAAAAAAAQU/oPW45_3rbGA/s320/photo14.JPG" t8="true" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-91214522713631514542011-06-01T21:16:00.000-07:002011-06-01T21:28:02.264-07:00Big Sur Birthday<div style="text-align: center;">For Memorial Day weekend we headed to Big Sur with my parents and the Hudson family for some camping fun and I turned 23 while we were there! It was such a great weekend that I don't want to forget, so here's a recap:</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Wednesday May 25th</strong>: Jeff and I went to the Galaxy game. We had great seats, got free hats, a free blanket and the Galaxy won! Jeff was so excited to finally get to go to a game since he hadn't been to one yet this season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyyMVWCvqTI/TecFQdHvU8I/AAAAAAAAAOs/3x_GJItbAqQ/s1600/BIG+SUR13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyyMVWCvqTI/TecFQdHvU8I/AAAAAAAAAOs/3x_GJItbAqQ/s400/BIG+SUR13.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Thursday May 26</strong>: After spending the night at Jeff's parent's house, we drove up to mine. That night we went to dinner in the city with the Seelys and the Allens. It was so good to get dinner with some of San Francisco's newest residents who also happen to be some of our best friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Friday May 27</strong>: We got Domenico's with Jaicy and Courtney, went over to see my grandparents, went out to Chinese with my parents and grandparents, and played games with my cousin. Another great day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Saturday May 28</strong>: We packed up the cars and left for Big Sur. Our first stop was in Carmel for lunch. My family has always gone to a restaurant called Flaherty's for their clam chowder every time we go to Big Sur. It is great food and I love walking around Carmel! Then we got to Big Sur, set up camp, and just as we were done putting up tents it started raining. The rest of the night we sat around the fire trying to keep dry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Sunday May 29</strong>: My birthday!! We woke up to a little rain, but it quickly stopped. Meghan and Aaron made all of us a delicious pancake breakfast. Then Jeff, my mom and I headed to the beach. It was really windy and kind of crowded but since Jeff had never been to Big Sur, I had to take him. It was beautiful though and Jeff even got in the FREEZING cold water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-silpjDfYrHw/TecHtwd8OAI/AAAAAAAAAO0/-zaV-pH0khM/s1600/BIG+SUR12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-silpjDfYrHw/TecHtwd8OAI/AAAAAAAAAO0/-zaV-pH0khM/s400/BIG+SUR12.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXKjVbec2N4/TecL8Aute_I/AAAAAAAAAPg/XumRgtBz1eU/s1600/BIG+SUR15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXKjVbec2N4/TecL8Aute_I/AAAAAAAAAPg/XumRgtBz1eU/s400/BIG+SUR15.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyTkVPgfj6Kdz_r-QwNq_d0EZ5P_7AJvUEgdobnKk6GrgzIrtifMg7P3cH7IRpg4DhJ-u257-Xo26_8DzB9' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">That afternoon the birthday festivities began. My mom, Meghan and Dee were so nice to plan such fun events to celebrate my birthday! We played some telephone pictionary, busted open a soccer ball pinata, did a scavenger hunt, opened presents and even decorated crowns. That night my dad made some of his famous tritip and it did not dissappoint. It was an all around GREAT birthday!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nTiw1qH3gws/TecMDQYC6YI/AAAAAAAAAPk/uzDqIw7tZgE/s1600/BIG+SUR+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nTiw1qH3gws/TecMDQYC6YI/AAAAAAAAAPk/uzDqIw7tZgE/s400/BIG+SUR+14.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P4gf4PkzjOc/TecIr9vIyAI/AAAAAAAAAPM/wNPqmHgVNgY/s1600/BIG+SUR4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P4gf4PkzjOc/TecIr9vIyAI/AAAAAAAAAPM/wNPqmHgVNgY/s400/BIG+SUR4.JPG" t8="true" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This picture is an attempt at a recreating a picture we took at Big Sur when we were kids and we had a soccer ball pinata. After the fun of the pinata, Melanie and Christine put it on their heads and took the cutest picture. Melanie had to take the picture solo this time, but hopefully next year Christine will be there too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rvkQAMuIti0/TecItHoY7zI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/E2OOqS3BgB8/s1600/BIG+SUR6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rvkQAMuIti0/TecItHoY7zI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/E2OOqS3BgB8/s400/BIG+SUR6.JPG" t8="true" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y4-kfaibqM4/TecIuodG6pI/AAAAAAAAAPU/aP-ZzgZqt04/s1600/BIG+SUR3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y4-kfaibqM4/TecIuodG6pI/AAAAAAAAAPU/aP-ZzgZqt04/s400/BIG+SUR3.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frBgjA0MsmU/TecJJzI2ELI/AAAAAAAAAPY/amTgfYvw34w/s1600/BIG+SUR9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frBgjA0MsmU/TecJJzI2ELI/AAAAAAAAAPY/amTgfYvw34w/s400/BIG+SUR9.JPG" t8="true" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This last picture is one that Jeff made me take of his beard. All he wanted to talk about all weekend was his beard and how great it looked. (He mostly wanted to talk about it because I didn't think it looked so great). Side note: It's gone now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Monday May 30:</strong> After breakfast, we packed up our things and headed out. Jeff and I followed Meghan and Aaron down Highway 1 but since part of it was closed, we had to take this random unmarked road to cut across to the 101. It was such a pretty drive but very long and windy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8g2uHRmPYs/TecJ5wcKHEI/AAAAAAAAAPc/KtPypRCO5h4/s1600/BIG+SUR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8g2uHRmPYs/TecJ5wcKHEI/AAAAAAAAAPc/KtPypRCO5h4/s400/BIG+SUR.JPG" t8="true" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We finally made it home at 8:00 Monday night. Jeff and I both love camping and it was so much fun using all of our new stuff that we got for our wedding. We can't wait to use it all again a few more times this summer!</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-21661587572345666962011-05-15T20:25:00.000-07:002011-05-15T20:25:34.457-07:00Getting Crafty<div style="text-align: center;">As promised, I am going to share with you some of the crafts that I have been working on lately since I finally got some of them finished.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My first project to share is this pot holder. I didn't have a pattern for this but it was easy enough. The hardest part was putting the edging on but I'm still happy with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CU4iXl3O7Dw/TdCPkcIUYZI/AAAAAAAAAN8/Q6evibut4bI/s1600/photo4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CU4iXl3O7Dw/TdCPkcIUYZI/AAAAAAAAAN8/Q6evibut4bI/s320/photo4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here we have this bath rug that I knitted. This was such a fun one to make! I bought the cheap sheets at Ikea, ripped them into long pieces and put them together to make a big ball of "yarn". I want to make another one that is a little bit bigger and maybe dye the sheets a different color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXJOZcm7obk/TdCPq1Rc0SI/AAAAAAAAAOA/GWhQXkBvCu8/s1600/photo8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXJOZcm7obk/TdCPq1Rc0SI/AAAAAAAAAOA/GWhQXkBvCu8/s320/photo8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ukmPYCmwrU/TdCPs21xs3I/AAAAAAAAAOE/K8fCt24PUV0/s1600/photo9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ukmPYCmwrU/TdCPs21xs3I/AAAAAAAAAOE/K8fCt24PUV0/s320/photo9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is a bag that I sewed. I LOVE the fabric but the pattern I found online was a little confusing at the beginning. I definitely want to make it again with a little bit longer bag and a skinnier strap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvnbRedV3cY/TdCP0tSGYWI/AAAAAAAAAOI/_APSvJou8is/s1600/photo6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvnbRedV3cY/TdCP0tSGYWI/AAAAAAAAAOI/_APSvJou8is/s320/photo6.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The inside is a yellow polka dot and it has a pocket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFhR_cmFHkw/TdCP2nSr0uI/AAAAAAAAAOM/WQgvqTJ27Lg/s1600/photo7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFhR_cmFHkw/TdCP2nSr0uI/AAAAAAAAAOM/WQgvqTJ27Lg/s320/photo7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is still in the making, but it is a scarf I have been knitting. It is taking a while, so hopefully it will be done by next winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6A5Cu1Ox4sw/TdCP62bItnI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/NgLZVTRirmQ/s1600/photo10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6A5Cu1Ox4sw/TdCP62bItnI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/NgLZVTRirmQ/s320/photo10.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The other side.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEAozLDwDO0/TdCP8mLShUI/AAAAAAAAAOU/a8XmHj6g-ek/s1600/photo11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEAozLDwDO0/TdCP8mLShUI/AAAAAAAAAOU/a8XmHj6g-ek/s320/photo11.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And this is the one I am most excited about! It is a makeup bag and I LOVE the fabric I picked for it. It was so easy to make and fits my makeup perfectly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9OO_ecNIZ0/TdCP_-m_R1I/AAAAAAAAAOY/R5Xauh_n6ZI/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9OO_ecNIZ0/TdCP_-m_R1I/AAAAAAAAAOY/R5Xauh_n6ZI/s320/photo1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The best part is the inside fabric! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOkLt1VRGoY/TdCQCOwEKJI/AAAAAAAAAOc/JoMazqMk2hU/s1600/photo2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOkLt1VRGoY/TdCQCOwEKJI/AAAAAAAAAOc/JoMazqMk2hU/s320/photo2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A closer look at the lining fabric.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPDvevPFxzY/TdCQEITP0fI/AAAAAAAAAOg/7TJTdtUkMAg/s1600/photo3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPDvevPFxzY/TdCQEITP0fI/AAAAAAAAAOg/7TJTdtUkMAg/s320/photo3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that's it for now. I am having so much fun with my new sewing machine and I am continuing to love knitting!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-14327416877071317602011-05-02T18:58:00.000-07:002011-05-02T19:56:52.171-07:00Home for Alysse and Cody's Wedding<div align="center">This weekend we headed up to the Bay Area for Alysse and Cody's wedding and celebrations! It was so nice to be home and to see so many wonderful friends.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">I flew in on Thursday night. Jaicy picked me up from the airport and we headed straight to San Francisco to meet up with Alysse and friends for her bachelorette party. We went to a restaurant called E' Tutto Qua for some Italian food. It was fun to see Alysse before her big day for a fun night out. I was also so excited to see Mareike who I hadn't seen in almost two years! We got to chat, eat some delicious food and be entertained by the waiters as they attempted to entertain the big bachelorette party taking place in their restaurant.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Friday was such a busy day. It started with Alysse's bridal shower brunch at Katherine's house. I then went to visit my grandparents, had lunch with Jaicy, Rachel and Todd at Domenicos (of course), spent some quality time over at the Selland's, caught up with my parents, went to dinner at Chow with Jenn, hung out at the Andersen's, then went to Katie Pruchas house for smores with Katie, her boyfriend Eric, Defrisc, and Kirsten. Feeeew. By the end of the night I felt like Alysse's shower happened three days before. Nevertheless, it was a GREAT day.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Then of course was the big day! In the morning I picked up Jeff, Caisa and Melanie from the airport. We headed back to my parents for a last minute family BBQ with my grandparents, aunt and some cousins. As always my dad made some fabulous tri tip. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Then it was off to the city. It was the most beautiful day in San Francisco. We started off our touristy adventure with a trip to see the Painted Ladies (aka the Full House house).<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602306465287514226" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEXDCgFLbJk/Tb9kDEJWKHI/AAAAAAAAAMk/eCYlUTWRbBA/s320/103_0970.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center">We walked around Alamo Square Park for a little bit, taking in the perfect weather. Then we went over to Crissy Field to take some pictures in front of my all time favorite bridge.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602306468756334226" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mj1oe-IroOc/Tb9kDREYJpI/AAAAAAAAAMs/UnKgpLO3X4A/s320/103_0982.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602306483379631458" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sro7ThGp71Q/Tb9kEHi19WI/AAAAAAAAAM8/1XC8asiGALU/s320/103_0987.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Jeff and Caisa obviously had to have their traditional handstand contest with each other at some point during the visit. With this scenic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, it seemed like the perfect location for the challenge.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602306473835246146" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oaaEahmD22A/Tb9kDj_SMkI/AAAAAAAAAM0/lvcBbOtOmrY/s320/103_0983.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center">The Palace of Fine Arts was our next stop. It is so beautiful over there and just as we were enjoying it, Melanie, Caisa and I were showered with bird poop. Somehow there was NONE on Jeff. How in the world did this happen? No one will ever know.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602306489050848226" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqllIHwhROI/Tb9kEcq92-I/AAAAAAAAANE/a4ZKDZkM4Sc/s320/103_0989.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Luckily Emily and Dustin had just moved into an apartment right there in the marina. We went over to their place to change for the wedding and visit with them. Their apartment is so cute and I can't wait to visit them in the city everytime we come home now!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">We then rushed over to Sutro Heights Park for the wedding. I couldn't believe how amazing this place that Alysse and Cody found was. It was completely separate from the rest of the park and had THE MOST BEAUTIFUL view of the Pacific Ocean. We ate some yummy appetizers, then they were married right at sunset. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602306943655343506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hEO-4lbRVyY/Tb9ke6NH9ZI/AAAAAAAAANU/qyFo2l0qekI/s320/103_0997.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center">After the ceremony we grabbed some salt water taffy and made sure to take plenty of pictures.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602306956339489650" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Nja6vPL2xE/Tb9kfpdQq3I/AAAAAAAAANk/0mfARVR9Mq0/s320/103_1002.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602307351653097202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gpgWPa7cI2w/Tb9k2qHXnvI/AAAAAAAAAN0/LHltXksHqCw/s320/103_1008.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602306953675084434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qCEeO1hjgU/Tb9kffiBEpI/AAAAAAAAANc/AHBh-3fRdcs/s320/103_1001.JPG" />Doesn't this picture look like we are the cast of a new TV show? I really think it does. We are so great.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602306936671641346" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PASjAZh9qNU/Tb9kegMFHwI/AAAAAAAAANM/EI5aT-AS-Nk/s320/103_0993b.jpg" /> <br /><p align="center">Jeff and I are SO happy for Alysse and Cody. When I think about how far the four of us have come together I can't believe we are all married now. Alysse and I met Jeff and Cody in September 2008 and we basically haven't been able to keep them away from us ever since. The four of us have had so many good times together and I am so glad that we will continue to make more memories over the years.<br /><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602306963868736850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5JxG827OfE/Tb9kgFgX3VI/AAAAAAAAANs/iBQvdB4az2U/s320/103_1003.JPG" />The bride and groom cut their blue velvet cake, tossed the bouquet and garter and listened to their loved one's speeches just as the sun set. It was such a nice evening.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">After the wedding, a group of us headed to Little Italy for dinner. We chowed down on pizza and said our final goodbyes.<br /></div><br /><div align="center">I hate leaving my friends, but luckily there are about 300 more weddings this summer so it won't be too long until we are reunited once again.</div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-60489617698550527682011-04-26T22:15:00.000-07:002011-04-26T22:40:01.387-07:00A Quick Update<div align="center">Since my trip to Utah, we haven't had any major events going on in our lives, but it still seems like we have been pretty busy lately. Here's what we have been up to:</div><br /><p align="center">--We spent a weekend babysitting for a family in our ward with three boys under the age of 6. It was definitely a nice little glimpse into what the life of a mom is like!</p><br /><br /><p align="center">--I got my haircut. I realized that I haven't told any of my friends or family this yet but I did! It feels sooo nice to have it short again especially with summer getting closer.</p><br /><br /><p align="center">--We have been playing on a coed outdoor soccer team. It feels so good to be playing soccer again and OUTSIDE! Fun fact: Two weeks ago we lost our game 3-2 BUT Jeff scored both of our goals and I assisted both of them!</p><br /><br /><p align="center">--I had a fun girls night with some girls in the ward. Always good to have some girl time.</p><br /><br /><p align="center">--I bought a sewing machine!! With that new toy and my knitting I have been working on lots of crafts. Someday I'll actually finish something and show you all what I have been making. </p><br /><br /><p align="center">--We spent Easter up at the Thompson's house egg hunting and enjoying a delicious ham dinner.</p><br /><br /><p align="center">--I have been really enjoying being in the nursery at church. It is usually pretty overwhelming since we have about 12 two year olds every Sunday (and that is only half of the nursery!). But I feel like I am learning a lot and the kids are just so cute.</p><br /><p align="center"><br /></p><br /><p align="center">That's about it for now. This weekend we head to the Bay Area for Alysse and Cody's wedding. Then Jeff has finals and will be done with his first year of law school mid-May! I don't think I have ever been this excited for summer and I am not even in school anymore. I just can't wait to actually spend time together on a regular basis.</p><br /><p align="center">And I promise I'll have more interesting posts soon...</p>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-79951262128892066162011-04-06T20:34:00.000-07:002011-04-06T21:27:59.314-07:00Weekend Away<div align="center">As always, my weekend in Provo was such a fun time with such great friends! </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Thursday, March 31</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center">Jeff took me to the airport for my flight that was at 10:00am. My flights went well and Emily was kind enough to pick me up from the airport in Salt Lake. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Emily took me to a restaurant called Sammy's in Provo where I met up with some friends from San Diego, Caisa and Melanie. It is always so good to see those girls! We all got some really yummy milk shakes and loved catching up. Then I went with them to go watch Caisa's sister's water polo game. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">That night there was a big Danville reunion at Brick Oven. Every year the Danville Stake President comes to Provo and invites anyone from the stake and I was so happy I was in town this time! There were so many people there and lots of food.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_90xMkTUBE/TZ0yradhvgI/AAAAAAAAAMc/-m9r378k-PA/s1600/208196_547065925371_203002092_31635530_6486216_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592682033682955778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_90xMkTUBE/TZ0yradhvgI/AAAAAAAAAMc/-m9r378k-PA/s320/208196_547065925371_203002092_31635530_6486216_n.jpg" /></a>Jaicy and me at Brick Oven </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">Friday, April 1</div><br /><div align="center">For lunch on Friday, Jaicy, Melanie, Caisa and I went to Cafe Rio (a Provo fav). </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">I then went and met up with Emily and we headed over to Chelsea's house to meet her son Beck!! He is so adorable and Chelsea is already the perfect mom. It was so surreal, the three of us sitting in a house holding a baby that belongs to one of us. I still feel like we're 15 and should have been getting ready for a church dance. </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24y6RTpHAY4/TZ0yrCYmR5I/AAAAAAAAAMU/Bro4geJ1rPQ/s1600/photo8.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592682027219830674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24y6RTpHAY4/TZ0yrCYmR5I/AAAAAAAAAMU/Bro4geJ1rPQ/s320/photo8.JPG" /></a> Isn't he just adorable?? <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbgGg5W1aos/TZ0yrB9OhgI/AAAAAAAAAMM/ALUdVIdBQ6o/s1600/photo7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592682027105027586" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbgGg5W1aos/TZ0yrB9OhgI/AAAAAAAAAMM/ALUdVIdBQ6o/s320/photo7.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6K99D043yBk/TZ0yq0_LJwI/AAAAAAAAAME/4m_NNFKMix4/s1600/photo6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592682023623534338" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6K99D043yBk/TZ0yq0_LJwI/AAAAAAAAAME/4m_NNFKMix4/s320/photo6.JPG" /></a> I just love him!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>After our wonderful visit with Chelsea and Beck, we went shooting to celebrate Dustin's birthday! It was so crazy how different Utah is from California. We drove across the lake and literally pulled to the side of the road where there were quite a few groups shooting away at the hillsides just a few feet from the road. haha. It was pretty cool though! <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDUogVnIaac/TZ0ybY2-r2I/AAAAAAAAAL8/kq6pCiTy5TQ/s1600/216919_1907748326866_1036530305_32175460_3353717_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592681758374932322" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDUogVnIaac/TZ0ybY2-r2I/AAAAAAAAAL8/kq6pCiTy5TQ/s320/216919_1907748326866_1036530305_32175460_3353717_n.jpg" /></a> Me, Lindsey, Erin and Emily. Love these ladies! <br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592681755392003538" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-akS-Z0I8kQg/TZ0ybNvyzdI/AAAAAAAAALs/3wbSg2MFypM/s320/216963_1907744646774_1036530305_32175446_4371401_n.jpg" /></div><br /><div>Neither of us had shot a gun before, so I was glad Lindsey was there to learn with me!</div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrqObx5MDXU/TZ0ybcoCVLI/AAAAAAAAAL0/r42t2JTLZiw/s1600/217407_1907745486795_1036530305_32175450_6910424_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592681759385998514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrqObx5MDXU/TZ0ybcoCVLI/AAAAAAAAAL0/r42t2JTLZiw/s320/217407_1907745486795_1036530305_32175450_6910424_n.jpg" /></a> It was a little scary at first, but we got the hang of it. Someday I'll be as good as Emily. (She beat all of the boys in a shooting game!! Woo!!)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Once the sun was setting we drove back to Provo and had dinner at Outback. yummmmm.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="left">Saturday, April 2</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center">This was the day of Rachel's bridal shower! Jaicy and Mollie had spent hours planning and on Saturday we put it all together. We spent all day baking, running last minute errands, and trying to listen to General Conference. We made so much food. There were cookies, brownies, peanut butter bites, cheesecakes, cupcakes, spinach dip, fruit salad, and veggies. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hS-EUiQIKnY/TZ0ya-iyUUI/AAAAAAAAALk/NZTNDzQUuPY/s1600/197619_547067292631_203002092_31635535_2696505_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592681751310913858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hS-EUiQIKnY/TZ0ya-iyUUI/AAAAAAAAALk/NZTNDzQUuPY/s320/197619_547067292631_203002092_31635535_2696505_n.jpg" /></a>The spread.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Jaicy and Mollie planned such a fun shower and a bunch of Rachel's friends were able to make it. We played some great games and ate as much sour dough bread as we could. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CERAhLfYkIk/TZ0yajVUT2I/AAAAAAAAALc/Qqf_Q5R4t0Y/s1600/207962_547067452311_203002092_31635538_2682800_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592681744006664034" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CERAhLfYkIk/TZ0yajVUT2I/AAAAAAAAALc/Qqf_Q5R4t0Y/s320/207962_547067452311_203002092_31635538_2682800_n.jpg" /></a> Some of the ladies at the shower.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>After the shower, we were all exhausted from being in the kitchen all day. Jaicy, Rachel, Mollie and I sat on Jaicy's couch and had some great girl talk. I seriously love those girls. I am so happy for Rachel and Todd and can't wait for their amazing wedding in August!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sunday morning we had breakfast and watched some of Conference before I had to head back to the airport. It was such a fun weekend with people I love! Also, a big thank you to Jaicy and Evrhet for letting me stay in their beautiful house one last time before they move. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It is always good to come back to my husband who I missed dearly though. Luckily I'll see these ladies again in less than a month for Alysse and Cody's wedding in San Francisco. Can't wait! </div><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2385707502059557309.post-66923991936760901312011-03-28T17:47:00.000-07:002011-03-28T18:23:29.019-07:00Can't Get Enough<div align="center">Provo, Utah, for some reason I can't get enough of you. Here are a few reasons why:</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Fall 2007</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299475301269698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qZKeiWz2idw/TZEuQmicAMI/AAAAAAAAALM/OEJNlTVm3Uc/s320/n18812039_32343805_8221.jpg" />Jaicy's Bridal Shower</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XdSM51Uw0As/TZEuQzIMy5I/AAAAAAAAALU/_w0xX-gL3ag/s1600/n203002092_30363018_92.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299478680882066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XdSM51Uw0As/TZEuQzIMy5I/AAAAAAAAALU/_w0xX-gL3ag/s320/n203002092_30363018_92.jpg" /></a> Shmike's Farewell <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejyDLkxhb2A/TZEuQb8mPjI/AAAAAAAAALE/psVtKrW-taU/s1600/n203002092_30363005_8877.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299472458202674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejyDLkxhb2A/TZEuQb8mPjI/AAAAAAAAALE/psVtKrW-taU/s320/n203002092_30363005_8877.jpg" /></a>Trip up to Rachel's parent's house in Huntsville </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Fall 2008</span></strong> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6T4IKz9NFo/TZEuQTSA1gI/AAAAAAAAAK8/8ZvRWyjwnRs/s1600/party%2Band%2Butah%2B034.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299470132106754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6T4IKz9NFo/TZEuQTSA1gI/AAAAAAAAAK8/8ZvRWyjwnRs/s320/party%2Band%2Butah%2B034.jpg" /></a>Soulmate at the park<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299122735477106" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zsEMznFMGBc/TZEt8FIM8XI/AAAAAAAAAK0/fMKQxBDHH3c/s320/n203002092_30640035_5524.jpg" /> Rooney Concert </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Winter 2009</span></strong> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Alicw80R3Ls/TZEt78zRCkI/AAAAAAAAAKs/0999EsPXtKs/s1600/n203002092_30363013_674.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299120500181570" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Alicw80R3Ls/TZEt78zRCkI/AAAAAAAAAKs/0999EsPXtKs/s320/n203002092_30363013_674.jpg" /></a>I couldn't find any pictures but there was a lot of snow! </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Fall 2009</span></strong> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299119865554434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9j2XoNxkHU/TZEt76b9ZgI/AAAAAAAAAKk/eMsY1TWBRT4/s320/9523_149131895142_613285142_3177679_1437955_n.jpg" />Haunted Trails <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSqy1HivcJM/TZEt7kOjieI/AAAAAAAAAKc/8sZHJJMvBYY/s1600/13554_655958292407_24612196_38505415_4190375_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299113903753698" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSqy1HivcJM/TZEt7kOjieI/AAAAAAAAAKc/8sZHJJMvBYY/s320/13554_655958292407_24612196_38505415_4190375_n.jpg" /></a>Sundance Moonlight Lift Ride </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Fall 2010</span></strong> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRsjJ_DMTmU/TZEt7W1DrGI/AAAAAAAAAKU/_shGFm-XMmg/s1600/103_0516.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589299110307146850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRsjJ_DMTmU/TZEt7W1DrGI/AAAAAAAAAKU/_shGFm-XMmg/s320/103_0516.JPG" /></a> Emily's Bridal Shower</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">And I just can't stay away. I am heading back on Thursday and couldn't be more excited! </div>Jeff and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11433908287304126974noreply@blogger.com2