A weekend full of family fun

I know...I only post about our weekends anymore. This one was so full!

Over the weekend, we got to spend time with a whole lot of family. It was such a busy weekend and we had hardly any down time but it was good to see everybody and experience some of the things we did.

On Friday, we drove to Provo to attend Adam's cousin's wedding reception. We spent time with Adam's dad, Kyle, and members of that side of the family (who we don't see enough). We also got some salsa dancing in as the bride was Latina and most of the music reflected that. We planned to hang out with Brian & Megan after the reception but we stayed much later than anticipated (next weekend, aight?).

Saturday was an amazing day. I spent most of the morning doing dress fittings with my mom. My dress is coming along and looking great. We then loaded up headed back to UC where my cousins, Hayden & Caleb, were to be baptized. Their stake center is in Midway (such an adorable town) so we had some driving to do. While all baptisms are lovely, this one was particularly special because Hayden & Caleb asked Adam & Jacob to baptize them. What an incredible honor! It was really nice of their parents to give Adam & Jacob such an awesome opportunity and Adam & Jacob were thrilled about it. It was such a touching event all around. There were two speakers. One was an aunt from the other side of the family. The other was a man from Gahna whose parents looked after Hayden & Caleb and informed Patti & Eric about them. Grandfathers witnessed the baptism. Eric confirmed both boys. Then each boy bore their testimonies. It was so great. Their parents...and the majority of the room...had tears in their eyes. It was so special and so powerful and I am so grateful Adam & Jacob (each of whom I am very close to...in different ways obviously) the opportunity to be such a big part of it.


We then hung out with good old Kevis for a bit and enjoyed ice cream at the W.

Sunday morning was spent with Adam's mom's side of the family. We attended his nephew's baby blessing...Max is such a sweet little baby. We took Alyvia to the blessing because her dad, Tyson, was unable to come. It was her first time at church and she did as well as a 2 1/2 year old could be expected to do...not so great. She was plenty good but had a hard time being quiet and didn't understand why we were opposed to her running around...all the other children got to after all. After sacrament meeting, we spent a lot of time with Alyvia and Katelyn. What a fun, exciting, tiring weekend!

Arches for Spring Break '09

Last weekend, for Spring Break, we decided to pack up and go on a little trip. My family used to go camping with our aunt and cousins (Terry, Eric, Kelli, & Brent) every Spring Break. That little tradition died several years ago but the next generation thought we'd bring it back a bit. Adam, Kelli, and I drove down Friday afternoon and set up camp at a "campground" in Green River. Eric and Whitney met us later that night. We had a blast!

On Saturday we went to Arches National Park and did a little hiking, climbing, and playing. Adam and Whitney had never seen the arch pictured on Utah's license plate until now. Kelli is thoroughly bandaged and was quite gimpy due to a previous bike incident...poor Kelli. It was so beautiful but very windy...we all had sand in every possible orifice...lovely.

(I took the brilliant shot of Kelli with the arch in the background...I'm amazed with myself)

After our trek to the delicate arch, we went to sand dune arch for a little playing. Poor Kelli didn't get to do the climbing and jumping she so adores but we did get her to climb up on a ledge for a group photo. The ledge was about 10 ft above the ground and after the photo we jumped off it (I was a little wussy but I did it) into the soft dune sand below. Kelli, who ought not be jumping, didn't quite know how she was to get down. So I stood close to the cliff and she lowered herself down so she was standing on my shoulders. Adam held her hands for support. Then, I lowered her slowly to the ground. Unfortunately, we failed capture the amazing elevator experience but it was rad.

After sand dune arch, we went to a picnic area and had some lunch. The others climbed the indian ladder the a cool little alcove. I stayed below because I had blisters the size of silver dollars on the pads of both feet which were threatening to burst. I also aided in the descent because the small holes in the wall of the cliff were only visible from below.

Adam took a little rest in the alcove above. He was exhausted. The night before was SO COLD and Kelli and I were shivering and shaking all night. We had decided to sleep under the stars in a row...it sucked and we hardly slept at all because it was so cold.

(Eric took this well framed one of Kelli, she had the best pictures from this trip)

When we got back to our campsite it was really cloudy and windy so I decided to pitch the tiny 2 man tent in case it rained. The tent was intended for Kelli, Adam, and myself. The queen air mattress and double sleeping bag caused it to bulge awkwardly.

After pitching the tent and after Whitney, Eric, and Adam had some resting time (Kelli and I both thrive on lack of sleep and just get more hyper), we all journeyed to the famous Ray's Tavern. After the tav we got back to camp and realized we were nearly out of fire wood. The place we stayed forbade the gathering of wood so we brought a lot with us...but we used a lot too. Luckily, the other "campers" in the area were super old and all had trailors or campers and were all in bed by 10 so under the cover of night and by the light of a cell phone, Eric and Adam thieved fallen tree from a niehgboring site.
Sunday morning we awoke in much better moods than we had the previous morning. It was SO warm. 3 people in a 2 man tent is a genious idea. Getting in and out and moving around in general was near impossible but it was well worth it. What an awesome weekend! I adore any time spent with Adam and my cousins, Kelli and Eric, are among the coolest people I've ever met. And new Whitney (Eric's lady friend) fit right in. She and I have a lot in common including past flames...interesting eh?

SO MUCH FUN!!! And we returned to crappy old snow. But at least I got my cherished sun burn in!

Spring is here!

I am so glad Spring has finally come. I love Spring. I shall celebrate with a little camping and hiking time with some family greats. Woot!

Got that out of the way...

On Saturday, Adam and I were to have our engagement photos taken. I was dreading it! I am not very photogenic and quite frankly, hate getting ready for things. I don't like the pressure of feeling like I have to look good...it's just not for me. I'm also a bit fat and don't know that it's something I want to remember forever in picture form. In preparation for said photos, Adam and I got shirts that match our wedding colors. Then we met up with the great Carlye (highly recommend her) to freeze our butts off and get some great pictures taken. She has a really good eye for what works and for locations. It was also not awkward...I thought it would be. The kissy poses were laughable but not weird. Thanks Carl...can't wait to see how they all turn out!

When we were getting hanging with Carlye, she mentioned that I'm much girlier now that I was in high school. This is true but I never really thought of it...not that being more feminine that the high school version of me is difficult AT ALL. So I considered some differences between high school Jen and now Jen...

1. 2004 Jen was in great shape. 2009 Jen is a flab fest.
2. 2004 Jen never wore actual shoes...just flip-flops. 2009 Jen still mostly wears flip-flops but rarely in the snow or to church...vast improvements.
3. 2004 Jen hit people...what a jerk. 2009 Jen doesn't hit people...usually. Adam got me to stop in the early years of our relationship.
   
4. 2004 Jen was clumsy and sick a lot. 2009 Jen is still very clumsy but not often sick...no tonsils baby!
   
5. 2004 Jen almost never cried and could never have told you the last time she cried because it was beyond several months prior...with one horrible Belles Voix exception...forgotten. 2009 Jen now has a soul and will cry...still not in movies...but will now cry at appropriate times...funerals (sad cry) and when Adam proposed and then left for China (happy + worried + basically not even crying cry)...and sometimes when it isn't as appropriate but at least I have a soul now.
6. 2004 Jen had a VERY strict curfew which she broke regularly to be with friends. 2009 Jen doesn't have much of a curfew and spends all her time with Adam.
   
7. 2004 Jen didn't have to try in school to get good grades. 2009 Jen has to bust her butt for acceptable grades...sucky college!
8. 2004 Jen wouldn't even wear a dress/skirt when she was supposed to "dress up." 2009 Jen sometimes (although very rarely) wears a skirt even when it isn't Sunday AND she owns girl shoes.
   
9. 2004 Jen didn't really care what people thought of her...especially if they didn't know her. 2009 Jen agrees.
   
10. 2004 Jen dated casually and didn't care if the fellas were into her. 2009 Jen loves a boy and he loves her back...whoa!

There you have it folks. Yup...I referred to myself as "Jen" and "she"...who cares.

My Wonderful Weekend

Adam didn't think last weekend was so great...but I liked it. I pretty much live for my weekends.

Friday: Adam made me an awesome dinner. Baked sweet potatoes with ham, panella, pistachios, etc. Quite fancy and quite good. Thanks, champ!

Saturday: I went skiing with my mom, Natalie, Patti, Eric, Eric the lad, Hayden, and Caleb. It was a great day. The snow was a little crappy but I didn't mind it too much. The weather was great and I got a little sunburned (always a plus). Also, I skied a full day...from 10 ish to 4 (when the Canyons resort closes). I haven't skied that long since before my knee surgery! I'm totally stiff and sore and can hardly manage a set of stairs but I was thrilled with my accomplishment. Granted, I only skied fairly easy runs but still.

On Saturday night I went to a high school swimmer gathering thing. It was surprisingly fun. I thought it might be a little awkward and dull but I did a fair amount of laughing which is always a plus. It probably wasn't as fun for Adam who didn't know very many people. Sorry...but thanks for joining me!

On Sunday I taught my primary class for maybe the last time. My replacement teacher was there so I think I'm going to be released soon. I also think I'll be asked to sub a lot because the primary teaching staff is a little sparse these days. We'll see.

Kind of an uneventful weekend but I always love a nice break from school and work.