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.

20 Firsts

First, I'm glad I have such great family members, friends, and the coolest fella in the world! Thanks crew.

Next, less than 4 months! Yesterday was the 4 month mark! Hurrah! I can hardly wait!

Finally~

...the tag is robbed from some old friends, Rachel and Chelsea...

1. Who was your first love? My first real love was THE Adam Kyle Kay. My first child love was Jonathan Broderick. His mom babysat me when I was an infant/toddler/little child.

2. Who was your first kiss and when? First kiss ever was Jonathan...again...in the play house in the back yard. We were probably 3 and also probably dared. First post-16 kiss was Aaron Greer on a rock wall on graduation night (I know...never kissed all through high school...I wasn't the sort).

3. Who was your first prom date? First and only...the great (and so so ill at the time) Cody Rogers. It was an excellent time even if poor Cody was still recovering from a tonsillectomy (which I can personally attest to as being the worst I've probably ever felt...it hurts to get your tonsils out!). Thanks, kid!

4. Who was your first roommate? Technically my older sister Aliese. My first roommate outside of my parents' home was Stephanie Robertson. We shared a bunk bed and a tiny room in which we weren't allowed to lick the walls (lead based paint, had to sign a waiver...seriously).

5. What was your first job? Lifeguard at GFFR & WJOP.

6. What was your first car? The Beast of Fury or Big Red...it's name changed. It was an '88 Oldsmobile 88. I adored it. No body else did. It was a boat but had the absolute most comfortable seats in the world. If I were homeless and had to live in a car I would choose this great. I seriously loved this piece of junk.

7. When did you go to your first funeral? I honestly don't know. We have a lot of funerals in my family. The first one I remember well was for my uncle Dennis who died quite young of brain cancer. I was 8. I know this wasn't the first though.

8. There wasn't a number 8 so Chelsea added her own and I shall add my own because I didn't want to answer hers! I shall change it to: First memory: My first memory is getting a shot. I was 2. My cousin was there. I tried to hide. It may be made up but I think it's legit.

9. How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown? Uh...I oringate in Kearns and we moved from there when I was 4 or 5. I moved from WJ to Logan when I was 18...and now I'm back.

10. Who was your first grade teacher? Mrs. England.

11. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane? California. I was about 9. The way back was awesome because my cousins were also there. I like my cousins.

13. Where did you go for your first date and who was it with? My first date was with Riley Lovendale. Kara Willis said she'd come to my cabin with me if I'd double on a date with her and Paul Walker. I agreed and asked Riley. We saw Star Wars. It was fun. My parents were miffed that they didn't get to meet my first date because we (Kara and I) picked the other two up.

14. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with? I think with Megan, Kim, and Holly*. I might have snuck out when I was younger but I don't really remember. I was a junior in hs and we stuck out to toilet paper Claire's house...I think...

15. Who was your first best friend and are you still friends with them? First best friend was Jonathan Broderick. He's coming up quite a lot. We were basically raised together. We have been friends on and off ever since. I try to keep in touch but it's barely successful.

16. Who was the first person to send you flowers? Maybe Adam. I feel like I remember a flower with a dance answer in high school but I don't remember who was involved and I don't even know if that counts. Adam the great gives me flowers on the rare occasion though...he's swell.

17. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parents house? Greaves 101 in Logan. The apartment was prison-esque and our entire floor (excluding the 5 or 6 of us) were computer science majors...yikes. It was totally fun though. Moving out was the best thing ever. The fun and independence and basically everything involved was simply amazing...and I'm back home.

18. This one was also missing from the list. Chelsea added this...I liked it ok so I kept it. The first time you failed a test? I think the first time I failed a test was in college...I don't remember ever failing a test or quiz previous to my first biology test my first year of college. I wasn't used to having to study for anything and the night before was my first kiss with Adam the great...not surprising I failed. The whole class was a bomb.

19. Who's wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid or a groomsman? I was a flower girl in my cousin Brenda's wedding when I was little but my first bridesmaid experience was in Brittany and Kody's wedding.

20. What is the first thing you do in the morning? Wish I was dead. I am NOT a morning person. I hit snooze on both alarms (yes, I need two because I often turn one off without knowing it...I'm a mess in the mornings) and eventually realize that I actually do need to wake up. Then I usually just dress, brush my teeth and leave...I'm junk, I know, but my classes start at 7:30 so I have to leave by 6:50...it's just not worth getting ready for...I shower and get ready after class and before work.

There you have it...waste a little time of your own now!