spilling the beans

We're having a baby!

Watch for the unveiling of the baby blog...

hosting turkey

Last year for Thanksgiving, Greg and I headed out to Ventura beach, bikes and turkey sandwiches in tow.  We were set to have a memorable Thanksgiving 2009.  We were living in southern california and had our first major holiday away from our families.  We actually had a really fun time, even though it ended up being very windy and slightly chilly... 

This year, we will be hosting our first ever Thanksgiving dinner.  Greg's parents and grandparents are coming, as well as some friends who won't be around their families for the holidays.  We have spent the past few days planning and making lists.  Making sure everything will be just perfect.  I woke up and realized, today is my last day of preparations!  Family will be here tomorrow and turkey day is only 2 days away!  I better FINALLY get to the store to buy some grub, or we won't be eating!

I'm excited to have the chance to host Thanksgiving at my own place for the first time.  Now I better run, lots to do and so little time!!

Before I go, I want to leave a few photos from Thanksgiving 2009 at Ventura Beach!
enjoy :)



the cause of sore legs

This fall, Greg, ma and I decided to do my mom's favorite hike.  I had done it once before, but Greg had never been.  This starts at the top of 22nd street in Ogden.  We hiked across the bench to warm up, then went up Taylor Canyon.  We cut across Malan's basin (on a deer trail) and ended up above the waterfall in Waterfall Canyon.  After hiking around above the waterfall, we came down next to the waterfall and out through that canyon.  It is a brutal hike, especially for those of us (me) who haven't hiked for quite awhile.  Here are lots and lots of pictures, because pictures can tell this story better than I ever could!

 I forgot to mention, this hike requires some major "spiderman" action!

If you have ever been to waterfall canyon, you probably haven't seen this waterfall. 

It actually is ABOVE the waterfall at the top of waterfall canyon. 

We climbed all around and explored.  I wish you could really tell how high we were.

The shadowy spot at the top is the wall by the big waterfall.  If you look at the top right corner, you can see the ground near the base of the waterfall.

I love this picture.  It gives a great perspective on the height... as well as the lack of places to land if you should fall. 

              just hanging out by the top of the waterfall... don't worry about it!

                                  climbing down from the top of the main waterfall

                    This final picture is me rejoicing from surviving the amazing climb.



end of summer

I keep finding more and more pictures from this summer.  These last few are various parts of our road trip from Philly to Utah.  The road trip home went as follows... Delaware to D.C. to Little Rock to Dallas to Albuquerque to Utah.  Crazy fun trip!

We stopped in Little Rock to visit Greg's Uncle Dan, his wife Katy and their family.  It was a hoot, I wish I would have taken more pictures. 

The first thing the kids wanted to show us was the

banana spider that lives on the side of their house.  It was creepy!!

 Me and Gracie kissing a giant wooden man.

Playing at the splash park.  It was INCREDIBLY HOT. 

Like... the hottest you could imagine.

 This little girl just went over to Greg and wanted to hang out by him.

She didn't say anything, just wanted to chill.

Little cutie.

Dan and Kate took us to a park with tons of Cypress trees.  It was neat.

There was actually a poisonous snake right near where Greg is standing.

Greg squeezed in... and SQUEEZED out.  He didn't know if he'd make it.

Blurry, but so cute.  Clara loved Olly.

Next we went to Dallas.  We visited basically every part of Greg's mission.  It was a lot of fun being in the places he served and better understanding what it was like.  We got to eat in some of his favorite places and visit the people he served.  Also, we had the chance to visit my grandma Chambers and go to dinner with my cousin Ricki.  I love my dad's side of the family and don't get to see them near enough.  Greg hadn't met my grandma before, so that was really neat.  They kept joking around with each other and she would say "I just feel like I've known you forever"... It was just fun being there for a couple of days.

At dinner, granny ordered the seafood sampler.

She was embarrassed by how much food she ordered, so funny.

 Quick stop through Albuquerque...

At the top of the hill after riding the tramway... The longest in the world!

Our first time at four corners

The kids at four corners...

They are all such good sleepers...I love how Olly is sleeping between Toby's arms.

Good kids.