I Love Surprises

For possibly the first time ever, Jason and I made a huge spontaneous trip. Jason's family had a family reunion last weekend, but due to Jason's work schedule, we didn't think we would be able to go. On Saturday, about 4:00 pm, Jason found out he didn't have to work again until Wednesday, so we decided to just go for it. We drove up to the beautiful Nevada City and got in about 2:45 am, and gave Jason's mom the biggest surprise! Only Jason's sister, Julie knew we were coming, so it was so fun to surprise so many people.

It was so peaceful up there, and so much fun. My favorite part was swimming in the Yuba river. Where I come from, the rivers are too dang cold to swim in, so it is awesome to me to have such a great river so close to go swimming in. I could have stayed there all day. So many funny memories happened there as well. Little Kelsey Rae never ceases to make us all bust a gut. Such a fun family.

I absolutely love Jason's family. There really are no scary in-laws to avoid. The more I'm around them, the more I love them. It was a very needed trip for Jason. He did NOT want to leave. I think he is getting a little home sick. It really is just a piece of Heaven up there. I think everyone needs to enjoy this little town. Mark it on your vacation lists because it always delivers.

Thank you to everyone who made us feel so welcome and at home. We love you all so much.

I'm Melting

It is so dang hot. I can't take it anymore!

Yosemite National Park

We were finally able to find some time to take a little vacation....choice of destination....Yosemite. Neither one of us had ever been, so we made plans several months ago. Our greatest goal was to hike to the top of Half Dome. We really had no clue what we were getting ourselves into,

but we were determined to conquer it no matter what.

Instead of describing everything we went through, I think it will be more enjoyable for everyone to just see some pictures from along the way.

Still happy at 8:00 am- Start time

The Mist Trail- Vernal Falls & Nevada Falls

BEAUTIFUL

Almost there. Just the cables left to get to the top!

WE MADE IT!! TOP OF HALF DOME!!

Jason could hardly contain his excitement,

and I was contemplating an alternate route back down.

I guess coming back down the way we went up wasn't so bad.

16.8 miles and 12 hours later, we made it back to where we started

not as happy and in a lot of pain. We slept GREAT that night!

I'm so proud of us for climbing half dome. It was so beautiful at the top and we worked through a lot, but I don't think I will EVER do it again.

The next day we had to visit everything else Yosemite has to offer. Really we only scratched the surface. El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Glacier Point were all breath-taking. Mariposa Grove was incredible too. Those sequoias are the biggest trees I have ever seen.

It was also a really fun coincidence that Carolyn and the Devine's were camping at the campsite right next to us on Bass Lake. We had a great time sitting around the fire, eating s'mores and skittles, and having hilariously fun conversations.

Seriously!?

Driving home from the Temple the other day, we had something huge hit our windshield. It hit so hard while I was mid-sentence that I had shards of glass in my mouth, and stuck into my forearm! Glass was everywhere. Jason even had some in his ear!! We have no clue what hit us. Crazy!!

4th Year and Cherry Pie

Jason started his 4th year of medical school and I made my first cherry pie. I think Jason's accomplishments surpass mine just by a little ;)

Youth Conference

We were asked to be "grandparents" for our stake's youth conference this year. They split up the kids into families with a laurel and a priest paired up as the parents, and a couple from the stake as the grandparents. I had no clue what we got ourselves into, but it was a great weekend. They crammed EFY and homecoming week from high school into 3 days. It was absolutly crazy! There was a Guest speaker, game night, face paint, devotionals, service projects, lots of yummy food, churchy classes, loud music, dancing, and testimonies. It was loud, fun, tiring, and unforgettable.

Our families name was Faith, and our family color was white. All this kids in white shirts were ours. We didn't know any of them before, and none of them knew us, but it wasn't hard at all to get to know each other and have fun. They were an awesome group of kids.

Saturday night they set up one of the coolest dances I have ever seen. It was in this empty warehouse that is still under construction. The dance was lit by black lights and they had glow-in-the-dark spray paint graffiti all over the walls. There floor was covered with sawdust, there was caution tape all around, and to top it off, they had like 7 motorcycles there. We took advantage of the photo op. I can't wait 'til I have one of these for my own!

The Great Outdoors: Take Two

The first councilor in our Bishopric shared with us an invaluable piece of information. It is a book called "Trails of the Angeles."

This book guided us to one of the "best kept secrets of Southern California." A place called chantry flats. I'll admit, it was a wonderful hike. Shady, tons of green plant life, beautiful little cottages along the way, and a pleasant little waterfall at the end.

A great day.