What we've been up to......

Well the last couple of months have been a bit of an adventure. Jason has spent several weeks off and on in Colorado for some audition rotations for residency, and I have stayed in California as I started my LVN nursing program. I think we've done really well, but it will sure be nice when he comes home. Just a couple more weeks!

Jason has recently been staying with my parents and has sure enjoyed being with them. They even carved pumpkins together on Halloween. How cute. Jason is also in snow heaven with the recent storm they got. My dad is really good at putting Jason to work, but Jas said the snow blowing was really fun. He was trying to get the highest spray possible from that little machine!

I can't believe they got so much snow in October! All the way up to his knees! I miss the snow.

Jason first had a rotation in Greeley for a month and was able to go up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park with my Pops one day. I love that Jason is gaining an appreciation for th incredible beauty of the Rockies. They are part of my soul! Pops and Jas have really become good buds, which I love. Two of the most influential men in my life. Fitting that my dad had to get a picture of them both on the famous "log" at Bear Lake. We take a picture out on that log every single time we are up there. So funny!

I was lucky enough to have Jason home for a couple of weeks between his Colorado adventures, and we enjoyed every second together. I am a firm believer that distance makes the heart grow fonder. Jason and I have been through lots of "distance" and I really do cherish our time together. The night before Jason headed back to Colorado he threw me a little birthday party. He made dinner, had streamers, gave me presents, had a yummy Red velvet cake, and even had a pumpkin to carve together. We had a good ol' time.

This final picture is my friend Christina and I on Halloween. We threw together these snowboarder costumes and went trick-or-treating! I felt a little out of place, but we only went to the houses of people that Christina knew, so it was actually really fun. And plus, I got lots of candy, wahoo! Our last stop was the Bishops house, and he sure thought we were ridiculous, but I know he was glad to see us!

Little Sisters

Little Sisters. We all have them and they're great. If you don't have one, you should consider getting one. Or, you could just take one of ours. This month has been special in that both of our little sisters came to visit us. They sure do brighten up our lives. They are both full of surprises, laughter and good times. We really are so grateful to have them in our lives. In so many ways they are the most perfect little sisters.

Kelsey (Jason's little sister) and her sweet friend, Kindal, came down from Roseville, CA. They were able to spend two days exploring Disneyland and California Adventure. We also took them on a crash course tour of LA and Beverly Hills, which included a stroll down Rodeo Drive and dinner at a hole in the wall Mexican joint that was delicioso.

Michelle (Elsie's little sister) visited us from Logan, UT. We were able to cram in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, Oreos and peanut butter, Newport beach, Disneyland, Hollywood with Michelle's good friend Cassie, and some quality R&R.

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 ;)