Pebbles and Marbles

Because Nothing Says LOVE Like Green Olives

2012-02-14T17:09:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say that as far as the love category goes I'm pretty lucky. I've been extremely blessed to have amazing people in my life that have shown me what love really is. I hope that in my own way I've been able to show you all how much I appreciate you. I think one of the greatest experiences in life is being able to love others. I hope that I can continue to grow in that capacity and today I just wanted to say thank you to my family and many friends. I LOVE YOU!

And this is why we love R.E.I.'s Winter Sale...

2012-02-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

You would all be proud, I only bought one other thing and I bet you would never guess what it was... I mean you can never have too many hoodies right? All together I left the store only spending $35 which was pretty much a miracle.

"Seize The Fat One"

2012-02-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for bed the other night, I turned down my covers, went to brush my teeth and when I returned...

...someone had claimed my spot.

Whatever you do...

2012-02-07T22:01:00.000-07:00

(Complete the phrase...)

Feis

2012-02-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

I was very excited to attend Brie's Feis on Saturday. This was my first Feis experience and I really enjoyed being there and watching everything going on. Brie did awesome! She placed 1st and 3rd in two of her preformances! Way to go Brie!

I stopped by Yuba Lake for a minute on my way through...

2012-02-05T22:18:00.007-07:00

Road Regrets

2012-02-01T12:24:00.002-07:00

I fell in love with this video a few weeks ago and wanted to share. Love the song, love the art, the love the concept.

The Rain and the Lake

2012-01-26T22:43:00.003-07:00

I've been pretty busy but I take the opportunity to get a few photos in when I can. Check it out ;)

2 New Additions

2012-01-18T22:23:00.010-07:00

I bought 2 cool things this week. #1 a bed frame at Ikea, it's simple but it's comfortable and I love finally being off the floor :) #2 I finally after years of wishing and wanting I bought myself a DSLR camera tonight, the Canon Rebel T2i to be specific and I'm THRILLED about it. It's been so long since I've had an SLR I think I'd forgotten how nice it is! I couldn't wait to try it so tonight I took a few boring shots around the house... (check out the low light clarity!!)

2011-12-31T16:41:00.005-07:00

Here I am on New Year's Eve contemplating the festivities of the evening and i thought about the fireworks that are set to go off tonight around the world. As most of you know I'm not a fan of fireworks, at least not the ones done here in the USA. Seeing the hanabi (japanese word for fireworks that means fire flower) in Japan really did ruin fireworks for me because now everything else is just less marvelous, usually much less marvelous. I try not to be snobby, fireworks are nice and enjoyable, it's just hard to find them impressive ;) Reminiscing about the hanabi I found this little video that might give you an idea of what fireworks can really do. (you can click on the youtube link to see it bigger)

so I finally found the cord to the camera...

2011-12-05T22:22:00.004-07:00

I drove home through the Alpine Loop route one night in late October after work...it was pretty breathtaking.

Hood To Coast

2011-12-05T21:55:00.004-07:00

Yeah I know it was like 3 months ago...but I thought I'd post the one and only picture taken with my camera right before our 4:15am start time...

I know you missed me...

2011-11-13T22:14:00.003-07:00

There's been lots going on in the past few months and I've been keeping really busy. The good news is that we finally got an internet connection at the house this week which means I'm back online and I can continue to updated you on my awesome but crazy life.

The thing with the guy in the place...

2011-11-13T22:10:00.002-07:00

My place of employment was involved in a Motorcycle Ride against child abuse the second weekend in September. Here are some photos I took ;)

I Went To Denver!

2011-11-12T15:45:00.005-07:00

As I'm sure everyone knows, I got to go to Denver over Labor Day weekend to see 3 Phish concerts. It pretty much rocked. I haven't been to Denver before and I really enjoyed it. In the evenings of course I was at the Phish shows but during the day I was able see some of the town. On Saturday I went to the Denver Art Museum and also enjoyed an arts festival that was going on in the square downtown. On Sunday I went to City Park and enjoyed seeing the sites and reading a good book under a tree with the geese. Here are a few photos I took, and some that I didn't...I borrowed some awesome shots off the phish website of the shows ;)

2011-07-16T18:50:00.002-06:00

I got to borrow dad's awesome camera last weekend to take some family photo's for a co-worker who's son just returned home from a mission in Japan. Since I had the camera I also took the opportunity to visit thanksgiving Point and shoot some flowers and such. A little preview:

*Special thanks to dad, his camera and the beautiful day ;)

2011-06-27T22:33:00.009-06:00

Two things combined that I love: The Weepies and Ryan Woodward. I loved this song before I found this video which made it the perfect combination since I love Ryan's stuff too. I had the neat opportunity to sit in on one of Ryan's classes once, he's a cool guy.

side note: don't read too much into this post I'm not trying to make some statement about how I feel through the music :)

I ate at Mazza recently...

2011-06-21T22:25:00.000-06:00

Gosh I love this place. This is where I come to get good comfort food. Lebanese food is amazing, quite easily my favorite type of food and it's incredible at Mazza. Their Lamb Dola is out of this world ;)

We Came, We Saw, It Snowed...

2011-06-03T11:30:00.002-06:00

Last weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to hang out with my good friend Tyler. We had planned a camping trip with some people that just ended up being the two of us. We planned to go to City of Rocks near Almo ID. We headed out early Saturday morning and headed north. I had watched the weather for Almo all week and the forecast was some scattered showers in the afternoon, which was fine, I don't mind some rain ;)

When we left Salt Lake it was actually pretty sunny, but as we traveled north the clouds became thicker. Truthfully it was really beautiful. The puffy grey-blue clouds the dark snow tipped mountains and the endless green fields...I just kept saying out loud "wow, it's so beautiful out here!"

As we headed down the "highway" of 81 (on which we did not see a single other vehicle) and we saw signs to City of Rocks so we started following them. Little did we know that while these signs certainly did get us there, they got us there in the most rural way possible on awesome dirt roads with no names. I don't think I've ever been anywhere this rural before. We passed through the ghost town of Naf, which don't worry isn't on any map anywhere, I checked. And we came to a super cool abandoned house that we called "The House the Tim Burton Built", and so of course we had to stop so I could explore and take some pictures...

We then continued on our way to City of Rocks and as we approached the sky was getting a bit darker and it was raining a little on and off. Upon arriving our first order of business was to find our campsite which was no simple task...we had to ask a nice man from the Idaho Fish and Game dept. He gave us directions that included about 7 different steps which we failed at remembering after getting back in the car. But no worries we continued on into the park. We stopped at the first large granite boulder we found hopped out of the car and climbed to the top.

By the time we got to the top it was raining pretty hard. We got down and got back in the car and continued down the clay roads but the further we traversed the more apparent it became that rain+clay road+truck=potential "stuckage." And then it happened...in a matter of minutes the rain turned to sleet and the sleet turned into snow. And I'm not talking about wimpy mini snow, I'm talking about hardcore big huge flakes the size of a silver dollar snow.

Honestly it was pretty laughable. I mean the reason I wanted to go to City of Rocks is because I had seen pictures like this:

But what we ended up seeing was this:

and then this:
We couldn't stay long because the roads were deteriorating rapidly but I will say that the whole 30-45minutes I was in the park were pretty cool. We headed back to Almo where we discovered that the only gas station in town was...yep out of gas for the entire weekend. So we ended up having to drive 30 miles down the road to Malta. Once in Malta with a full tank of gas we realized we had a decision to make. We could go back to Punxsutawney or we could stay there an freeze to death, and let me tell you we thought about it for a while ;)

Of course in the end when we considered 1.)the inch of standing water that had been everywhere in the park (I mean who wants to camp in a pond right?) 2.) The fact that the next day was supposed to have worse weather and 3.) When we were there NO ONE else was anywhere to be seen...we decided to just drive home. So in the end yes we went home...stopping in Odgen to have a fabulous steak and lamb dinner at McCool's and then at home we pitched a tent in the living room put on a movie and fell asleep. It was a pretty fabulous day.

**nice photo of City of Rocks borrowed without permission from Dad's awesome photo collection...thanks Dad ;)

Wildflower Season

2011-05-22T10:21:00.011-06:00

I've been trying to make it down south for the last several weeks (wildflower season doesn't last long in Capitol Reef), but things always seemed to come up. Finally I made it down there yesterday. It was a really lovely day, the drive was nice and the canyon was beautiful. On my way into Cohab I passed about 15 people coming out and then...no one I had the whole trail to myself all afternoon. It was really relaxing. Here are my photo's ;)

2011-04-24T00:42:00.003-06:00

You'll have to forgive me...I don't get to teach Gospel Doctrine any more and since I really wanted to share this I'm blogging about it ;)

I started reading "The Continuous Atonement" a few weeks ago after it was recommended and subsequently lent to me. It's excellent and I also highly recommend it. The book offers valuable insights about God, Christ and our relationship with them.

Anyway I was reading it today and came across two quotes that I wanted to share. The chapter I'm on is called "After All We Can Do". It talks about the general misunderstanding of that phrase and in particular the word after -as if it were time related. Brad Wilcox shares " I believed I had to do all I possibly could and then grace would kick in--as if it were a finishing touch to all I had to first accomplish alone." He goes on to say that the gift of grace is not limited in time to after all we can do. We receive his help before during and after, it is continuous.

A little later in the chapter he examines the word/concept all in the phrase "after all we can do" and I love what he teaches us...

"In those anxious moments,[when I want to beat myself up for not being better] the greatest comfort I have found is in knowing any effort is pleasing to God even if He and I both know it's not my all or my best. It may be far from an acceptable offering, but God accepts it nonetheless because ultimately He is more concerned with the offerer than the offering."

Easter is always a time of great reflection for me. I am so grateful for the blessing of our Savior's atonement and for the opportunity that we have to strengthen our personal relationship with Him and our Heavenly Father. Happy Easter Everyone!

Adele

2011-04-16T12:32:00.000-06:00

So when things get a little crazy and I need some down time I usually find new music. This is a fantastic song with an amazing video. Even if you don't care for the early 60's revival, you should still watch this video! Enjoy.

J. Kirk Richards

2011-04-02T16:05:00.006-06:00

I experienced a small miracle on Wednesday night. I was at school attending a lecture for one of my classes and afterwards went to the library to do a little research. I accidental ended up on the wrong floor, the 3rd floor which I've never been too, and happened upon a J. Kirk Richards Exhibit. It’s being shown as part of the "Mormon Scholars in the Humanities" conference going on at UVU. For anyone who doesn't know he's pretty much my favorite LDS artist (right there with Walter Rane of course). I LOVE his art so it was a really neat surprise. There were 10 large pieces, and 6 smaller portraits of Christ(they are quite small, about 3"x 5"). If you have the chance I highly recommend it. It should be up for a few weeks.

His website: http://jkirkrichards.com/

Just two more that I love...

2011-04-02T15:16:00.002-06:00

These were not part of the exhibit, but I just love them...

Songs of the Heart

Concourse of Angels

Having some fun with Colby!

2011-02-26T23:21:00.000-07:00

By Popular Demand

2011-02-26T23:11:00.002-07:00

I'm posting this one for Airie...here's Kaya's priceless cranky face. Check out that snarl! (Kaya's favorite toy is a purple ball of yarn. I got this shot right after Dexter tried to come play with it while Kaya had it.)

2011-02-25T23:46:00.004-07:00

Went to Gardner's Village with a group of friends last weekend to attend their Queen of Hearts Event. Did some shopping, enjoyed being serenaded by a Barber Shop Quartet that sang "Some Where Over the Rainbow" to us, ate some chocolate, painted our faces and had a lovely time.

Look Again This is NOT One of My Cats

2011-02-22T22:56:00.001-07:00

For anyone that didn't know...we temporarily fostered Dexter, a stray cat, for a about a month. He followed Kaya home one night and was so starved that he was barely managing. We didn't have the heart to turn him away so he stayed with us till we found him a home. He was a sweet, social, playful addition that actually helped Maki and Kaya get along better. A cute college student named Josh answered our add on craigslist and Dexter now has a new home and we're thrilled because the two seemed perfect together. It was a wonderful happy ending kind of story ;)

out with the old and in with the new...

2011-01-02T18:07:00.002-07:00

Christmas Eve

2010-12-31T10:22:00.002-07:00

We had enchilada's for dinner ;)

The top of the tree...and guess what was at the bottom...

besides the presents what else do we find?

Kaya of course in her favorite spot

-Don't worry that angel looks a lot closer to the candle than she really was ;)

Maki was just trying to settle in for her long winter's nap

2010-12-04T13:01:00.005-07:00

Your Laugh For the Day...

2010-11-13T21:27:00.003-07:00

Ani For Halloween

2010-11-03T22:15:00.005-06:00

This is what I was going for ...

...I think next year I'll dress up as the bass player ;)

A special thank you to Baron for the exact replica of Ani's tattoo ;)

A Year Ago Today...

2010-10-31T08:23:00.006-06:00

-phish festival 8 10.31.09 The costume set "exile on main street" Rolling Stones. Amazing music, 40,000 hippies in costume -best Halloween party ever. (at least watch the last minute ;)

Gatitude Retreat

2010-10-29T19:08:00.002-06:00

My dear friend Jessica who moved back to Canada a few months ago was in town last weekend. Jess worked as a therapist in my office and also recently became a licenced yoga instructor. While Jess was in town she and her good friend Terri hosted a gratitude retreat that I was invited to. It was a wonderful night of sharing, bonding and recharging. We had a chakra potluck to start then had a series of activities including group discussion, journaling, aroma therapy massage, yoga etc. I already knew half the women invited and really enjoyed getting to know the other half. It was so wonderful to see Jessica and to spend a night with some amazing women. Here are some pics Terri sent us...

left to right: Hailey, Terri, Brynn, Nikki, Jess, Maryann, Kate, Kendra, Me, Brita

2010-10-25T22:39:00.005-06:00

It was a beautiful weekend, I know it rained the whole weekend, but I really loved it. On Saturday I was out running errands in the rain when on a whim I took a drive up Provo Canyon. The rain barely stopped as I entered the canyon...it was beautiful. I'm still kicking myself for not having a camera. The fall colors are so much more vivid when it has rained and everything is wet, the earth and tree bark turn dark almost black and the leaves almost look florescent against them. Low clouds dotted the back side of Timp where the hills are covered with deep reds and golds. I drove up above Sundance before turning back and met a herd of wild turkeys. It was a beautiful drive. A bit later in the day I stopped on Center Street in Provo and took a few shots of an apple tree...

Proof That We Don't Feed Maki Enough...

2010-09-30T23:24:00.005-06:00

For some unknown reason Maki loves eating toilet paper...? Honestly, it's something that we try to keep away from her...but I found her taking a bath in the sink and couldn't help but tempt her with it.

More proof that she is wasting away:

My Birthday Adventure

2010-09-23T07:35:00.002-06:00

I went to Capitol Reef, Cohab Canyon, for my birthday. It was a perfect day to be there. Here are some of the photos I took.

Bridal Veil with Colby

2010-09-23T07:27:00.002-06:00

A couple of weekends ago I got to hang out with the kids while Baron and Donette went to City of Rocks. Colby and I went to Bridal Veil Falls on Saturday. Here are some photos:

Anis Mojgani - Shake the Dust

2010-09-09T22:55:00.008-06:00

I've been listening to some live poetry readings lately, thought I'd share this one I found online...

Meet Anis Mojgani. The two-time National Slam Poetry Champion who stole the show, reminding everyone the power of words and the value in their stories. Here, he performs "Shake the Dust."

Maple Canyon

2010-09-07T23:17:00.005-06:00

-and an abandoned turkey farm...

Quick Trip to Oregon...

2010-07-15T23:23:00.002-06:00

Click here to see some pictures. I admit it's mostly just playing with the kids...but what else would you be doing in Oregon right?

Can they get any cuter?

2010-07-15T23:09:00.000-06:00

2010-07-15T23:08:00.003-06:00

2010-07-15T23:07:00.001-06:00

Mountain Meadows

2010-07-01T22:54:00.000-06:00

I'm Not Dead Yet

2010-05-19T18:52:00.006-06:00

So here's a story for you: I planted flowers last spring(2009), a bunch of different kinds, and one type in particular grew like a bush but never flowered. When winter came I just left everything out on the porch and everything died of course...or so I thought. The flowerless bush plant in particular turned all brown and crusty.

This spring when it started to get a little warmer something green started growing in the big pot with the dead brown bush...I just figured that some seeds from the overhead trees must be sprouting. I just paid it no mind for about a month till the end of March when I started to think about planting some more flowers. When I got around to cleaning out the dead plants from the pots I had I noticed something that I thought to be impossible the plant growing in the big pot was the same plant that had been the massive bush the year before! It was growing again and it wasn't growing from an old seed or anything it was growing right out the what I thought was the dead plant! Anyway it's been growing like crazy again but this year...

I had planted more of the same flower this year because I didn't know what the bush was till it flowered...here's a new spout...

Fear Not...

2010-05-19T18:46:00.002-06:00

...I am once again reachable by phone! After my phone completely died last week I finally buckled down and took the time to purchase a new phone...and yes I stayed with Sprint. -I just couldn't give up my free minutes after 7pm deal! So there you have it you can once again talk to me live over the phone without it cutting off every few minutes! ...I know everyone is excited but probably not as much as I am.

2010-05-04T09:30:00.005-06:00

I got to go see PHISH 3D at the Windsong Carmike Theater in Provo last night! Even though I only officially found out about the movie coming out about a week ago I've been waiting for this movie since last October when I was at Festival 8 watching all the camera crews doing their thing.

As I had expected Leslie and I were the only ones in the theater for the 7pm showing of the festival...a private showing! -what more could one ask for?

The movie was amazing...first of all seeing parts of the festival was just like being there all over again and being reminded of how huge and fun Festival was, like a 3 day non-stop party. Also getting to see Phish play again and remembering how they played so incredibly well nailing every single song and making each moment memorable.

The movie, as referenced in the title was in 3D. Now for the most part I don't enjoy 3D movies(they hurt my head), but seeing the concert in 3D made it all the more like being right there...I actually enjoyed it. Since we were the ONLY ones in the huge theater they were playing it in I couldn't help but stand up and dance during some of the songs. Phish music just makes you want to feel it.

Anyway it was fun, exciting, nostalgic, entertaining and just completely awesome music to enjoy for 2 and a half hours...I can't wait for the next festival ;)

(Below is a still from the costume set Phish played...Exile on Main Street by the Rolling Stones...complete with horn section and amazing backup singers! It was awesome)

Mirror Images: Great Salt Lake

2010-05-02T13:10:00.004-06:00

I got to attend this art show opening last night...I really enjoyed it. Lots of different pieces about the Great Salt Lake, while I expected it to be a little more political it wasn't...mostly a lot of really nice imagery of the Lake. My good friend Tyler Jensen had a piece of his on display that Westminster purchased and will hang in their science building after the show is over.

Here's the info posted on their website and there is a link HERE to the flyer Tyler did for the show...the photo and art are his.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Art Show – Mirror Images: Great Salt Lake
Tanner Atrium, Jewett Center for the Performing Arts Opening
Reception: May 1, 6-9 p.m.
Exhibit: Runs May 1-7, 2010

This group exhibition, curated by art historian Hikmet Sidney Loe, features the work of over 30 contemporary artists working in a variety of mediums as they explore the unique mirror of GSL. Artists include Nancy Holt, David Maisel, Matt Kruback, Diane Tuft, Rosalie Winard, and Westminster’s own David Baddley, Tyler Jensen and Kay Kuzminski, to name a few.

Each artist’s work is as varied in medium and purpose as is each experience with the lake; each work is a perfect and personal mirror of Great Salt Lake. Mediums include photography, sculpture, installation, printmaking and painting/drawing.

“This exhibition is an overview of contemporary responses to the lake,” explained Hikmet Loe, exhibit curator. “Contemporary artists are continually drawn to the lake to draw out its beauty and rely upon its special nature for inspiration. The land, water, and sky provide an endless array of moods and settings to capture as seasons and atmospheric changes come and go. Realistic representations of the natural world are included in this exhibition along with images that only exist in the world of art.”

“We invite the public to look at this lake through a diverse collection of lenses,” said Dr. Bonnie Baxter, director of GSLI. “Through viewing art, we may inform science. In doing science, we may inspire writing. In writing words, we may find stewardship. Mirror Images: Great Salt Lake is meant to inspire the interconnectedness of the many reflections on this lake.”

Ani DiFranco Concert

2010-04-30T12:20:00.004-06:00

I got to attend my third Ani DiFranco concert last weekend at Kingsbury Hall. I went with Leslie, Aimee and Jill and we really enjoyed it. It was a fantastic show! Ani played 80% new/unpublished music that no one had heard before; and while there are some bands from which this might be difficult to sit through, from Ani it was amazing. For an artist that already has 21+ albums out she's still creating awesome music and the new stuff she pulled out was very beautiful and exciting. It made me wish that EVERYONE could be like Phish and have the show you just attended ready to go on an SD that you can take home with you when you leave that show. Ani's opening act was Buddy Wakefield...who is not a musician but a poet. He recited/preformed about 6 or 7 poems for us which I enjoyed. We were lucky to have really close seats on the third row(hence the decent photo and video). For me it's inspiring to watch Ani preform. She talks a lot with the audience sharing stories and talking about her music. While being a strong independent woman she always shows her vulnerability and humility. The theme of the evening from both the artists was a one of self acceptance, integrity, being a positive influence in the world, personal divinity and striving to understand and accept one another. Ani's shows always make me think and evaluate what's important to me and what I want to make of myself. I left with a stronger determination to be a better, kinder more aware and spiritual person. I suppose it seems like an extremely strange thing to take away from a folk rock concert but I guess I sure did.

Ani Difranco -If You're Not

2010-04-30T12:18:00.000-06:00

Nihon Matsuri

2010-04-28T21:15:00.007-06:00

So I attended the Japanese Festival in Salt Lake last weekend. Unfortunately I didn't realize that the SD card for the camera was still plugged into the computer at home until I was already at the festival(sad face) so I didn't get to take any pictures. But here's a link to some pictures of the event. It was a good time and it made me miss Japan a lot.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/slc-japanfestival/sets/72157623802261153/show/

Tulip Fest!

2010-04-17T21:05:00.001-06:00

Did I Mention that I want it to be Spring?

2010-04-06T22:44:00.002-06:00

It's been snowing here for the last 3 days on and off "and I'm thinking, that's gotta stop". I feel like it has snowed more consistently over the past few days than it has all winter. The trouble is that it's not winter anymore and yes Winter, you've missed your allotted time to shine and now it's Spring's turn. So MOVE OVER and let it come please.

It's especially times like these that I miss The Garden and look through my pictures anxious for the time when I can go back...the Tulip fest is in one week! So Spring better get here right?

2010-04-06T22:17:00.000-06:00

I've always been very blessed to have wonderful people in my life. The people that become my closest friends as odd as it may sound seem to be chosen for me because when I meet them for the first time I instantly feel as if I already know them. This has happened many times for me with the people that I become close to. The reason this is on my mind is because very soon a good friend of mine is moving back to Canada and I will dearly miss her as I do with all my close friends that don't live near enough. Of course we will continue to be good friends but it will be different not seeing her everyday. It's always sad when a friend moves away but I am grateful for strong relationships that don't wane because of distance. It reminded me of a poem by James Kavanaugh that I wanted to share some parts of...

The sun lingers over the ocean a little longer tonight,
While I remember everyone I love
And wish I could hold them in my arms all at once

...Curse time and distance and all the banalities of life that tear us apart

...I wish as I watch the disappearing sun that I could gather together all those I love and all that love me
And remain in one house, one town, one union.
No one left out, no one unavailable, no one whose
voice and words and smile could not be at my beck and call.

...But I am grateful for the friends that life has permitted me,
Grateful for the memories, the reunions that lie ahead,
The laughs and tears and stories that cannot be told enough,
Grateful that the sun lingers over the ocean a little longer tonight.

Sakura Season

2010-04-01T10:47:00.003-06:00

Every year now when spring comes I miss the sakura(cherry blossoms) in Japan. I see them here too but it's not even close to the same. They are amazing there. It makes me want to jump on a plane and go back...I miss it. I miss speaking Japanese and eating the food and the people and the culture etc. Someday again perhaps...

Happy Retirement Dad!!

2010-03-31T22:02:00.004-06:00

"Way to go Dallas!" Congrats on 38 years and my best wishes to whatever adventure you have next!

Syd and the Snake

2010-03-31T21:54:00.003-06:00

Sydney loves snakes or maybe it was just the theme of the week but everywhere we went the zoo the OMSI etc. Sydney was the most interested in snakes. This video is from our trip to the OMSI, keep in mind this is after we had already been watching this snake for 10 minutes.

I miss you guys in Oregon so much already and it's only been a week!

Finding Peace in Cohab

2010-03-29T18:55:00.016-06:00

After being sick at home in bed for the last week I was dying to get out of the house this weekend so I made my commonly reoccurring pilgrimage to Capitol Reef. I know I visit this place at least 5 or more times in a year and well I guess I just have a weird emotional bond to it. Everything just feels right when I'm there.

I specifically love Cohab Canyon. It's a river wash trail in a slot canyon on top of a mountain. The first part of the trail is switchbacks up and up to the top of the mountain, you then descend just a little into the canyon. It's beautiful, colorful, interesting place and it's extremely quiet. I rarely see any other people on this trail and it just feels very intimate. I like to go to Cohab when I need to refill my cup.

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a trip. The drive down is also wonderful because you get to drive through many canyons with amazing vistas, crystal clear lakes, and daunting mountains. It sounds cheesy but it was definitely a good day for me to be in nature and reconnect with myself. Here are a few pictures I took...as I always do:

The Beach!

2010-03-21T16:01:00.002-06:00

Check out this link to the album:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=156890&id=534954161&l=a48dd86df6

Tigers continued...

2010-03-18T21:46:00.004-06:00

Wednesday and Thursday here's the pictures:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=155924&id=534954161&l=1f69ad3d88

Here's the discription

Wednesday:

We started the day with Talmage's St. Patricks Day music concert. T participated in easily 20 songs! It was amazing to watch all the kids sit and perform for a whole hour! Talmage did so well!

After the concert was swimming lessons (again, Talmage has swimming on Monday and wednesday) Talmage is in the Catfish class of one...so he gets a private lesson. He is very proud of the fact that he puts his whole head under water and blows bubbles.

After swimming we returned home to gather up Sydney who did not take a nap, she insisted on reading books the whole time we were gone. We loaded up the car and headed to the Zoo. I love the portland Zoo. Probably because it feels like there's more plants than cement. We spent the most time looking at the Tigers, Sydney's favorite, but also saw the new baby elephant, monkeys, giraffe, bats etc. --and lets not forget the Zoo sandbox that Talmage constantly asked if we could go play in.

At home we participated in a St. Patrick's Day dinner/party, complete with 7 kids who ran in circles around the house non-stop all night...which resulted in a few scrapes.

Today: We went to the OMSI, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, as part of Talmage's preschool class field trip. They got to be dinosaur hunters as we went through the dinosaur exhibit. As we moved on to other things the snakes were Sydney's highlight of the trip and Talmage of course loved the sandbox. As long as there is a sandbox where we are going T is happy.

After OMSI we headed over to Nicholas an amazing Lebanese restaurant with the best pita bread and hummus, yum! The kids did great! We then we came home and played with bubbles and sidewalk chalk.

And well the day isn't over yet...

The Little Tigers...

2010-03-15T23:14:00.004-06:00

..so far. We've got 4 more days!!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=155459&id=534954161&l=60a9dcad47

I'm excited...

2010-03-11T14:28:00.007-07:00

Remember that one time when I lived here for a few months? ...I really loved it. I miss Oregon and I'm excited to go back next week!

The New Do...

2010-02-17T22:34:00.002-07:00

After losing about 8 inches...

A Long Lost Relative?

2010-01-30T09:56:00.006-07:00

Okay keep breathing...no we did not take in another stray cat! This is Annie she lives with the Otto's in Pocatello ID. She was a stray cat that they took in from the field behind their house. For those of you who don't remember we found Maki as a starving kitten behind the Otto's house in a that same field. Maki and Annie are more than likely related! Can you see some resemblance? Maki is probably Annie's sister or aunt. It was fun to meet Annie and notice the similarities between them. They have the same eyes, small face, big ears, stripey tails and soft fur. The thing that was the most amusing is how similar their characteristics are, i.e. they are both skiddish and not super keen on cuddling. As you can see Annie's favorite place to hang out is the back of the couch just like Maki. The most interesting similarity we found out is that they both like to smell your hand before you can pet them! It's crazy that those weird little things might genetic. It was fun to meet Annie and have that connection of owning relative cats with the Otto's.

2010-01-25T11:36:00.010-07:00

I don't know what it is about people that can create good music, but for me sometimes develop a crush on them.(not a serious one, I just think they are super cute). Sometimes they are pretty hot too, but not always and I'm not sure what it is that makes them so attractive. There's just something about someone playing music that you love...you feel a connection to them, not like a deep meaningful connection, maybe it's more of a connection to the music but there's something there...

Seeing people play live always effects how I feel about them. Some of them are really great live and have such an energy and love for what they do and and to me that is really endearing. I usually refer to this as "cute".

Here's some of my crushes...

Todd Park Mohr of Big Head Todd and the Monsters. I just saw them live, I had no idea Todd was so dang cute. When he smiles it's pure joy on his face.

Jon por (jonsi) Birgisson of Sigur Ros. Okay this guy...not cute at all, but the music he makes is stunning. I saw them live and the sounds he can make live with a guitar left me speechless(in a good way ;). His passion and talent are what make him attractive.

Ben Folds. He's just so clever and down to earth and cute...and yes it helps that he plays the piano like nobody's business.

Okay so after seeing the Led Zeppelin movie: The Song Remains the Same I like so many others thought Robert Plant was pretty hot. I don't know what it is!?

Everyone knows I love Trey because he's so cute and so happy and so incredibly talented.

Damien Rice, I'm pretty sure we could be best friends. I just love him.

Do you have any musician crushes?

Chloe had puppies!

2010-01-19T20:57:00.003-07:00

9 of them to be exact. Chloe belongs to the Christensen's, my friends in Basalt ID. We went to visit and Chloe had puppies the day we got there! She's a very good mama.

Autumn Barker does not endorse this snowman...

2009-12-18T18:00:00.001-07:00

Meet Creepy Snowman. He is abnormally shaped, has almost no head, could poke your eye out with his disturbingly solid and sharp limbs, glows in changing rainbow colors in his stomach and has the words "Christmas Eve" written over his belly (why would it have Christmas Eve written on it? I could see Merry Christmas or bowl full of jelly...?) and let's not forget the glitter all over the bottom.

This is the snowman that was on my desk when I first started my job at FSTC in January 2009. It was left over from Christmas and didn't last long atop my desk. (It was agreed in the office at that time that it was a pretty creepy snowman and it was discarded.) Somehow it "magically" reappeared this Christmas and despite my protests everyone decided to display it, as a kind of joke, stating that it should be our office Christmas mascot! I agree that it's funny but there's one small problem...to display it means that it has to sit on my desk. And the negative side of it being on my desk is that everyone will think that it belongs to me and I LIKE IT. So as a compromise I will display the snowman but I will make a sign that says "Autumn Barker does not endorse this snowman. ;) Good Times

Someone was having a bad day...

2009-12-17T22:07:00.002-07:00

Take Two

2009-11-26T09:41:00.001-07:00

Another shot that Les got in that same photo shoot.

We May Need Some "Family" Therapy

2009-11-22T21:53:00.004-07:00

Maki's reaction to our attempt to take a "sister photo."

IN-N-OUT

2009-11-19T23:05:00.000-07:00

In-n-Out opened today in Orem!!! And I got a big surprise at work for lunch when Leslie brought me a double cheese burger with fries! Thanks Les!(she said she had to wait for an hour) I'm so excited that In-n-Out is here, HOORAY, and their food is as good as ever!

California!

2009-11-07T21:03:00.009-07:00

Here are the photos from the trip to California to see Phish at Festival 8...a three day, camp there, Festival where Phish played 8 shows. One of which was their famous "costume" set on Halloween night where they covered The Rolling Stones entire "Exile on Main St." album. The Sunday Morning set was entirely acoustic(a first for Phish) and it was incredible! There were 30,000 people there,we met some very nice people. The venue in Indio CA was huge, it was a 3/4's of a mile walk from our campsite to the stage area. Overall it was GR8 FUN and an amazing experience, Phish really went all out to make it awesome in tons and tons of ways. Click below to some of the photos I took...

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=117863&id=534954161&l=0a22900130

After Phish we drove out to Anaheim and stayed there for 3 days visiting Disneyland, Crystal Cove State Park and L.A. Here's the Disneyland Photos...

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=118272&id=534954161&l=7e9f343e31

Here's Crystal Cove....

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=118413&id=534954161&l=e312042a48

In L.A. we went to The Getty, a HUGE art museum built on a hill like a castle. It was a beautiful place with fountains, gardens and tons of great art. I could have spent days there. We also went down to Hollywood Blvd that night, saw some sights and went to Ripley's Museum. We also happened upon a movie opening that night at the Chinese Theatre. Mm-oh boy. That night we drove out to Calico near Yermo and stayed in a ghost town there. Then headed home the next day. All in all an awesome trip!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=119050&id=534954161&l=2a639e9f03

This just makes me happy

2009-10-16T10:44:00.005-06:00

...it's beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWiJWLiSKro

Some Decent Shots from Capitol Reef

2009-10-13T20:14:00.000-06:00

Bonus Birthday Shots

2009-10-11T11:40:00.006-06:00

So as I was looking through the photos from my birthday that Airie and Leslie took while I was opening my birthday presents...I started noticing that Baron was making some pretty awesome faces. I decided to share.... (forgive the crudity of these shots, as Baron was originally in the background I cropped myself out of them so he could be the focus ;)

Birthday Highlights...

2009-10-11T11:25:00.004-06:00

I had a Birthday! ...and it was a great one! Here are a few shots from some of the celebrations. I also went to Park City with Leslie and enjoyed the beautiful changing leaves and rode on the Alpine Slide...but when I got the camera out to take the first photo the battery was dead(sad face). But here are some photos from my birthday trip to the Dinosaur Museum with my family, and a dinner out with some friends. Thank you to everyone for your birthday wishes and love!

A New Calling...A New Adventure

2009-09-30T21:02:00.000-06:00

So I was released as the 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency last month. While I loved having the opportunity to serve in that calling and learned and grew tons...I was ready to pass that job onto someone else. (and I was only a tiny bit bitter about the monthly stake meetings being changed from 7:00am on Sundays to 8:30am just a few weeks after I was released ;) I think more than anything else I enjoyed serving and getting to know the sisters in my ward. It was amazing how as soon as a was sustained I immediately felt a genuine concern and love for those I served.

They didn't let me rest long...the same Sunday I was released I was asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting(again, 2nd time in 8 months) and given a new calling...Gospel Doctrine Teacher. Let me tell you I was nervous about teaching Gospel Doctrine. I had several opportunities to teach Relief Society while in the Presidency which means I'm not completely rusty at teaching but think the hard part of teaching RS was the extremely high expectations that I felt and the fact that I had to prepare a lesson from scratch. Let me tell you, teaching Gospel Doctrine is so much better. I'm pretty sure I have the best calling in the church! -At least that's what Elder Eyring called it and since he's an apostle I'm pretty sure he's right.

There are several great things about Teaching Gospel Doctrine:
1# I get to run the show: prayers, hymns sung, what I do with the 45 minutes I teach, everything! and because of that...
2# It is much less formal and serious...I feel very at ease and can be more creative and even humorous.
3# I get to study the WHOLE lesson and I am learning tons of amazing stuff. There is so much to learn! I have loved reading Our Heritage and looking for extra stuff online etc. I get so much out of each lesson I teach and I love it! Being a teacher is such a huge blessing for the teacher in that way.

I'm excited for this new adventure, I hope I will do well.

Rainbow Valley...All you need is Jesus!

2009-09-29T13:00:00.000-06:00

Leslie and I are gearing up for grant writing season and plans for our "Transitional Living" girls group home are in full swing. We are trying to knuckle down and write our business plan etc. The most pressing issue at this time which we want to throw out for any suggestions is...we need a name and motto! Unfortunately our favorite has already been taken by a program in northern California, as referenced in the title of this blog. (Please catch the heavy sarcasm here)

But seriously we've been tossing names around and would like your ideas. Here's the gist, we are looking to open a home for teenage girls to support them and provide resources as they transition into independent living. We planing on having some land and farming some produce/veggies etc. and have some animals for the girls to be responsible for.

We have decided that we like the names of programs like Red Cliff Ascent and Lightening Peak, rather than Women's Empowerment Center or Center for Change. Most of the names we think of last all of about a day before we start making fun of it and decide that it won't work. One that has stuck for a few days is Summerwood or Summerwoods...but we're not attached yet. I think our motto will be something simple like "a place to grow" referring to the farm and the girls in many different capacities. Anyway let us know what you think and if you have any ideas. Thanks!

Picture that popped up when I Googled Summerwood

For anyone that hasn't heard yet...

2009-09-27T22:51:00.000-06:00

Phish is doing their first festival since reuniting! It will be in Indio CA, it will be over Halloween(a famous phish show each year where the band covers an entire album from another band, past selections include: Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" and the Beatles "White Album"), it will include 8 sets over three days including their first ever completely acoustic set and...

I WILL BE THERE!!!

Leslie has graciously agreed to go with me and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! Another one of my life goals can be checked off! HOORAY!

Mesa Verde etc. over Labor Day...

2009-09-18T12:46:00.003-06:00

Here's the whole album:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=103083&id=534954161&l=1946c118df

Energizer Brie...She Keeps Going and Going and Going...

2009-09-14T22:17:00.012-06:00

We had Brie down for an overnighter a few weekends ago! It was a very exciting adventure and we were amazed at Brie's never ending energy...

It's started at Pirate Island Pizza. Here we are sitting by the waterfall outside the cave entrance into the pirates lair where we will eat!

Brie made a pretty great pirate!

Aboard the ship!

Playing in the arcade!

After eating at "Pirate's" we went home and watched The Incredibles.

The next Morning we worked on crafites that Brie picked out at the store...

Brie and Kaya became good friends.

We stopped by to visit Airie, Abram and the Ratties!

We then had to make a pit stop at the UVU library for Leslie's English assignment. Brie wanted to walk to the top of these five flights of stairs... we walked to the top...I wanted to take the elevator down, but Brie said that was wimpy so we walked all the way back down. Then Brie wanted to do it again...so she did, but by her self this time ;). I just watched from the bottom. Up and down 5 flights two times!

We stopped at Discovery Park in Pleasant Grove on the way to Grandma Taggart's.

Brie showing off her art creations in front of Grandma's house in Lehi. See the two cats at the top of her shirt? I bet you can't guess which one is Kaya and which one is Maki ;)

It was a fun adventure...Thanks for coming over Brie!!

A Very Merry Unbirthday!

2009-07-16T07:40:00.005-06:00

We had a Mad Hatter Tea Party -Baby shower for Meridth (Wix) and baby Ursa! It was a lot of fun, and a lot of work...we're still recovering ;) What fun!!

Tea Time!!

We decorated with 0rigami lanterns

Water, red tea, chips and dip and beautiful flowers.

The Food!

The grand tree complete with Cheshire Cat!

A Classic hard copy of Alice in Wonderland for guests to sign in on.

Painting plain onesies and training pants for baby Uschi!

Airie's crazy hat!

The Mad Hatters

The Half Blood Prince Event 7-15-09 at 12:23am

2009-07-15T15:24:00.006-06:00

So yes, I went, I saw, I collapsed at the end. --After all it was 3:30am when it ended. Tired as I was, I loved it. My favorite Potter movie to date. I highly recommend it.

Here's a newspaper article/video about the event. I was at the theater where the video was filmed...I effectively dodged the camera ;). We arrived at 7pm and waited 5 hours at the front of our line...there were 12 midnight showings at our theater so it was quite the nerd-fest, which is why you go opening morning, the people there are half the fun.

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_a17442df-58c1-518a-95a5-8725a9bb9d72.html

Yes We're Trying Our Hand at the Crafties

2009-07-14T19:33:00.001-06:00

Here we are at the Provo Farmer's Market on the 4th of July. We made the frames and necklaces, mom provided the baby booties, flags, plants etc. It was kind of a bad day to start out being the 4th and all...there weren't too many people there. They were all at the Freedom Fest up the street. We had fun and enjoyed a visit from the folks as well.

We fell asleep for a while...it was a long week ;)

Capitol Reef Trip

2009-07-14T07:52:00.007-06:00

(I found my yoville tree house)

Saturday is a Special Day

2009-05-12T22:20:00.005-06:00

Jill's Bridal Party!

Sarah and Ann's Fremont Indian Dig!

Museum of Ancient Life!

Mother's Day Picnic, Sugarhouse Park!

Inspired by Spring

2009-05-12T21:12:00.004-06:00

Lipazzaner Stallions

2009-05-07T22:14:00.000-06:00

Yep, I saw the "world famous" Lipazzaner Stallions this week, and yes they were very cool.

Random Pictures From the Weekend

2009-04-20T07:29:00.000-06:00

As close as it gets?

2009-04-17T09:56:00.004-06:00

So the two cats don't get along all that well. It's pretty amusing to watch. They keep their boundaries...however, slowly but surely their "comfortable distance" is shrinking...?

Their first picture together!

It's April 16th!!!

2009-04-16T07:26:00.002-06:00

The view outside my window this morning...isn't there some kind of rule about it NOT snowing after Easter? Sheesh! There's more snow today than there was on Christmas morning!

Easter Reflection

2009-04-12T20:33:00.004-06:00

"Above all, we proclaim our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. All that we are—all that we will ever be—we owe to Him. While we gaze in awe at His majesty, He does not ask us to stay our distance but bids us to come unto Him. “I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20).
His words echo through the centuries:
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (John 11:25–26).

Brothers and sisters, He lives. He is resurrected.He guides His holy work upon the earth. His prophet is President Thomas S. Monson. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

--Elder Neil L. Anderson

I love my Savior and I am grateful for the atonement and His triumph over death. He has invited everyone to come unto Him and promised to never leave us comfortless. This Easter as I have reflected on the blessings in my life I am grateful for His light and love which help me to strive each day to become more like Him.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T18:29:00.007-06:00

Abram, Airie, Baron and the kids came over and we had a fun afternoon with Hawaiian Haystacks, Totoro, shattered glass(story to come;), Easter baskets and of course egg dying and hunting. It was a beautiful day, the best this week. Here are some pictures we took of the day! (pictured above: Galveston with Easter basket)

Leslie and Brie checking out the kite and other Easter basket goodies.

A new plant? ...no this was dessert!! With pudding and cookie crumbles!

Taking the party outside to dye some eggs!

Using stickers to decorate!

The finished product!

The hunt is on.

All done.

Would you like a little glass with your lunch?

2009-04-12T17:00:00.005-06:00

We had a small incident today during lunch. Luckily no one was hurt, although Abram was right in the line of fire. After we all had our food and were in the living room watching Totoro, Abram went back into the kitchen for seconds...and all of a sudden shattered glass was everywhere. It took us a few minutes to we had a small glass pan placed inside of a large glass pan, and that larger pan was on top of a burner that had been left on low from heating the gravy. Apparently this combination of items was a bad idea and the bottom glass pan exploded and hot glass flew everywhere. Miraculously Abram didn't get touched at all with any glass which was really good. We got all the glass cleaned up fast so it would melt the floor. In the end the only casualty was one burn spot on our linoleum. Now we can just look back and laugh!

Fund Raising, Festival of Colors and Ratty Ranch

2009-03-31T21:06:00.006-06:00

This weekend was a super busy one for me. We had a big fund raising "ask event" for the center that I work at. "The Investment of a Lifetime" breakfast was an event to educate the community about our center and give people the opportunity to get involved. For anyone that doesn't know I work at the Famliy Support & Treatment center, where our primary focus is the prevention and treatment of child abuse.

Our breakfast was really fun but took quite a bit of preparing. There was a lot to the event but to simplify the explaining let's just say there were tons of stuffed toys, pin wheels, clients art, musical numbers, slide shows etc. Leslie and I went on Friday night to help set up and then after it was over there was all the awesome clean up. Over all it was a really positive experience.

Later that day I went to the festival of Colors. It was in Spanish Fork at the Hare Krishna temple. It was lots of fun! Tons of people, colored chalk, good food, entertainment etc. Here are some pictures of the event:

The Temple

Mantra Chanting

"The throwing of colors"

I got me some color.

The food was really good, authentic vegetarian Indian Food

Me, Michael, Tyler, Rodney, Leslie and David (We had a good time)

Of course we stopped by and said hi to the llamas.

On the way home from the festival we stopped by Airie and Abram's place to check out the newly completed "Moochies Manor". What a fun place for the Ratties! All I can say is that no one can give me a hard time about "spoiling" Maki anymore ;) I snapped this picture of Moochie lounging.

What a Saturday! Fun, fun fun!

Kaya

2009-03-31T19:39:00.001-06:00

So I haven't blogged about this yet because I didn't want to seem like a crazy cat lady...So We found a half starved cat over a month ago. We took her in and we have been trying to find her a good home ever since. We named her Kaya (a souix indian name) and she is the sweetest cat, very cuddly and well behaved. She's a really small cat too, well I guess compared to Maki just about any cat would be small ;) Anyway we're doing our best not to get attached and hope to find her a good home soon.

Asian Food Night

2009-03-20T09:23:00.007-06:00

My friend Sara served her mission in Korea and we talk about the wonders of Asian culture and the food all the time. Recently while at my house she noticed that I had some Kimchi in the fridge, she asked if it was any good. I answered that it was but that is was going bad. She got really excited about this and stated that in a few weeks when it was really fermented she would make me Kimchi Soup. M'oh boy.

So the day came and we decided to make it at her house since it apparently sinks the house up a lot and her place is bigger than mine(more space to disperse the stink). I brought my "bad" kimchi and some sticky rice and Sara made the soup along with some egg fried squash and giyoza.

To make kimchi soup you do very little...you put the kimchi in a pot, add water, onion, garlic and then some type of protein if you wish...something like tofu, beef, shrimp...we added canned tuna. Then you just let it cook down until a lot of the water is gone.

Sara was right, it did have a very distinct smell, and since I'm not used to eating so much kimchi all at once, at first the taste took some getting used to as well. But in the end I really liked it. I think prehaps I would like it better with tofu though...I've never been a huge canned tuna fan.

In the end we had a lot of fun and decided to make "Asain food night" a monthly thing, since neither of us ever make Asian food anymore. Next time will be my turn...umm I wonder what I should make? Fuji rice, okonomiaki, mabodofu...etc.

Fun on a Friday Morning

2009-02-27T10:23:00.000-07:00