Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned While on Vacation

1. It's good to go places where you feel like a kid.

Universal Studios, Hollywood

Disneyland

Lesson two: It's good to go on a day where California is experiencing record breaking heat.

Can you see the sweat? (Jurassic Park ride)

Lesson three: While waiting in line, a good way to pass the time is by taking pictures of each other really close-up.

Waiting for Universal to open.

Tour Guide ride (Universal)

Tour Guide ride

Waterworld show, Universal

Waiting for shuttle to Disneyland.

Space Mountain

Buzz Lightyear ride, Disneyland

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Disneyland

Lesson four: If you want a picture of yourself on one of the rides, just take a picture of it with your camera.  Everyone else does it, and the people who work there don't care.

Lesson five: It's easy to look crazy if someone is taking your picture just as an employee is announcing there is no flash photography.

Lesson six: ALWAYS indulge in at least one photo op.

Lesson seven: If you run around all day like a kid hopped up on sugar with limited water in 108 degree heat, you might get a little tired.

Lesson eight: Bring home something cute for your baby.

Lesson nine: After thanking your mom and dad for watching him, give him lots of hugs and kisses because you sure missed him a lot a lot.

Gotta love his two little teeth popping out.

Lesson ten: Hang out in Phoenix for a few days to enjoy the city and family before going back to Big Piney.

Typical Tuesday

T let me do his hair. It's getting super long!

(I find it funny, he paired his hair with his UFC shirt)

We ate dinner at John and Jenny's.

(I love that I married into a big family: every get together is a party! If you notice, T is still wearing his hair do, how I love that man!)

Linkon wanted to pose with Baby J.

(Quite possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen.)

This is how we roll in Big Piney.

Trips

When you live in place like Big Piney, Wyoming (I'm thinking anywhere in Wyoming) anyplace you go is considered a trip.  Any major town takes at 3 least hours.  As a result, we've put A LOT of miles on our car!  Two big trips I've gone on recently have been to Jackson and Denver.

My sister-in-law Jenny and I went on a day trip to Jackson.  It's about 2 1/2 hour drive. 

She had to go to the doctor, so I watched the kids.

They were being very cute.

At one point, they were wrestling.

Double stroller: yet another bargain at the thrift store! Totally worth it.

Our husbands don't like sushi, so we take any opportunity we can to eat it!

He looks scared, but he's not. He loves the camera, and the camera loves him.

Had to take the touristy photo op.

Those boys got plum tuckered out.

He fell asleep playing with his toys.

The following week, Baby J and I traveled to Denver to visit my mom, brother and sister-in-law. It's about a 7 hour drive.  My mom flew in to see them, and I decided to tag along!

My brother and sister-in-law just got back from an amazing 6 week long roadtrip across Europe and Asia. 

Baby J really liked hanging out with my brother.

He also really liked hanging out on my mom's shoulders.

So beautiful there!

For one reason or another, Baby J just didn't want to be indoors.  Whenever (and it happened a lot) he started screaming inside, I'd take him outside to enjoy the gorgeous scenery.  He loved it (at least he stopped crying).

And now, introducing:  Grandma!

It was great to see everyone, and go where we did.

So.

Much.

Driving.

Gonna.

Lie.

Here.

For.

A.

 Second.

My Heart Melts When...

I LOVE the way Baby J places his hand on our shoulders like this:

it's like one step closer to giving us hugs.

Take Two

We enjoyed Big Piney Lake so much, we had to go with John, Jenny, and Linkon this time around!

We got some delicious camping food.

Set up a fantastic fire.

Sat around giving loves.

Roasting said delicious food.

Skipped rocks.

Enjoyed the company/beautiful views.

New favorite lake!

Third Times a Charm

T didn't have to work Saturday.

We wanted to do it right.

After some hanging out at home/taking pictures,

we headed out to explore a little more of this place we call Big Piney.

We've tried to find Big Piney Lake before. 

The first time, we went after church on a whim. 

We drove a little while, thinking it was only a few miles down the road.

After 10 miles, on mostly a dirt path, we turned back, discouraged.

The second time, we went in search after T's work on a weekday.

We drove and drove until we got to a road barricade. 

We figured we'd made a wrong turn and drove home.

It was at this point I began to think this lake didn't exist. 

This weekend, we decided to try yet again to get to this illusive lake.

We drove, got to the road blockage, got out of the car and walked the rest of the way.

It was raining, but we were determined.

We walked about a mile, and found the most beautiful lake.

This was the most fun I've ever had trying to find/just hanging out at a lake.

That's saying something.

This is not the first time we've done something like this; nor will it be the last.