4th of July in California

The first thing we did this independence day was go to church. we decided to indulge in the holiday and dress for the occasion!

then we put on a bbq and geoff ruled the grill. he did a great job making hotdogs (J-Dawgs style) and hamburgers. all who were present were grandma georgia, cousin katie and her daughter lizzy, cousins matt and emily and their friends. it was a great success, but unfortunately i did not take any pictures!

then we were off to see fireworks at the tree farm. we had great seats and it was a great show. this was the first time geoff and i went to an actual public fireworks show together. last year in Orlando we watched some friends set some off in the parkinglot of our apartment complex and the year before i was in new york planning our wedding.

our favorite fireworks this year were the chandelier looking ones, like this one.

we ate cherries and geoff sang the star spangled banner while we watched the show. i couldn't have asked for more!! i felt much gratitude for the freedom we enjoy as a nation and for the people who fight to keep us free.

Catch up...

OUR TRIP TO ARIZONA
on our way to Geoff's summer internship in California we were able to stop in Arizona for the week to spend time with his parents. We absolutely love Arizona and Steve and Nancy's home there is like heaven to us. The week went fast, but here are some of the highlights...

One of the things I miss the most about Arizona are the sunsets. The outline of the cacti is gorgeous to me! I think the Arizona sunsets are breath-taking.

A few mornings i woke up to breakfast in bed.. Geoff is so good to me! This was one of his creations one morning. It was so delicious!

Attending an Arizona Tea Party was a first for us, and was quite the experience! Sitting through 4 hours of rallying with Steve, Nancy, and Geoff was hilarious because we all gave each other looks when someone would yell out something ridiculous from the crowd!

Sheriff Joe Arpaio was the key speaker and after 4 hours of him not getting up to speak the crowd started to chant "Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe!" The Hulk showed up, which was very exciting too! (see below)

My favorite was this security guy dressed in costume!

spring showers

Our Easter Outfits

Today is a very rainy day in Provo Utah. The flowers and trees are in full bloom and as they say "April showers bring May flowers". Geoff and I have been out enjoying nature these days. One of our favorite things to do is throw the frisbee at the park a block from our house. The other day we actually brought the golf clubs, a frisbee, a basketball, baseball mits and a baseball. We then played with each of these sporting items! It was a blast and it felt good to be outside. I have my terrible allergies under control with the 24 hour pill called Zyrtec. It is saving my life! We love the spring time, it is our favorite time of the year!!

Good Friends, Good Times

the Beesons came down to Moab the second day we were there...

Melody and Erin

Ben and Geoff
The two main arches we saw were this arch, the Landscape Arch,
and the Delicate Arch. This is as close as we could get to the arch because
the middle of the arch continues to break off and it is getting thinner and thinner.
Who knows how much longer it will be standing...so I'm glad we were able
to see it before it's gone!

Moab: arches national park

balancing rock

Climbing through this narrow gap was scary, yet exciting!

Once I saw Geoff, Ben, and Melody all do it,
I knew I needed to as well!

Since visiting Arches National Park a few weeks ago I have come to appreciate my surroundings more fully. We are so blessed to live in a place that is beautiful and pleasing to the eye!
Taking time to stop and appreciate God's creations helps me to feel of his love for me. Spring has arrived here in Provo and the blossoming flowers and trees a quite a sight to see! Unfortunately, I have developed allergies to these blooming wonders and have been miserable for almost 3 weeks now! . . . itchy throat, runny nose at times, completely clogged nose at times, watery eyes. Luckily I have a very caring and thoughtful husband that made me a very very hot bath filled with vicks vapor rub. For a good two hours I could breathe through my nose again and it was glorious! I always took breathing for-granted until it has been very hard to do for not 1 or 2 days, but 3 weeks! I must simply try to enjoy the beauty and not think of the discomfort it is putting me through!

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!

Camping in Moab last weekend was a blast! The best part of the trip was exploring Arches National Park. I never knew the overwhelming beauty that I was missing out on! The hike and then rounding the corner to see the free standing Delicate Arch changed my life! I am so grateful for the love of God, because that is what I felt as I sat and soaked in the incredible rock formations on thousands of miles of untouched land. We look like ants as we stood under the arch with arms outstretched! If you have not been to this national park I highly recommend it!! For the next few days I am going to share more of the 125 pictures I took and the fun that we had!

change is good...

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And Geoff's Reaction: