Summer at a Glance

WARNING: Lots of photos. So sit back and enjoy the ride! 

Okay, so I wasn't incredibly detailed at keeping track of this whirlwind of a season called summer, so let me redeem myself now with a little photo tribute to the summer of 2011. Although I feel like all I did this summer was sit in my little corner of the office, eating greasy chips and listening to my i tunes while I work all day, my Pictures folder tells me otherwise. We did indeed have a number of small adventures. Some of these adventures included:

• A Mexican cruise, as I have already past mentioned on here.

• Parades, one in which Vance won a tie

The Orem Fest

•  Goofy times in the Zoobies warehouse

Vance is the Croc. I was the photographer.

•  A couple of really fun concerts- Jonathan Jones and Josh Groban :)

• Good times with some old friends

• As well as lots of time spent with family

On a hike up Soldier Hollow on a lazy Sunday afternoon

My sweet (and sassy) nephew Bronson on the 4th of July!

And the oh so smiley Cael! He made my day by visiting me at work :)

Waiting for FIREWORKS!!!

Damon (nephew) LOVES Grandpa Joe!

I love this goofy little Halle! (niece)

And while Vance went on a cross country motorcycle trip with his father, aunt and uncle to Nauvoo, Illinois during the 4th of July........ (lucky duck...)....

NOTICE: Vance took some AMAZING photos! I'll have to drag him on here so he can caption the photos and tell the story ;)

Isn't my stud muffin so adorable?! :)

Father and son

Yaba Daba DOOOOO!

Vance and Dave with the wonderful DeBirk's!

They even met past presidents! Mt. Rushmore :)

Sad :( Flooded city

I love this picture! Hyrum and Joseph Smith statue in Nauvoo, Illinois

Nauvoo Temple on the 4th of July! Both sporting patriotic colors :)

My love :)

Vance with Brother Joseph and Emma Smith! (Cousins Alex and Melinda DeBirk)

Father and son with Brother Joseph!

 

The Community of Christ temple in Independence, Missouri

• .....I sold my first commissioned painting :)

This summer we also:

• Captured a few sunsets

View from our front yard

 • Went to a few rodeos! Yeee-haw!

Vance being goofy at the Nephi Stampede

Still being goofy........

With my cute sissy, Alison

The Days of 47 Rodeo with Neen and the Shmock

Drake, our adorable and fun little cousin

The Shmock and I liked to cheer when the baby calves ran away from their ropers

And what can beat Heber City's Rodeo Stampede? Look at that lovely Mount Timp view :)

With Mikel and Lindsey (Houk) Parry. Thanks Mama Margo!

• Enjoyed some boating

 • Attended Neen Camp (pictures soon to come....)


• Enjoyed some breathtaking gardens at Thanksgiving Point (I hope this is what heaven looks like)

My adorable sweetheart

My future backyard. A girl can dream, eh?

The Paget's and the Brown's looking spiffy by the columns

Vance drinking Thad's pee.....

Goofballs :)

 And last but certainly not least....

• We went on a GORGEOUS river rafting trip to the Payette River in Idaho with Vance's parents. It was simply breathtaking, relaxing, and especially great to enjoy God's creations and escape reality for a little while. I wish we were still there....

Livin' the good life :)

Neen and Dave

Does life get better than this?

Vance sitting in the perfect bowl shape in the rock

Us

You can't go to Idaho and not eat at THE Wicked Spud!

Nuff said :)

I guess you could say Vance and I love nature and our families!

Summertime is so much different now than it used to be as a child. As a young, gangly, tan legged girl, every day was summer- filled with endless outdoor activities. As an adult however, I have quickly realized that getting to play, go out to dinner, check out concerts and venues, and enjoy nature is a rare privilege and not a right.

It may sound cheesy, but I appreciate every moment spent outside enjoying nature. I am so happy, relaxed, and at peace. It clears my mind and frees my spirit (that is when I don't have awful allergies, which is ALWAYS...). It inspires me to read, to write, and to paint. It reminds me how significant I am and how much my Father in Heaven loves me. It gives me my spiritual highs in life!

Thank you Summer 2011 for being so kind to Vance and me in our first summer as a married couple. We had a blast and loved every opportunity you had to offer us this year. We worked hard, but tried to play even harder when time allowed us to. I cannot wait to greet you again next year. But in the meantime, welcome FALL!