California || Ridgecrest

After a fun 24 hours in Yosemite, we made our way to Ridgecrest, California to visit Josh, Mindy, Emily, Aubrey, Olivia and Ellie. When we got there all four girls were looking out the window waiting for our arrival. We had not seen the Rowley family in over two years so it was wonderful to visit with them and to see how much the girls had grown! Josh and Mindy quickly informed us that there was not much to do in Ridgecrest and that we had come during the hottest part of the year. After some talking about things we could do, we had a good plan for the next day and I was so excited to do some more exploring in California!!!

The next day we made our way out into the desert to find the William Henry "Burro" Schmidt tunnel. Let's just say, getting there was half the fun. We were on dirt/sand roads with jack rabbits jumping around and we might have gotten lost a few times, but we finally made it to the tunnel. Once we got there we were ready with flashlights and headlamps to see what this tunnel was all about. It was crazy to think that someone spent 38 years hand digging the tunnel. It was pretty remarkable. We were happy that it was cold inside the tunnel because it was definitely HOT outside!!!

After we got back from our trip to the tunnel, it was the middle of the day and it was still HOT! We decided that the rest of the day was going to be a spent playing water games. Mindy had found some really great activities on Pinterest that involved getting wet. The first activity we did was put shaving cream on a tarp and then we used it as a slip 'n slide. It was the best slip 'n slide ever! {Seriously, I have never fallen down so much sliding around on a tarp.} We also made some water bombs out of sponges that were lots of fun to play with and get wet with. They also had a pool so that made the water play day even better. The boys were out on a 'field-trip' to Joshy's work so while they were gone the girls planned a sneak attack for when they got home. We each had a specific task to get the boys wet!!! I think they were onto us because as soon as they got home and we were like "come outside and look at our fun water games", but they played along and got wet and we all had a really enjoyable time. Olivia was trying so hard to get Paul all wet! It was so funny because she chased him around the yard for probably 10 minutes straight!

It was an awesome day spent with some great friends. We were so happy that we were able to visit the Rowley's on our trip. Plus, we managed to stay somewhat cool despite the three digit temps out in the desert!

California || Yosemite

Well folks, it's time to play catch-up. Ready, set and GO!

The first stop on our California trip was Yosemite National Park. We were so excited for a little summer vacation, not to mention some California sun! As soon as we got to Yosemite National Park we were blown away at how amazing and huge everything looked. We quickly got the map out and decided what sites we wanted to explore because we were only going to be there for about 24 hours total...and that included sleeping time too. We wanted to make every minute a memory :)

Day 1: First we hiked to Vernal Falls...which felt great after sitting for MANY hours in the car. Then we explored Yosemite Village and took way too many pictures. Next, we stopped at 'Tunnel View' for a spectacular view of Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridal Veil Falls. Lastly, we finished the day having a picnic dinner as we watched the sunset at Glacier Point.

{I just had to include this next picture...we knew we were going to get to our campsite really late and after quiet hours, so we decided to fill up our air mattresses a few miles down the road. This is how we had to drive those last few miles. It was such a funny experience!!! And we can't forget the fact that we had to set up our tent in the dark.}

Day 2: First things first, we took a picture with the sign {somehow we missed it on the first day}. Then we went to the Tuolumne Grove of giant sequoias and saw GINORMOUS trees...we're talking 30 feet in diameter! After that we stopped at Olmsted Point to get one last look back into Yosemite Valley. We had lunch at Tenaya Lake, drove through Tuolumne Meadows and then made the steep descent out the east side of the park towards our next destination.

Yosemite National Park is a must-see if you ever travel to California!!!

Oh, Rexburg.

I just got back from a short trip to Idaho to drop my baby sister off for her freshman year of college at BYU-Idaho. My mom, sister and I drove all the way from Salem, Oregon to Rexburg, Idaho. Talk about a fun 13 hour road trip!!! It was definitely some much needed girl time for me. I felt like a little freshman again as we moved her in, got her books, and went to all the new freshman activities. I am so excited for my sister and all the unique experiences she will have at BYU-Idaho. I couldn't believe that it was SIX years ago that I had started on my college journey. As I walked around campus, I had so many memories flood my mind. Rexburg has such a special place in my heart. I was also able to catch up with some of my old roommates. It was like we had never been apart :) I didn't want to leave, but I was very happy to see Paul {after a week apart} when I got home.

Life has surely been busy these past few weeks. I realize that you have been patiently waiting for the big California trip recap. I am still sifting through the hundreds of pictures we took so you will have to wait a wee bit longer. I'm terribly sorry. 

California posts are coming soon :)

We Have Returned!

We got back from California at the beginning of this week and had to pretty quickly get back to "real-life". There are so many pictures, stories, and adventures to share from our amazing trip!!! Here is just a small glimpse of what we saw and did:

That's it for now...I'll go into more detail about our entire trip soon {pinky promise}!!!

July Recap...

Well, I decided to make the month complete by writing a little blog post. Yes, we are still alive as you can clearly see in the picture {just in case you were worried}. And yes, we have been very busy with...um what's the word...oh yeah, LIFE! 

July has been filled with lots of hours at work for both of us, a birthday visit from my dad, triathlon training, a temple date, apartment decorating and we can't forget these last few nights of staying up WAY past our bedtime to watch the Olympics!!! Go Team USA :) I was unable to participate in the triathlon due to me getting sick the week of the race, but I am better now and there will be a special triathlon just for me in the coming months. More on that later. Oh and one last thing...

We leave for our California trip tomorrow and we are so excited!!! 

TrackTown USA.

Did you know that the road to the London Olympics for the track and field participants runs through Eugene, Oregon?? Well I didn't know this fun fact until Paul had bought us tickets. How awesome is that?? :) Paul and his family had gone to the Olympic trials before but for me it was my first time. Let me tell you, the trials were so incredible! We were able to see a lot of different events that displayed so many amazing athletes. These included running races {200m, 1500m, 5000m}, 400m hurdles, shot put, discus throw, triple jump, high jump, 3000m steeplechase and pole vault. Take a look at some of the moments I captured... 

Towards the end of the day they had the athletes that had already earned a spot on the Olympic team come out in their official Team USA uniform. I got chills just watching them run around the track. It was so exciting to see some of the people that will represent our country in the 2012 Summer Olympics. Who else is super excited about the Olympics?? GO TEAM USA!!!