Jackson Hole- Love ya Heath!

This past week was really special for me. I was finally able to take Shane with me and my family to Jenny's Lake in Jackson Hole. Heather, my older sister, died 12 years ago this summer. She was living in Jackson Hole during the end of her time here on earth. She loved to hike and would often hike around Jenny's Lake. I think that she found peace and serenity while hiking and enjoying God's amazing and beautiful creations. I also feel much peace when I am in the outdoors, I always feel like I am realigned with purpose of being here in this mortal existence. To gain experience so that we may gain wisdom. So my family has hiked around Jenny's Lake every year in memory of Heather. It's the "Annual Hike". This year we were also lucky enough to have Manuel and Angie come with us on the hike. They are our dear friends from Guatamala, whom Kevin baptized on his mission, and we have been friends with ever since. Angie has spent the last 6 months here learning English and she is now on her way home with her dad. I will miss her so much, she is like a baby sister to me. Plus she has taught me so much Spanish, that I think I am ready to move to a spanish speaking country and once and for all become fluent! Well with all the really crappy things that happen in life, I have so many blessings! Life is so good.
The whole fam damily! That waterfall behind us was so freaking huge! With all the water this year it was absolutely amazing.
Whew! Leni was getting so thirsty from all that work.

Jenny's Lake. Pictures never justify.
The water is so pure and beautiful. Manuel and Angie were drinking it and I freaked out for a second... then I realized "Oh yeah, they are from Guatamala... this is probably the freshest water they will ever drink!"
Shane, Leni Jane, and Taylor (niece) at the beginning of the hike.
Grand Tetons. Enough said.
The amazing square ice cream in Swan Valley Idaho. I think that is that city's saving grace.
Angie and I eating breakfast and getting ready for the hike. Wow I think we got like 5 hours of sleep... we look so hot right now!

NavyPerl

Carrie and I have recently started a business on Etsy. We are selling pillows, flower headbands, and refurbished furniture, and possibly whatever else we decide to do! Check us out!

www.navyperl.etsy.com

Len's brief booty shake

Tessa... I tried!

Happy Birthday Shaner! The big 35 holla holla!

Shaners birthday was yesterday! He turned 35 and we celebrated! It was a great day... love you sweetie!
Nothing like partying in your back yard with Bob Marley, family, and IBC Root Beer!

We went to all you can eat sushi for Shane's Birthday! It was really fun, but surprisingly we both got full on it really fast... who would have thought! I told the waiter that it was Shane's birthday and he did not believe Shane was 35... I laughed because people never think Shane is his age. We had a different waiter help us at the end of the meal because the other guy had gone home. I asked him how old he thought Shane was (because the guy was bringing us some special Japanese ice cream for Shane's birthday). He said "Oh I was talking with the other waiter about it and we were freaking out (in a latin accent)". It was so funny! So apparently these two dudes were in the back checking out Shane while we were eating sushi! I love it. I hope our kids get those good genes, so they look young for a long ole' time.
Uncle Calin, Leni Jane, and Shane dancing the night away!
No... not real beer. But I could be wrong!


Eating at CPK with auntie Carrie. Leni was loving the balsamic and olive oil... no wonder why she is so tiny. Eat some fat kid! PLEASE

Our latest adventures

Okay so this first picture was after Leni got her first hair cut! Aunt Carly gave Len her first hair cut today, I was a bit sad. However, Leni can totally rock a mullet, but we decided it was time to let it go! Leni has also discovered how to say "CHEESE" and this is it folks! I love those little chompers (... is that a word?)
Daddy also got a hair cut, he doesn't typically hang out with out clothes on!


This last week Leni and I decided to cruise up to Idaho to spend some time with Gramma Kat. Leni loves the "la la" aka piano... or anything that represents music for that matter! My little Leni Bug loves loves loves music!! I am so happy because I love music. It is great therapy for the soul!
I took a bunch of pictures of Leni with different head bands. Care Bear and I made the flowers to go on pillows, but I thought they looked cute on Leni's head also!

Okay, so Leni looked like a little rainbow bright diva that day! We planned on staying in Idaho one night and stayed 3. SO that's what happens when you have a mom that has a.d.d! I am also a bit nervous... is this picture of things to come! AAGGHH!
We went to a cousin's wedding reception on Friday. Leni was totally into the brownies. Well at least none of it got stuck in her front teeth :)
Another project. Leni loves sitting on anything her size. So, I found this chair at the D.I. It was actually super not cute, but I did not get a before picture. I think it is pretty adorable now. Leni likes it too!
All my pictures are totally out of order, but this was Leni getting ready to go to the wedding reception. She is such a fun little girl! I love being a mommy!

Blogaholic today... It's my new mode of communication

So here is the piano bench and chair I finished this week. The chair still needs some finishing touches, but it is mostly done.

Little Red Riding Hood

So this post is a little tribute to my mom. Yesterday she rode in an all women's bike ride in Wellsville Utah. It is called "The Little Red Riding Hood". My mom (Kat) and one of her dear friends Louise rode 80 MILES! Wow wow wow is all I can say!! Way to go ladies! All the money and proceeds go to support breast cancer. There were about 2700 women who rode yesterday. It was really neat because there were women of all sizes and ages participating.
My mom did not know that Shane, Leni Jane, and I were going to meet her at the finish line, but we really wanted to support her. She came to hundreds of my volleyball games and drove me all over the place back in the day... so thanks Mom!! My mom has always pushed herself to do things that are challenging, and in doing so has inspired many people, including myself, to keep going when things are difficult. I hope I can ride it with you next year mama! Loves xoxo




We made a sign so Gramma Kat would see us when she finsihed!

I love the look on Gramma Kat's face when she saw us! This was at the finish line!
I promise Leni was really excited to be there! You can only keep a kid so cooperative when it's nap time.