Runaway part 2

Relaxing on the porch.

After puppy's swimming adventure we returned to the cabin to let him dry off and to enjoy a quiet evening  on the porch.  I love it when we have these peaceful moments to just sit back and enjoy the world around us.  Often the the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives we seem to get caught up in the latest news or big projects at work, or simply wasting our time with technology; but at the cabin, those distractions no longer matter.  I am able to let my mind rest and forget about the things that normally clutter my thoughts and just look around and enjoy the sights and sounds around me.

Family photo.

We both enjoyed playing fetch and tug with Jasper.

We went for a hike.

I'm one happy girl when we get to to to the cabin, even if it is just for the night.

Runaway

This last Monday Nathan and I decided to drop everything (even grocery shopping) and head up the the family cabin for the night.  We packed up the truck quickly with clothes, a few cans of soda, sleeping bags and Jasper and we were on the road is less then and hour later.

Having no food in the house, we stopped on the way for take-our Olive Garden (thanks to a birthday gift card from my parents).  We ate our bread sticks while driving and laughed at Jasper, riding in the bed of the pickup excitedly watching everything passing around us, cheeks flapping in the wind.

Before we knew it we were there; in our little piece of heaven.  Being a Monday night the canyon where our cabin is located was quiet and peaceful with most of the weekend crowd back at work.  It was perfect.  It was so wonderful to sit back and relax, eating our pasta on the front porch and listening to the sounds of nature around us.

After dinner we took a walk down to the river.  Jasper was so preoccupied by all the new smells and new things around him that he forgot to stay close to us and ended up wandering in the a swampy area.  After a while of frantically calling his name, he finally emerged from the trees very muddy and in need of a bath. That's what the river is for right?
Two years ago when we has taken Jasper on a day trip up to the same spot we had tried to get him to swim then. He couldn't do it.  It was so funny (and a little bit scary) to watch as he would just sink to the bottom and snorkel his way through the water coming up snorting and gasping for water.  Luckily age has made him a bit smarter and this time he figured out how to swim.

Funny Story:  One time he lost track of the stick that we had
thrown in the river for him to retrieve and his solution was
to just bring us back another on.  The only problem was that
the stick he selected was still attached to a tree that had fallen
into the river.  He tried for several seconds before finally
giving up and climbing up the opposite river bank.  We had to
throw in another stick from our side in order to get him to jump
back in and swim back over to our side of the river. 

Video of Jasper swimming.  The end is the best part when he tries to shake off the water while still holding a large stick.

To be continued......

Happy Father's Day

Nathan and I doing our favorite activities with our Dads.

My Father and I have enjoyed fishing together
 since I was a young girl.

Nathan and his Father rebuilding the engine in our 1969 Chevy.
Working on vehicles together is something they do often.

Nathan and I went out on our first date because of these two men.  17 years before that first date our fathers worked at the same company and began a friendship based on their shared love of hunting.  For years; continuing to this day, they have gotten together every fall for the annual elk hunt. It was not until 2007 that Nathan even knew that my dad had daughters.  Soon after Nathan and I began dating and by the next elk hunt our fathers were not only friends but IN-LAWS!

Wearing matching 'what happen's at the cabin, stays at the cabin' shirts

On our wedding day.

I am so grateful for the amazing friend and example my father has been to me.  He is always willing to help and serve as well as offer advice and counsel.  I am truly blessed and lucky to have the family I have.

Happy Father's Day

Zoo pictures for T and N

On my birthday on Monday I had the opportunity to visit the zoo with most of my nieces and nephews.  We had a great time.  The only downside was that I was missing my other niece and nephew who could not join us because they live out of state.  So this blog post is for them.  T and N, I took some pictures of some of the animals for you to enjoy.  

The kids took a picture with "grandpa"

Crocodile

Tiger

Tiger chewing on a bone

sleeping rhino

Baby elephant 

Adult Elephant getting a drink

Leoperd 

Lioness

Giraffes

Giraffe

And my favorite, the Polar Bear

Next time you come up to Utah I will have to take you to the zoo in person.  I love you.

Memory Lane

While looking for photos for my last post I found some fun one from when I was a baby and growing up.  Enjoy a little trip down my memory lane.  (sorry I left the really embarrassing ones out)

Bath time at Gran and Grumpy's

We loved our ballet

Mom and me. My first Christmas

Diaper head

For some reason every photo of me
 in the cradle I'm sleeping sideways.

My 8th birthday.  I still love otter pops.

At the park with my Dad.

With my cousins.  I'm in the blue dress in front.

Still sideways.

Happy Thursday!!!

Sleepy

Monday after work I went and spent a few minutes with our turkey chicks.  They love body heat. When you hold them close to your chest and pet them they are usually asleep within a minute or two.  After getting one to sleep in I picked up another and got it to sleep as well, one in each hand.  I couldn't leave the last one left out so very carefully I slid one sleeping chick next to the other one so I was now holding two sleeping chick in one hand and picked up the last one.  Surely enough not long after I had all three asleep.  I very slowly eased the last one into the hand with the other two.  TaDa!  Three sleeping turkeys in one hand! I am talented.   Have I mentioned how cute they are.  I have to enjoy them as much as possible now while they are little because soon enough they will be big and not so cute looking. 

Happy Wednesday!!!

Priceless Treasures

While planning and furinshing our 'field of dreams' nursery I kept in mind that I wanted this room to be more than just another room in our home.  It had to be special.  Not only because it was a nursery, or because it would be polar bear themed, but because it would be the space that would welcome our future child; it would be his or her's safe comfortable place.  Every part of this room would be special, just as the child that will someday call this room their own is special.

First of all, a babies room needs a cradle.

Now

Me in the cradle 1985

This handmade cradle was given to my parents as a wedding present.  All three of their children slept in this cradle as babies.  My siblings and I used to fight over who would inherit the cradle and the understanding was that the first grandchild would get the cradle. As soon as Nathan and I were married and had a house of our own the cradle was given to us (to fill 'hint, hint).  But after years and years it became a painful reminder that we had yet to have a grandchild to fill it.  It was kept in the basement piled with boxes in and around it, covered with a blanket.  Now as our hopes are again rekindled with the hope of adoption the cradle again holds a place of honor awaiting the next child to sleep there.

The rocking chair once belonged to Nathan's grandmother.  After she passed away we stored many of her belonging in our home until they found their way to other members of the family.  This chair has remained and now sits filled with stuffed polar bears in the nursery.

The Polar bear vinyl stickers above the cradle. When I first told Nathan that I wanted to do a polar bear themed nursery he wasn't sold on the idea.  If it was up to him the whole thing would be elk and hunting and fishing themed room whether it was a boy or girl.  I won out in the end and his only request was that we have a polar bear fishing somehow as part of the room.   I was luck enough to find this perfect sticker set that complements the room perfectly and makes Nathan happy.

The dresser/changing table was found for us by Nathan's mother.  It was a great thrift store find and with a little hard work and love we refinished it into what it is now.   You can read about its journey here.

Above the dresser is a plaque that says 'Once upon a time...'.  I purchased two of these plaques two years a ago and gave on to my best friend M to put in her own child's room.  Over the years we have both experienced our own individual infertility journeys.  She is now blessed with two healthy children of her own but together we have shared the pain, loss, and heartache that comes with infertility.  She has always been the one I can talk to about anything and for both of us the phrase 'once upon a time' signifies the hope and dreams that we have as we struggle towards parenthood.

Next to the plaque is a clock and a painting of the Savior.  Both were gifts given to us this last christmas.  The clock from my sister Sam reads "Family: where life begins and love never ends."  And the painting from Nathan's cousin Adam reminds us that we are not alone and that the Savior knows us and knows the pain and yearning that we feel.

The bookcase is one of my most priced possessions.  My father made this for me 22 years ago.  I can't believe it has been that long.  Wow.  It was originally blue but was painted white many years ago and has traveled with me everywhere I have lived since I moved out. 

My dad in the workshop

Bookcase in the background.  I am
the one in the red sweater in the back.

A signed piece of
 'Hendrickson Originals' woodwork

Last but not at all least is the polar bear rocker.  Like a rocking horse my brother built this bear through the skill and creativity of his own hands.  He only had a picture that I found of pinterest and no pattern but the one he made in his mind.  You can read about how he built it here.

Happy Tuesday!!!