Trip out West Part 2│Pie Town, NM

After those 15 days of fun, we headed on another adventure to Pie Town, New Mexico where we had a roommate reunion with Ashley, Betsy, and of course Timber. I treasure my friendships with these women. That part of my life was the most stress-free time of my life. The Lord blessed me and put on my path amazing people and I count these three women as people that I was just meant to meet in this lifetime. The bond that you have with a roommate is just something that is very difficult to explain. They see you at your best and they see you at your worst. These three have definitely seen me at my worst, when I've been grouchy and ornery...but they have also seen me at my best and have taught me so many things. I have hundreds of memories with these girls...like the time Ashley and I dressed up like geeks and we laughed our heads off all night long...and the time Bets got her mission call...and how Timber was always so happy in the mornings and I would get so annoyed and couldn't understand how someone could be that happy when they had just barely woken up! I have hundreds of those special and memorable moments with these women. I'm so happy we got to do this and what better place to unite again other than Pie Town!

This time, however, I dragged my two very tired children on a 10-hour drive from Provo to Pie Town. Betsy, Ashley, Brielle, Braden and I all drove in one car for 10 looong hours! Now, remember... we had just had 15 days of intense fun and these two were as homesick as you can get...they were behaving terribly...they were done! But we still had 2 and a half weeks of traveling and visiting...so my two little devils made this trip to Pie Town a whole different experience than the first time!:) They made me work and my patience was running thin...as a matter of fact, after the 10 hour drive I think I had NONE left...my patience had been exhausted. I was running on empty...and I wasn't the only one Brielle and Braden were running on empty too...

...and although, it was an exhausting 4 days for me emotionally, I am so happy we went and spent time with the McPhaul's, Ashley and Betsy...

DAY 1

We were welcomed by rain when we got there and it was hilarious because Timber came out with this HUGE, and I mean HUGE beach umbrella...we were all laughing soooo hard...

Then as soon as we got there Brielle was in heaven in their backyard...the first thing she did was play in the mud...she was just in awe that I was letting her get dirty.

The rest of day 1, we just relaxed...Timber worked so hard making dinners and feeding us all her repertoire of amazing food. She really took care of us all while we were there.

This is Braden giving Darlin the rifle that Braden played with the WHOLE time we were there...he thought it was the coolest toy ever and kept track of its abouts the whole time were were there...so him giving it to Darlin was a huge deal! That little boy really is so good with babies, he's always gentle and sweet...he LOVED Darlin.

..and how could you not love her! She is so stinkin' cute!:)

DAY 2

Timber took us over to see the lodge and the property. It's always fun to hear Timber explain everything that goes into ranching and the lifestyle.

Fun times.

Brielle and Denim had an interesting relationship...they fought and played and then fought some more...I think there was some playing involved there somewhere in the middle of it all! ha ha!:)

The whole crew at the lodge.

After the lodge we headed to see an old mission site. It was really interesting to see the ruins and imagine what it would have been like when they built these.

The kids had a fun time throwing rocks in that huge pond.

...and then there was Betsy...:)

After a fun morning, we got home and let the kids play while Timber was getting dinner ready...I'm telling you...I think I gained a couple of pounds while I was there...her food was amazing...

Brielle LOVED their dog sassy...she just loves animals...while Braden was absolutely terrified of it!

That afternoon, Ace told Braden: "go grab your rifle 'cause we're both going out to take care of that mean dog!!!!" (Sassy was nothing but sweet and friendly!) Braden thought that was a very good idea!

Ace was kind enough to watch Brielle and Braden, Denim, Blazen and Darlin while us girls went riding that afternoon! Thanks Ace! He really is just a great guy. I always enjoy having insightful conversations with Ace. He's a great conversationalist and he says what's on his mind, which is something I appreciate.

He really was great with the kids and I'm so grateful for his willingness to watch my children, so I can go with the rest of the girls!

ha ha! That is the only picture I have of Ace!:)

That horse ride will definitely be imprinted in my memory for the REST of my life!!!!

I don't think I have laughed so hard in my life...and not only laughed but hurt...OH MY GOSH! it was hilariously painful!!!!

Toward the end of our ride, it started raining and there was lightning involved, so that meant that it was very dangerous for us to be there...we were far away from the truck and Timber started to get worried that one of us would get struck by a lightning and it was no joke or exaggeration..it was serious...so we had to hurry back...we all started trotting back and I kept kicking my horse to move faster but poor Barbie (the horse), she's old, so she couldn't get into galloping mode and plus I was just too scared...anyway, I'm wimpy I know...so all the way back to the truck Barbie was trotting and OH MY HEAVENS!!!! I seriously thought I was going to die! I was painfully laughing! The pain! That pain doesn't compare to anything! They were all laughing at me! I was laughing at myself!

I have never been in so much pain and laughing at the same time...

DAY 3

On Sunday, we went to Church...to Pie Town's little 15 people branch, which I love. The only kids in Primary are Denim and Blazen and we added Braden and Brielle to it that Sunday. Later that Sunday, we headed up on a little hike. Brielle was having a complete meltdown that day, she was tired, grouchy and homesick (not a good combination if you ask me). The rest of us climbed this beautiful dike which is part of the Continental Divide. We had a beautiful view up there of the Sawtooth Mountain Range...

Every place I go, whether to live or visit , has its own beauty...and Pie Town has a beauty of its own.

The scenery was breathtaking!

There's Timber trying not to fall while taking a picture and holding Darlin...I love Darlin's pacifier and her little white bonnet...she really is a cute little baby.

...and then, came time for us to come down, it may not look as steep in the picture but man! it was a little frightening...as you can see from my expression...ha ha!

...and so then, we had to reenact my face...oh my heavens...I have way too much fun with these girls...they bring out my silly side...

Ash and Timber.

I think Betsy thought I was as light as I used to be when we first met...I think she soon realized I have a few more pounds on me than I used to!!!:)

Mr. Braden took this picture of me...he wanted me to hold that horse in the picture...he's a good little photographer...

We borrowed those Wrangler's from Blazen...What a cute bum!

DAY 4

Timber was kind enough to let my kids ride on their pony, goat and horses. The kids LOVED every second!



Timber was so kind and showed them how to hold on to the pony.

Sassy was giving Ashley some love...she really was a good dog, very friendly and obedient.

Brielle is a gutsy little girl, she wanted to ride the goat. She loved it!

Here we are with the cute little pony.

Then, Tim took the kiddos on a 4-wheel ride.

After the 4-wheel ride they got to go on quite a few horse-rides.

These two refused to look at the camera.

Braden was so excited and he kept saying Yeehaw!!!!

It was so fun for me to watch them experience something new.

They both did really well with the horses.

Horses have such a calming effect on people and they definitely calmed my kids down...

Blazen and Brielle holding hands.

Here are my cowboy and cowgirl to the rescue! They loved Darlin and were always quick to give her love and comfort.

Thanks Tim, Ash and Bets for the fun memories...and a special thanks to Timber for opening her home to me and my crazy children...thanks for everything!:)

CLICK ON OLDER POSTS TO SEE PART III OF OUR TRIP OUT WEST!

(I don't know why it's not showing more than two posts on the main page.)

Trip out West Part 3│Idaho

Pie Town was where all of the climax of emotions happened...my kids were exhausted, crabby and homesick...I decided to take things easy in Idaho...so after Pie Town, we headed to Idaho Falls to visit Scott's family and just took it easy hanging out with the family.

We spent 12 days in good ol' Idaho!

The kids were so excited to see their grandparents and spent time with them. We got there just in time for all of the 4th of July celebrations!

A few months after we left to come to D.C. Scott's parents got a dog. Brielle was in heaven and she LOVED Emi...Braden on the other hand was terrified!!! It took him a few days but after a few days he warmed up to her, which was nice because his screeches of fear were about to make everyone deaf!:)

On the 3rd, we headed to Tautphaus Park, for the annual Wood 4th of July picnic...(Scott's mom's side of the family).

We saw so many of Scott's cousins and aunts and uncles. This is Brielle with Scott's cousin's daughter, Devan. She and Brielle got along really well and had a great time playing.

I wish I would have taken more pictures of everyone, but I was busy chatting and catching up with everyone...it was so fun to see them all!:)

Later that day, we had a dinner at Scott's parents'. We got to hang out with Grandma Jensen, Brielle and Braden's great-grandma! We love her and it was so fun to visit and spend time with her.

I think this is such a cute picture of her!

On Monday, I headed to Rexburg to visit my good friend Sarah, who I became really good friends with, our last year in Idaho.

It felt so good to be back in Rexburg and drive up the road that leads to the temple...the road I drove up almost everyday to go to work in the Smith Building for almost 4 years! I had forgotten how beautiful the summers are in Idaho...the weather was perfect the whole time we were there!

Here we are together again, Sarah, Jensen (great name!), Braden, me, Emma and Brielle. We are missing little Aleyssia, she was shy in front of the camera but she is the cutest petite girl ever! Sarah and I have already decided that she and Braden will be getting married when they grow up...they are the perfect size for each other!:)

I had so much fun talking to Sarah about life, she's such a great friend and I miss the days when both of our husband's were in school or working late and we would invite each other for dinner last minute...she's the kind of friend I can just call any time and I know she's happy to talk to me! I miss her a lot and her family. Sarah's husband Matt, and Scott also became really good friends, which is always a plus!

Emma and Brielle used to go to nursery together, they were the only 2 little nursery kids in our student ward.

After visiting with Sarah, I met up with Lanie (Scott's sister) and Andra (Scott's cousin) for lunch at the one and only Millhollow! It is still as delicious as always!

Beautiful Rexburg, where you can see for miles and miles ahead of you! I miss that!

The next day, we went to visit my good friend Rebecca, who I also became really good friends with the last year we lived in Idaho. She is just about the sweetest girl ever!

I was so happy to see her and spend a couple of hours chatting about what we've been up to these last two years...she has a heart of gold and I'm so grateful that we got to know her and Jeremy our last year in Idaho. Scott and Jeremy also became great friends.

After a little picnic in her backyard, we headed to Reed's dairy for ice cream. It was delicious! Rebecca grew up in a dairy farm, so she was showing the kids how a calf sucks your fingers. She's the cutest and best second grade teacher in Idaho!

I loved seeing you Rebecca! Thanks for making time for us to visit with you!:)

After hanging out with Rebecca, Lanie had to go to Rexburg so we decided to tag along and go with her...

I'm very fond of the Rexburg Temple, I had the blessing of serving in the open house temple committee and got to go inside before the open house and it was just a testimony builder for me! Scott and I got tickets to go to the dedication and it was very special!



The lighting was so beautiful when we got there, I took some pictures in the wheat field in front of the temple...

Too bad there was a construction truck right in front of it, so I couldn't get pictures with the wheat field and the temple...

We went on a quick walk at the BYU-Idaho Gardens. It is one of my favorite places there.

I told Braden to give Brielle a hug so I can get a picture of them both, Brielle was being ornery at that moment so Braden said, "it's okay mommy, I hug myself!" and right then I caught it in my camera! Perfect moment!:)

Brielle had such a grand time with her aunt Lanie...Lanie was so amazing with Brielle! I was so grateful because I was just exhausted from dealing with tired and grouchy children and Lanie was my life-saver...she just LOVED Brielle and gave her so much quality time. Brielle needed that so much. She is the such a good auntie. Brielle LOVED her aunt Lanie and she had some memorable times with her aunt. I hope with all my heart that she will remember the moments she spent with Lanie.

Us with Lanie.

We love you Lanie!:)

After the garden's I made Lanie drive us to the place where Scott and I had our very first kiss. I told the kids about it and how much I love their daddy! They heard me very attentively, especially Brielle. Ever since then, she has been saying that she wants to get married so she can kiss her husband! ha ha!!!:)

I have such sweet memories of Beehive Manor #210, except now it's a guy's dorm...that apartment was so stinky...I could smell it when I was standing there...ha ha!

On our way back I was blessed to witness one of the most beautiful things anyone can witness...an Idaho sunset...

Later that week, Karen set up the pool for the kids...

She looks so angelic...

They lasted about 15 minutes there, and then they started fighting...that was the end of the pool...I had to deal with extra fighting between these two during the last few weeks of our trip...they were so done...

The next day, we headed to see one of my favorite people, my old roommate Emily. I love that girl and I was so happy to finally meet her little girl Kindee. She is just about the cutest blue eyed, blond little girl ever! And she also had the cutest personality to come with the cuteness! Braden was giving her so much love and was about to choke her! Poor little Kindee!

I had the best time talking to my old friend. Old friends are just golden! I love Emily and we had such a fun time catching up! I got to see Reese (her husband) who also went to college with us, and was in our ward. He's great and I'm glad we got to see him at least for a few minutes...too bad Scott wasn't there because those two love hanging out.

Later that night, Emily got a babysitter for Kindee and I left the kids at my in-laws and we went to the movies. It was just what I needed!!! We watched Letters to Juliette, such a cute movie, I highly recommend it! After the movie we went to get some ice cream and headed to Emily's, we talked until 2 in the morning! We were just reminiscing and wishing that we lived closer!

Love ya Em! I loved our little girls' night!

Our last Saturday there, we headed once again to Rexburg to see Andra's (Scott's cousin) final exhibit. She's an art major at BYU-Idaho and she is AMAZING! She had her exhibit in the library, the most transited place in all of campus. I enjoyed talking to her about her beautiful pieces. She will definitely be famous one day!:)

I loved coming back and walking in the McKay Library, so many memories came rushing back...and I showed the kids where their daddy and I had our first serious conversation and where it all started!

Andra, Great-grandma Jensen, Brielle and Grandma Karen.

On the way back, I couldn't help but notice the fields of wide open spaces right along highway 20. Nothing beats Idaho skies.

Our last Sunday, saying our goodbyes to great-grandma Jensen.

Then, Lanie and the kids made chocolate chip cookies.

They had a great time!

On Monday we headed back to Utah, on the way back to Provo we stopped by to see Scott's older brother CJ's family. It was so fun for the kids to see their cousins and spend at least a few moments together. We had a nice quick visit with LeNell and it was just nice to see them all and what a fun crew they are!

We definitely had a wonderful time visiting family and friends but man! It is so nice to be home...especially after a red-eye on our way back home!

We had 5-weeks of fun and memories!

Thanks Karen and Clay for letting me and the munchkins come invade your house!