To Katie & Leslie

I finally posted! I know you have been nagging me for months now to add to my blog, well....Here you are - ENJOY! :) love you both

Twighlight Series Lovers Only!

For those of you who are still reading the last book, "Breaking Dawn", I won't spoil anything for you because I know how much I would hate that. All I can say is....I loved it! I was very surprised because it took me till about page 300 till I really got into the book. Also, it was very predictable to me, I guessed some of the main events so it wasn't all that surprising that way but I enjoyed reading it more and more as I got into it. I was also surprised because I had my own opinions as to how I wanted the book to end but none of what I wanted happened, well except for one thing, and yet I still loved it. I am dying to know some of your opinions!

Immersion Weekend

This last weekend, Aug. 7-10, I went on my second 'Immersion Weekend' with the ICAN program. The ICAN program is a state funded program that I was accepted in back in April 2008. There were only 15 people accepted into the program and I am one of the lucky ones picked. This program focusses on improving signing skills and advancing people to the next level of certification. Right now I have a Novice Level Utah State Certification which expires June 2009 and it is crucial that I pass the Intermediate Level test in order to continue interpreting in the State of Utah. I took the test July 17th and will find out my result in about 1-2 more months (the waiting is torture). Anyways, back to this last weekend...we went to a cabin in Heber City. It was beautiful there! 'Immersion Weekend' means all the people in the program go to some place seclusive and we aren't allowed to talk AT ALL the entire time. We have multiple workshops and activities all focussed on sign language and the deaf culture. The last time I went to an 'Immersion Weekend' last May 2-6th I was much more involved in socializing, but this time once all the workshops and activities were done for the evening and the group started playing games I couldn't wait to open up "Breaking Dawn" to read more about Bella, Edward, Jacob, and all the other Cullen adventures. I was made fun of for being so engulfed in my book, but those who were also Twighlight series lovers understood my need to read:) Overall the weekend was a nice get away; I finished my book, enjoyed the workshops, and had fun socializing.

Uintah Hike

July 23 - 26th
I joined my family on their anual hike in the Uintah Mountains. This was my first time in six years to go, and at times it felt like it was my first time hiking it all over again. I had a lot of fun. It was very relaxing and beautiful. Most of all I loved being around my family and I am just proud of myself that I did it!

pictures:
top left - This is what the view looks like from our campsite. We have the best camping spot; secluded from all other hikers, our own stream for keeping food cold and one for drinking, and plenty of space to set up all our tents. This time we had seven tents, eight people, and six dogs.
top right - Uncle Greg and Dad
bottom left - Jessica and Quinney (one of Tina's dogs)
bottom right - cousin Ryan and Tina (and Roxy curled up in a ball on the ground)

Olivia's First Train Set

When Jessica came to visit she brought a toy train set for Olivia. This is Olivia's fist time seeing/playing with the train. Thanks Auntie Jessica! :)

High Five

This was hillarious - Rich started with the dog showing tricks and then Brooklyn (Olivia's friend) joined in and eventually so did Olivia. Before I took the video clip they were going back and forth doing 'High Five' for about ten minutes.

Quarky Animal Behavior

Our dogs and cat do the strangest things at times.
In this picture Bella and Sadie voluntarally got in the basket during the night and we found them this way the next morning.







For the first month of having Tiger we couldn't get him to eat his own food, I guess he thinks he's a dog too:)