Zions National Park

Our next stop was Zions National Park. We stocked our cooler with food; loaded the car and we were off. On our way down we started our book. I read the Hunger Games to Jaron while traveling on this vacation.  After four hours of driving and having some amazing conversations we finally made it. At first I thought we were driving through this nasty old ghost town but when we made it to the mountain it was the cutest little town I had ever seen. When we got there we the first thing we did was walk around for about ten minutes. After that short time period we decided there was no way we could camp, it was way too hot.  So, naturally the next thing we did was found a hotel. 

Since it was incredibly hot the first thing Jaron wanted to do was go swimming. We had not been swimming in the longest time and I gave in and decided we could take some time out of exploring to go swimming. One thing about Jaron is he is the happiest person I have ever met and just seeing him having fun made me so happy.

After swimming we headed back around the town. Jaron and I never go on evening walks together because one of us always has way too much homework.  Well we went on our first walk together in Zions and it was amazing. We were able to walk under the stars and have great conversations.

The next morning we loaded up our car and headed to the mountain. Jaron was so excited to hike the Narrows but we found out it was an eight hour hike.  We decided we didn’t have that time if we wanted to drive down to our next stop that day and have some time to rest.  So we picked a shorter trail but one with great scenery.

We had an amazing time even though it was way too hot.  We had a blast spending time together and spending time in the great outdoors.  Rightwhen we got back from our hike we treated ourselves to frozen yogurt then headed down to Vegas.  

Bear World

I have lived in Idaho for four years and had never gone to Yellowstone Bear World.  This year that changed.  After the family reunion Jarons older sister invited to go to Bear World with their family.  Of course we didn’t turn down. We figured it would be fun to spend time with them and to do something we had never done together.  While driving through we saw quite a few massive bucks. This was good because Brian and Jaron were both excited for the hunt. 

After driving through the park we went to the petting zoo. I can honestly say I had never been that close to some of these animals. Overall it was a very fun trip and I’m glad we were able to join the Thomsen family.

After Bear World we hit the road back to Utah.  On the way down we had an interesting experience. The car in front of us flipped and rolled a few times. Jaron being the most amazing man in the world jumped out and ran to help them. He was able to get the lady our of the car but the man wasn’t able to get out.  I love him and am so glad I married a man who is willing to help others.

Best Vacation Ever!

Once school ended and my family went back to California after my graduation Jaron and I got bored in this incredibly small town very fast.  It seemed like all of our friends were moving or leaving and we decided we deserved a vacation as well.  So that is what we did we planned our long vacation. Jaron mapped everything out and we had our plan set in stone and hotels booked.

Our first stop was Utah.  We lived at Jarons parents house when we first got married and have so many great memories there.  We enjoyed a week of relaxing and spending quality time with family. We even had the opportunity to take Emma and Colby to the pool and we had a blast doing that. 

Our second stop was back to Idaho. Don’t worry we didn’t get tired of Utah that fast.  We head up for the Blanchard/Hess Reunion.  Every year the Clydes attend a family reunion on Gails side.  I had never been to a family reunion before and I was unsure what I was going to get myself into.  I have to admit it was so much fun. The first night we ate, socialized, and played volleyball.

Our second day of the trip was a little more eventful. We woke up extremely early to go to a top shoot out. Little did I know I would be the only girl there. It was definitely not what I expected.  I guess that’s what I get for being just about the only one in the family without a child. After the shoot out we headed back to Rigby for breakfast and games.  After breakfast Jaron and a few of is siblings headed out with their Uncle to go golfing.  He went golfing while I stayed behind and hung out with Gail and a few of the kids.  Oh and I cant forget playing family jeopardy…which I only know the answer to two questions. One was about Ryan and what his favorite food was and the other was who likes Baseball….duh Brain. Once Jaron and everyone got back from golfing they joined in on the pinewood derby contest. Each person was given an hour to make one. Well Jaron was golfing while it started and the only way I would make one was if Craig was helping me. I wasn’t depending on that happening because Cannon was making one and the event was more for the children. So we all kind of adopted Cannons car as the Clyde family car. Oh and it was pretty awesome. 

Graduation

Even though I walked across the stage and got my dimplma I don't feel like I am graduated. Maybe that is because I still have to student teach. Either way I am technically a BYUI alumni! 

  I had an amazing weekend. My family came up for Graduation and they got to see our first home...well apartment.  Having my family with me for Graduation was by far the highlight of the semester. Not seeing them in four months was way too hard.

Finals weekend...I guess that means camping?

    The weekend before finals all I wanted to do was study. That is what normal people do. However, this year was a little different. Our really good friends were moving down to Utah the next weekend so we decided there is no better way to end the semester. So camping we went. Just a little background information...Nikki and I both married hunters. I can not express to you their love for shooting their bows and killing things. In order for you to understand you need to marry one. It was for sure a culture shock and understanding his pleasure in hunting but it was the best decision I have ever made.
   Knowing that when we got there the boys decided to go squirrel and bird hunting. After a few minutes of walking around Robby pulled his bow back and this poor little animal was flapping all over the ground. Nikki and I thought it was a poor little bird. Oh how we were wrong. It was a baby squirrel, even better right? I can honestly say it was a very interesting location because we saw one squirrel and about four birds. Jaron pulled back to shoot a bird, he hit it and it got up and flew away. He wanted to kill it but i was happy the little bird didn't die.
   After shooting we went over to cook dinner and the squirrel. The boys were planning on eating the little animal but it wasn't cooking right so it became part of the fire. The rest of the trip was spent snacking, playing with fire, and shooting bows. I am so glad I had the opportunity to spend out with the White family. We love them and will miss them so much.

Such an Orange Night!

     Sometimes I am not a great wife and don’t have the motivation and energy to cook dinner when I get home from work at 7. It is just too hard to eat dinner around 8:30. So Jaron told me he would make dinner. When I asked him what he was making he refused to tell me. I was kind of nervous but he is a great cook so I knew I shouldn’t be too concerned.    

     The end of my shift came quickly and I was ready to go home and eat. Being on campus all day is one of the hardest things for me to do. When he picks me up he is wearing an orange shirt, which isn’t weird at all. But then, I get home and he tells me were having an orange dinner. I can honestly say I was worried. I had no reason to be though. Dinner was amazing….a weird combination but it was delicious.

    He made steak (which isn’t orange), shrimp, steamed carrots, and tomato soup. Honestly I couldn’t have married a better man. He is the best.

A weekend in Utah...a little late

     So I know I have been awful at blogging but it is the last week of school and I have no time to breathe it is so bad. Jaron has been pulling all nighters doing homework and we are so ready for a break.

     Anyway, for Independence Day we packed out car and headed down to Utah. Like I said in an earlier blog we get out of here whenever we can.  It was such a relaxing weekend and we basically just played.

    The drive down literally wore us out.   When we got to Pocatello, we were both extremely hungry so we decided to get off and get some food. Normally I would just continue driving but if any of you know Jaron you know he eats all the time. For some odd reason our pit stop added an extra forty-five minutes to our drive. Probably because Pocatello is seriously the hardest city to navigate around. There is literally nothing there, we made one wrong turn and had to get on the freeway and drive 5 minutes to find a fast food place. Seriously, worst place to live if you ask me. Don’t you fret though…We finally made it to Utah.

     Friday night we didn’t do anything other than hang out with the family and catch up on some sleep.  It was definitely needed since school had been so crazy.  Saturday is when the real fun began. We hung out at the house all afternoon just spending time with the family and playing with Colby and Emma. Seriously the cutest kids ever. Then around four we decided to go boating. Who would have thought it would be warm enough to swim in snow runoff. I sure didn’t but it was and it felt so good.

     Sunday was going to be relaxing but Craig (Jaron’s dad) got a call about a Moose on the Loose and we were invited to tag along so of course we went.  We drove up to the campus of Utah State and saw a moose.  This moose was tricky but they drugged it and we moved it. Before we moved it the moose when on a field trip. We took it to show Colby and Emma. Then we took it to church. Then we took it to its new home where it drank literally ten gallons of water. It was one thirsty animal. 

     The rest of Sunday we hung out with the family. Carrie and the kids came over and we just played outside and ate dinner.  Monday was the same. We had a family BBQ and relaxed.  Along with relaxing we played some volleyball. Oh and a little background on me…I am awful at volleyball. Right after that we lit of some fireworks for the kids then Jaron and I were back on our way to Idaho. Oh, and traffic from Idaho Falls to Rexburg is literally the worst thing anyone could get stuck in. I decided I am sick and tired of Idaho construction.