The rest of our vacation

I am still trying to finish off our Summer Vacation series. So here it goes.  After leaving Vegas we headed down to California to spend time with my family.  When we first got there we got out of our car and then pretty much got right back in the car.  We decided to have dinner as a family where Jaron proposed. So that is what we did. We ordered Stonefire Grill and headed to Malibu.  The weather was so nice and the beach was empty so we had it all to ourselves.  We ate dinner then began to play and enjoy each others company. 

The next day we just relaxed and caught up on our sleep.  It was definitely needed after spending time in the heat and driving for what seemed like forever. We spent the day with Haylie and just catching up since she was starting school in a few days.  On Friday night we had the opportunity to go to the Food Trucks. I can speak for the both of us it was one of the coolest things we have done together. I have been to food trucks before but it was so nice to only drive five minutes and be there.  Right by my High School a parade of them come and line the street on both sides.  The best part is its not normal burgers and fries, there is a huge variety of items you can choose from.  We were lucky and went to four different trucks…and went to one of them twice.  When we first got there we were so overwhelmed with all of the options that were presented in front of us.  We walked for a while and then finally came across one we decided to eat. The first thing we tried was tempura shrimp and vegetables.  Neither of us had had tempura vegetables before but they were to die for.  Our next stop was Tornado Potato, strange name I know. This place had potatoes cut in spirals.  They had so many to choose from but the one Jaron wanted was a hot dog with a potato spiral around it covered in chilly and nacho cheese. It was delicious. 

Our third stop was a taco bus.  We knew we couldn’t go wrong with the tacos and decided to get some.  They were by far the best tacos I had ever had.  Jaron might disagree because he put hot sauce on his.  The tacos were already spicy and didn’t need anything but Jaron decided to put A LOT on…big mistake.

After eating our delicious tacos we went back to the place where we got the tempura vegetables and got tempura dipped bacon wrapped steak.   Its obvious who was picking most of the food selections right? I think Jaron reminded me twice that night that it is a good thing our stomachs don’t have taste buds and oh is he right.  While we were eating our bacon wrapped steak we also got a delicious sandwich.  Overall it was a great night.  We had a blast with my parents and we were all full. We all shared these crazy inventions of food and had an amazing night of trying new and unique creations.

Saturday my family headed out to the Camarillo Outlets.  We figured we would stop there and do some shopping before going to Carpentaria Beach.  It was definitely a successful day of shopping.  Jaron had been looking for a new pair of Pumas and he found a pair he loved.  I got a new coat! We decided when we have kids we are only shoppin there for their winter coats.  Such great deals and great find. Once we were done shopping we headed down to the beach.  Instead of driving all the way down to Carpentaria we stopped at a beach in Oxnard. It was such a beautiful day and we enjoyed lounging on the sand.  Jaron is the only one who put his swimsuit on and he didn’t even go in the water. It was too stinking cold.  Since we couldn’t go in the water we decided to dig a huge hole.  Well, one thing lead to another and the next thing you know people were being buried.  I was lucky enough to get away quickly and left Jaron and Haylie to burry each other while in the same hole.  After burying each other for half an hour they decided they were done and ready to get out.  Watching them struggle to do that was pretty fun and made for a good show.   When they were finally free we decided it was getting too cold and decided to head home for a relaxing evening together.

Monday we headed down to the beach for our first time since we were in Mexico. It was definitely past due.  We met up with Jarons old roommate Dan who provided us some laughs as always.  Before we claimed our spot next to tower 24 we made a quick little pit stop at Hot Dog on A Stick.  It would not have been a complete trip to California if we didn’t stop there.  When we finally made claim on our spot we had a blast just spending time with each other.  One of the best parts of this beach trip was Jaron finding sand crabs.  He had never seen them before and he was so fascinated by them and loved watching them be taken back to the ocean. I love him so much and I love that he is so easily fascinated.  When we got home from the beach we headed over to our friend Leighs house to watch Bachelor Pad.  Before Jaron and I got married I would go over there every Monday to watch the Bachelor and it was about time to go and watch a show full of drama with some of my favorite people. 

On Tuesday I woke up to help Haylie get ready for her school.  First day of senior year! I helped her curl her hair and she looked so cute.  I cant believe how grown up she is.  I remember her being so little and now she is almost heading off to college.  After she was well on her way to school Jaron and I got up and got ready for the day. We were heading off to my favorite place in Southern California; the Ronald Reagan Library.  Jaron had no idea why I was so excited to go but his attitude about it changed very quickly.  After walking through the first few rooms of the Library Jaron was converted.  We had a blast and I was so happy we were able to go and do something educational on our vacation. When we got home from the Library we picked Haylie up from the house and headed to a Brazilian restaurant.  Since Sterling is in Brazil for his mission and Jaron served there my family has been dying to go.  It was the best Brazilian place I have ever been to and I have been to a few Brazilian restaurants.  When we got home we relaxed and hung out.  The next morning Jaron and I hit the road and headed back up to Utah.

When we got back to Utah Jaron spent the night packing and putting broad heads on his arrows for the hunt.  I didn’t realize how much preparation went into the hunt.  I was so fascinated and glad at the same time that I wasn’t going.  I married a hunter and I love him so much but I don’t think I could ever stay outside with not shower for a week.  Ill leave that to the boys.  Once he was off on the hunt I headed back up to Idaho to start Student Teaching.

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.