Portugal Monastery

Here is a video from Portugal, this is the gorgeous monastery we toured. This is footage from the outside of it!

Safford and Duncan, Arizona

So Stephen finished school for the summer term and I decided that we should go see his grandparents. But this meant that we should also visit his sister Ashley's family, and then on the way back home stop in Albuquerque to help my parents move a little to their new house.

Our first stop was Ashley and Mark Smith (Stephen's sister and brother-in-law). We drove the long way, but it was the beautiful way once we got out of miles and miles of reservations. Honestly I am not sure why there is even a road there, and how evil of us americans to leave the indians the worst part of the United States to let them live on.

On the reservation(s), it was also 'Open Range', so here is the cow we found in the road

Once we made it to the Coronado Trail we were almost there, but that trail seemed to never end. But there were lots of cool sites, like Elk, Deer, and a herd of Wild Turkeys. But it was really cool seeing this tree with over hundreds of arrows shot into it. Below is a picture of that tree!
May have to look closely to see the arrows...

When we got to Safford it was kind of late, but we really weren't too worried, we were on vacation! We went and saw the temple that was there being built. We got snow cones, played in the yard, tried to clean the church, and then we went to the lake!
Mark and his brother, we knee boarded behind the jet ski... So FUN!
Little Hailey, she swam the whole time we were at the lake with Stephen and her cousins

So the real reason for this trip was to visit Stephen's grandparents. But while we were there Stephen wanted to take a picture of the house where he grew-up. Amazingly his dad built this house and it used to be yellow (i guess). The little town to Duncan really wasn't much but it was so great to meet his grandparents, they are the sweetest people in the whole world. But let me tell you that Grandpa Elms can make a mean Ham Sandwich. YUM!
Stephen's old house in Duncan/Virden, cool little house with a cute fence

So the trip was fun and very relaxing, we weren't very good at going to bed early... But we are very excited to see Mark and Ashley again at thanksgiving. Also if Mark reads this we have your hat and when we get money we will mail it.

Oh and a funny fact that was learned on this trip... According to Audrey (ashley and mark's youngest daughter) You are a cousin until you are no longer fun! "Shhh, the cousins are sleeping"--Audrey

Oh, I almost forgot to post this picture. Goes to show how much fun we had, we only took this picture right before we left, and Audrey only wanted to be apart of a tea party with all her cousins and was not all about a picture with her 'other cousins'!
Stephen is holding Audrey, and I have Hailey

Camping Trip 2009!

On Thursday, Stephen and I had planned to go on a camping trip. We were both very excited and a little more unprepared then we thought. We went camping in Maple Bench in the Payson, UT canyons. It was a ton of fun!

Campin', the table in the back is from our Car!!!
Roasting/BBQ hot dogs, they were a brilliant and tasty idea
And of course roasting marshmallows was a must :-)

The next morning, after a very cold and uncomfortable sleep, we decided to hike to a waterfall. It was an easy hike, good for a quick trip or even with kids. I absolutely loved it! When we got to the waterfall, Stephen decided we should hike to the top of the waterfall... Little did he know that I was trying very hard to follow his every step so I wouldn't fall off the steep cliff. Turns out I stretched my legs to the full length that they could because he (stephen) is so much taller than me and can take extra long leaps and reach higher to grab rocks... But we made it safely and it was worth it!!
There were some cool logs you had to walk over, but all the logs were anchored
On top the waterfall (above and below), so adventurous of us!

*Dream It! Floral Designs*

As of this summer I received my very own tax resale license that came with a business license. This means I can purchase flowers from a floral wholesaler and create flower designs for you and everyone you know!! Well maybe not everyone, but I can do flowers for weddings, proms, funerals, and just because.

Here is what my business card looks like...

This is a few samples of my designs, but you can see more about Dream It! Floral Designs at dreamitfloral.blogspot.com. I am really excited about doing more work, so if you have friends or you yourself need some last minute flowers let me know. I do live in Provo so it is limiting but I am willing to travel for a wedding or similar (if its not too far). Please keep in mind that I will be in school shortly but I am still available for work.

My first wedding on my own, Phalaenopsis Orchids, Calla Lilies, and Freesia

Same wedding, Mother's chest corsage with Mini Calla Lily, Phal. Orchid, and Freesia, with Italian Ruscus

A Bridal Bouquet for a bride's Bridal Photography, Black Calla Lilies, 'Vendella' & 'Stelle' Roses, Sunset Asiatic Lilies

These are standing sprays, these were for the BYU graduation ceremonies in the Arts Department

Hard at work for my latest wedding, Mini Calla Lilies, Dahlias, Bells of Ireland, Delphinium, and Freesia (green and navy was the color scheme)

Overall, I have lots I want to do to expand my variety but I am willing to do anything that is possible. If there is a dream for something unique or traditional, I will do it!!
Let me know what you think...