Distractions

This summer, I have completely taken a break from my teaching job. Normally, I would be preparing already for the new school year, but since my year ended so rough, I decided to keep busy doing other things. I've got to admit, it's really helped! My mental state isn't toppling over and I feel refreshed a bit more than I probably would have if I stressed about my situation all summer long. I've really taken a liking to Pinterest! It's grabbed my attention for sure! And I'm not a huge fan of the computer and social networks, but Pinterest has reeled me in! I have found tons of great ideas for school even. Lately I've been up to some projects for my house and gifts, that Pinterest has inspired me to do. Here are a few of them:

Felt Flowers

They are super cute and easy! Click on the link to learn how to make them. I've even seen  them with  a big fabric button in the center instead of the last rolled flower cut out. Super cute!

I got inspired to organize and decided to start with the bathroom closet.

The closet was unorganized and messy with things everywhere!
This is a before.

before

 And the afters

Not the best lighting, sorry. 

When Dave opened the door after I had finished, he was in awe and his face lit up! (He loves cleanliness!)

Tile Coasters

I can't find the link but here are the instructions I repinned: Make your own coasters- 4x4 tiles ($.16 Home Depot); 4x4 scrapbook paper; adhere to tile with Mod Podge and let dry; Spray a coat of clear spray paint and let dry; attach felt pads to the bottom

 Well, I think it is time to start turning my attention to school. Less than one month to go! It is crazy I will see my coworkers again this week! I'll be able to see a lot of the ones I have worked with in the past so I'm excited!

Yellowstone Twenty Twelve

Another summer weekend getaway! 

Destination: Yellowstone National Park

It was fun to share Yellowstone with my family. Growing up, the only trips we went on were for my parents' tennis tournaments and mine and my brother's soccer and basketball tournaments. My dad and I were actually laughing about that this weekend. When I was younger, I hated going to see things like Yellowstone so maybe it was a good thing because I can now appreciate the beauty and enjoy it more. We drove up with my dad, Kaitlin, and Meahdow, Kaitlin's bestee.We were joined by Michael and Felicia, his cute girlfriend, Friday day. We stayed in a hotel room, my family doesn't camp! We only had one room so we got pretty creative on sleeping arrangements. 

We were able to spend two whole days in the park. I got to see things I haven't even seen before. Day 1: we did the whole upper loop and got to see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and we hiked down to both the lower and upper falls which were all amazing sites. Day 2: we did most of the lower loop which we saw the beautiful Yellowstone Lake (Kaitlin could resist getting almost all the way submerged in but my dad stopped her before she was all wet), Old Faithful and the Grand Mosaic. We were able to spot some animals like elk and buffalo. Without even knowing it at first, we got pretty close to a buffalo by Old Faithful. No bears though.  

We stayed in West Yellowstone and went out for dinners. Anywhere you go to eat in West Yellowstone, the food is way over priced and comes in small servings I've come to realize. Our first night we went to this place called Buffalo Bills, I think. I had read some bad reviews when we were in town the month before but a guy on the street was raving about it so my family agreed to go try it. Worst idea ever! If you have ever seen the show Restaurant: Impossible, this is a restaurant that needs Robert's help! Our server was 14 years old, which should have been a red flag right there! The server was a really nice boy though. The menus should have been another giveaway, they were oddly written and presented but we stayed.The food came out and we all regretted the decision of going there to eat. My dad's brisket sandwich was full of fat; by the time we got rid of most of the fat, the pile of fat was bigger the meat he had left to eat. Everything seemed to be from a can or a box recipe (which most people know how bad I hate those). Meahdow ordered their tomato basil ravioli soup which was $7 for a cup and the ravioli was the Chef Boyardee kind! She isn't normally picky, but she couldn't even eat it! The poor server came to check on us and none of us responded when he asked how everything was because we didn't know what to say. I highly recommend to stay clear of Buffalo Bills in West Yellowstone! Luckily, the next night's food was a bit better.

Gibbon Falls

 

Looking at the upper falls from the lower overlook

Brink of the Lower Falls

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Mammoth Hot Springs

Meahdow, me, Dave, dad, Felicia, Kaitlin and Michael

Sitting on the black sand at Yellowstone Lake

Lake Powell Trip

Dave rode his bike down to my parents Thursday night and got in a little crash.

 Finally, we got to go to Powell! It's been two years and we've been itching to go but since we don't have a boat we have to wait to be invited...luckily, we've got some friends that enjoy our company down there! This trip was extra great because we got to go with two of my bestees from growing up, Kara and Alli. And fortunately, Kara and Alli's husbands are just as adventurous as Dave! We're also lucky that Kyle, Kara's dad, is always willing to take us, too. We were there from Friday to Monday and had two days of overcast and a little rain and one day of sun but not too hot. The water temperature was really warm, too! Normally, I hate jumping in because I hate the shock factor but it was almost as warm as bath water. It was perfect. We got to see some fun new places too!

During a little rain storm the boys found a tree pretty much and played.

We all woke up to Alli crocheting in the morning.

I think I'm a great photographer sometimes!

This is a zoomed in shot because if you look at  Justin, he's totally not interested in Dave just the  camera.

The boys tried a lot of crazy things.

I love tubing!

Alli, Kara and I at our best:)

Unfortunately, we got kicked in the butt by reality when we came home to our refrigerator and freezer 40 degrees too hot. It was a bummer way to come home from such a fun weekend!

Camping at East Canyon and Floating the Webe

It was Dave's birthday weekend and he had Friday off so we went camping with my cousin, Natalie and her hubby, Kevin. We camped by East Canyon Reservoir. We had a blast! We relaxed, hiked, played games, roasted mallows and even were threatened by some classy peeps. Let me tell you the little story...The night Dave and I got there we saw some people scrummaging through unused campsites and in the trees and realized they were trying to collect firewood. We just chuckled and went on with our night. The next night, the campground filled up and these classy people pulled in to a campsite a few down from us. The four of us were heading to use the bathrooms when the older lady started yelling at us and blaming us for calling the cops on them. We were all taken back and had no idea what she was talking about. I went into the bathroom while the boys tried to go and explain to her that we didn't even have cell service and that her accusation was wrong, but she wasn't having any of it. She threatened to kick Kevin's a** and more. I guess her son tried to tell her she couldn't threaten people and all. They got a couple citations from the ranger that had just come through the campground because he heard and then saw them chopped and pulling down sagebrush and things to use as firewood. The neighboring campsite were the ones who were the little tattle tales, but we got the blame I guess. Our neighbors had a hey day the rest of the night laughing it up. They got pretty wasted and enjoyed their night; it was entertaining to listen to and watch.

Saturday, Allie and Jake joined us to float the Weber River and then we all had lunch at Taggart's Grill. Floating the river and Taggart's might become a new tradition for Dave and Jake's birthday. Dave had a harder time this year with his birthday...he turned 27! Happy Birthday to my amazing husband! You are still young in my eyes!

This is at the peak of our hike. I was freaking out when Dave started walking to the edge  as I was on his shoulders.

 

Playing in the reservoir

Allie got wacked by the kayak, but she is ok!