The Hike

So one of the days we decided to go for a hike in the park. We hikes to Barkers Dam. Basically some cowboys built a dam to water their Cattle.

My hot husband, and stinkin cute son. We found a cave that has hieroglyphs.

My girls made it their business to go into every cave they could find.

Here are Ella and Ava holding up a massive rock, Can you say I eat my Wheaties.

Kade always gets a kick out of these signs. No swimming. We hiked pretty late in the season, normally there is water to swim in.

Posing, I love Ella's muscle flex.

Here we are all flexing, I know you are jealous of my guns, and that is okay.

Sisters

Half way there.

This hike is great for little ones, I think around trip it is about a mile.

Pioneer Day Parade.

Every year around mid October there is the pioneer Days celebration in 29. They have a parade each year and here is some pictures of the festivities. Everyone waiting for the parade to start.

Harper and Papa.

The Gals, they could hardly wait.

At one point in the parade, the jailer notice my grandma was dressed in Stripes, hence she must be an escapee. She was carted to jail. But quickly returned to watch the rest of the parade with us. One of the funniest moments of the whole trip.

The Marine Core band was there. Love it.

Arrowhead Hunting

So this is our hunting party. Minus my mom she is taking the picture.
We go out to the Mesquite's this is a known area where the Indians lived a long time ago. We find lots of arrowhead chippings. My dad has found turquoise beads. I have found an old knife. So it really is a fun place to look.

My girls and there blue eyes. Ella is a vet when it comes to looking for arrowheads, Ava is still the rookie.

Kade and the Harp man!!

My Dad has this jeep, It is so much fun in the desert. They took the girls out four Wheeling.
So much stinkin fun.

Twentynine Palms I feel the heat of your desert Heart!

As I was driving around this desert town today, I thought that I needed to write a Blog about this wonderful dusty town called Twenty nine...
I grew up here and other then Idaho this is what I know and love.
Now most people when they first drive over the valley and see this little tiny town can't help but think, how could anyone live out here. It is in the middle of nowhere. It is hot as Hell, no joke I remember temperatures of about 125* F in the summer months. Other then a few restaurants a lot of Barber shops, one grocery store, you get the picture. So I am going to tell you what is so great about my home town, so get ready to be thoroughly impressed.


One major influence on 29 is the marine Corp base. It is the largest in the United States. One Four star General once stated that it was the crown jewel of the United States Military. Now growing up in a military town a sense of extreme pride is stamped on your heart, You always stand for the flag, hand over heart. You have a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made on your behalf and for freedom. I remember with the gulf war half of the priesthood in our ward, including our bishop were gone. I also remember lining up by the street to welcome our troops home. It was the most wonderful experience and gave me extreme pride in my town, my Jar heads and my country.


Another really cool part about my town is that literally ten minutes away from my house is Joshua Tree National Park. World renowned rock climbing, and gorgeous desert view cover the park. Now growing up, it was not a national park yet, so we could take in all of the splender for free. There was a bit of grumpiness when we realized that we were going to half to start to pay to play in our back yard. But we got over it.


This is a Joshua Tree. Really quite funky looking things but they cover the ground like any regular forest. Plus there is the story of the Yucca Man, how he hangs from these tree's Freakin scary story, maybe I will tell you sometime.


Yet another cool feature of our town, Artists have painted beautiful murals all over the buildings in our town. This one is of the military, But there are also gorgeous paintings of desert scenes.

The sunsets are to die for, need I say more...

This is a picture of creosote bushes. I love them For two reasons: First they made the best forts when I was little. Second they have these little dry perfume balls on them and when it rains they fill the air with the most intoxicating scent, its wonderful and I really miss it.


This is the little desert Bed and Breakfast where Kade and I had our reception. It is in the middle of nowhere, so romantic.

Now one really crazy thing about 29 is that it is a magnet for the rich and famous. U2 wrote there Joshua tree album at a hotel in 29. They just stayed there and wrote. Every time I listen to that album it reminds me of home, each song is about the desert where I grew up. Also lots of movies have been made out here, print ads. You name it. The Red Hot chilly peppers filmed one of there music videos out here. ( its the one where they are painted silver.) In fact when they are jumping in the air on the video, they were jumping on Brad Halls Trampoline, A member kid.

I am so grateful for the special place that I grew up. Yeah, its little, dusty, hot, and a little bit boring some days. Sure there are earthquakes, Rattle snakes and lots of lizards. But it truly shaped me and who I was to become. Now I am going to go Arrowhead hunting. Yes, I know I'm a nerd...

OH My little Ivey

My little sister came and stayed with us this weekend. We had so much fun with her just hanging out again. Olivia is going to school up at BYUI. It is just a short drive up to Rexburg from I.F. , but we are both so busy right now in our lives it gets tricky to see each other.

She is not only gorgeous, but smart and put together, I am really proud of her. I took these pictures a couple years ago. She actually dyed her hair dark brown. I looks equally striking on her.


My girls love there Auntie Olivia, She is so much fun. I love you Ivey come again, soon.

I've Had It!!!!

I've had enough, I am so sick of the extra weight that I have been carrying. I am just so ready to lose it. Not really to look a little skinnier, although that would be nice I have to say, but mainly to feel better. Lately my knees have been killing me at night, my back always hurts. I don't think that it is age, although maybe I am in denial. I feel that it is due to a bit of extra weight on my joints. I know that this is a bit of a personal blog, but I think if I put it out there that maybe I will actually do something about this little problem. Since my babies I have been between 160 to 170 lbs. Now I know that I am not a tiny little thing and maybe that is why I hide my weight pretty well, and I have to say genetic is a blessing, when I gain weight I gain it evenly. I know that I would look sickly if I got too thin but I am thinking I would be really proud of myself if I got down to about 150 lbs.

Now I have never in my life been one to diet, I love food way to much. However I am going to cut down a bit on my portions and I am going to finally make time for myself to work out everyday. I figure as soon as kade walks through the door, that will be my time to work out. I also might do a lemon cleanse fast. I am hoping that sharing the personal info and making a public goal will finally get my A in G (gear) as my mom would say. I will keep you posted.

Spirit Week

So this last week was spirit week at Ella's school, We had a lot of fun with it, everyday was a different theme. Tues- Athletic day- We really didn't have much in our house for this yet, however I did find a baseball cap. Wed- Nerd day_ Ellas picture above and below are of nerd day, she is the cutest nerd.


Thursday- Was crazy hat/hair day, ella chose a very nice witch hat.

Friday-was blue and white day Skyline high school colors as well as Fox Hollow elem. Skyline does a parade down Ironwood st. Throwing candy, The girls were in heaven, especially my little sweet tooth Ava.

Here are the spoils of the day, well at least I got some candy for trick-or-treaters!!