flowers week day 2: backyard roses

Here you have a few of the roses that grace our backyard. I took these a few days after we moved in. Roses aren't my favorite flower, but they certainly are amazing, aren't they?

This purple one was especially divine that day.

flowers week day 1: poppies

We arrived in Utah at just the perfect time--all the flowers are in bloom! I've been taking quite a few photos of the flowers in our yard and neighborhood and finally sat down to edit a few tonight. Because I have so many, I thought I'd make this week flowers week on my blog.

Today you get some of my most favorite of the bunch. I love poppies and LOVE how these photos turned out! I took these on Friday as we walked home from the park. The light was doing some crazy stuff in my lens resulting in some really cool texture. I promise you it was not added in photo shop. I'm pretty sure one of these photos is getting printed as a 24x36 to go over my mantel. Which one do you like the best?

connected once again

We FINALLY got internet at our house this afternoon! That was the longest I've gone without it in quite some time. It was kinda nice actually, but I'm glad to be connected to the world again. A major natural disaster could have occurred and I'd have no idea because we don't have a tv either. We are still getting settled in Utah. Still unpacking. It has rained almost everyday since we've arrived. I thought this was a desert, people. It's been pretty cool too. I had to bust out Asher's long sleeve onesies again and have been donning a sweatshirt more often than not myself. I think we left NC at exactly the right time--just before it got oppresively hot there and in time to enjoy more spring weather here. Today was actually sunny and beautiful and we took advantage of it and went to the park. I love being able to walk places! We walk to church. We are in walking distance of several parks and even a few stores. I love just walking the neighborhoods here with all the old houses and trees and flowers. There are roses everywhere and I love it!

It still feels rather strange to be back here. To be LIVING here. Familiar and yet so different at the same time. I've never actually lived in Salt Lake City. But I have spent 9 (nonconsecutive) years of my life in Utah. I'm excited to spend more time with the family and friends I have here. I was pleasantly surprised that as we drove down I-80 from Wyoming into Utah I did feel a sense of homecoming. The mountains were gloriously green and lush looking and I realized I had missed them. I'm sure I will have to remind myself of that after months of snow and winter. NC made me soft. 

Of course the biggest reason we are so happy to be here is the kids. Their last day of school was Tuesday and they have been with us this week. For the summer they will be spending one week at a time at each parent's home with one dinner in the middle of the week with the other parent. Once school starts again things will have to be adjusted. It's been very fun to have them here. They absolutely ADORE Asher and he loves them! I love seeing them play with him.

Speaking of Asher, he's been a teething maniac. He cut 3 new teeth within a two day period! That brings his grand total to four. Two top, two bottom. I find it really funny to see these little teeth in his mouth now. I'll get a picture of them soon. 

We are really enjoying our house. I have a whole list of little projects I'd like to do. The front yard needs some work. It's fun to have a house with some character. And I love having SPACE! This house has tons of storage and a great flow. The kids have been loving the back yard and downstairs play room. There is even a little old metal shed in the corner of the back yard that has been dubbed the "Playhouse". They have the beach chairs set up in there. 

I know I need to post pictures but I haven't spent any time going through them yet and have more to take. Plus, we still have organizing and things to do. I'll get around to it this weekend or next week when the kids aren't here. 

I have lots of stuff to catch up on here in the blogosphere. I've missed you guys! And yes North Carolina, we miss you! And all the friends we left there. I wish we could have brought you all with us. 

we have a house!

After months of looking and two houses we wanted that fell through, we finally found a house to rent in Utah! It's in a perfect location and priced right. It only has 3 bedrooms instead of 4, which means that Jared will once again be working in our bedroom, but there are a lot of other pluses. It is over 2000 square feet and has beautiful hardwood floors and great windows. There is a finished basement that will make a great playroom and also a beautiful yard. We are excited to make this house our home for the next couple years!  

utah day 5: last day

Monday Jared went to Provo to have lunch with his brothers, and I got to have lunch with Kate, Danielle, and Anne. These three lovely girls are all friends with my dear childhood friend Emily. Back in my early college days, I met Anne and Danielle. I never did manage to meet to Kate. Fast forward a few years, we all have blogs, and these girls have turned into dear blog friends. Danielle and I got together last Christmas-- we were both pregnant and had so much fun shopping, eating, and chatting. I planned to get together with her again and now that Kate is back in Utah I wanted to meet her too. And then Anne happened to be in town so she got to be there too! Em, if only you could have been there, it would have been perfect! Thanks for letting me adopt your friends as my own! These ladies are so classy and stylish. And they have beautiful babies to boot! Danielle, Thanks for making a delish lunch! Kate, thanks for hosting! And Anne, thanks for being in town! :-) I'm excited to get to hang out with you girls more once we are back in Utah.



Monday night we had Thai food with Jared's Uncle Troy and brother Steve. Troy was kind enough to let us crash at his house which was so nice because it is just down the street from the kids.


Tuesday morning we got up very, very early to catch a 7 am flight back to North Carolina. We had a wonderful time and are so thankful to all the family and friends who opened their homes to us. See you in December!

utah day 4: conference

Sunday we spent the day at Scott and Angelle's watching conference, eating good food, and spending time with family.

utah day 4: blessing day!

Finally the reason for our trip--Asher's Blessing! We decided to bless Asher in Utah because we have so much family there and the family that doesn't live there, can get to Utah much easier than NC. Jared's Uncle Scott and Aunt Angelle were gracious enough to let us have the blessing in their home. Sadly, it was a rainy, cloudy, cold day, so we didn't get to take pictures outside. Hence, we didn't get great pictures. In fact, I am going to squeeze Asher back into his blessing outfit and take some pictures of him.


Family Picture


I'm sad this was the best picture of us with Asher. I wish we had taken the time to get a better one.


Asher was cuddled by lots of family.

Asher and his Great-Grandma Carla from Minnesota.


Four Generations-- My dad, my dad's mom, Asher and me


Asher and Great-Grandpa George


Asher and Great-Grandma Teddy


Another four generations-- Grandma Teddy, Grandpa George, Asher, me, my mom


Asher with Aunt "Jello" (Jared's Aunt Angelle)


Asher gets a smooch from Grandma Sue


Asher was being wiggly with Aunt Lauren


And very chill with Aunt Hilary


We were also lucky to have some of my wonderful college friends come!


Rachel is married to Jared's cousin and had her baby Caden the same day as Asher. In fact, they were born just 40 minutes apart! Rachel and Spencer surprised everyone and drove from Colorado for the weekend!


Of course we had to get the boys to pose for some photos.


Asher got more cuddles from 'Auntie' Jennifer and 'Auntie' Liz


All in all, it was a lovely day! Thank you to everyone who came!!!

utah day 3: sue's wedding

Friday night, my beautiful mother-in-law, Sue, exchanged vows with her handsome Mike. It was a fun and casual wedding at a park in Provo Canyon. We are so happy for these two and were so glad that we got to share in their special day!

These are just a few pics I snapped of the occasion:

utah day 3: copper mine

Next up on our West side drive of Salt Lake valley, we went up to the Kennecott Copper Mine. I hadn't been there since I was kid. Man, it is huge! The photos do not due it justice--it must be experienced.



I couldn't resist zooming in on the pretty leaves on the unmined part of the mountain.


Now I will try to give some perspective to just how huge this mine is.
These are the trucks that carry the mined material up and down the mine. This is a zoomed in photo.


And here is an even closer view of one of the trucks.


This is one of the tires that goes on those trucks


They are 12 1/2 feet high and weigh over 10,000 pounds!
Here is Edna standing next to it.


Crazy, huh?! Those trucks are HUGE!!! And yet, they appear to be specks when looking down into the mine.

And you can't even see the bottom of the mine. It's kinda mind blowing.