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.

utah day 3: great salt lake

Friday morning Asher and I headed off with my parents and Lauren to show Cousin Edna the Great Salt Lake. I had actually never been to this spot. It was pretty far West on I-80.





The light made us really squinty.

My silly dad posin'.

This picture I snapped as we walked back to the car. I just love Asher's funny face--and I adore that dimple!

utah day 2: snowbird

Thursday morning Jared, Asher, and I headed up to Snowbird with my parents, my sister Lauren, Grandma Carla, and her cousin Edna. With the colors beginning to change it was a perfect time to head up to the beautiful mountains.

Check out my cute boys in their Utah gear.


We rode the tram up the mountain. Here's me and Ash Man.


Of course we had to take advantage of the gorgeous view and pose for the camera.
PS... It was rather cold and windy up there!


My fun parents.


Dad, Mom, Grandma, Edna


Me and Lauren




Views from the top






Going back down the tram

utah day 1: asher, isaac, grace

We picked up Grace from dance and Isaac from boy scouts and were waiting for Olivia to get home. I love how happy Isaac was to see his baby brother. He's really good at entertaining Asher. Grace still holds back a little, but I think she's warming up to the idea of having a baby brother too. In these photos, Isaac is showing Asher his boy scout book.

utah day 1: u of u

We spent a couple hours at the University of Utah while Jared met with people there about teaching next year. My parents both graduated from the U and had quite a lot of fun at the bookstore loading up on Ute goods. They got Asher a onesie and sweatshirt and Jared a sweatshirt (he graduated from the U too). They offered to get me and my sister something also to which I replied, "We did not go to school here, remember? We went to BYU!" Although I don't buy into the whole rivalry thing seeing as I have split loyalties, I still would feel silly wearing a U of U shirt. If Jared ends up working there, I'll reconsider.

Check out all that red!

We enjoyed the gorgeous day and hung out on the lawn while we waited for Jared.


This photo of my beautiful sister was not planned. She happened to look up and smile about something just as I snapped. I love how natural it is.


Here is my handsome dad.


Shortly after I took these, Asher had his first major blowout--as in not only did it go through his clothes (that has happened before), but it got all over my mom's shirt. Fortunately, my suitcase was the car so she was able to change it and change Asher's clothes.

I also got to meet one of Jared's favorite professors from his undergrad days. I should have taken a picture of them. Oh well. I'm sure we'll see her again once we are back in Utah.

utah day 1: temple square

Because my grandma's cousin from Denmark was with my parents, we did more "touristy" stuff than we usually do while in Utah. Of course, Temple Square is a must see. We went on Wednesday and it was a very warm, sunny day.

Jared was dressed up because he had a meeting at the University of Utah.

Asher was being a bit fussy, so we played pass the baby the around.

Are those adorable feet or what?




I just love the architecture of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.


Of course, the flowers were beautiful as always.


I'm always amazed that the early Saints built this beautiful building with such rudimentary equipment.

just call him professor

We are home from Utah and I have approximately 600+ photos to sort through, but first I must share how proud I am of my husband. Several months ago we began thinking about moving back to Utah to be near the kids while Jared writes his dissertation. Obviously, we would need a source of income while living there. So Jared began contacting people at the universities there about the possibility of teaching part-time. During his last trip to Utah he met with people at the University of Utah and at Utah Valley University. (UVU said he could teach an ethics class but that's not really what he does and the commute isn't really worth it, so UVU is our last choice.) This time he had a second meeting at the U and one at Westminster. Things are looking pretty good at the U. They are trying to get a Religion program off the ground and Jared could offer a lot. They asked him to submit some course proposals. At Westminster they already teach a couple religion classes and during his meeting with them on Monday they offered him a job teaching a class next summer! And they said he could teach one or two each semester next year! Jared will continue teaching an online class each semester through UNC and if things at the U work out, we will be set. None of these were posted positions. Jared just took the initiative and asked. It took some major follow up on his part, and it's really paying off as things fall into place. We are so blessed to have these opportunities to allow us to live in Utah near the kids and for Jared to gain valuable teaching experience. Once he officially has his PhD he'll go on job market for tenure track positions around the country, but the chance to teach in Utah for a couple years is the perfect transition we need.

leavin on a jet plane

We are off to Utah tonight to spend time with family, attend Jared's mom's wedding, and bless our dear babe. Asher will be meeting many family members for the first time AND taking his first plane ride! Wish us luck! See ya next week!

over the weekend

Asher sat by himself on Daddy's lap.

From September

Asher's eyes started lightening. Perhaps he will have blue eyes after all.

From September

From September

From September

Asher slept on his tummy on the floor for a good hour like this.

From September

please bless this dream doesn't come true

Last night I had a dream that I was pregnant. As in pregnant now, two months after giving birth! Ack!!! The thought is frightening. Although in the dream I didn't really freak out even though I am years away from wanting to be pregnant again. I guess if I got pregnant two months after giving birth, while breastfeeding and on birth control, I'd have to take it as a sign from God. Well God, please bless me with a longer break from childbearing than 2 months! I'm shooting for something more like two years!