Girls Day!!!

Sunday peace

We love Sunday afternoon's at Grandma & Granddad's. The spirit that is in their home always helps us gear up for the next week. Plus we get to see all our great family!!


We Celebrated a Birthday this past Sunday at dinner... I love cake! It was really yummy, if I do say so myself, and I do even though I made it.

Tagged

1. Where was I 10 years ago?

let see, I was 13 and in my very, very, very awkward years. Attending West Side and thinking I would never be an adult and now I am and not sure I am ready


2. What's on my to do list today?

Since its 8:30pm the day is pretty much over for me. Tomorrow I am going to spend the day with my close friend Natalie, go to the temple and whatever else we want to fit into our girls day.



3. What if I was a billionaire?

First pay off student loans and my hospital bills, than I'd probably hire someone to keep track of my money cause I love to shop! I must admit I'd probably go on like a year sabbatical and travel all the places I've wanted to see and take my family with me!



4. Places I have lived:

1 - Weston, Idaho

2 - Pocatello, Idaho

3 - Old Town Pocatello, Idaho

4 - Logan, Utah


I tag......
Jessie (my sister), Jeni, Tonya, Shannon, Abby, Emma, Danette, Nicki, Chelsie, Janelle, Jessie and Amy P

We had the fun opportunity to visit Emily in Provo on Saturday, the weather was nice to we got to fly down! I love flying, the world looks so different and beautiful... Thanks Mark for introducing me to flying!

We got to meet Emily's new boyfriend, James, while we were there. We had so much fun getting to know him, Em we like him (just so you know if you couldn't tell) We had an amazing lunch at PF Chang's. We tried to due multiple activities but nothing worked out so James took us to the awesome used book store he works at. I love the smell of old books I could have wandered for hours. He also let us into the vault, the expensive and really unique books. We found an original, signed copy of the history of Mendon which we thought was really cool cause we live 5 miles from Mendon. Thanks for sharing those special books with us James!!

Eventually we had to leave :( I hated having to leave after we'd had such a fun day but entering Cache Valley always makes me feel better, I love this valley! Em & James your turn to come up here!

After we landed we ran to meet the family for dinner and than we got to go see the Pickleville playhouse on campus preforming forever plaid with my family for Dad's Birthday. It was a great Saturday full of family time!

uuggghhhh

So we went on our weekly shopping trip to Albertson's tonight, usually I don't really mind but last week they had cinnamon pinecones under their heating vents, and sure enough they were still there today. Now this isn't a problem for most people but you see when cinnamon is strong in the air my lungs and throat tend to become very, very tight resulting in wheezing and coughing and usually itchy skin!! I don't think I'm really a minority of people that can't handle strong smells in the air so why don't companies and people get this!?!?!?! Its not uncommon for me to have to leave rooms at church or other places because of smells... come on people be respectful of those around you. I understand they are trying to advertise that they have these but is it necessary to place them under a heating vent... right where everyone has to walk to get into your store!! GGRRR.... lucky we had the guys with us or they could have seen a not so nice side of Emily!

Thanks Cousins!!

Last Friday Matthew, Kris and Axton came to play with us.... it was way fun!!

Axton was just sitting on Mark's lap, he loves playing mario kart. Don't believe me ask his mom

More than a friend

The past days have been full of tears and many memories as we take time to ponder the passing of a wonderful friend who has finished his mission here upon the earth. Saying the words make it seem so real that it is hard to type them. Thursday morning a dear friend, more like a brother, Michael Scott Hess passed away. He brought many, many joyous memories into our lives.

~Today I did one of the hardest things I have ever done; I helped to lay one of my very best friends in his final resting place. Michael Scott Hess was a true friend; so much so, in fact, that just calling him a friend does not do him justice; indeed, he was more like the brother I never had. From the first time I gave him and his sister a ride home from Church up until I celebrated his marriage to his eternal sweetheart, our dear friend Natalie, every time I saw him and spent time with him our bond grew deeper. He had a way of caring about everyone around him and treating them in such a way that they knew immediately of his sincerity. He would always ask me, along with so many others, if I was happy... coming from anyone else this could have been aggravating but he was so sincere about it, his concern and love was so clearly unfeigned, that it was all I could do to offer a simple answer. Anyone who attended the celebration of the life he lead today could see that he deeply affected the lives of all those he came in contact with.
It is difficult to add to what was said earlier today, but the thought that I knew Mike and was lucky enough to be counted as one of his friends fills my soul with such joy that I would feel remiss if I did not make a personal tribute to him. It was an honor today to lift him up and help to bear his body; he did so much to lift me up and help bear my burdens. I will miss you, Mike. We will always remember you and look forward to the glorious day that we can be reunited in the presence of our Master whom you have served so well.
~Mark

~Today I stood with Mark as we watched one of our dearest friends be laid to rest. What an amazing opportunity I had in being considered among the close friends of Michael. From the moment he met me even though I was a "marry-in" he always made me feel as if I had been part of the group forever. The past few years as I have gotten to know this great man my life has truly been blessed. Not only by his hugs, laughs, jokes and words of wisdom but also by his wonderful wife and eternal companion Natalie. Mike is a true disciple of Christ, one never had to question if he believed what he lived you just knew that he did. At the passing of this great man many things have been brought to my mind.... but mostly how can I honor the life he led and carry his friendship with me. The best way I know how is to show love to those around me and a smile to a stranger, and never forget that this Gospel is TRUE!! I love you Micheal, you will be truly missed but I know we'll see you again someday!! I want a Michael hug and big laugh when that day comes!~Emily

We'd like to share of few of our wonderful memories of Mike. Last fall Mike joined us for the annual pumpkin blow in Weston. While there he, Mark, Jordan and Steve sang for us, many in the neighborhood who heard the testimony through music believed their voices to be on a CD.

What a joyous day this was. We had so much fun watching things be blown up. After the guys had a wonderful game of croquet, the "Gentleman's sport."

In August Mike married his eternal companion and best friend Natalie. The love they share is great and strong. We had a joyous time celebrating with them and creating more memories together. What a wonderful blessing it is to carry a camera with us to capture all these great memories we shared together. We love Natalie so very much! Our hearts and prayers are constantly with her. As of yet we haven't got to surround her and tell her we love her and that we'll always stand with her, the moment will come and the tears will flow but our friendships shall go on, caring with us the love and memory of Michael.

Michael Scott Hess

May 05, 1986 ~ September 18, 2008

Michael Scott Hess, a man of love, passed away early Thursday morning, September 18, 2008. He loved the Lord, he loved his wife, he loved his family, and he loved the spirit that flows through music. Michael was born May 5, 1986, served brilliantly in the England Birmingham Mission, and was sealed in the Nauvoo Temple to Natalie Joyce Clark on August 16, 2008. Michael adored Natalie with all his heart. He had a wonderful laugh (a “subwoofer”) and the unique ability to make people feel that they were important and loved. He would always ask if “you were happy,” and was kind and did the best for those around him. Michael loved music, and often bore his testimony of the Savior through singing. He had a musical soul. He performed with the BYU Concert Choir and the Welsh Men’s Chorus. Finally, Michael loved the Savior and the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved knowing how the Church was organized and what was appropriate and always had a strong testimony of the atonement. Michael is survived by his wife, Natalie, his parents, Scott and Wendy Hess, his sisters, Coryn and Kelsey, his brother, David, and numerous others, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and beloved cousins. We appreciate your love of Michael and Natalie as well. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Michael Scott Hess Memorial Scholarship Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 22, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, where a visitation will be held Sunday 6-8 p.m. and 1 hour prior to services. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Wii like to play!!

Kidnapped!!

Mark has been talking about "kidnapping" me for awhile he informed I should be prepared for this on Sept 12, what a nice abductor to warn me so I could pack. Originally the plan was to fly to our destination but the radar there showed weather would have resulted in us, well not really arriving safely. So we packed up trusty old Cletus the Cavalier and headed off on our adventure.The weather was beautiful as we crossed, Utah and most of Wyoming.

Than crash bang boom!! Clouds were up ahead, suddenly we were in a terrible rain with lots of lightning... so glad we were safely on the ground and not in a small airplane in the middle of the clouds. I am very grateful my husband is such a safe pilot!!

Yeah we are getting closer~ I've always wanted a picture by a "Welcome to ...." sign, my sweet husband was nice enough to allow me to check this off my list of things I want to do. It was so pretty! Not only did I get the sign picture but I've now been to a new State!!

Just after 9 we arrived in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Mark found a wonderful and very relaxing lodge/B&B for us to spend a couple of days getting much needed rest from our world. We ate dinner at Cugino's and had an amazing Stromboli, I love vacation food!!




The next morning we got up and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast that we didn't have to cook or clean up after!!! It was great. We didn't have any plans, besides spending time together and seeing the town, so we asked the owners for advise. They suggested the river path that leads to the Yampa River botanic gardens. We enjoyed our stroll along the river, even if a few bikers almost took us out, and the gardens were lovely and so peaceful. I give the gardeners a gold star for it still being so beautiful so late in the season. At one point our peace was interrupted by a passing train, scared us pretty good. Not as good as the people we were by at that point, I seriously thought they were going to have heartattacks and I really didn't want to have to try and save them. Luckily they didn't!









Saturday afternoon we wandered around old town, at yummy lunch at Johnny B Good's Diner and who do you think we ran into... Benjamin Franklin & Abraham Lincoln! It was crazy!! We spent time thinking about life with them, they are wise men!!

We ended our day in town with a mouth watering dinner at the Epicurean, an amazing french cuisine restaurant! I know, us eating french food.... another shocker I love it!! I had an Endive (french cabbage) wrapped in bacon scrumptious!! Mark had some amazing tuna, so he said I wasn't in a fish mood so I didn't share his meal. Originally we had planned to go up the canyon to the natural hot springs, but our waitress informed us that bathing suits are optional after dark. That totally freaked us out. So after looking for a movie to see with no success we settled for coldstone and watching Willy Wonka on the Disney Channel.

Mark found a Gondola ride that takes you up the mountain so people can hike around with out busting their butts to make the 3 mile hike climbing close to 2500 feet in elevation and just enjoy the hiking trails at the top, what anamazing view. We decided to take advantage of our amazing surroundings Sunday morning before heading home. We tried to go Saturday afternoon but they closed 5 minutes after we finally found them so we settled for going Sunday. We figured a hike would be good before our drive home so we didn't get way sick of sitting.





We had enough time at once we reached the almost 10,000 foot high
peak to hike for a couple hours! It was so beautiful! The hiking was fun
but catching your breath that high up is really, really hard! I don't care
how in shape you are, there is much less oxygen up there!


There is a restaurant/bar & grill at the top of the Gondola
so we enjoyed the view before heading back down.



Back down the mountain, so glad we didn't hike. Pretty sure
it would have been 3 miles of torture, these picture do no justice
for how high we really got!


Sadly the time came that we head back home, we really could've stayed so much longer but alas life must return to normal. So we grabbed a quick burger and hit the road..



There are those signs you never want to see when driving down a road you've never been on before, especially when you are in a race with the clock to make it home
1- Road Work Ahead 2- Utah (not bad unless followed by) 3- Pavement ends abruplty (What the!!!) 4- Blast zone ahead.
Many things run through your mind when you see those signs in a row! Yes the pavement did end, very abruptly. I wish I had a picture of our faces when this happened I sure they were panic mixed with you've got to be kidding me!! We entered the blast zone but it being Sunday and all we didn't encounter any rocks being blown into the air. We did get to see some amazing landscape that we'd have totally missed otherwise.



We found PAVEMENT!! No thanks to Utah, we had to get back to Wyoming first!! I was so happy, you never appreciate the simple things in life till they end abruptly!

We had a pretty uneventful trip the rest of the way, which was just fine with us! We made it home at 9:04, exhausted and sore from hiking and than a 7.5 hour car drive, but we had so much fun and can't wait to go back someday. Only hopefully this time we can actually fly.