tasty food, good company, and the Y.

It is about time I finish my blog update on my trip out West. And a great trip it was. All in all I was there from Sunday to Sunday. I flew in and my sister picked me up. We hit up a local Sacrament meeting and then headed to my cousins' ranch. My home away from home. I LOVE it there. It is so peaceful and I love spending time with my family. Here are some pics of the view from the bridge and the room where Em, Mo, and I slept. When I say slept... it was more like passed out. You go to the ranch and you get really really good sleep.

And while we were there we got spoiled. Jenny made some of our favorite foods. And to top it off she made the most scrumptious desserts. Our last night there she made strawberry shortcake with homemade whip cream and these gigantic sugar cookies. They were the size of our heads. No lie.

After a couple days we had to head back to Provo so Em could take her last final before graduation. Pobrecita. On the way back I took lots of pics from the car. I might be a little obsessed with scenery while driving. It's just so beautiful and so unique. The mountains along the road out of Wyoming and into Utah look like they should have a Native American chief atop a horse right on the peak. I always look up to check just in case.

While in Provo I got to visit with old friends.  Dinah and I met up at had Mexican... Cafe Rio.  Thinking the name of the restaurant makes me drool.  I spent time with her adorable kids and her cute little pregnant belly.  And then, as if I wasn't lucky enough to see her pregnant she had her baby while I was there too!

I also got to visit some other old friends, including my dear mission comp Emili.  Sadly I didn't get a pic of that visit, but it was such a fun time.  And doubly sad, I didn't get to see everyone I had planned on seeing.  I just didn't have enough time.  Hopefully it won't be too long before I can have another fun vacation there.  

While there we as a family had decided to hike the Y, since me, Em, and dad had all gone to school there but none of us had ever before made the trek.  We spent all day moving Em out of her apartment, she lived on the 3rd floor (that's not including the stairwell to the garage).  Like that wasn't exhausting enough.  Em took us to J-Dawgs for lunch.  It was really tasty.  Up to that point I was a J-Dawgs virgin.  Then it was time to hike the Y.  I'm not gonna lie, that trek kicked my butt.  That may or may not have to do with me being out of shape but we all collectively decided to blame it on the "altitude".  It was hard but so fun.  I'm so grateful for the chance to spend time with my sister and parents.  We had a lot of good conversation and lots of good laughs.  Here are some pics of our journey.

And finally, here are some last minute sights of Provo, in case you haven't been overloaded by this post already.  Here goes.

The end.

our little graduate.

Here are some brief highlights from the Emdog's graduation...

1. Where in the world is Emily Phipps? She's in there I promise. (Traditional processional into the commencement).

Here is a little hint if you can't find her:

2. Elder D. Todd Christofferson spoke at the commencement. He rocks. He is super funny. Here is a little tidbit from his closing remarks. After it was all over he gave all the grads a bunch of thumbs up. Swell fella.

3. A quick family shot following the commencement.

4. The following day we attended the ceremony for Emily's college of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. Long ceremony but totally worth the wait. Watch as she walks across the stage, off, and gives the camerawoman (me) a big thumbs up. Ps... you'll only hear her last name right at the beginning.



5. And, some accompanying photos...



6. Finally, the after party.

Congratulations Bo Peep! You made it!!!

that time of year.

I'm currently enjoying the first big thunderstorm of the season curled up on the chair and a half, ceiling fan on, lamp turned up, wrapped in a warm blanket.  We had one pass through recently but I wasn't awake for it, so for me it doesn't count.  The rain is coming down so hard it sounds like I'm in the shower.  I love it!  And the air smells delicious.  We have some wisteria (at least I'm pretty sure that's what it is) growing right around the trees by the deck.  IT SMELLS SO GOOD I WANT TO EAT IT!!!!  As one Brooke Grant has stated "...the purple trees make the air smell like candy."  So true.  That mixed with the scent of the rain.  Seriously?  I might be in heaven.

goodbyes.

Death has always been hard for me to handle, even when I don't know the person that well. Just ask my dad. Me and death do not mix well. I have mourned just as hard, if not harder, for people I have never met. I have mourned their loss and sometimes feel as if I am experiencing the feelings of the individual who actually experienced the loss. Does that make sense? Needless to say, coping gracefully with loss is not my strongest characteristic. The weird part about that is I know that this life is only temporary. I know that I will see those I love when I die. I know that if they were suffering from illness and disease that they will be free and at peace. I know that we will be together again. I know that we will all be resurrected and have perfect bodies and live together forever. No more illness. No more death. I know that. But, knowing that with such a surety still does not take away the ache I feel.

Why am blabbing about death? Because on Friday, April 2, 2010 my family's dog Gus passed away. He developed cancer that was not treatable. He got to the point where he was physically miserable and his quality of life deteriorated. My parents made the decision to have him put down. Not an easy decision. Gus has been part of our family since he was a puppy, nearly 13 years ago. We got him for Christmas in 1997.  I remember when we decided to name him.  I desperately wanted him to be called Octavius, Gus for short... like on Cinderella.  Not sure how I won but I can't imagine him going by any other name.  I have always been afraid of dogs.  Truthfully, I still am... until I know and trust them.  Gus was the most gentle dog I have ever met.  Once I got over the shock of initial puppy nibbles I never felt afraid around him.  He didn't jump.  He didn't bite.  He didn't chew my shoes.  He was also the most human of any dog I've ever known.  He mastered the one eyebrow raise.  He folded his arms with the family when we prayed together.  He cut in line to get the first of the chocolate chip cookies hot out of the oven. 
He had bad gas... fit right in with my brothers.  :)  Brian and him had their own secret language.  He hung out in the kitchen if mom was there... just like the rest of us.  He smiled when you took pictures of him.  No lie.  He loved the camera.  He was not shy.  Just like the rest of us kids he didn't like to be left out.  He played dress up with Cameron... even donning a tutu and a witches hat.  He had bad habits (like eating dead deer...gross).  He snored.  He had nightmares.  He LOVED to lay on his back spread eagle with a big smile on his face.  He also loved chasing... his tail... deer... a favorite toy.  He liked being close to people... just like me.  He was super patient... not like me. ;)  He was a lazy fart in  his older years... living out his retirement in style. 

He kept us safe.  Watched over us.  He put up with grandchildren pretending he was a stuffed animal.  He let them love on him and was patient and gentle even when they weren't.  He felt fear...hated thunderstorms.  He experienced sadness and loss... when we would leave and go off to college or move away from home.  He empathized with our feelings... a silent support.  He felt excited when we went outside to play. He was attentive to little clues.... like mom always unwrapping a mint and putting it in her mouth, using the restroom, and then taking him on their morning walks.  He would get so excited that he couldn't wait for her to finish using the bathroom.  He learned how to jiggle the handle and pop the door open.  A little eager?  I think so.  He listened and obeyed.  He was sneaky at times.  He would try to trick family members into feeding him breakfast twice.  Sometimes he succeeded.  He loved playing at the pool and getting splashed but hated actually falling in... he's heavy too and getting him out of the pool is no small task.  He never forgot me... even when I changed my hairstyle or when I was gone for a long time.  He was a member of our family.  We often referred to him as our brother... one of the famdogs.  I knew he wouldn't be with us forever but it's still weird to think that he is really gone.  I know he is free of illness and the ailments of old age and I am grateful for the knowledge I have about life after death.  But... my heart hurts and my eyes are wet as I mourn his loss.  I will miss that stinky ol' dog. :)