Sundays are for nature....

On a beautiful Sunday morning Justin, Aspen, Porter and I took a hike up Strong canyon with my dad, mom and her two dogs. It was a beautiful way to start out the day!

Our Zoo

Well folks, you are going to think we are absolutly insane....but we have adopted another animal, LOL! The fact that my lil sis volunteers for the pet adoptions doesn't help very much. We met this awesome little guy durring the pet adoption. He was so sad and scared in his cage, where he had been for nearly 2 months. Justin instantly fell in love with him and I wasn't too far behind. He is the sweetest dog and has become an instant part of the crew. Him and I got hiking every single morning. This gives him the excercise he needs and then he isn't anxious durring the day when he is home w/Justin and Aspen. Plus it is getting my butt up in the morning and working out! We named him Porter (my husband loves the beer). You take this 80 lb lab......
....and add him to our wild hunting cat, Koda.....and...

....add that to our big, grumpy fat-boy Simba (who happens to be the most dominant of the bunch)....

.....And you can't forget the wildest one of them all....our lil' monkey Aspen....

You add all this together and you have got yourself one hell of a zoo!!! There is a lot of chaos...but a lot of love in our home! :)

...Justin's Little Buddies....

Justin went fishing on the Weber River one morning and came accross two little raccoons. He sat there quietly and was actually able to capture some awesome photos of them. They just sat there and ate and washed their hands and faces while he watched. What an awesome experience.

Aspen and Sincere

I dont think that there is anything that is more fun than watching Aspen play with other kids. It is so funny to watch how excited she gets. Being an only child (so far) she doesn't get a whole lot of opportunities to play with other kids. She is in the process of becoming potty trained and as soon as she is she can start preschool. I think preschool is so neccessary in her life at this point and she is beyond ready. This pic is of her and her cousin Sincere. They had so much fun playing together, but not quite as much fun as us adults had watching them!!!

Aspen's 1st Fish

Justin, Aspen and i decided to go spend the afternoon at East Canyon. We played in the water and even caught a fish. It was pretty monumental becuase it was the first fish that Aspen has ever reeled in on her own. Justin held the pole for her and Aspen reeled it in all by herself. She was soooo proud of herself, but not quite as proud as her dad was :) We had a blast! Right as we drove away from the dam at the end of our afternoon the sky turned black. We pulled into our driveway at home right as a huge rain storm hit. Perfect weather for a long afternoon nap after a fun day at the dam! Cute lil bass.

Could her dad be any prouder?

Panguitch Lake

Every year for Father's Day my family goes to Panguitch Lake for the weekend. It is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I ahve ever been. I absolutely love it there. The fishing was amazing. We caught a lot of fish between 2 and 4 lbs, and even a couple that were almost 5 lbs. It was so much fun! Aspen even went out on the boat fishing and loved it. She loved everything about camping. From sleeping in the tent and roasting marshmallows to going on hikes and collecting rocks. She is a true nature girl! It is hard to think that we have to wait another whole year before we get to go back!

HaPpY fAtHeRs DaY!!!!!

Happy Fathers Day to my wonderful husband. Aspen is the luckiest little girl, she has a father that is truelly the best! She idolizes you and follows your every step. Thank you for being such a patient and loving dad. I love you babe and can't tell you enough how proud I am to call you my husband!!!!!

The Beautiful Side of Ogden

Clear blue skies, not a person in sight....perfect day.

Swim Park

We took Aspen to the water park by the Ogden Athletic Club for the first time this year. When we pulled up and she saw all the kids playing in the water she started yelling, "IM SO EXCITED!!!" If you havn't taken your kids there you should, its a great place!

Hams Fork

Justin and Brandon were lucky enough to get away for the weekend for some fishing and camping. (and life without women, haha) They came home a night early, however, so what does that say? haha. They had a great time and caught some beautiful fish. They decided to camp in the middle of a cow pasture, LOL, so they had plenty of animal friends to hang out with for the weekend. Aspen and I sure did miss Justin. We have never really been apart since we have been together and it made me realize just how dependent I am on him....and just how much I love being that dependent on him. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such an amazing man. I don't know how women look forward to when thier husbands are out of town, I hated it to be honest, but I am glad he had a really good time!

Justin is having his morning java with a few of his cow friends. They had babies that they were nursing and everything!!Brandon staying in the truck where it is warm and dry.

Notice that Brandon has dirt on his face. The fish was mad at him and slapped him right accross the face! HAHA! priceless.