The Best Dam Bike Ride 2009

Every year my family participates in the MS Bike Tour. A close family friend suffers from MS and we have seen the devastating effects it can have on an individual. Last year Dennis rode 100 miles and I was the team photographer. When the registration began early in the year I said that I would do the ride. Honestly, I thought I would be able to get out of it somehow. So as the time got closer I started to get a little more worried. Then the rain came. As many of you know it rained pretty much from April until July. We had virtually no time to train for the ride. I thought maybe they wouldn't make me ride because I hadn't raised my money. But no, they raised it for me. So, I had to do it and was terrified. Dennis had some medical problems (if you want to know what they are, ask my dad, he is willing to tell anyone including reporters for KSL) so he said he would ride with me. This made me feel so much better because I knew I could do it with him pushing me along. So the morning came and we got up early and off we went. My mom, Kathleen, and Bryan were doing 100 miles. Lisa and my Dad did 75 miles. And Me, Dennis, and Hayley did 40 miles. It was surprisingly really awesome! Dennis was a great support system and definitely comic relief. This was our second stop.



We finished strong and were able to get pictures of Hayley finishing the ride.



The volunteer was kind enough to get a picture of the three of us.



Everyone finished and it was a great day. We will all be doing it again next year. Yes, you heard me...I will do it again next year. But next year I am doing 75 miles.

4th of July 2009

As long as I can remember my dad and neighbors would save spots on the parade route for the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo. Well, as we have gotten older the dad's have stopped saving spots and the awesome Carter sons have taken over. This year we were not sure if we would be able to find a spot. The Carter's were kind enough to save us a spot. They even stayed overnight in the rain. Dennis was the amazing husband he is and went to the parade route around 6 am to ensure our blankets did not get moved. My parents were in Arizona so we celebrated the 4th with Me, Dennis, Marlene, Lisa, Bryan, and Melissa. Dennis was critiquing the beauty queens and this is what Lisa thought about that These were a few of our favorite parts of the parade Later in the afternoon we had a BBQ just the 5 of us. It was not as exciting as we hoped. I think we were all a little tired. Later in the afternoon we went to Rob and Chanel's BBQ. It is always good to see some friends that we usually only see at this BBQ. And of course Roger was there. Roger is Dennis' BFF and of course they had to talk about fishing. Tyler had given us free tickets to the Stadium of Fire. I was going to go but opted out so Marlene could take her friend Moray. Moray is her closest friend whenever she comes. So lucky Dennis got to go see The Jonas Brothers. I went with Lisa and Bryan to their friends house and we walked down to the stadium and watched the fireworks from the outside. That is what I really wanted to see so it was awesome! We had a fun and busy holiday. And I am sure we will do it all over again next year. Bryan left early the next morning and we never did get to do his firework. Lisa and Bryan had a firework budget and this was the big ticket at $1.00. So we videoed it and were shocked by how big it was. I guess $1.00 goes further than we thought.

What a weekend!

So I am told by my better half that I do not blog enough so here goes.

A few weeks ago I heard a ad for the 5th annual Targhee Americana Fest at Grand Targhee Resort on the only radio station I listen to KRCL 90.9. The lineup included some of my favorite artists. I wanted to go, but the tickets were $130 a piece. We have already spent a buzzut load of $ on tics to shows this year. We both have a thing for live music. So I am driving up the canyon to go fishing and they were giving away a pair of tickets and I was lucky caller # 5! WOO-HOO!

So Thursday rolls around and I am packing the truck, and getting things together when I get called in to work. I was @ work until 1:00Am, and then got called back in at 2:30. Needless to say I was running around like a chicken with his head cut off Friday morning.
After a grueling 6 hour drive me and Marlene saw off in the distance something we both had never seen. The west side of the Tetons.

We both thought it looked alot like Expedition Everest at Dinsney World.

When we got up to the entrance to the resort we were told that it cost $25 a piece for camping. After some complaining by me (I am getting old!), we made our way to the parking lot for the camping area. It was seriously several football fields away. We lugged all the gear up to the area to find all the flat spots had been taken. So I decided to find a spot that at least had morning shade. We found a fairly clear spot for the tent, and set it up. Here is a shot of the morning sun just to the right of our tent.

Just as we were finished getting our stuff all laid out we could here the first band begin to play.We found a spot next to the sound booth and laid a blanket out. Here is the view from there.
The bands were just amazing! Grace Potter and the Nocturnals tore it up. Jackie Greene took it to a whole new level, but that was just the start. The last band was Gov't Mule, who I really had wanted to see. The only song I wanted to hear was Thorazine Shuffle. As the first chords were played it was it!. I was in loving it. they ripped thru the first set like they were on fire. The energy level was sky high. They came back for the second set even more smokin. After probably the second best drum solo I have ever experienced (Grateful Dead 1992 Vegas was the best), They played a reprise of the Shuffle. What a show! But they were not done yet. Warren brought out Grace Potter and they did Gorgeous Woman. Incredibile. Then during the encore he brought out Jackie Greene and they did a dueling guitars that blew my mind. Here is a picture, sorry for the blurr but all I had for the weekend was my crappy Blackberry to take pictures with. Left the digital camera on the desk at home.

I went back to the tent and tried to get some sleep. That was not gonna happen. The guy in the tent right next to us was sawing some seriuos timber. I got out of the tent at 7:00 and watched the sunrise over the mountains. Forgot my phone in the tent that morning so no good pictures.

We made eggs and bacon in the packing lot because there was no way I was going to haul the three burner Camp Chef stove and grill to the tent! I forgot to pack a spatula. Ever tried to flip eggs without one on a grill? It does not work to well. After breakfast we headed out to go either fishing or to Yellowstone. After realizing it would have taken at least 2 hours just to get to the Park entrance, we decided on fishing. We stopped at a small fly shop, Worldcast Anglers, in Victor Idaho. The guy there was really helpfull with pointing us in the right direction for a quick trip. We headed to Bitch Creek. As we were hiking down to the river a couple was leaving and was kind enough to tell me what the hatch was. For those of you who do not know, Many different insects live most of thier lives in water during their larval and pupa stages. When the temperature is right they hatch out of the water and fly away. This is when the fish are seen jumping out of the water. They are eating the insects as they are emerging and floating on the surface. Anyways enough Entomology, When we got to the creek the first good cast I made was taken by a 20-22 inch Cuttthroat Trout. He took off down stream into the strong current and got off. I hooked into a couple more, but the temperature was rising into the 90's. I had fun but Marlene not so much. She said she likes the Provo River better because it has less bugs, and more little snakes slithering around. Here is a picture of her in my Adult Large size waders

When we got back to the concert we found out that the music started at noon. I had missed James McMurtry. He was one of the bands I really wanted to see. Bummer. Sonny Landrette was real good. The Wallflowers were up next. Marlene was looking forward to this, as it was the only band of the weekend she had heard of. They have a song titled 3 Marlenes that she loves. They played a solid set and she kept saying to me between songs that they were not going to play it. I kept telling her that they would. I suggested we go up front to get a closer view and get that good speaker gut vibration. Just as we got to the front They played her song. She was thrilled. After putting her to bed I headed back for Jonny Lang. As I was abuot to go in the Wallflowers came out of thier tour bus and were talking with fans. I went up and thanked them for playing Marlene's song. They all shook my hand and asked what my name was. Way cool dudes! Jonny was simply amazing. He sings with so much emotion. Truly moving.

We got up early Sunday and took down camp. The drive was long, and she had woke up with a head cold. She was flying back to Colorado Springs. I hate goodbye's, and I really hate crying in public, but I could not help it. I was very upset to see her go. Anyone with kids and has had to see them leave knows that feeling. It sucks!! I am glad I got to spend this amazing weekend with her, and I am glad I have such a wonderfull wife who supports me 100%. Sorry you could not have been there babe. I really missed you.

There ya go babe. How's that for a blog?

Balloon Fest

I lived in the Provo/Orem metro area for most of my childhood. And I remember watching the balloons from our house, but I do not think we ever went to Balloon Fest. So this year my sister in law had mentioned that my nephew wanted to go. So I asked Karen if her and Constance would like to join us. Then my nephew couldn't come so we went anyway! I woke up at 5:30 am on July 3rd and got all showered and ready to go. Can I tell you how early that is? I haven't gotten up that early since I worked and commuted to SLC. So I went and picked up the girls and we walked over to Balloon Fest. Karen lives in the best location for Freedom Festival activites. You can park at her house and walk to a lot of the places. It's great. So Balloon Fest is where they fill up balloons, which is acutally very cool. They launch them, have contests, land, it's pretty cool!

When we first arrived they were already starting to fill up the balloons.


Filling the balloons up were probably my favorite part.







I don't know who this lady was but she was fully made up at 6 am and had a professional photographer.



So I had my professional photographer take my picture.



I took this picture for Lisa. This dog is actually quite big. He was really sweet.



This was my favorite balloon. Of course because it has the fall leaves.



I am so glad Karen and Constance came with me. I think Constance really liked the balloons.





These were two of my favorite pictures. I love my mountains.

Nice Recovery

How does a husband recover from the following:

No communication in over 6 hours, no cell phone service, unknown location, fishing and possibly dead in the river.



Answer: Beautiful wildflowers that he picked himself on the river. How can you be angry after that???

Father's Day 2009 and Marlene's 13th Birthday

June 19th was Marlene's 13th Birthday...She is official...teenager. However we did not get to see her until Saturday. She has grown up so much since we last saw her which was only January! So on Sunday we celebrated Father's Day and Marlene's birthday. Uncle Chad, Aunt Karen, and Cousin Constance came and we were so happy! She got to open a gift from Hayley and Chad. Our gift was clothes and anyone who knows a teenager knows you cannot just buy them. She had to go pick them out. Chad got her the coolest rocket.



This is Chad wishing that he had bought two. One for her and one for himself.



We got a picture of everyone on their way out. Note that the bike in the picture is not Marlene's. She is a little too big for that. It is actually Constance's Utah bike that Dennis put together for her.



All and all it was a great day with the family!

May 24, 2009 "6 Years Together"

I could not post on my actual anniversary since we were in Florida and I did not have internet access or access to any of my photos. But on May 24th we celebrated our 6th anniversary. Dennis is the most amazing person. I don't know what I would do without him. I am so lucky to have found that little diamond in the rough. We have come a long way, but each year we get better and stronger.

SIX REASONS I LOVE DENNIS

1- He is an amazing Father and now Grandfather
2- He has an amazing amount of patience
3- He is passionate about the things he loves
4- He is a very hard worker
5- He gives the best hugs
6- He loves me like no one ever has before

I look forward to many more years with you!

Florida 2009

This year for our anniversary we decided to take a trip back to Florida. We haven't been back since we moved and we really wanted to go to the Orlando temple. Not to mention we miss our friends. So we bought tickets at a great price and off we go! We left very early on a Thursday. When we arrived we spent most of the day just visiting with friends and relaxing. Our friend Marianna was so kind and let us stay with her. She lives in Claremont which is outside Orlando, but still close enough. This is Marianna and she can still make me laugh.



Our first stop was Disney World. Florida had been under water for the week and a half before we got there. So I was a little concerned that our trip was going to be a rainy mess. First we went to Epcot to try to do the rides we really love.



I had to go on my favorite ride..Living with the Land. It isn't exciting but it is all about the plants.



It was great while we were at Epcot, but as we were leaving it started to sprinkle.



Next we went to Magic Kingdom. And the rain started. It was very crowded when we first got there but as the rain continued, the people started to leave. During one downpour we decided to get something to eat. Dennis had his favorite Disney food...Turkey Leg.



But the rain didn't get us down.



After approximately 4 hours of totally wet feet. Thank goodness we had our Tevas. We had enough and decided to go home. But not before we rode on the carousel and Buzz Lightyear.




The next day we did Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. While waiting to get in the studios we encountered the Storm Troopers. They stand on the top of the entrance and mock the tourists.



We had to go on Tower of Terror. Dennis has a love/hate relationship with that ride.



They have an awesome Toy Story ride. It is especially fun if you enjoy competing with your spouse.




Our last stop was Animal Kingdom.



We did Dennis' favorite rides...Expedition Everest and Dinosaur.




Last we did the Safari. Everyone always says you have to do it first thing in the morning or you will not see a single animal. We went at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. We literally walked on the ride and we saw nearly every animal on the safari. These are a few of my favorites.







Our 6th anniversary was on Sunday May 24th. I am so happy that I married Dennis and could not see my life without him. I will post about why I love Dennis on another post. Sunday we had a BBQ with friends. It was really good to see them.






There was an issue with the cheesecake, but that didn't stop Dennis.



On our last full day we went to Tarpon Springs and the beach. Tarpon Springs is a Greek Village on Florida's west coast. It is the sponge capitol of the world. It was HOT, but we had a blast.






Dennis had to get a picture of this family. The parents obviously were very concerned for the safety of their child. Notice the posted sign.



The morning before our flight left, we made a quick trip to the temple. It was beautiful and all we had hoped for.



After a whirlwhind of a trip we headed home. But we had a great time. And last a few of our favorite photos.