::TO MANTI...AND BEYOND::

The past couple of weeks have been a blast!

On the Friday the 13th we drove down to Manti and went to the Mormon Miracle Pagent. It was amazing and so much fun! I've gone every year that I've been at BYU so this was my fourth year in a row. Donny has seen it once before but it has been quite a few years. It was awesome and we are so glad we went!

Then on Wednesday night we went to the...PG STRAWBERRY DAYS RODEO!!! It is my favorite rodeo in Utah! I love it because you sit at the rodeo and eat a cup of strawberries and cream for a dollar...well, now it's $1.25 (Donny blames it on gas).

It was Aim's first rodeo so I had to make sure that we had so much fun! I was so excited to eat my strawberries!
I was wearing my "Boys heart Cowgirls" t-shirt. But I love my cowboy! :)
Making goofy faces...so excited to be eating strawberries and cream!
This is one of the awesome pictures that Donny took with his camera. It turned out so well. These cowboys are crazy or really talented...I'm not quite sure which one!

This rodeo only comes once a year so I had to eat my fill of strawberries....

I didn't want to leave the rodeo when it was over but I knew that we had a lot to look forward to because...Friday we were leaving for the Lloyd Family Reunion McCall, ID at Ponderosa State Park.

We left Provo around 1:30 and got to McCall around 11:30pm. It was quite an adventure but we had fun camping in a tent, eating camping food and playing in the lake!

Here is our canoe adventure! I was a little nervous that we would flip but we made it back to dry land safely!

Here is my father-in-law running the auction. Donny bought me some really cute ice cube trays that are in the shape of flowers. He then bid on some Hannah Montana pencils and a notebook (it's a joke between us) but one of the little cousins wanted it so he traded her for her High School Musical notebook and pencils!

On Saturday evening we were all sitting around right before dinner and a camp ranger came around and told us that there was a storm that was going to hit us in about 45 minutes. Donny and I hadn't staked down our tent since we got into town so late the night before and the weather was supposed to be pretty mild...well, it ended up raining almost all night! Luckily we stayed dry but putting our tent away on Sunday morning was not easy because it was so wet still!

Now we're back at home and today it laundry day! It's also...clean up the apartment so that tomorrow we can play when Mom gets here!!!

::ONE WEEK::

Guess what? Mom gets here in a week! I'm so excited. I think that this week will go by quickly because there is a ton to do. Then we're headed up to a Lloyd Family Reunion this weekend...and then...picking Mom up from the airport next Tuesday. (which happens to be my birthday...the best present EVER!)
I'm so excited!

::MY DAD ROCKS...::

I titled this one My Dad Rocks...because he just does! I have always admired and looked up to my dad because he has taught me so much. So many of my experiences in life I owe to my dad making those opportunities possible. He has always been so involved in my life and always telling me that I can succeed at anything. Here are a few pictures (I have a million more) that I love of my dad....

I'm five in this picture and my dad is reading me one of my favorite books from when I was little, The Little Mermaid.


This is one picture that I will cherish my whole life. As you can see I was kidding that Little Mermaid was my favorite (you can see that my sheets have Ariel plastered all over them!) This is a tender moment where my dad took the time to say my nightly prayers with me. He always made sure that we said family prayer and he also made sure that we all got up early in the morning to read scriptures as a family too.

My Dad taught me to snowboard. This seems like a small thing but it really isn't. Us kids got this snowboard to share for Christmas the winter that I was in 8th grade. My Dad and I ended up going snowboarding a lot that season. I would spend my breaks or lunch making sure that my homework was done so that I could go home and call dad to see if he could get off work early and go snowboarding. I would get the boards ready on top of the van, pack us dinner to eat when we got hungry and be all ready when Dad got home. Those van ride memories have become very special to me over the years. I remember us talking about the kind of guy that I wanted to marry, the importance of staying active and healthy in life and Dad telling me that I should go as far as I can in my education. He always told me that I could be a doctor or a lawyer because I was smart enough. When a person has that much faith in your potential, it goes a long way. I also remember us singing to the radio to songs like Aerosmith's I Don't Want To Miss a Thing and Dad making fun of it! I still laugh when I hear that song!

My Dad started the tradition of Half Price Happy Meals on Tuesday nights. This turned into a family event that we have all come to love. So...Dad pretty much rocks for that one too!

There are times that I will make a joke and I will realize so fully that I am my father's daughter completely! This picture of Aaron and Dad watching the Red Green Show reminds me of where my sense of humor comes from!

My Dad has got to be the hardest working person I've ever met in my life. He would go to work all day and then come home and help with homework, do scout stuff, and fix things around the house. I didn't ever think the day would come that I would admit that he was right when he would say that we were all one "teenage retirement". Looking back on it I realize that our house and my life would have been so different had my dad not cared so much to make our lives wonderful with so little recognition.

Even when we were on vacation he would be fixing stuff...I think this is at Kevin & Kristi's cabin...even if the job was stinky he still did it...

I just like this next picture because...oh wait...I can't even find dad...he blends in with nature! (one thing I also have to say here is that my dad has some great hats! He always has a hat in the car so that if he's out in the sun he can be protected and kept cool...and they are amazing hats!)

My Dad taught me how to handle boys, especially my brother! This is what would happen before or around family prayer in the evenings. We would end up playing around before we got serious enough to pray together. This was a triumphant moment and I was laughing sooo hard!

(Aaron's face is pretty good on this on!)

My Dad also rocks because he had the most amazing hog ever! He actually purchased a wrecked bike and through a lot of hard work and bidding for parts on Ebay this is how it turned out. Sometimes he would give me rides to work or him and Mom would go out for rides when they could steal a little time away together.

Isn't my Dad handsome? I love this picture. One thing I know is that I got my dad's smile and teeth. I love seeing him so happy and knowing that on this vacation he was able to relax (it was only with adults on Mom's side of the family...no kids!)

Dad traveled a lot for work as I was growing up. He always made sure to take a lot of pictures and explain where he went, the people that he met and the foods he ate. I know that I gained my love for traveling and learning new things from him sharing those experiences. He made sure to call home very often through those trips. When I was little I would always make him promise that he would come say good bye to me when there were times he left in the early morning while I was sleeping. He would come in and wake me up enough to say good bye and I would wake up and then just cry and cry after he left. I always missed him so much but it was so fun when he'd come home because he would bring us the BEST surprises! I still love some candy that he first brought back from Japan called Poifuls (I don't think I spelled that right) and even now they bring them back from China for me!

Another one of my dad's great hats. This one I know that I borrowed a time or two for country things like rodeos during high school. He looks good, huh?

This is another one of those special pictures. I love seeing our footprints in the sand as we walked side by side, another reminder that he's constant.

This has nothing really do to with Father's day but I found it in some pictures I was looking through. It just so perfectly describes the relationship of a 17 year old girl with her 12 year old brother...my look of disgust and his look of delight!

This was up at my grandparents house in Northern Idaho. My dad rocks because he is the king of taking pictures by just holding the camera out in front of his face. I saw so many pictures like this as I was looking through...and you know what's funny? They always say that you'll probably marry someone like your dad...Donny does it just as often!

This was on one of our trips to Oregon. I can't remember the name of this lake but Dad always made sure that as we traveled we took the scenic route and got out and enjoyed the scenery. This one involved a very long road afterwards that curved through moutains and made mom and I both car sick!...but it sure is beautiful and I'm glad we stopped.

This is one of my many adventures that was only made possible because of my Dad's hard work. He was going on a business trip so Mom and I met up with him in Amsterdam for a few days. This is a castle that we traveled to, can you see us poking our heads through?

Another Amsterdam picture...my Dad put up with a lot of my teasing over the years. My Mom saw this building and she told me to go touch it so that I could have my picture taken with something old. I shot right back and said that Dad should come stand too so that I can touch two old things. Now you know why his face says "I'm not impressed"! He's such a good sport and the older I get the more I realize how young he is!

Another picture taken by holding the camera out in front. We're in the Mustang and going out to eat Sushi in downtown Boise for Mom's birthday. Aaron is making a pretty great face!

Here's the Sushi we were eating...well, they were eating. I was just gagging. I think this picture of Dad is so fun!

My Dad has an amazing voice. This was his Barbershop Quartet...(please say I spelled that right...tuition dollars hard at work here) They sang together during Christmas and Valentine's Day. Dad always grew a beard for their performances because the other guys all already had facial hair and it was tradition. They always did a performance for family and close friends around Christmas and I always loved eating and listening to them sing. I still have their CD that they recorded shortly before one of the members moved away and ever since I left home it's been so fun to still hear my dad's voice.

This was one of the times that Mom and Dad came down to visit me in Provo. Mom has a lot of family in the area so it was always fun when they came because they'd get to see a lot of people. My Dad always stayed busy but he always made time for family. He taught me that family comes first and the need for making time to strengthen relationships.

This is a picture that was taken in China. Dad likes pies from McDonald's here in America and he likes this kind now in China...even though it's purple...which I just thought was gross. Apparently it's pretty good though. My Dad did teach me to always try new things!

My Dad is always a good sport, he's holding my pretty little umbrella by a river in China.

Here is one on the great wall. The Chinese do say that after you've been on the wall you're a hero. (at least that's how it translates) My dad is my hero and he's been to the great wall quite a few times now!

As I've written I have tried to find words that really describe my dad and the harder I try the more I realize that there really aren't words. As I've thought about him I've laughed and I've cried...and the things that I've said barely begin to describe my love and admiration. My Dad taught me so many life lessons. Ever since I've been away there have been days that I have been so down and discouraged and Dad has been the one that can say just the right thing. There are few things that make me happier than when my dad says that he's proud of me. He is a humble and amazing man, husband, father and grandad. I miss you Dad! I can't wait for you to be here! Thank you for all you've done to help make me into the person that I am today. I love you!

::YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT::

This year our family reunion is planned right around Ang's birthday and the whole family will be in Provo...so I'm putting together some options of good places in Provo (or the surrouning area) so she can start thinking about where she wants to go for her birthday dinner! Good luck Ang! (I know you said 15 words or less but let's be honest...I'm a woman of words!)

shootsrestaurant.com

-Chinese cuisine that is delicious! They have the BEST dessert ever! (we've gone just to order the dessert, it's that good!)

SHAVED ICE- Topped with fresh fruit and splashed with cream. Pick up to 3 fruits: Strawberry, Banana, Pineapple or Kiwi (may vary by season)

Costa is a classic for our family! We all love their food...so keep it in mind if you just want a classic!

-Baja-inspired foods with amazing flavor!

Don't forget the salads and the to-die-for Tres Leches!

-if you need more convincing...go to costavida.net

Zupas is another personal favorite...and I think Aimee will second this one!
-they are obsessed with soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts
I would recommend the California Turkey Sandwich and the Nuts About Berries Salad. All meals come with a roll and a chocolate covered strawberry...so delicious!
-look at the full menu at zupas.com

You may recognize this name...Donny and I went here for Donny's birthday.
-all you can eat Brazilian Grill with TONS of meat and an open salad bar with some tasty food!
-they will sing to you for your birthday in "tribal"
tucanos.com shows the different meats they serve and the best part...grilled pineapple!

For some of the tastiest pizza and Italian in town there is Brick Oven Pizza.
brickovenprovo.net
It was one of Provo's first pizza parlors and it is SOOOO good! Everything I've eaten from there has been fantastic!

For a yummy classic burger and fries (and the best ice cream!) The Creamery on 9th is the perfect place to go. It's a classic!

There are tons more options like Ottavio's, the Malt Shoppe, Burger Supreme, J Dawgs, Los Hermanos, The Pizza Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, P.F. Changs, Bombay House...and the list goes on...if you really want to see more options you can go to http://www.utahdinersguide.com/ and search your heart out. There are TONS of fun options in the area!

::COUCH AND FEET::

On Friday Donny called me from work to let me know that there was a couch at RC Willey that they were going to throw away. It had a little bit of damage to the wood on the bottom and the guy in charge of fixing things didn't think he could fix it...but of course, Donny thought of a way! He asked if he could take it home and that afternoon the adventure began...

With the help of a neighbor we got it up the stairs but with the design of our building we couldn't get it into the door without breaking it more. Our neighbor finally told us that he didn't think we'd get it in and basically gave up on helping us. Donny didn't want to give up so we kept trying. We finally did get it into the door without hurting the couch too much more but it was pretty hard. We've concluded that this couch is not getting back out of this apartment in one piece.

(one thing I should probably mention is that the people that we are subleasing from already have two couches in here...one that is already broken so we thought we were doing a favor by replacing it)

In this picture you can see the railing behind the couch and you can tell how low the roof is which proves why it was so hard to get this dang couch in the apartment.

At this point it was pretty well wedged into the door and we weren't sure if we were going to get it in but it was a huge step up from what our neighbor thought we'd do! But we rejoiced a little too early...

Donny is pouting because we realized that this couch is WAY too big for this apartment! It sits at least a foot taller than the other couch that already in here. The cushions are so big and deep that they could be compared to a twin size mattress. It really does take up the WHOLE living room!

But I love to cuddle on it because it so big and comfy! I didn't want to get rid of it right away but we're going to have to do something with it soon! We're way bummed that we have to get rid of it but there is no way that we can have it in here all summer!

Just so I end on a happy thought...
I don't have any flip-flops down here in Provo with me and we happened to go to K-Mart last night and found some on sale! So Donny bought me black ones and brown ones...they're so cute! (ignore my feet, I HATE feet but they are shoes after all...there is no flattering way to take a picture of feet!)

(and excuse the ridiculous toe nail painting job that hasn't had attention for a LONG time!)