And here we have Idaho

When I was a little kid my grandpa Huntsman took us a few times on trips that required passing the Idaho state border. Such times called for this...ok so grandpa didn't throw in the "yeah!" but you get the point. While in Idaho this weekend we got news that my grandma Huntsman passed away. There are some mixed feelings about that situation so I'm not gonna write more now. But we'll miss you grandma!

So back to this weekend. Back in May apparently my cousin Sara got married. I along with many others, heard about said wedding when we received her reception announcement in the mail. It was a very small ceremony on the side of a mountain. Very fitting for Sara. So the parents, Maiken and the kids and I trekked it up for a short visit yesterday.

The kids were most excited about the hotel. Apparently large beds, and beds where you can see the tv are all it really takes to make a kid happy.

I on the other hand was most impressed with the kitchen. If your hotel room has a nicer kitchen than you do is it, A) a sign that you are staying in a very nice hotel, or B) a sign that you have a crappy kitchen.

And lets not forget the microwave popcorn waiting, with its own popcorn bowl

Ok on to Dan and Gail's house, which sadly I had never been too before. And since I'm pretty sure one of my other sister's has never either, a few pics.

Free-range chickens. They have quite the spread. And love popcorn. Not from our hotel, just a coincidence.

Part of the garden and view

Deck that I would love. If I had a view. And a house.

Now off to the town to find the right golf course where the reception was. And don't be fooled! There are 2 golf courses, on the same road. To add to the joy of driving in Pocatello, there are many one-way streets. Guess the grid system didn't make it up past the Utah border. And there are also streets that just don't exist according to google maps. Damn google maps. Slight detour along the way, but hey a cool playground!

Yeah I know I couldn't get a good shot, but remember when all playgrounds seemed to have large tractor tires? Maybe just here? And tire swings. And old wood play structures that gave you horrible splinters but just seemed more fun? Or maybe its just cause I was a kid back then.

Back on the road. A little pie hole anyone?

Made it to the golf course. I don't think I'm part of the country club crowd. I did love the mix in the bathroom of the metal lockers and the leather benches. Shabby Chic?

A friend of Sara's made the cake and decorated all of these cupcakes with butterfly chocolates. They were pretty cool.


The happy couple. Definitely NOT your typical wedding. Yes those are the outfits they were married in. Again very Sara and I love that it was her.

Sadly I did not get a good picture of Will showing off his break dancing moves on the dance floor.

Lucia found a very willing dance partner in Gail

Today we got up and took advantage of the hotel pool. Except that Lucia forgot the bottoms to her swim suit, and I only grabbed Will's floaty raft and NOT the floaty ring. Oh well. They some how survived. And I was actually able to swim a few laps which I love. But I have fears about swimming laps at the city pool even though I could get in for free. But not the point.

Gail's family were all going over to Fort Hall on the way home, so we tagged along.

Will wanted to run around and play solider. I'm not good at playing solider.

Why hello mr. bear

And someone, who shall remain nameless feed the elk some leaves. No it wasn't Will.

It was a very pretty elk though. And I really wanted to pets its fuzzy antlers. But I respect the separation we must have from animals. Yes I'm looking at you. You know who.

On the drive back I noticed my oil change sticker and that I am very close to having driven 3,000 miles in one month. That's just a tad too much. Its been a fun month, but I need a break. And I'm extra glad that I took that automotive class and found out that you do NOT need to change your oil every 3,000 miles. Its a scam people!

And so long from the road.

We had our weekly pilgrimage to the pool today. Will's first visit to the pool was when he was 9 months old. (not counting the in-utero visit) I put him down at the edge of the pool and just waited to see what he would do. He crawled right in, never pausing until he was head first in the water. I had to run after him because I wasn't expecting that reaction. Sadly I don't have any pictures from the pool that year, but this was from that summer. Ah, what a cutie.


His fearlessness in the pool disappeared after that. Cousin Lucia took over and became the dare devil putting her head under water, jumping off the side, attempting flips under water, but Will was content to keep his head above. Until today. Lucia was showing me her "new" tricks. Which I'm pretty sure I saw last week and I'm pretty sure were all mostly the same trick, but still cute. I just randomly made a comment to Will that maybe someday he would put his head under water like Lucia. For some reason that was all it took today. Cousin rivalry.

(from last year)

Will just went over, and put his face in the water. Aunt M said he should plug his nose and try it and then he was hooked. Over and over and over again. Then he tried Lucia's goggles and the rest of the time at the pool was spent finding ways to have water splashed in his face and dunking his head, and grinning that it didn't get in his eyes. It was like he invented something he was so proud.

Will inherited my lack of adventure so even though there are kids much younger than him at the pool dunking under water, and it may not seem like a big deal, this mama is extremely proud today! Way to go bug.

Video - cause I couldn't get it to upload on here. And didn't realize I cut it off so quickly, but still, you get the idea.

Laughs and Tears

Tonight we were invited up to Salt Lake to go to a free movie in the park with my cousins. Pre-movie at their apt, Lucia was very entertained with the snails outside.


And don't even think about just taking a bench from the complex. They're one step ahead of you.

So off to the movie. Three Amgois. Which I've actually never seen anything more than just clips of. It was a lot of fun and good company. I mean how could you not have fun with this bunch.



And for Katy. We didn't get a face shot but this girl was rockin her clown size venetian blind glasses. I swear Max Headroom used to wear glasses like that. Not the clown size ones, but he venetian blind ones. But Google did not agree with me. Does anyone else remember that? Maybe a made up memory. I have those.


After the movie we were walking back to our cars and I was telling my cousin Emily how much I love that area of town. All of the houses are gorgeous. The picture I took of my favorite didn't turn out, but here's an example.


Not a great pic, but all nice homes, beautiful yards, and I was mentioning how much I love Salt Lake. And times like that really make me want to move up there. I just love the feel in that part of town. Then we got to our cars and found these on our windows.


I take back that part about loving Salt Lake. Thanks for reminding me of one of the evils of big cities, parking. Now I will fully admit that I did see the no parking after 10 p.m. signs. (movie started at 9) But every street around the park had those signs. And everyone else was parking there. So we figured they aren't gonna ticket 100 cars at an event sponsored by the city when there isn't even a parking lot at the park are they? Guess so.

Now I will pay my $30, but accompanying that check will be a letter stating that maybe they can use the estimated $3,000 they just made in parking fines to build a parking lot at the park. Or at least make sure on the advertising to mention parking issues and maybe give suggestions where you can park. Because apparently you can't park at the park!! I have already sent an email also to the event organizers suggesting the same.

Ok, time for home. Welcomed back into Utah County with dead stop construction traffic. Awesome. Exactly what I needed to end the night. UDOT, I greatly appreciate your electronic signs warning of upcoming traffic issues. Maybe, maybe instead of saying "Congestion ahead", you could try "3 of the 4 traffic lanes are closed. Get the hell off the freeway." Just a suggestion.

I need a massage. And I'm really not looking forward to driving back up to Salt Lake in the morning.

Foto Friday

Tree fingers. Along my favorite after-work hike.


Sorry mom, you're taking too long to post yours, the yummy, homemade, straight from the garden, strawberry rhubarb pie. I just want to lick that bowl of fresh whip cream clean. (bowl also made my mom, pretty talented lady)

Lucky Streak

So last week it seemed like maybe I was having a lucky streak. Lottery tickets were graciously purchased in my honor. Turns out my luck does not travel to NY. Sorry Marty! But I got my PA scratch offs in the mail, and guess what?! Wait for it....wait for it...I WON!

$2. I want my two dollars!

Better than nothing right? Tangent that will return...the building I live in has swamp coolers in the upper units (although I heard from a friend that used to live in them that they aren't good) and the bottom units have a little window ac unit. That does absolutely nothing to cool the air. It does make a lot of noise if you want to create ambiance with really annoying motor sounds. I choose not to.

So last week...noticed that the building across from mine had ac units installed in the back of the lower units. Like REAL ac. Not fake window fan ac. So hopes started building...then on Saturday the apt. next to mine had one installed. Now hope is really building except for the odd fact that I haven't heard anything from my landlord. Isn't this something I would hear about? Is everyone getting ac except for me? Could it be?

Last night I went for a hike up the canyon, out of cell range. When I came back into range I had a message. From my landlord. Yay! Telling me that they would need to get into my apt this week. Yay! So that they could run a line through my furnace room to the upper unit where they are installing ac. What the!?! Of course now when I go back and look I can see the lines all running up the walls on the previously installed. But man what a tease.

Enjoy your ac upper neighbors. Someday you may be mine. But for now I am officially declaring my lucky streak, or moment, or flash, over.

NOT my ac waiting to be installed. Just a tease. At least we have had a unusually cool summer so far. Please don't let the weather change just because I said that.

ETA: I JUST got this email: "Is it too HOT outside? Sears has all your AC needs"
CREEPY!