Beach Bon Fire!--Our Last California Hurrah!

Since Matt and I are moving mid-August we thought it would be great to gather all of our friends together for one last hurrah! We decided to host a beach bonfire at "hole in the fence" for about 50 people (1/2 adults, 1/2 children). Securing a pit was really our major concern and knew a tiny hibachi was definitely not going to cut it for roasting hot dogs and smores for our large party! So, Matt and I headed to the beach early Saturday morning around 9:30am thinking we would be fine because the place we were heading to had 33 pits, but as we drove down the beach and noticed most pits were occupied, the more worried we got! Luckily, we did find ONE open pit! ---crazy! So, we snaked it, and didn't leave our spot for the ENTIRE day!

We had a fun-filled evening surrounded by great company, eating yummy Smores!!

Thank you to all who were able to make it! It was really fun!! We will miss all of our friends here and hope to continue to remain close! Here are some fun pics to mark this memory!! Please enjoy!

ClaireCollin and Dylan
Danali and Mom-Julia
Claire, Grace, Abby, Ian, and Dylan
Ammon and Micah
Gracie
Micah

Cara & Ben
Laura, Mesia and Matt
Wow! Lots of people in this one!
Lucy upside down!
Large crew here!

Becky with her baby, Malia
The Harps crew
Elle's best photography shot! :)
Gabe
Grayson walking!! yeah!

Thomas and Lauren!
Cole
Abby!
Vaughn

Becky is the queen of Smores!
Colin and Jason
Olivia and Elle

Eden, Steve and Dylan
Reese crew, McGreggor Crew and Andrea!
Jason and Ryder
McGreggor Crew!

All the chicks and Matt!

20 Month Sabbatical

Much has gone on since our last entry! Matt and I have decided to head to Utah this August so Matt can attend BYU’s MBA program…Yahoo!! He got in! This was a tough decision for us both, but felt this would be best for our family! Now that we have a plan in place we are excited and looking forward to this adventure; however, we are very sad to leave family and close friends. We know this will be a bit of a transition for us, but feel very blessed knowing we are going to a place where a lot of our family and friends reside--so thank you! As we get down to the wire here things are a little crazy! We are packing, trying to rent our condo, transferring our adoption case and I'm looking for employment while Matt attends school full-time. We will be leaving mid-August and hope to be back to Cali April 2010, but we’ll see!! It all depends on where he lands a job afterwards. Well, if that isn't enough!! Ha! Ha! We are so excited! Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers with regards to adoption! We can't wait for our Heavenly Father to bless us with a little spirit! Take care!

Havasupai Camping Trip

Matt and I went backing to Havasupai last weekend with our good friends, Rick and Marie. Havasuapi is a very remote place located about 66 miles from Kingman, Arizona. Wow! What a beauty! We drove out last Wednesday night, got to the rim at about 9pm and slept until about 4:30am. At this time we loaded up our packs and started to head down the mountain to reach our destination. The only way to reach this place is on foot, horseback or helicopter. The hike itself was not difficult; however, what was difficult was carrying a 40lb pack. I realized at this moment I probably packed too much! Oh, well!! My body is definitely sore even 'til this day...ugh! But, hey, it was well worth it! At about 8 miles in we hit the village of Supai, a Native American tribe. Pretty amazing! These natives have lived here all their life! I can see why...it is so remote and absolutely breath taking! We stayed three nights and then took the helicopter out because Marie was pregnant. We were so grateful she was pregnant, because there was no way I was going to lug my crap uphill for 10 miles! Anyway, enjoy our shots!!

Backpacking into Supai!

Overlooking one of the many waterfalls!

Another amazing waterfall!


Self portrait!

Aerial shot of the canyon

Aerial shot of our hiking trail

Aerial shot of the Supai Village

Whew! We made it!

Bitter-Sweet!

This past school year I was asked to teach an early morning bible study class to the Freshman and Sophomores that go to a local high school. I was excited for this opportunity, but a little worried since the class was Monday through Friday from 5:45am-6:30am. I was concerned with how I was going to balance this with my job and my family! Ugh! I was really worried! Aside from the usual worries I accepted the assignment! I am so glad I did! I had never read the Old Testament. The verbiage in the Old and New Testaments is really difficult for me to understand as it's written in the King James version. With a lot of prayer, and teacher/student manuals I began to understand what was written so that I could teach it to these precious youth! It was hard at times balancing everything, but in the end it all worked out! On Sunday we had seminary graduation and I was so proud of myself to have gotten through it! I must say even though it was early and tough to balance at times, the benefits were beyond what I had expected! I had such an amazing experience learning about this book! I have to say at this point, it is my favorite! I love all the stories! I don't mean for this site to be preachy, churchy or too mushy spiritual but I'd love to share with you an experience I had about a year ago when I prayed to my Heavenly Father. I was asking him to help me better understand the Old Testament. I knew the Old Testament had a lot of information concerning the organization of God's church here on the earth, as well as with the structure and other things that pertain to the temple. I wanted to learn more about these two things because I knew what had been revealed in ancient times applies to us today. About a month later I was ask by my local church leaders to teach this course. I couldn't believe it! It was truly an answer to my prayers! (Next time I will be careful what I pray for :)) This has been a great experience. It helped strengthen my testimony about my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. It was a testimony to me that God does reveal things to His prophets here on the earth that, in turn, helps us. I am truly grateful to my Heavenly Father for this experience. This fall I am scheduled to teach the New Testament. I look forward to having another amazing year!

Fun Filled Weekend!

WE LOVE DISNEYLAND!

After work on Friday Matt and I hit D-Land! We have annual passes and try to go often, but unfortunately, we both had not been to D-Land together in a few months! We had a blast!

California Adventure

Disneyland!

Buzz Light Year! I can't seem to beat Matt! Ugh!

SATURDAY MORNING HIKE!
Saturday morning Matt and I went hiking up El Moro Canyon (North Laguna). We are trying to prepare ourselves for our upcoming Havasupai trip! It was a gorgeous day; as you can see! I know this is not the Rocky Mountains but the Southern California mountains near the beach are just as beautiful in its own special way. I absolutely love it! Enjoy!

Yikes, snakes!!

This is for Jamers and Uncle Adam---Our Maui Trip!

Matt and I went to Maui with mom and Ray for a week in April! It was totally awesome!! Here are some pictures to share...

1 picture: dinner with mom and Ray

2 picture: Sunset on Maui

3 Picture: Whale watching

4 Picture: Whale watching