ASPEN GROVE GOODNESS

Aspen Grove camp ground has been a favorite place to camp since I was little... and about the only kind of camping I will do. The sites are all layed out with picnic tables and fire pits, but it is still woodsy and you feel removed from the world there. It is so beautiful!!!! Grandpa reserved the spot the weekend before the kids started school. In fact, Kristina's kids had to go down the mountain for their first day of school the morning we got up! (My kids had one extra day.) What a great little treat at the end of a great summer.

The walk around the grove...mixed in with a little hide and seek.

Can you see the squirrel?


Waking up to that fresh mountain air.

COWABUNGA

Thanks to Karla's computer savyness, our family is now Simpsonized. Thanks Karla, that is so funny! Even Simpsonized, I want to wake up Shaun so I can squeeze him. (By the way, thanks to my genius, I, Amy Porter, was able to get this picture from my email to my blogspot. I am NOT too old for computers!!!!!!!)

VAUGHN DOES A SURVEY (VOLUNTARILY)

4 jobs I've held:
1. Contra Costa Times Paper boy.
2. Leatherby's bus boy
3. Worked on a loading dock and hated every minute of it (twice)
4. Transporting juvy kids to behavior camps

4 Movies I could watch over and over:
1. Casino Royale
2. She's Having a Baby
3. Nacho Libre
4. Raising Arizona

4 smells I love:
1. Shaun after a bath cover with baby lotion
2. My uncle's farm after a rain
3. Amy's head
4. Amy's perfume

4 places I've lived:
1. Walnut Creek, CA
2. Rexburg, ID where I met the best woman ever
3. Japan as a missionary
4. New York (when I'm at work)

4 TV shows I enjoy:
1. The Office
2. My Name is Earl
3. Everybody Loves Raymond
4. Oprah (just kidding) Lost and 24: both needed to be included

4 places I've been on vacation:
1. Switzerland
2. Australia
3. Hawaii
4. Mexico

4 favorite restaurants:
1. Bajio's
2. Chipotle
3. Panera's
4. Maurice Bessingers Piggy Park

4 websites I visit daily:
1. Hellojetblue.com
2. Comcast
3. Flicka
4. Porterparty.blogspot.com

4 places I'd rather be right now:
1. Isn't that the same as places I've been on vacation? (refer)
2. Anywhere with Amy
3. Anywhere with the kids
4. Anywhere without the kids

4 people I'm challenging to do this:
1. Nelson
2. The Pope
3. Ronald McDonald
4. Mike (cause I had to)
5. Stan Kolen

MISS POTTER

If you haven't seen the movie MISS POTTER with Renee Zellweger, you must see it. It is now out on DVD. Go rent it. As for me, I'm going to go buy it and that is saying a lot because I HATE buying videos. Who really watches videos more than once, even if you like it? Sometimes you pull out an old goodie, there are a few, but for the most part there isn't that much out there that is good enought to watch over and over....but, this is one of those movies! Don't try to find out about it or see any previews on the internet, the ones I looked at to link to this post kind of ruin the fun. JUST GO RENT IT.

(I am being a little dramatic about it I know, but it really is good!) And you MUST reply to this post and let me know what you think once you've seen it, or if you already have seen it, let me know if you loved it as much as I do or if I was just in a weird mood.

My First Survey!

My friend Jodi and my sister Karla both challenged me to answer the following questions. I have been tagged by Kristina before and maybe Alisa, but never did it. Never knew how, but Karla told me how. I loved reading all their answers and it got me thinking about what I would say... so here goes.

4 jobs I've held:
1. Orange Julius at the mall.
2. "Recess Lady" at Rock Canyon
3. Old Word Perfect stock room (with Vaughn: I quit after a week or so, he kept on for longer)
4. International Library Service working for Dad

4 Movies I could watch over and over:
1. Napoleon Dynamite
2. Raising Arizona
3. The Christmas Story (with the kid in glasses who gets a b.b. gun)
4. Gods Must Be Crazy

4 smells I love:
1. The top of Shauns head
2. Wet cement/rain--I'm with you Karla, its the best!
3. Chalk dust
4. Vaughn's cologne

4 places I've lived:
1. Brazil where I was born and lived until I was 6
2. Various places in Utah
3. Rexburg, Idaho where I went to college
4. Various places in Minnesota where I was a missionary

4 TV shows I enjoy:
1. The Office...if the kids are in bed
2. Morning devotionals on channel 11 while I clean the kitchen
3. News shows like 20/20 or Nightline if I ever remember to turn them on
4. Oprah

4 places I've been on vacation:
1. Mexico
2. California
3. Brazil
4. Washington, D.C.

4 favorite restaurants:
1. Brick Oven
2. Kneaders
3. Panera's
4. Olive Garden for their appetizers

4 websites I visit daily:
1. Blogs. Wish more of my family would do them!
2. My email
3. Jetblue when Vaughn is flying to see if his flights are safe and on time
4. I google everything, too...wish I had stock in google!

4 places I'd rather be right now:
1. My favorite place is in my house when it's clean and the kids are asleep
2. Anywhere on vacation where there is a beach
3. On a date with Vaughn
4. House hunting...I love looking through houses

4 people I'm challenging to do this:
1. Alisa
2. Kristina
3. Vaughn
4. Mike

San Francisco Sun

Hey, JetBlue opened up flights from SLC to San Diego and San Francisco and so being crazy and spontaneous, we decided to hop aboard a flight to S. F. for fun this week. It was a great little get-a-way for us. (Spur of the moment is the only way we seem to do anything around here!) Vaughn loved flexing his "free flying priviledge" muscles as it was the first time the kids have been able to take advantage of that and also by making sure the flight attendants kept the goodies comming. (Now, can anyone tell me how to make the rest of the trip free?!!) Anyway, we had a great time visiting Walnut Creek just outside of S.F. where Vaughn grew up and seeing his childhood home, church, schools and the Oakland Temple. While driving through his old neighborhood, the kids were quick to notice and had to point out that Vaughn's paper route did NOT seem to go up hill both ways! We also went to Pier 39 and ate at a fancy resturant where the kids could look out over the water and see the seals. We did some shopping and bought matching sweatshirts as it was actually cool as we walked around. Of course, we had to go to the beach! Getting wet is always the best part of any vacation, followed closely by jumping from bed to bed in the hotel! We had a great time!

Near Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz

Looking in the doors of Vaughns church. The kids were wondering if Dad's benches were as hard and uncomfortable as theirs!

Vaughns childhood home.... oh the sweet memories!
Oakland Temple
Pier 39 and matching sweatshirts
Chasing (or rather being chased by) waves!

Shaun in the sand

chasing away the birds.....

Kaleb's Camera Corner

Kaleb doesn't just take silly pictures, he also takes cute pics of Shaun all the time. Here are two. This pic shows Shaunners enjoying some tunes in Sasha's princess chair. He looks good in pink! Rock on Shaun! I LOVE THAT MUG! He's taking a nap right now and it almost makes me want to wake him up so I can bite those cheeks.......I said almost!

Viva Las Vegas

A quick getaway to Vegas planned around noon the day we left. It turned out to be fun. Sometimes that is the way I have to take vacations...just get in the car and go somewhere. Of course swimming was at the top of the list every day we were there. The kids love getting wet.

Kaleb is saving up for this car...I hope he earns his money babysitting for me! (I'll have LOTS of time for blogging!)

We have to eat here every time we come. I was hungry, so it tasted good.

Future Employee of the Month (They really got excited about working here when they read and learned about their paid vacation benefit! )

A stop at FAO Toy Store in Caesar's Palace.

Shaun couldn't be happier, even if it isn't obvious by this picture.

Here we sit like barnacle's on a pirate ship, waiting for the show to start....

At the end of the trip, we make our way up the hill to the best place in Vegas...the temple. It is a great contrast to the loud city and we all take time to feel the spirit and enjoy the peace.

Number 6 for Sasha

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SASHA SUE (I LOVE YOU!) Sasha has the happiest laugh and we can't get enough of her giggles!

Nana is Sasha's first birthday visitor...usually is. She comes just before we go to swim.

Opening her present ! Oh the suspense! Along with her present, Nana has wrapped lots of different love notes!

Sashas prefered birthday activity...SWIMMING. Actually, it doesn't have to be her birthday to go swimming, hence her "Little Mermaid" swimsuit because she is Our little mermaid!

Shaun gets tired of Sasha's partying ways and takes a nap on Vaughn's chest while sitting in the pool!

Later that night, we meet at Carl's Jr. for birthday cake, presents and lots of yelling and screaming from all cousins. I didn't have to cook or clean up... it was great!

Fourth of July Fun

The annual trip to Center Street in Provo for the 4th of July Parade! Our family has been attending this for decades!

Later that night we meet up with the cousins for fireworks in front of the Provo Temple

Shaun didn't like the fireworks so much.....

But thats ok, Vaughn and Mike seem to be having a really good time!