the great outdoors

paul and i had talked about going camping for a couple weekends and finally this weekend worked. we took care of some of the things we needed to do on saturday morning, paul got home and we packed, went to harmon's for some of the things we needed (cookies, marshmallows and grapes). 

we thought we would go up american fork canyon because it wouldn't take us long to get there. we got to the ranger station and found that all the sights were full for the night, but if we wanted to go further up and find a spot off the side of the road, we would be able to have that for a mere $6 (3-day pass). we were game and headed past tibble lake. i was so glad we took the truck because our little altima would be missing an oil pan and a couple of tires. the road was horrible. i would look over at paul and see him grinning because the truck can do anything! he was really cute to watch. i was the stressed one because i didn't want to pop a tire or hit the crazy 4-wheelers. we passed a few spots and they just didn't seem like home, so we kept going. finally, we saw one nestled in the trees. we stopped, backed up and set up camp. 

as i looked around the site, i realized there were no bathrooms to be seen and i hadn't seen one for a while (that situation was a little scary...truthfully i didn't want any creatures to bite my bum). we also noticed the sight next to us and it had a lot more shade than ours did (paul said several times he learned to scope out other sights before settling for the full sun, well until after 5).

we brought up uno, phase 10 and skip-0. we talked a lot, watched the huge killer ants, laughed, enjoyed the few minutes of rain, watched the trillion 4-wheelers pass by, breathed in a lot of dust, got dinner ready (my favorite hot dogs :(), and had cookies and milk, i roasted marshmallows while paul had sm'ores (how ever you spell it), learned about our water purifiers, drank river water, boiled water on our little stove, laughed a lot more, brushed our teeth, and lights out.

my favorite memories: 1-watching paul set up camp, he has a definite way of setting up 2-learning how to work our purifiers and little stove 3-watching families have a good time on the 4-wheelers 4-just being with paul 5-so happy to be outside!

the things i learned: 1-i can squat (tmi, but i don't care, i was proud) 2-our truck is tough 3-we need to be better prepared (didn't bring a hammer, broom, wet wipes (hence the boiling hot water) and no face wash)

paul's favorite memories: 1-learning how to work the stove and purifiers 2-being with ash 3-finally camping 4-sharing our wood with our camping neighbor as we heard his chainsaw 5-playing games

paul's things he learned: 1-checking out the other campsites before we settle for one 2-be better prepared 3-ash is the bomb!

we had a great time and can't wait to go again...

-ash

1-2-our campsite 3-the road up to our site 4-the river next to our site 5-my happy camper next to the tough one 6-paul and i

be careful...

a few years ago, someone mentioned that i look like julia roberts. she seemed very serious and i thought how sweet. then i looked at a picture of her and thought..."what a cruel joke...she is gorgeous and i look NOTHING like her". 

i made the mistake of telling kelsie's friend jaynann that i look like her and i don't hear the end of it. we were at a movie once, and jaynann ran up behind me and said "oh look, its julia...wait, your too short"! (my heart broke) 

yesterday i went to harmon's to pick a few things up for dinner. i walked around the cheese bar, and i heard... "kelsie, it's julia roberts....wait, your too short". yes, it was kelsie and josh getting a few things for their date. they were having quite the laugh...

-ash

what would mike do?

my cousin charles has been working at amen chassis in tennessee on some really cool motorcycles. while we were there visiting, a reality tv series was spotlighting the talent of his boss mike. charles would come home from work and share a few details about what was happening, but for the most part, was very tight-lipped about the show. all he told me was to wait for the show to start in july. well, it is that time and i can't wait to see it. my cousin is the handsome dark eyed, brown haired boy they call chuck. it will air on fox sports for 13 episodes and it is called "what would mike do?" click here to see more. 

-ash

freezer jam-fest

[i was going to make my own fun picture on photo shop with sparkle letters, my face talking about my jam, and maybe the scent of strawberries (but that part is impossible), instead i borrowed this from my friend lindsay]

i am not scared for this moment (i think lindsay is getting a little nervous)...i am ready for this moment...bring the REAL butter, homemade rolls and taste buds...lets do this. you know what they say, a little good competition is good for the soul.
-ash

fireworks

i was so excited for our firework display this year. mom put paul and ransom in charge of them. after tearing down the pebbles booth at the freedom festival, they ran to grab some. the rest of us headed to dad and mom's house and got the blankets ready. while we waited, we watched our neighbors incredible show. our other neighbors had the huge ones that shoot up in the air. i had no idea what to expect. paul and ransom showed up with some impressive fireworks. the closer ransom looked at it, he realized it wasn't a rocket. they lit it and i saw their faces drop. it was really sad. after our little 5-10 minute show, we got into our truck and headed to an empty lot to watch the stadium fireworks. we were further away than i thought and the fireworks we okay. usually they are awesome, but this year wasn't as cool. next year, we are going to have a really cool show! i can't wait.
-ash

4th of july

i love the 4th of july! i love this holiday and i love america. paul and i started the day working the booth during the parade. it was a lot of fun working with him. i over heard paul telling ladies "make memories today and then come see us". it was adorable. we shared a funnel cake and he helped me pass out flyers. i loved being there with all the festivities. i wish we had taken pictures (next year!). 

we then got home and made shirts like crazy for dad, josh and lindsey (i will post next) and we went to see dad's parents and his siblings. we had a bbq, i talked with alex about keith urban, we played wiffle ball, brent tried to catch the ball in the pool, lots of visiting, great homemade ice cream, and great company.

-ash

dads birthday

 

linds and i worked the pebbles booth at the freedom festival. dad, mom, abby, katie, ransom and conrad met us down there after our shift to walk through it. it was a lot of fun to see our flag on shirts and waved in the air everywhere. even though it was hot a sticky, we had a great time.

we then headed up the canyon with dinner to celebrate dad's 51st birthday. it was nice to unwind and relax. we came home and opened presents and had his favorite blueberry cheese pie.

-ash

birthday omlets

we started dad's birthday with omelets. paul and ransom had to work early, so they weren't able to be there. it ended up being just us girls and conrad. it was nice to surprise dad with breakfast and spend time with him. happy birthday dad! paul and i love you...

-ash