Duck Beach

The OuterBanks of North Carolina are so beautiful.

Duck Beach 2010

What better time to visit DC Friends then when they're headed to the beach?

Kami and I had a fun drive back to DC.

I feel like playing 'I spy' with the stuff loaded on this jeep.

Last year, Carlie and I stopped at this roadside market in North Carolina. I was thrilled to find it again.

I think it's called Green something or other..market. It's about an hour from the beach on your way to DC. Yeah-I'm surprised we found too!

Chick-fil-a hit the spot.

I had a great week visiting family/friends in DC and staying in a beautiful beach house in OBX.

I wish SLC was closer to the ocean, a trip to Cali is in the works.

Happy Birthday Liberty Lois!

I have the most adorable nieces.
That I don't see nearly enough of.
Happy 6th Birthday Libby!

Sorry I missed your birthday party Lib.
Let's plan to do something fun soon.
We could go to the zoo and McDonalds?
Sounds like a date to me! xoxo

Spokane: Trip of GREATNESS!

My sister (Tawna), my cousin (Liz) and I took a road trip last week to Spokane to visit our adorable 93 year old grandpa.

Smokey the Bear in BFE Montana.

Growing up, we'd visit Pa & Grandma at their Coeur D'alene lake house.
We'd take a trip into 'town' (spokane) to buy school clothes, grab a bite at Dicks' and shop at the White Elephant (photos below).

Back in the day, burgers were only 25cents at Dicks'.
Prices are still pretty cheap.
I think my burger was 75cents. Lunch for the 4 of us cost $12.
Beat that McD's!

Check out Grandma's sweet earrings!

And Liz copying my pose.



These photos bring a smile to my face.

Having a fashion show with Grandma's clothes made me laugh til I cried.
I love these girls!

The White Elephant in Spokane. Best store ever.
They sell: hunting gear/fishing gear/other stuff and....
aisles and aisles of board games.
We LOVED this place as kids...and now as adults!

It was weird to visit Spokane without Grandma

sitting in her chair (left), laughing and telling us stories.

Pa is so happy, silly, and sweet.

I admire and love him so much.
Spokane is where he wants to be.
But it broke my heart to leave him there.

The first few hours of the drive home were so beautiful.

Here's a few shots from my laptop.

I scanned a bunch of old photos while I was there.
Isn't my Grandma beautiful?

Pa was a pilot for the Air Force during WWII.
He has a million stories to tell, if only i could remember them all!

Not a day goes by that I don't think about my Grandma.
We used to talk on the phone every week.

She'd pick up the phone with a smile and gave the best advice.
She always wanted to hear what was on my mind.
Oh Grandma, I miss you...

And so does Grandpa. The poor guy has a freezer FULL of juice and cookies.
(probably why he's put on a few pounds around the middle...)
He eats fish sticks and even ate INSTANT gravy when we went to the Country Buffet.
haha. GROSS!

It was a perfect and wonderful weekend. I wish she could've been there.
No empty seats. I know. I know. I promise to hold through on my end of the bargain!!

HAPPY EASTER/Conference/Birthday!

Easter is my favorite holiday.

This year was a triple celebration: Dad's birthday, General Conference and Easter.
Cousin Liz and Ben came.
Kala and her family came.
But Mick's family went to Disneyland instead..awesome and sad!

Reading thoughts and scriptures about the resurrection.
Hey Tawn-remember how I was sleep talking about the passover? weird..

For Dad's 69th birthday we compiled a list of our favorite 69 memories, characteristics, stories, etc about our old man.
My favorite moment that didn't make the list:
'Drinking O'Douls in the garage with Dad'
(obviously hiding from mom).
It was years and years ago, but it definitely happened.
haha, sorry to come clean mom!

The funnest part of Easter: the adult egg hunt.
Cody and Mick weren't there this year to trample everyone for the Golden Egg.

The Inlaws, Outlaws (siblings) and Guests playing games.
Some of us are more competitive than others.
I love how Kala asked Josiah, 'What!? Are you the winner of ALL games!?'

Josh, Joe and Liz competing in Chubby Bunny for some $$.

We played the paper bag game. We nearly had a 4 way tie til we lowered the bar..leaving Jonah and I tied for 1st place. I look at it this way, I'm as flexible as a 6 year old!

What a perfect day. Thanks mom for dinner and for putting up with all of our nonsense!
Next year, I plan to find the Golden Egg. BRING IT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Dear TAMI,
Thanks for being a devoted reader.
You have been a much needed blessing the last 5+ years.
Thank you especially for your moral support, words of encouragement and care packages while I was trotting the globe.
You're so direct and honest, I crack up reading your emails.
I absolutely adore you, if only we lived a little closer so we could grab lunch regularly.
Here's some fun pics from Phoenix's photo shoot last month, sorry it's taken me so long to send some your way.
I hope you have fun plans tonight.
We need to get together soon: dinner and/or movie are on me.

Taggart's so cute, tears and all!

Remember how Phoenix was begging me to sleepover?
She probably would've taken photos of herself all night long if I had.

Clark, if you're reading this...I apologize. This photo is awesome, I had to post it!

What a happy family!

And my personal favorite: widows peak with the webbed tongue!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the hottest mom around!

love you,
TABS