Fee Free National Park Weekend

This last weekend, I went my ward, Holladay 30th down to Moab.  Unbeknown to us until we were headed south, it was Fee Free National Park Weekend!  We were going to hike for free in Arches National Park!  What a great surprise!

Our group got down to Moab on Friday night and setup camp at the Moab KOA.  We had dutch oven dinner, and the night air was warm and inviting.  We all stayed up talking and just enjoying ourselves.  But when we went to bed, since many of us did not take tents, we were able to look at the thousand of stars in the night sky.  I haven't seen so many stars at once in a very long time.  So beautiful!

The next morning our group got up and split into two.  About 15 who decided to go bike Slick Rock, and another 15 who decided to hike through the park.  I went with the hikers.  We hiked Delicate Arch first, and then Double-O Arch.  It was hot and dry, but I loved every minute of being out there!

The arch looked exactly like my license plate...only with people all around!

Lucio, Me, Sarah P at Delicate Arch

Maid Marian in the Making

This week's new Something isn't technically new I guess.  But close enough for me.

A few weeks ago I went on a date to the Salt Lake Archery Co.  It was fun!  Enough so, that I found a couple of girl friends to come back with me.  We've started a "special interest group" for our relief society.  Twice a month we go to the archery range!  Last night was our first try at it.  The two girls I went with are pretty good and it was their first time!

Something New

What do I do every day?  I can't quite say.  Every Sunday night I think about how its gonna be an entire work week before I have freedom again, and then before I know it, it's Friday and I'm headed home.  But then because of my crazy busy life, before I know it, its again Sunday night and I'm heading into another work week.  Where did spring go????

Well, here's what I'm going to do to remedy the situation.  I'm gonna try, do, or learn something NEW every week and post about it! :)

So what will I do this week?

I'm going to learn the process of petitioning for a new law in Utah.  This idea came about after watching some lady drive the entire way between intersections in the TURN LANE probably because she had a dog on her lap and wasn't so aware.  How many times have you seen a dog on the driver's lap causing distractions.  And they say texting is bad...how about not being able to turn the wheel even if you know you need to???

Beautiful Monday

Only two days ago, we said our final goodbyes to my Grandmother, Dorothy. It was bittersweet, but more sweet than bitter. I was so happy for all that awaited her in the next life that I found it hard to be sad. I will miss her though. She was so vibrant!
It is amazing how much you learn about a person once they are gone. That is how her funeral was for me. So much was left untold. I learn more and more about her all the time.

I believe that next to staying righteous and raising a righteous family, her two greatest accomplishments were:
1. Making everyone she met feel like he or she was truly special in her heart...because it was true.
2. Not letting a moment pass her by without thoroughly enjoying it.

Both of these attributes made her the woman we all adored and admired. And as a perfect tribute to her and her near perfection, Monday couldn't have been a more perfect day to lay her earthly body to rest. The temperature was ideal, the sky was clear and bright blue, there was a slight breeze, and the sun shone bright. The Lord had welcomed her home with a gorgeous day!

My grandmother was nothing less than amazing!
You can read her obituary here.

These beautiful flowers came from Monday. There were so many flowers sent to our family, that I got to take them home. They are sitting in my kitchen. I love the reminder.

Lost and Found

Ever wonder what pictures are on your camera?

I sure do. My room has been a disaster since I started "deep cleaning" it...ya know, when you go through EVERYTHING and clean it up? Sometime since the kickoff of this seemingly forever-long process, I misplaced my camera.

Today, I Found It!

Now, I must play catch up.


February

Ali & Sami turned 3!
Can you believe the amazing cake my sister made?
She's becoming quite the chef these days!
Ali and Sami are becoming the sweetest girls. They are definitely best of friends. They do everything together. It is such a joy to see their friendship.



Monster Jam
I went with a bunch of friends to the 'Monster Jam' monster truck rally. I have to admit, I like the demolition derby better than the monster truck rally. But it was still a lot of fun!



Earplugs totally saved me that night! No ringing ears for me!

(With Travis. Ummm...we're not dating. Its just the only pic of me from that night. I guess we were dating then, but not now. :) )

And for your Viewing Pleasure...

In Loving Memory

Dorothy Kimball Keddington Dyer
Feb 16, 1915 - April 13, 2010

This past weekend, I spent as much time as possible at the bedside of my Grandmother. At 95 years old, she has seen so many amazing things happen. Her life was full of excitement, adventure, and fun. She taught her family to seize opportunity by using a single phrase,
"Your IQ Demands It."

It has been such a blessing to learn from her and to be a witness to her amazing life.
Below are 3 beautiful pictures of her.
Her head shot. She was a big time local performer - singing and acting. Everyone who knew her, loved her!
On the beach in California having a blast as always
Her 80th birthday. I hope I can look that good when I'm 80!



For her 95th birthday in February, I compiled several stories and pictures of my Grandma that were sent to me by cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and more. So many lives have been touched by her. It was my pleasure to create this memory book. I learned so much more about her beautiful life. I felt like I was finally viewing a season of her life that was always unknown to me. I am so grateful I had the blessing of getting to know her so much better before her last days.

Click here to view this photo book larger

As sad as I am to no longer have her in my life, I am excited for her. Her dearest Love, Samuel Richard Keddington, passed away nearly 40 years ago. It has been so long since they have been able to embrace. I can only imagine the beautiful reunion that took place when she finally left her mortal body behind. I never knew him, but I can tell from stories that he is much like my own father. With that knowledge, I know the reunion was sweet. Oh the joy!

There is no doubt I will miss her.
She is my inspiration.

Holy HOLI Batman!

Saturday, I spent the afternoon in Spanish Fork at the Hare Krishna temple for this...
HOLI - Festival of Colors

I ran into my all time favorite photographer, Scott Jarvie, at the festival. He took tons of pictues of my friends and posts them all on his website for us to see. I just love his work!

"Jarvie Window"

Try breathing in all that chalk! The scent of all the chalk gave me the worst headache, and my clothes did not come clean! Note to self: next year buy some clothes at the DI before going. But oh how fun it was!