Merry Christmas!

We had a fabulous Christmas day spent at home with family ... details to come later.

remembering NEWPORT

WARNING: a crazy amount of photos ahead ....

In August we were able to go visit my parents in Washington. For the weekend we decided to head to the Oregon coast to a place called Newport Beach. We had a wonderful time and three days there was not long enough.

Above us is the condo we stayed in. We were on the third floor and had an amazing view. We also go our exercise hiking up and down those stairs every time we wanted to go to the beach.

My mom and me. One thing about the Oregon coast is that it is always windy and always cold but I still love it.

We were able to enjoy sunsets ...

and sunrises.

My dad and Brad were also able to go on a deep sea fishing excursion for a day. Brad caught one ugly fish but had to through it back. I guess it wasn't big enough to keep. He had a lot of fun. My dad on the other hand spent most of the time at the back of the boat ... I think that is where I must get my sea sickness from.

The bridge in Newport, and my cute sister.

We were also able to visit the Newport Aquarium.

And a lighthouse at Yakima Bay on the way home.

It was a much needed vacation and we had a wonderful time. Hopefully next time we can stay a little longer and explore some more. Having my parents live so far away definitely has its perks. I feel like I get to spend more quality time with them since they've moved. Plus its a good vacation spot.

remembering the SUBWAY

At the beginning of August we were able to head south to do some hiking. Our good friends got a pass to hike the Subway in Zions and invited us to join them. The hike takes you down through a narrow canyon slot that requires some climbing and swimming skills. We came out of the canyon tired and exhausted and we still had miles to go along the river before we could make the ascent to the parking lot. I remember thinking 'I will never do this again'. I woke up the next morning and nothing would move. Every inch of me was sore and I could walk normal for days. Even sitting down was a chore. But looking back I would do it again. We saw some amazing things and it was worth it to be able to spend a day with my best friend.

Coming out of the Subway at the end of the canyon. I'm smiling because I didn't know how much further we still had to hike to get back to the car.

backing up to JULY

For the Fourth of July Brad spent some time in Idaho with his brothers. I ran a 5K with a friend and then went to Logan for my grandparents annual breakfast. Later we met up with each other at Brad's dads house in Logan for an evening BBQ. It was a day well spent with family.

Brad took this fabulous photo of the river that is on his grandpa's property.

They aren't looking for people ... just rock chucks to shoot. I'm not even sure what one looks like.

This beautiful girl turned sixteen in July and had quite the hawaiian party to celebrate. I started babysitting her when she three. Her family lived two doors down from me and then bought my parents home when they moved to Washington. They are like a second family to me and I was so happy to be there to help her celebrate.

The next day I was able to celebrate my birthday by taking another plane ride. This time my landing was a little different ...

I've always wanted to go and Brad was so sweet to make my dreams come true. It was quite a rush and I would love to do it again. Brad refused to do it with me but once we were there he started thinking that he might want to so next time I'm hoping he joins me.

Brad bought a mountain bike this summer and had a lot of fun riding. His brother loves to ride and so does a few friends in our ward. He has had so much fun with it and will continue once the snow is melted. For now the red beauty is in our basement hibernating.

backing up to JUNE

We kicked off the summer by heading to Montana when Brad's youngest brother Wade returned home from his mission. It is the first time I wasn't wearing a sweatshirt or jacket the whole time. We had a great time and now Wade is here in Ogden living with Layne and Manda. It's been really great having in around and the boys sure seem to love it.

{Layne, Manda, Wade, Kera, Brad}

I did a lot of flying this past summer and it all started in June when Greg Poe took me for an aerobatic stunt ride. Probably one of the top ten coolest things I've been able to do. We had a lot of fun flying through Ogden canyon over to Ogden Valley where Pineview Reservoir is.

Dax is getting me all strapped in to I don't fall out when we go upside down.

Headed towards the canyon.

Flying over Pineview Reservoir ... one word AMAZING.

my new friend

Meet my new friend Gates. We had some good times and some scary times together about a month ago while working on my latest project.

Sadly he lives in Wyoming, but maybe next year we can make some more memories. It's probably for the best that I'm not around him too much without some medication in me. I found out the first day that I was indeed allergic to horses and it wasn't just a sudden cold. But thanks to my other friend benadryll we were able to have a pleasant time together.

And it is all because of these giant creatures that Gates and I were able to become such good friends. Any guesses as to what they are?

finally ... an explanation

I've definitely been neglecting our blog and many other things the past six months. The majority of my summer was spent infront of my computer at work creating a new source of revenue for a newspaper company that is slowly becoming everything but a newspaper company. However, we were still able to have a few adventures ... more on those to come soon.

As for that new source of revenue .... the big guys in the big offices like to call them documentary videos. They are about 50 minutes long and have been a bit of a challenge for me. I created two this summer {one in June, one in July} and I am currently working on third one right now. I have been able to meet a lot of really fun people and do a lot of really fun stuff.

Here's a preview of the two completed documentaries

The Sky is No Limit click here {2009 Air Show at HAFB}

75 Years in the Saddle click here {A history of Ogden Pioneer Days}