Robert and Kate....plus eight paws

OUR BLOG HAS MOVED!!!

2010-05-17T21:13:00.002-06:00

We have a new blog address.....get all the old blogs and new at

http://www.katewalshphotography.com/Kate_Walsh_Photography/Plus_Eight_Home.html

You can also find photos albums and contact info for us in st. kitts on this new site.

More Omens....and Lots of Needles!!!!

2010-04-13T19:23:00.002-06:00

So this morning I walked into the Madsen Clinic for my physical exam and VDRL test and was checking in.....there on the white board in the receptionist area was a quote scribbled in green marker "Life is the journey, not the destination" As I stared at the quote on the board I couldn't believe my eyes.... Not exactly but very close to my life's modo and inspiration......The Journey Is The Destination....a collection of photographs, art, scrapbook and travel logs introduced to me a long time ago by Dan Eldon....

I found this quote extremely ironic at this turning point in our lives......

The rest of my day was filled with blood draws, Hep A and rabies vaccine along with a TB test, lots of crying and quiet frankly feeling like shit. How ironic that the Journey is The Destination..

Happy Birthday, Diving and The Bayou

2010-04-01T18:16:00.025-06:00

WOW...where has the last few weeks gone?? We move in a little over a week......SO much has happened in the last month our heads are spinning. In fact I kind of think we look like dogs chasing there tails....

The weekend of our birthdays was wonderful. We spent a beautiful day driving out to Wendover and Robert dove at Blue Lake with Neptune's March dive-a-long and finished up his navigation OW cert, while Drake, Widgeon and I explored the area, hiked and of course.....TOOK PICTURES....it was wonderfully relaxing and I even got a sun burn. The boys had a great time swimming, getting muddy, exploring, chasing the frisbee and running about.....

After a long day at Blue Lake we came home, bathed the dogs and ourselves and met friends at the Bayou for dinner, drinks, and a wonderful birthday/ getting into vet school/going away celebration. We had a great turn out of people, the place was packed...and we had a DD!!!!! Sunday morning hurt before Saturday night even started.....We had a great 26th and 29th birthday!!!!

Sunday we spent the day installing a new door to our bedroom, working on re-building the side steps to the deck, and raking up, mowing and cleaning up the yard. It was beautiful day and the boys enjoyed playing in the yard and lounging outside in the sun.

While Robert thought Sunday morning was going to hurt after the big bash, nothing was as bad as Monday when a small lump on his head started hurting....by Wednesday after I got off work at 9pm we were taking him to the ER to be checked out for swollen neck lymph nodes, swelling of his head and a nasty infection of the scalp. After spending a crap load of money at the ER and no real answer later, Robert went home with antibiotics. Thursday morning her felt even worse with a second lesion starting on his face and by Friday afternoon he had to come home from work because of the pain and nausea. The following Monday we found out that his dive partner had a confirmed case of MRSA. Luckily Robert was on the proper antibiotics to treat. Thank God after a weekend of resting he felt better.

Thursday evening my mom flew in from Seattle to help out for the week. It was such a relief to have her here helping back and organize. We even got in a day at Enizio Salon to have her hair cut and dyed, with Cynthia (Love that woman she is AMAZING!)

I finished up my job at Banfield Saturday the 3rd, and after a hard good bye to "the team" almost 6 years of employment with them I headed home to pack and help mom pack and tend to Robert being sick.

Sunday we attended a lovely mass at St. Johns celebrating Easter....during which Deacon Paul, who married us, gave the perfect homily summing up Easter as the season of new life......

Followed by a wonderful dinner with Janice and Aaron Hamm and Easter egg dying.

After a pretty productive week, Thursday afternoon, before my mom left, mom got sick with a bad sinus infection and felt like poop. Poor thing slept for bit and then got up and kept on trucking through the packing and list of things to do. Mom felt guilty about leaving me all weekend with a HUGE amount of stuff and furniture to sell, so I called in Heidi to see if she could drive up from Williams, AZ and help me out.

She left her boyfriend Tyler on his birthday to drive up Friday morning an arrived in the evening after a 9 hour drive. After getting going to bed a 3 am and getting up at 6 am to get my mom to the airport, Heidi and I stayed up late and organized for the early Saturday morning yard sale. Luckily we had Erin Evans who was kind enough to come over and get things out to the front yard and spread out, and out neighbor Jeff who came over and helped lift heavy things, as well. With out Heidi, Roberts patience and Erin and Jeff I would have been crying by 8:30 with the overwhelming amount of people and stress of the whole situation. Mom as usual was right.......Thankfully we were able to make $1,700 and sell a good portion of our belongings, and only managed to have a ipod nano stolen from the yard sale stuff. The day was gorgeous and reached 65 degrees. We all even managed to get sunburnt, some more than others. After a long day and no real belongings left we went to Tucci's Italian restaurant for dinner and stiff drink. Well I figured "sex on the beach" was appropriate way to end the day. We cam straight home and crashed at 8:30PM.

The alarms went off promptly at seven o'clock and we hauled all of the stuff we didn't sell back out to the front yard for another go round......we managed to sell another $100 dollars worth of stuff.....what was suppose to be a gorgeous 75 degree day turned in to 80 mile per hour winds and overcast. We had had it chasing our belongs around the yard and breaking glass item by 11am and called it quits. We were unsuccessful at selling the love seat, chair/ottoman, the kitchen table or my 3 35mm camera's. We hauled all the big ticket items all back into the house and Jeremy we nice enough to haul the rest of it off to Savers for charitable donation.

The weather turned so foul that I had to call and cancel my photo session scheduled at 2:30 at Wheeler Farm with a couple high school seniors.

After running to the store for a few groceries, my brain, body and being was trashed and needed a long break. Heidi and I spent the afternoon watching New Moon on my laptop. Luckily a few hours after hauling our crap to Savers, Jeremy called and bought the kitchen table and the love seat/chair/ottoman!!!!

So as you all can tell the last few weeks have been CRAZY and the fun is only starting. Heidi is staying through tomorrow to help me get some more packing and organizing completed. Tuesday I have my physical exam, testing and vaccines. Wednesday is Roberts last day of work...............and it goes on from there......

Thank goodness for patient husbands, good friends, and a loving family.......thats the only way someone could get all this stuff done......

St. Kitts and Vet School Here We Come

2010-03-26T22:31:00.011-06:00

After submitting my application to Ross, I took a day trip to San Francisco on the 9th of March for my personal interview.....I took the morning and walked around the city including walking 3 miles to pier 39 and back to the subway.....I was a gorgeous morning....and all the omens were there.

Stange Day.....

I wore my eagle feather necklace my dad gave me, my pearl earrings Robert gave me and a bracelet my mom gave me. I figured I needed all the good luck I could get....but my charms brought more thank luck.....they followed with numerous coincidences.....

During my flight from SLC to San Fran. I was seated in the last seat on the plane. After landing I was sitting waiting for the whole plane to offload and was laughing to myself that baggage might have been a better seat. I then began pondering the idea of the boys being shipped to St. Kitts and the chapter in Marley and Me that painted a picture of the yellow lab barking the whole plane ride....with my luck I thought that would be Drake or Widgeon!!!!......and to my surprises as I walked off the plane on to the tarmac there sat a yellow lab barking in his kennel at me. How strange I thought and immediately began thinking of Grams and how she must be up there behind this coincidence. As I walked into the airport I immediately began smelling cigaret smoke and as I took the escalator up...there on my right was a smoking room (a place my grandmother would have immediately ran to after having to sit for 25min to get out of the back of the plane)........and there sat an older lady that looked very similar to Grams happily smoking her cigaret and smiling back at me......I than began to think I was imagining things....but these coincidences didn't stop there.....I bought my ticket to ride the BART system (subway) and got on the train headed to down town for some site seeing before my interview. After hanging up the phone from calling Robert, I looked up and to my surprise saw an add poster on the train car's billboard for Ross University ......during my 6 mile round trip walking excursion from the subway station to Pier 39 and back, I was excited to find what I thought was local bagel shop and stopped for some food and a break on the way back to the subway. Upon making the choice to eat at the bagel shop I laughed to myself that it was fitting to choose a bagel shop to spend my morning milling over my future and my interview notes since I spent a large portion of mornings during school meeting Margaret for breakfast at Einstein's, studying and talking about our life decisions to go to vet and med school. I had wrote her about need her here before my GRE's!!! and as I walk into this "local" bagel shop and look around.....it almost looks just like and Einstein's......little did I know that Einstein's has sister store called Noah' Bagels (or something like that).....how random....

My interview was nothing like what I expected or had prepared for.... I thought I would be asked ethical questions including my thoughts on euthanasia, terminal surgery for education use, lab animal medicine, comparisons of animal welfare vs. animal rights, and what aspect of veterinary medicine I was interested in and what I wanted to do with my degree if i got in. I was prepared to answer a million questions...none of which were asked. I was feeling sort of dismal about my interview and was skeptical of the outcome......The beautiful morning had turned into a very blustery day with horrific winds......and as I left my interview the office space next door was being advertised for lease by Kate Walsh......so after a strange day with weird but good omens.....a conflicting horrible interview (well on my standards) and my plane leaving San Fran being delayed.....I was feeling a conflicted..........

Yet after waiting a little of over a week....

We finally heard back from Ross Vet School that I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED!!!

This leaves us with a little over a month to get packed and details situated...... including travel, housing, financial aid, the boys...and our vehicles and house here in Salt Lake taken care of. I have to be on island between the 29th of April and the 2nd of May.....

So, we have both put in our two week notices/quite our jobs and we are quickly trying to make arrangements.....

While we are EXTREMELY excited to be taking this enormous step forward, yet we are both stressed and nervous at the same time......this is going to be a huge adventure and change.

Tomorrow is Robert's 29th birthday and my 26th.....we are planning on spending the morning out at Blue Lake. Robert has a couple dives out there with Neptune and the boys and I are going to take in some fresh air and pictures. We are going to spend the evening with friends at the Bayou celebrating birthdays, getting into vet school and our going away.....this is the last free day in Salt Lake......we now have to kick our butts in gear and get our check list completed before heading home to Skagit Valley before leaving for St. Kitts....

Some pictures from my day trip to San Francisco for my vet school interview.....

Famous Two Story Carousel At Pier 39

Sea Lions Pier 39

Cool Sculpture

March Is Already Here.....

2010-02-25T18:13:00.013-07:00

Well we are completely unsure of where January and February have disappeared. January started of with Kate's first round of GRE's which didn't go as well as she would have liked. The following week Robert started his open water certification for scuba. Yes, he is now officially Scuba Robert! After several weeks of night classes and pool sessions he dove two days the first of February and completed his open water certification at Seabase. Seabase is a salt water spring that supports tropical fish including angel fish and nurse sharks... in the middle of the desert!!!

We spent Valentines day taking in fresh air and looking for topaz at Topaz Mountain, which is out by where Kate helped the Dearing Lab trap mice for Hanta Virus research. Unfortunately we did not come home with any jewels, but did come home refreshed by clean air and sunshine with happy dogs and ready for a busy couple of weeks ahead of us.

The following weekend started with Widgeon needing to go under anesthesia to have his left eye de-brided of what we thought was a foreign body in his cornea. We were able to get his teeth clean and remove a small skin tag but were not successful at taking care of his eye and so now he needs to visit the veterinary opthamologist at the specialty clinic here in Salt Lake.

That weekend Robert went with Aaron Hamm and dove at the Crater. They had a wonderful dive and Robert was happy to be able to dive in 95 degree water instead of 70 degree water and with out a 7 mm wet suite.

The following Monday, after two months of re-studying for the GRE and sulking from her previous score in math Kate had to retake the test. While the writing and the verbal portion of the test did not go as well, she was happy to get over 100 points better in the math section and prove that she could get above a 600 in math!!! Therefore, now Kate is scrambling to get her application in to Ross University by the end of the day. It could be possible that we could be moving to St. Kitts in two months for her to start vet school the beginning of May.

We are super excite and are crossing out fingers that this all works about, but are both nervous and stressed about the numerous things that would need to be taken care of before we would leave. We won't know for sure till around the middle to end of March...Kate has to get an interview first!

On top off all the diving and vet school application process, Robert is taking another semester of school at the University of Utah and is enrolled in a photography class. Of course Kate is enjoying getting out to take pictures with him.... We took the boys to Wheeler Farm last night to check out the farm animals and give Robert some time to take a few photos for his class!!!

So things over the next few weeks are apt to be extremely busy...Robert is taking more diving classes, Widgeon needs to schedule a visit to see the eye doctor, and Kate has more than she can handle on her plate. On top of all that we really would like to get home to Washington to see family before we possibly move out of country...not to mention there are numerous pople back home hoping Kate can take some pictures for them this spring........We will continue to update everyone on our adventures and possible up coming move to St. Kitts!! Check out the pictures below!!!

Scuba Robert (Seabase)

Flippers up!!

Open Water Cert. Seabase

Help I Hate Swimming but I Love Diving.....does this really make sense?

Drake and Daddy Looking for Topaz at Topaz Mountain on Valentines Day

Sunset Topaz Mountain February 14th, 2010

View Across Valley Atop Topaz Mountain

Boys At Wheeler Farm

Another Great One!!!

Robert Diving At The Crater!

Kate Walsh Photography NEW WEBSITE AND BLOG

2010-01-24T11:38:00.003-07:00

My photography business now has its own Dot Com and new blog. To visit the site and blog go to www.katewalshphotography.com

I also have a new business e-mail at katewalshphotography@gmail.com

Please visit, check it out.....and let people know!!!!

Sundance Film Festival 2010

2010-01-24T11:10:00.010-07:00

So after a very busy month, including the GRE and Robert starting scuba certification and classes at the U, we finally got a weekend together. One of the girls at work was even nice enough to change me shifts on Friday so that I could be off early so we to go away for the weekend. We even had a dog sitter. Yet, as our luck goes, the Titan's brakes went out on Thursday night and Robert had to take it to the shop Friday. What was suppose to be a 130 dollar brake job turned into 400 dollar brake job and new rotors in a blink of an eye...and there went our weekend away money. So we opted for a quiet weekend at home and around the area.

This weekend was the kick off for the Sundance Film Festival and I was dying to run into Kristen Stewart or some other cast members of Twilight, which were rumored to be in town this week. Stewart has a movie with Dakota Fanning that is premiering at the festival and is in town......we also had heard that Lady Antebellum was playing in Park City at a limited capacity venue which was open to the public as well as credential holders.....so we headed to Park City for the day in hopes of running into some celebrities and seeing Lady Antebellum.

While we got to the venue where Lady Antebellum was playing with hours to spare, they were not letting any more public people into the venue......they only let 10 people in at 10 in the morning. So we spent the day walking Main Street and catching a bite to eat. We were able to see Ben Afflack, but unfortunately did not get to see any other famous people. We had a nice warm lunch at the Eating Establishment before heading back home.

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-15T16:22:00.012-07:00

So the GRE....Ya don't know what to say...I had to reschedule for the 12th of January because the computer I was signed up to take it on went down and I could not take the test. At least thats the short version not including the waiting all night long to find out if I for sure had to postpone the test. So after a long night and no completion of the GRE later....I spent most my day editing Robert American Institutions final paper and decided to alleviate some stress by taking pictures of the boys who are feeling mighty abused at the moment with the lack of attention over the past few crazy days.

We brought our Adirondack chairs a few weeks ago out of the snow and I thought they brightened up the living room with some Christmas colors. I have been dying to shove the boys onto them and get one perfect picture. Widgeon is the hardest thing to photograph.....he's all black and his facial features get washed out.....but despite their unwillingness to get photographed and them only wanting to do everything but what mom wants I got a few good ones....minus the big huge red rocket Drake was displaying just in time for me to snap a few....yes Drake decide he would add some perfectly festive (the color red) but inappropriate details to mom's picture....and people think dogs aren't like children.....how many of you have had your kids do something inappropriate doing Christmas pictures??? However, its hard to know whether this was deliberate or just happening....

Despite our crazy weekend of studying, the Titans battery dying and other weekend chores, we managed to get Robert his Christmas present. He has been wanting to get dive certified before we possibly head to St. Kitts.....so....we have singed him up for classes and his new, snorkel, fins, mask and diving boot are sitting under the tree with the other wrapped presents....mind you, i refuse to wrap them.....what a waste of paper....unfortunately there is no big Christmas surprise in what he is getting but its kind of hard to buy diving equipment with out the person trying it on. At least it motivated him to shave from a full beard back down to his cute goatee...he can't make a tight seal around his mask with scruff or even more so carpet on his face.

We are looking forward to Kate's parents and brother joining us in a few days for the holidays and hope to have some more great festive pictures...minus the red rocket...posted soon. Kind of sad to say this could be our last white Christmas for a while....but I would gladly trade it for sand in a heartbeat....if only we could get that pesky GRE taken and my apps submitted in a timely manner.......

Mouse Hunting Picture Maybe Published With Research Paper

2009-12-13T17:30:00.015-07:00

I received a very exciting e-mail this week from the Dearing Lab mentioning that they were interested in using a picture of mine from mousing hunting last May for the cover photo of a paper that should be published soon. As many of you know I went with the Dearing Lab from the U of U for a week to help them trap and process mice for Hanta virus research last May and of course I took TONS of pictures. Besides taking pictures, I learned many valuable small animal handling skills and was able to be part of some great research!!! I am really excited to have a picture of mine published with their research....What an honor. The picture candidates are the 3 following....I also posted a few other great pictures from the trip. You can also check out "Month of May....How Fast it Went By" under the June tab to check out more on my mouse trapping experience.

Here are a few more great ones....

St. Kitts Pictures.....Our Trip From December 2008....

2009-11-29T21:45:00.006-07:00

As most of you already know we went with Kate's family last Christmas to St. Kitts in the Caribbean to check out the island and the vet school there. Kate is in the process of applying to Ross University. Finally, got a few minutes to post a few favorite pictures from the trip

(Kate's favorite pics :) ). We have be so blessed with the places we have been, seen, and experienced and we can hardly believe that we may be living here for two and half years staring in May if Kate gets accepted.......lets keep our fingers crossed. Its now down to crunch time. Only three weeks away till the GRE.....

Kate on the beach at North Frigate Bay, Atlantic Ocean

More Wonderful Beaches: Left- N. Frigate Bay, Right-Sandy Point Black Sand Beach

Botanical Gardens, Nevis (St.Kitts Sister Island)

Green Vervet Monkey

New River Estate Plantation, Nevis. Very Cool Machinery

Us at a Beach Bar Drinking Carib

Rawling's Plantation Sugar Cane Fields

St. Thomas Anglican Church.....Thomas Waren and Samuel Jefferson are both famous people buried in the cemetery here. Thomas Warn was the first governor of St. Kitts and Samuel Jefferson is thought to be the great, great great grandfather of Thomas Jefferson.

Romney Mannor Plantation

Outhouse at Shipwreck Beach South Friar's Bay.....this is so going in my future coffee table book of best outhouses of the world

Swan Hunting, Bear River Bird Refuge

2009-11-09T12:49:00.013-07:00

Boys and The Barn

2009-11-07T12:21:00.014-07:00

Finally got a few of these edited....came out awesome...hope you all enjoy.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things....

2009-11-06T23:58:00.009-07:00

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

I'm told I have expensive taste....my taste wouldn't be so expensive if it didn't cost so much!!!!

Ma the first two were the ones I was talking about.....only a few sizes left :)

Halloween, Football, and Hunting

2009-11-06T14:33:00.032-07:00

Park City and Fall Pictures of the Boys...

2009-10-24T13:11:00.015-06:00

We ran up to Park City this morning to check out the fall colors that are sad to say pretty much gone by. We still managed to get a few great pictures of the boys and withstand the cold and wind. Love this barn and can't wait to shoot the Smith Family tomorrow at this location. Hopefully the pictures turn out as well as today's. Now off to work.....

P.S. you can click the pictures and view them in full size.

Check Out My New Blog; Kate Walsh Photography

2009-10-01T22:07:00.004-06:00

So as some of you may already know I have taken up photographing family, friends and all their special occasions. I now have my photography blog up and running. http://www.katewalshphotos.blogspot.com/ I'm really enjoying putting my energy into some creativeness for a change.....it feels like its been awhile since I was really able to devote any amount of time to something like this. If anyone is interested in having pictures taken please let me know!!!!!!

Wedding Pictures On Utah Bride Blog

2009-09-08T19:27:00.003-06:00

Our wedding has been featured on the Utah Bride Blog....check it out
http://www.utahbrideblog.com/?p=2864

Widgeon and Drakes new friend Rocky.....

2009-09-08T11:01:00.011-06:00

So this weekend we had a lovely hike to Dog Lake with Darcy and her pooch Rocky. I got some great shots of them together and thought I would post. D and W got along with Rocky great and had a wonderful time swimming and hiking. Its kinda sad that the summer is quickly turning to fall and the flowers have started to go by....good thing boarding season is just around the corner..... It was nice to have someone to go hiking with and Darcy was nice enough to get a great family picture of us at the lake.

ALL WEDDING PICTURE LINKS IN ONE PLACE

2009-08-31T11:42:00.006-06:00

I am frantically trying to finish up getting thank you cards out to all of our family and friends that were so kind in celebrating our day with us. I know I am going to get alot of questions about how to see the pictures....I decided to put them all in out spot for you!!!!! Drum roll please.....

ENGAGEMENTS:

http://sweetmemorygarden.blogspot.com/2008/08/katy-robert-saltair.html

GROOMALS:

posted on utah bride blog

http://www.utahbrideblog.com/?p=1708

Sweet Memory Gardens Blog

http://sweetmemorygarden.blogspot.com/2009/06/katie-robert-groomals-utah-bridals.html

Client Proofing-just click and out in your e-mail address

http://sweetmemorygarden.instaproofs.com/category.php?event=128960&id=309327

Studio Stems Blog

http://studiostems.blogspot.com/2009/06/june-bloom.html

Enizios Blog

http://studiostems.blogspot.com/2009/06/june-bloom.html

WEDDING:

Sweet Memory Garden Blog

http://sweetmemorygarden.blogspot.com/2009/08/katie-robert-wedding.html

Client Proofing

just click and put in your e-mail address

http://sweetmemorygarden.instaproofs.com/collection.php?event=139643

Studio Stems Blog

http://studiostems.blogspot.com/2009/08/kate-rob.html

Swimming With the Boys

2009-08-30T17:10:00.014-06:00

We took the boys out to the ponds behind Lee Kay Gun Range in West Valley. They had a blast.....

Pictures From Grand Teton June2009

2009-08-28T22:35:00.018-06:00

Kate was going through some pictures we took in June and realized that with all the wedding craziness we never did post pictures from our trip to Grand Teton. There were a few others we thought were worth posting as well

Kate's family and the two of us went to Grand Teton the weekend before our wedding for Amanda and Peter's wedding. Amanda was Kate's babysitter growing up and her family lived next door at Colter Bay when Kate's family lived in Grand Teton. The Alexanders have been wonderful family friends and have been there for many milestones through out Kate's life. We had a wonderful weekend rafting the snake, enjoying and meeting old friends of Kate's family. Kate REALLY wanted to photograph the old barn on Mormon Row. This barn is commonly photographed and is a picturesque scene with the Tetons behind it. While the clouds were not allowing the Grand to come out for its picture the photos came out amazing.

One of the cutest pictures of Widgeon to date.....explains it all....totally loves his daddy..HAD TO POST IT!!!

Robert with a bear rug in a Jackson Hole T-shirt shop

Kate took this the day after we were married out at Saltair where we had out engagement pictures taken.

Drake hanging at home asking if someone can PLEASSEEE through the ball!!!

Some of MANY great pictures from our trip

Wedding Pictures

2009-08-19T23:05:00.002-06:00

Angie from Sweet Memory Garden has posted our wedding photos on her blog......she has done a wonderful job showcasing our wedding please check it out just click here
http://sweetmemorygarden.blogspot.com/2009/08/katie-robert-wedding.html

Happenngs in July and August

2009-08-19T12:03:00.015-06:00

The summer has come and gone very quickly but not with out a few adventures under our belt. We spent the last few weeks hiking, fishing, camping and hunting. The following are only a few of the pictures from this summer adventures....as soon as a get some more time to edit some photos will get them up......

This is a dragonfly that comes into our pond every morning....he is so beautiful.....I am waiting for Drake to snap at him one of these mornings....

Robert and I finally completed the 6 mile round trip hike to Dog Lake in Millcreek Canyon with the boys last week. The wild flowers are absolutely stunning right now......what a gorgeous summer hike. the boys spent a few hours swimming and romping around....

Wild flowers up Millcreek Canyon

They boys enjoying the sunshine and lake...

Drake and me hiking back down....

We went camping this last weekend with the Hamm's up to Strawberry. Once again the flowers did not disappoint and we had a great time fishing.....it was too cold to go wakeboarding, but regardless we had a wonderful evening camping and great day at camp and enjoying the boat..

This pink thistle was so amazing in color...

I had a need to get my creativeness on....I made a crown of wild flowers.....very awesome pictures....wish Mr. Widgeon would have held as still as Drake did for a picture....

Drake enjoying the boat ride...

After returning home form camping bow hunting season opened this weekend for deer. Robert and I spent Saturday morning trying to hike into Dog Lake/Desolation lake area from the Big Cottonwood Canyon side and instead encountered 35 degree weather and a major thunderstorm.....we hiked back out, came home, dried out and took a nap then went back out that evening and the next day......you would have never known it was the same day let alone the same season.....

We hiked up to the top of the ridge overlooking Big Cottonwood to the south and Millcreek to the north and came across a beautiful scene. Unfortunately, it did not include the monster buck that rumored to be hanging out around this area.... but we got amazing pictures just the same.....

A few more Maui pictures....

2009-07-23T22:07:00.006-06:00

Since it has been several weeks since Robert and I got back from our honeymoon in Maui and I wanted post a few pictures of hundereds that I have edited so far. These are of our last night in Maui on the beach in front of our hotel in Kaanapali and of the last day at Haleakala National Park.

This is the middle of the island.....they call this the valley of the sugar since this is where sugar cane is grown harvest and processed.....Haleakala is in the back ground

Argyroxiphium is a small genus of five species in the sunflower family Asteraceae. Its members are known by the common name of silversword or greensword due to their long, narrow leaves and the silvery hairs on some species. These perennials areendemic to Hawaiʻi, occurring only on the islands of Maui and Hawaiʻi in an extremely localized distribution. They are primarily found above 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) elevation in alpine deserts or bogs, indicating an adaptation to low-nutrient soils. The plant forms a flowering reproductive structure. It takes 5-20 years before flowering, after which it dies.

Happy Fourth of July, Maui!!!!

2009-07-05T01:44:00.012-06:00

WOW...what an amazing couple of days. After a wonderful week with family, Robert and I arrived in Maui for our honeymoon late in the evening on Thursday the 2nd. We spent the day on the 3rd regrouping, visiting a farmers market, walking the beautiful sand beach in front of our hotel and going to a luau. The morning of the fourth we took the Pride of Maui from Ma'alaea Bay, out to Molokini Crater to snorkel. We were able to explore the amazing tropical reef of the crater and see incredible see life. While the crater was extremely crowded it was well worth the elbows to see this beautiful protected ecosystem. Top side is a state protected bird sanctuary as well. I couldn't help but wonder if the massive amount of people were really appreciating the experience and chance of a life time. While we were only able to snorkel for about an hour we were able to mark a good portion of tropical fish off the guide books list of tropical fish species. The Pride of Maui then took us to mile marker 14 off the south side of Maui to snorkel as well. Unfortunately do to wind Turtle Town, a green sea turtle sanctuary/breed area was too murky for snorkeling.....however, Robert spotted the first green sea turtle of the day and was able to get an amazing picture. The turtle was so interested in him it came within feet of him. I am so excited to be able to say I have seen and swam along side green sea turtles in the wild!!!! We finished the fourth with a wonderful evening in Lahaina, walking the streets and watching their small fireworks display out over the water at sun set. Robert and I have seen fireworks in a lot of different places but this one was by far the most amazing....the picture below says it all......

Ornate Butterfly Fish and a Moorish
Idol

Unable to identify this one from our book

Spotted Puffer

Green Sea Turtle....AMAZING

What a beautiful evening......

Happy Fourth

The Offical Groomal Pictures Are In.....We Have Been Published.....and The Wedding Was AMAZING...

2009-06-17T15:15:00.004-06:00

Oh my Gosh...We can't get enough of our groomals.....Angie and Keith did such a WONDERFUL Job and we couldn't have asked for more beautiful, jaw dropping pictures......The turned out so great we have been published on the Utah Bride Blog... Check it Out http://www.utahbrideblog.com/?p=1708

I also want to thank Cynthia and Stephanie with Enizio and Audrey from Studio Stems...

Bridals....A Beautiful Disaster

2009-06-09T00:42:00.008-06:00

Well after months of planning and weeks of anticipation our bridal canoe photos up American Fork Canyon were a huge curplunk....Literally. After weeks of afternoon, early evening, showers and even mornings of wet rain, Robert and I have been beginning to wonder if we are back in Washington. The nice thing about Utah...If you don't like the weather wait five min and it will change.....where did that rule come in to play to day I still am wondering at midnight. We started down to Tibble Fork Res. just in time for me to sit down and get pushed off into beautiful green scenery and mountains to be hit with the worst rain storm ever...It was blowing sideways......We eventually moved to our vehicles where Cynthia from Enizio Salon re-adjusted my hair and touched up my make up....we waited....and waited and still the rain came. So unfortunate we had to abandon the whole canoe and American Fork Canyon and head for better weather else where just to get some pictures in. We stopped in a field between Alpine and Traverse Mountain to find a lovely old Pick up and wonderful scenery....even a rainbow......I can't wait to get their originals form Angie and Keith, with Sweet Memory Gardens. I am excited that Cynthia was on site....kept me looking wonderful and left her camera in my car!!!!!!! These are a few I pulled form her camera.......So awesome

The only canoe picture we got :( !!!

My mom thought up this pose and I think it turned out adorable....

'With attitude is even better

Wish my top wasn't all bunched up funny....maybe a different angle will help

Love this picture...shows the back of my dress well....

Keith and Angie getting some close ups

Striking a pose and hoping this picture turns out awesome....

The family.....

My wonderful hair that Cynthia did...

Beautiful flowers from Studio Stems...

This picture of just me is AMAZING.....

Wonderful eye lashes.....like having spiders on my eyes (Kellie Pickler) thanks Steph...(Enizio Salon Makeup Artist!!)

And the OH MY GOD picture.....Can't wait for the real ones there going to be da bomb dot com!!!

The Month of May....how fast it went by....

2009-06-06T15:49:00.030-06:00

Wow.....I can't believe that May is over and the first week of June has passed us by in a jiffy. So much has been packed into the last six weeks I don't even no where to begin. The end of April Robert got the front part of his tattoo filled in. This piece has been in the process for some three years now and while it still isn't finished it looks wonderful all filled in. He still has another sitting of four hours or so to have it all filled in and gone over one more time. April ended with my bridal shower at the Dodo, which Margaret and Erin work hard at getting together and it turned out wonderful. We has lunch and played a couple of games.....the weather was beautiful. Afterwards we had a BBQ the first of the summer. Robert cooked up some of the pig meet and we had a great time with friends.

Robert's tattoo filled in in front.

Robert, Kyle, Shawn and Chris at the BBQ

Robert and me!

The first of May was filled with warm weather. Unfortunately non of which we were able to enjoy since I was painstakingly studying for my last week of finals at the U. I am so excited to be done with school and have my B.S. in Biology accomplished after 7 years!!!! The weekend after finals I took off work to have a graduation party and get ready to leave for mouse trapping and hanta virus research with the Dearing Lab at the U. However, the morning of the grad. party Robert and I ran to Eyemasters in Sugar House to get our annual eye exams and contacts ordered. Since it was such a beautiful day and the boys had been couped up all week with me in finals we loaded them up in the truck for a ride. While in Eyemasters for 40min tops, we had someone call animal control on us for having dogs in our vehicle and at the same time some lady hit our new truck and left with out notifying us or authorities. So while I was dealing with the cops on the hit and run and a huge dent in our brand new truck, animal control was writing me a warning for animal cruelty for leaving the dogs in the car....mind you with all 5 windows rolled down and it only being 58 degrees out.......I was livid......and not to mention if they had actually written me a ticket I'm sure I wouldn't haven been able to go to vet school......The animal control believed our dogs were in distress because Widgeon was panting....hahaha the dog pants even when its 2 below out.....he was just F..ing excited...The cops couldn't believe I was getting even a warning......So that pretty much ruined our day and at the same time the animal control pretty much told me I was horrible mom the day before mothers day.....And I have the most spoiled dogs of them all. We are now teaching Widgeon not to pant on command

House with tree in bloom and yard finally finished.......

Truck with nice big dent in side

Monday morning I packed my stuff and headed out for a week of mouse trapping and hanta virus research. In the morning before I left a drake mallard landed in out pond out back. We have never had any big birds drop by for a bath and hang around for 30min like this guy did. While heading out of town I left Robert get the dogs registered and pay my no Rabies tag on dog ticket to animal control. He also spent the day paying a speeding ticket and taking care of insurance issues on our truck while I headed for the desert.

The week of mouse trapping was very interesting and educational. We trapped 6 different sites around the Tintic Mountain area and Little Sahara Recreation Area. We caught several types of animals including a chipmunk, vole, deer mice, pocket mice, and pinon mice. The pinons were my favorite with huge ears and adorable little noses with little black eyes.... I even got to microchip a few mice.

Drake mallard in pond out back......dogs about went through our glass back door after him!!

Getting ready to process animals in my respirator

Pat (a grad student) and me microchiping a deer mouse

Pinon mouse after ear tagging

Pinon mouse upon release

Deer mouse

Baby wood rat...type of pack rat

Sunset over Tintic Mountains

Upon getting home my focus was turned from school to prepping for the wedding and getting house projects done. Fist off I made an appointment at Enizios Salon in Highland/Alpine area for a trial hair up do for bridals. I also had my makeup done and Cynthia and Stephanie were wonderful. Robert and I then started focusing on figuring out were we wanted our bridals taken and visited several locations that were options. We went to Wheeler Farm in Salt Lake, Red Butte Gardens up by the U, American Fork Canyon, and Big Cottonwood Canyon. After several trips up American Fork we have decided to have pictures taken there tomorrow and can't wait to see how they come out.

Front of hair

Back of hair

Robert at Wheeler Farm

Pig Kisses

Cow nose

American Fork Canyon

Wisteria at Red Butte

Robert and me Red Butte

During all of this we were hit head on with serious plumbing disaster in our house. A week and 1/2 ago our toilet stopped working and stuff started backing up into our shower....we also had the bees wax ring blow out under the toilet and the water leaking all over the bathroom and under the house. After trying hard for two days to get things fix on our own we called a plumber who came out and roto-rootered our system. He wasn't convinced at the time that he had solved the problem completely. He had found a 'hard' spot in our system. He said he was unsure of how long the fix would last.....a week , two months, five years......but at any rate it was fixed before Roberts brother Brant flew in from Washington and the boys headed to Flaming Gorge on a guided fishing trip for his bachelor party. The boys had a wonderful trip, caught lots of fish and are already planning the next one. However, Widgeon was very up set he couldn't go since he spent the day before the boys left helping dad fix the boat and waiting on a boat ride....

Drake enjoying the sunshine and protecting the thrown....

Widgeon ready to go with the boys.....but doesn't understand why mom keeps telling him he has to stay home with her.....poor Widgy so heart broken

Robert catching Kokanee

First fish of the day on the guided trip

Robert's brother Brant hangin in the boat.

This week I headed back to Enizios to have my hair cut and died before pictures and the wedding.....I came home early from work the same day to get some other house projects done just have our plumbing back up again.....I was near tears and so was Robert.....We were with out a toilet, shower, or washer......again and facing the fact that we might have to dig up our front yard just 3 weeks before all of our guest form out of town set foot in our home most have not seen.......After having the roto-rooter guy come out again this time he hit mud and confirmed we had a busted sewage line......Robert then took the day of work Friday to start digging up the line and getting it fixed.....Lucky we had our neighbor Jeff who spent all Thursday evening and all day Friday helping us dig.......While now it is fixed....we have a huge muddy mess, our lawn is ruined and we still have all those other projects that need to be finished.....Thank God for good neighbors, good friends and nice plumbers......oh and did I mention a wonderful soon the be husband.....

My new hair........yes this is inside Petsmart bathroom before changing for work....

Thought this picture was awesome I took after getting home.....

Robert digging up the line with the Kubota

Yes the break was under out lovely semi new deck......we had to cut out support beams to get to it....

Our neighbor Jeff learning how to runt he Kubota and filling the hole back in.

Poor boys couped up in the house......

Well that pretty much sums up the last six weeks. I got an e-mail from a family friend this week that asked if we were on a zen like journey towards the wedding day....I replied saying so far I am still waiting on the zen part.....it has definitely been a journey though.....but at least the crapper is working and we are still speaking to each other......Regardless we are both getting extremely excited and can't wait for the big day!!!!!!!

Widgeon in the back yard smelling the flowers

Drake and Widgeon Go To The Vet!!!

2009-04-17T20:57:00.013-06:00

The boys went into work today to have their annual vaccines and a teeth cleaning. Widgeon has had a mass on his front left arm for a couple months now. We also have been complaining about bad dog breath and nasty teeth for awhile. It was just time to take it off and get those pearly white look like new again. So this morning we headed to work with empty stomachs and sad faces....No big surprises or much exciting happened....however, I am embarrassed that these are my dogs at the moment. Widgeons teeth were disgusting I can't believe I have let them go this long and Drake....oh Mr Drake....fatty...fatty....fatty. He weight 83lbs... twenty pound more than he did last year at this time. While he needed to gain some weight last year after many months of vomiting and diarrhea...I don't think the magic number was twenty. SO...I guess that means we will just have to get out and do some more exploring and excercising (maybe not top off the old cup of food for a few months) Widgeons mass removal went well. He's such a boob though. there are few patients as upset and beside himself as Widgy is. He never want to go in a kennel at work unless he is the patient then he runs and hides...he drools like crazy and wines....poor Mr. Widgeon. I;ll have everyone know he topped the scales at 100 ibls today. I think while I wouldn't call him overweight he needs to get on the doggy treadmill as well. Here are some pathetic pictures of the boys after we got home. The are both in bed and sleeping soundly....Mama won't be too far behind...

Droopy eyes...

Widgeon....looking a little star struck...

Is it bed time yet.... (its been bed time all day)

Mama's handsome not so brave boy

Wheres dinner ma......

Pearly whites...
Chompers back in order....

Mr. Widgeon's sutures from his mass removal

Jen (my office manager/friend at work) put Widgeon's mass on her face and thought it would make a great mole!!! Creepy

Fast asleep....haven't moved since I started writting the blog...not sure where I'm going to fit in to that bed or Robert either when he gets home from poker with the boys....

Happy Easter 2009

2009-04-13T10:51:00.014-06:00

What a gorgeous day......it makes me wish school was over that much faster. Robert got up early and made wonderful stuffed mushrooms with pork sausage from the pigs. He also made me breakfast in bed (thick piggie bacon and an apple turn over..mmmmm) We then headed to church were the little kids were just adorable and we spent most of mass whispering about all their outfits. From church we headed over to Jeremy and Michelle's for a wonderful get together with friends and their family. We had ham (from the piggies), turkey, stuffed mushrooms and all the fixings to go along with it. Robert and I helped hide Easter eggs out back for the kids Easter egg hunt. We had just as much fun hiding the eggs as the kids had hunting for them. After a lovely meal outside in the sunshine and a few good laughs we headed home to pick up the boys. Chris and his dog Tux joined us for a drive out to Horseshoe Springs for a early evening dip. Tux has never swam before so the boys quickly initiated him and he picked up the art of splashing around before long.

Robert and Chris

Tux sitting on the bank watching the boys......thinking "I don't know about this guys"

Tux trying to swim but more splashing...

Robert and Chris calling Tux over.

Once he got it down he was flying...(not swimming)

Chris and Tux...love this picture

As some of you may know Widgeon is an avid fisherdog. He takes after his father in that he loves to hunt and fish...he also comes home sorely disappointed and skunked. He has been trying to catch a bass or carp at Horseshoes springs for two years now and spends all his time watching the water then diving in if he sees a fish in the water ( horsehoe springs has very clear water) or if he sees one antagonizing him by jumping. Poor dog....it drives him crazy. He was so close this time and even put his head underwater but came up empty mouthed. He even tried to catch a muskratthat darted into the bank. Poor Widgy...he'll catch one before he leaves Utah. In the mean time it is extremely entertaining to watch and he has so much fun doing it.

Widgeon scanning the water for fish....

Widgeon swimming around looking for fish and muskrats.

I got one......nope I missed

Widgeon, Daddy and uncle Chris looking for the fish...

Mamma stop taking my picture....your interrupting fishing

See ma you made me miss a fish I heard it jump over there (lips flying as head turns)

Drake on the other hand only cares about fetching his rubber floaty stick.....
Stick....stick.....stick

Widgeon and Drake fetching stick

Tux and Drake playing

Handsome man

While the boys were playing and fishing....down at the other end of the springs I found a large group of American Avocets. I suspect they are using the area for breeding, as they typically show back up in March and their breeding season is from April to June. GSL counts of the American Avocet have exceeded 250,000 – greater than any other site within the entire Pacific Flyway. The GSL is an extremely important ecosystem to the American Avocet. I was also able to see non breeding Avocet which have a differing plumage that doesn't display the rust colored head.
Female on right, male on left (females beaks are more turned up)

Flock of American Avocets

Beautiful birds

It was such a wonderful sunny day. I even got sun burnt during the hour we were at the springs. It was great to get some fresh air and relax after a long week of exams and rain. These pictures make me long for more nice weather, camping, hiking and spending weekends at the lake.....makes it hard to study. At least the boys got out some energy before they are locked up in the house all week while I study.....speaking of I need to knock this blogging off and get back to it.....Happy Easter everyone...hope your days was as lovely as ours.

This about says it all....Drake and his stick.....Widgeon wouldn't look at camera he's too busy fishing.....Tux's head coming into view!!!

Happy Birthday 2009

2009-04-02T23:17:00.014-06:00

SO this year we had a huge turn out and a wonderful time for our annual birthday dinner. The last couple of years we have gone to PF Changs, but this year opted to go to Stone Ground. After spending the morning trying to get a hold of someone at the restaurant to no avail Robert finally spoke to the manager of Stone Ground who wouldn't take a reservation because it was Friday night and would not accommodate all 20 people in our party. After royaly pissing Robert off, Margo suggested Buca de Beppo's who was wonderful at accommodating us with such short notice and smiling faces. For those of you who do not know what Buca de Beppo's is all about, it is a family style itialian resturant, which makes ordering for 21 people quite the overwhelming task. We all had to agree on a few dishes and someone has to take charge to get the descsions made and everyine happy. We had a wonderful time and had great company. It is so great to be able to get 21 of our closest friends together and have a night of catching up and fun. Thanks you all for making it such a joyous celebration with lots of laughs. For those of you who couldn't be here to celebrate my 25th and Roberts 28th here are the pictures. ( the only ones not on here anr Brian, who bought me some gorgeous roses and Chris) See you all next year.....if we are here in SLC.

Robert, Gadas, Chris, Ryan and Kelsey waiting to be seated!!!!

Janice and Annette
Thanks Margo for putting together such a great night!!!! Can't wait to go to the Melting Pot!!!
Kevin King and his girlfriend. Sorry Kev. I'm bad with names just means we need to hange out with you two more!!!!
Wouldn't be a birthday with out a pictureof me and Kevin. At least I don't have umbrella's in my hair in this one!!!
Janice and Aaron Hamm
Drew and Allese Smith

Gadas and Annette

Tim and Monica

Ryan and Kelsey Frisbee
Erin and Kyle Evans

Everyone signig Happy Birthday...robert and I fighting over the candel

MMM...cake

Pig Hunt Corine,Utah

2009-03-22T17:52:00.024-06:00

Robert is so excited to be sharing these pictures with you. River Bend Trophy Hunts offers a guided pig (half farrel half Russian boar) hunt in Corine Utah and after several years of wishing Robert got together Kyle Evans, Chris Andersen, and Jeremy Shaw to start saving their pennies and after several months of planning the date was finally here. Like kids anticipating the holidays, the guys spent their free time this week sighing in guns and bows, buying new gear(arrows, bow strings, and ammo was all I allowed Robert to buy otherwise he would have owned half of Cabelas) and checking the weather for only a few hours of fun, with a life time of great hunting stories to go along with it. Unfortunately Jeremy had to have shoulder surgery and was not fully recovered enough to shoot a gun but was nice enough to ask another buddy of ours, Gadas to shoot the pig for him and split the meat.

This morning at 8 A.M sharp, 8 of us, Robert, Kyle and Erin (Kyles better looking half), Chris, Jeremy (who wasn't going to miss out on a good time and seeing his pig go down) and his girlfriends son Elijah, Gadas and I piled into two trucks and headed north. With tons B.S. along the way no one in Chris vehicle or Kyles for that matter, noticed till 13 miles past our exit that we were at the I-84/I-15 split off and rapidly approaching the Idaho boarder with few chances to exit and get back on. Before we knew it Chris had the Dodge truck in a sliding illegal U-turn on one of those emergency vehicle only dirt pull outs between the two directions of the freeway and instantly heading south back towards our exit. It was like a scene out of Dukes of Hazard and may I state no one needed to use the little boys/girls room when they got to Bert's Diner for breakfast.

Gadas in the back seat of Chris's Dodge, hung over, but ready to hunt!!!

Erin at Bert's for breakfast.

Kyle hangin' at Bert's ( I actually got a picture!!!)

Jeremy and Elijah drinking coco and coffee, waiting on breakfast.

We spent an hour hangin' at Bert's and eating a delicious breakfast before heading to the Sinclair in Corine to meet our guide, Lee. Worried all week that we were going to get rained on, have horrible winds and eventually have it start snowing, after having 70 weather all week and then seeing Lee pull up in a truck COVERED in mud we were all worried we were in for a muddy day. The ride out to the hunting area covered the two trucks with mud, but at least they looked like country boy trucks instead of city slickers just trying to look cool in their camo. Lucky the weather held of just long enough for the group to find four picks in a bunch. Gadas used a 300 WFS, and shot his pig square between the eyes. Kyle shot his pig using a 50 cal black powder muzzle loader. They both dropped their pigs. Robert and Chris had to work for their two since they were using their bows. Robert shot his from about 25 yards putting his arrow clean through the pig and puncturing his liver and lungs in the process. Even though the pig was fatally wounded her had to shoot again to keep it from going into the Bear River. His second shot landed just behind the ear (right were the guide told the guys shooting guns to aim and telling Robert it was near impossible to hit with a bow) Chris, however, had to shoot 6 times....his sow was stubborn and relentless . The rest of us carried gear, cameras and camcorders and caught the whole thing on film and video. The weather held off just long enough for the guys to get their pigs down and then it started to get windy and sprinkle. Lee gut all the pigs and was extremely grossed out when Gadas asked to take a bite out of his pigs heart to satisfy a $1,000 bet with friend that he wouldn't do it. We caught it all on camera and I think Lee almost threw up. The crazy thing is Chris did it for not money!!!!! Lee was extremely impressed that the guys offered and helped him load the pigs into the truck. The guys were blowin' away that most people wont touch them, no less help load them.

Robert and I waiting in the truck at Sinclair for our guide to show up.

Chris and Robert rarin' to hunt.

Kyle talking to the guide Lee. Love the man purse Kyle it really make the whole man!!!!

Erin.....come on guys lets get going already!!!!

Robert and Chris looking for piggies.....at lest it wasn't to muddy....

Group talking to the guide about where best to shoot the pigs.

Spotin' piggies....Gadas, Chris and guide Lee

Kyle and Gadas getting ready to shoot

Strategizing

Robert taking his first shot on his pig with his bow

Chris taking his last shot on his pig, me taking video and Robert standing by

Jeremy and Elijah with Kyle's pig

Chris's pig with last arrow stickin' out.

Robert and me with his pig

Gadas found Robert first arrow that went through the pig puncturing lungs and liver

One of Chris's broadheads

Robert with his pig

Another good pic

Gadas with his pig

Chris with his pig...... Swiss cheese

Kyle with his pig and he is actually smiling

Gadas official piggie picture

Group shot with Kyles pig

Kyle and Erin together

Robert, Jeremy, and Elijah with Jeremy/ Gadas' pig after being gutted

Celebrating the victory

Elijah was so interested and thought the whole experience was cool

Guide, Lee asking Gadas if he is sure about eating this heart

Gadas diving in...he actually thought it taste pretty good and took four bites!!!!

Victory and where is my thousand buck buddy!!!!

Another great pick of Robert

and another

Lee gutting Roberts pig

Chris and his pig again

Can you believe it Chris ate his heart too...but no money involved crazy kids....

Proof....blood on his lip

Pigs in back of Lee's truck

Victory beers.....

Robert and his pig head

Gadas gets sickest picture of the day award...in more ways then one..... knid of distturbing like load of the fliesRobert at the butchers in the freezer

Group shot in front of butchers shop

All in all it was an exciting day. The guys had fun and can't wait for the meat and skulls back in several weeks. Thanks River Bend Trophy Hunts and Lee for making this day so awsome and memorable......we will be back for bigger pigs!!!!!!!

I compiled a movie of video and film footage fromt he hunt. I hope you enjoy.....There are a few typos I have no intention of going back and fixing since this process is time cinsuming. Gadas shot his pig with a 300 WFS and Erin's last name is Evans

If you want to check out what River Bend Trophy Hunts has to offer visit www.riverbendhunts.com

Family Happenings First Part Of March

2009-03-19T14:48:00.014-06:00

DAY TRIP TO GOLDEN SPRIKE AND THE SPRIAL JETTY

Robert and I at the end of February first of March packed a lunch and the boys into our new Nissan Titan and went looking for fresh air.......we ended up driving to Golden Spike National Historic Site and then out to the spiral jetty. I thought this would be a great experiences, something else to mark off our bucket list for Utah and share a bit of my childhood with Robert. I remember visiting Golden Spike when I was young and still lived in Wyoming. We had a wonderful day even though it was overcast. Golden Spike was interesting....we even got to check out the park service maintenance area where they work on the two engines this time of years. Robert however was not impressed with the spiral jetty....he said he could do something like that with a track-ho and make it more accessible for the public to see!!!! He is probably right....but here's a little info from wiki that gives you an idea of why its such a great site to see.

The Spiral Jetty, considered to be the central work of American sculptor Robert Smithson is an earthwork sculpture constructed in 1970.
Built of mud, salt crystals, basalt rocks, earth, and water on the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake near Rozel Point in Utah, it forms a 1500-foot long, 15-foot wide counterclockwise coil jutting from the shore of the lake Smithson reportedly chose the Rozel Point site based on the blood-red color of the waters and its connection with the primordial sea. The red hue of the water is due the presence of salt tolerant bacteria and algae that thrive in the extreme 27 percent salinity of the lake's north arm, which was isolated from fresh water sources by the building of a causeway by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1959.

Because the water is low you do not get to see this wonderful red water!!!

So there you have it......all ya need is a track-ho and a better location and we can make our own sculpture...... at least the new truck wouldn't have gotten muddy!!! *wink*

Spiral Jetty

Drake and Widgeon sitting inside an old house foundation and spiral jetty in background

One of the engines at Golden Spike

This is one of those put the camera on the tail gate and run like hell pictures

Where the two railroads met up

Robert in front of the visitor center

DRAKE AND WIDGEON TURN 4!!!!

Drake and Widgeon celebrated their fourth birthday on March 12. We had Uncle Kyle, Auntie Erin and doggy cousins Abbie and Mater over a play date at the park. Afterwards we went home and had hamburgers, hot dogs, human cake and frosty paws (doggie ice cream...yes it is made by Purina!) Grandma Cowan sent a huge box of birthday gifts and they had a blast opening them. They both have mastered the art of opening presents in their 4 years of life. It is amazing to think we have had these two for four years. Where has the time gone........but they are such a huge part of our lives and the best kids you could ask for even if they are furry....Check out pictures of the big day below

Unwrapping presents!!

Happy Birthday Boy With His Daddy

Widgeon Hangin' With Dad Before The Festivities!!!

Family At The Park!!!!

Uncle Kyle Taking The Sticker Off Widgeon's New Toy (Left over wrapping paper in mouth!!! Yumm)

Abbie's First Time Eating Frosty Paws....YUM AGAIN

D and W eating Frosty Paws

Yes A Dog Tongue or Two Went Into The Human Cake...It all taste the same

Drake So Excited To Get The Quilted Drake Squeaker He asked Grandma Cowan For...He Picked This Out While At Work With Ma

Mater ready to P-A-R-T-Y

YARD WORK

Robert and I started some major yard work this last weekend in order to get the place looking spiffy for all the people coming to SL for our wedding in June. We laid sod last fall in the back portion of our property, but still needed to even the ground out closer to the house. SO we hauled in 1.5 yards of soil and planted grass seed ( "high traffic" kind praying it will hold up to the dogs). We are hoping that the beautiful weather we have had will continue from now till June and that any major snowstorms think about snowing around our house not on it!!!! Pray for the 60's and 70's we have been having this last week. Here are some picture of the boys playing in the back yard while we work. they had fun especially since they won't be allowed in the back yard till the grass comes in......

The boys like to chase each other around the studio

Welcome to the Walsh Family Blog

2009-03-19T12:41:00.017-06:00

Welcome to the Walsh Family Blog!!!!!!!.....While it might not be official yet the date is just around the corner and we think 10 years and several months is sufficient enough to say the Walsh Family even if the wedding isn't till June 27th. Kate thought she would check out what all the fuss is about over blogs. She is highly addicted to myspace and a little to facebook. If this thing turns out to be da bomb dot com then she may abandon them and just try to keep up one instead of all.
As June gets closer and closer our calender is filling up rather fast......so we thought we would update everyone on some important dates we are keeping in mind.

March 22nd

Robert is finally going on his pig hunt.....we are going to be eating oink oink for the next three years straight. He plans on shooting a 500lb pig on a guided hunt in Corine, Utah...pictures to be posted as soon as we get home....

March 27th

The Big 2-5 and 2-8. That's right Robert and Kate's birthday..... K is turning 25 and R 28 We plan on celebrating with friends at Stone Ground Restaurant down town SLC.

April 4th

Roberts grandma Rosemary is getting married in Sparks, Nevada to a lovely gentleman named Phil. We are looking forward to attending but not to the 16 hour round trip drive.....Kate is really hoping to talk Robert into flying instead.

April 5th
The three bridesmaids from Utah...Margaret, Candice and Erin are getting their alteration completed.....The Aunts in Maine are also having a absentee bridal shower for Kate.....(I am sure wishing I could be there!!!!)

April 19th

The girls are throwing Kate a bridal shower here is SL...don't have any details yet..

End of April first of May -finals for Kate

May 5th -last day of classes for Kate

May 8th- Kate's official graduation from the University of Utah!!!!!!
(She is not planning on walking but we are going to have a big Party/BBQ)

May 10th- Kate is planning at this time to be headed out into the field with the Dearing Lab from the U to do a weeks worth of Kangaroo rat/Hanta virus research.....we will see if this works out

Before you know it we are into June with bridal sitting on the 7th, a trip to Jackson Hole for Amanda Alexanders wedding on the 20th and then its our own wedding

So as you can see we are going to get very busy before the wedding. Erin Evans and Kate therefore took a relaxing day at horseshoe springs with the kids yesterday. Check out the pics below of the boys playing and swimming with Abbie and Mater

Drake hoping someone is going to throw the stick

Mater Chillin' (Kyle and Erin's dog)

Abbie standing on the board walk (Kyle and Erin's dog)

I don't need a bath when I get home mama

Widgeon concentrating hard on fishing