Celebrating our Anniversary

For Christmas the kids gave us a "weekend a-way".

We finally got to use our gift to celebrate our 31st Anniversary this past weekend.

It was Daddy's Friday off so he started off with a spin class while I uh...stayed home and read (I need to read those books so I can return the books to the library or I SO would have gone to the gym.)

I also did some laundry. Then we got ready and did some errands in town and FINALLY got some breakfast....actually it was so late it was LUNCH at Arby's and headed to Morgan to get some ammunition Doran wanted. We didn't even make it past Ogden before the snow changed our minds.

We turned around and headed to Logan hoping to beat the snow over the canyon.

We went shopping and then checked in to our room at the Old Rock Church before we headed to dinner. Our "weekend a-way" included one nights stay. 

I choose this room...

There were rose petals from the door up to another room where there was a glass table with glasses full of chocolate kisses and candles.

There was also candles on a bed of rose petals on the bed.

It was so fun.

The sparkling cider was in the fridge chilling.

I choose this room mainly because of this tub!

You know how I like my lobster soaks!

We then headed to dinner with our gift card at 

CAFE SABOR

After dinner we drove up to Mountain Crest High School where they were having a

Cowboy Rendezvous. We didn't have much time to explore but there was a lot going on! It was like a mini fair all in the high school.

If I remember to watch for it next year I would like to attend again.

We did however make it in time to see if there were any tickets left for the 

Bar D show.

These guys are from Durango and put on a fun show.

I am partial to the Bar J from Jackson but there were some really good songs the Bar D did.

Saturday morning after our delicious breakfast we went shopping some more. Actually daddy set aside a gun the night before so we went to pick it up.

We grabbed another Arby's and then headed home.

We changed real quick and headed to the temple.

What a wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary eh?

I am so glad for the blessing it is to be married and sealed to my best friend for 

ETERNITY.

What a wonderful weekend.

Thanks girls!!!

We love your guts!

Temple Service and Bear Lake

Thursday, June 6 we worked on the temple grounds. Doran did a lot of the mowing and I learned how to deadhead roses. No wonder why the temple grounds always look so nice. There is order in their service work and everyone is willing to do their part.

I wish I were better about making our own yard look as nice.

It was a neat learning experience.

I would do this again.

After the service work we went home and hooked the trailer up for our first camp trip.

We went to Bear Lake for the weekend with my Mom and Stan.

We had reservations for Rendezvous Beach.

We aren't much for the water experience as we are to get away.

When we arrived there weren't very many campers and then we figured out why, maybe.

On our drive over Logan canyon we saw helicopters flying over the mountains. We were wondering where they were headed.

Come to find out that they are based at Rendezvous Beach for some training.

Some people were annoyed that they were there because the were flying from sun-up to way late in the night. They didn't bother me, I was fascinated with them.

I asked what it would take for us to ride in one and they said to sign on the dotted line.

Uh...sign on the Enlistment papers.

I am not ready to do that and I admire the men and women that do!

Every time a chopped started up the M*A*S*H* theme song would start playing in my head.

Friday morning Doran and I got up and drove to the top of the summit.

When we were driving before we were calculating how far it was to our camp site.

We figured it to be about 8 miles.

We parked the truck at the lookout and headed down the road.

We were having a pretty good run and then we had a watch die on us so I started my phone.

We stopped and filled our water along the way and used a resort potty.

When we hit eight miles we knew we had miscalculated!!

At about mile 13 we ran out of water again.

There was a rest stop that the water was not working. There was some parks lady there filling a bucket and said we could have some of that water. We asked if it was drinking water but she wasn't sure. She thought so. It tasted AWFUL!

We could see the camp site so we sucked it up and finished instead of calling for a ride.

That was the longest eight miles I have ever run.
We ended at 14 miles!

Such a refreshing treat after a run.

I was so needing to put my feet in some ice so we decided to go and sit in the lake.

Well to get to the water from where we were, we had to trudge through the muck and sludge to get there.

This is as far as I got. It was gross, it felt like quicksand and...sharks!

That night we went to Pickleville Playhouse to see "El Bandito Rides Again".

It was hilarious!

Saturday morning was the Bear Lake Half-10k-5k race.

Doran thought about running the half but since we had already ran a grundle of miles the day before he wasn't sure he was up to another 13 miles so we went out to the road and watched for a couple of people we knew were running.

The service men and women were volunteering at a couple of the water stops. So cool!

We all took our bikes with us so we rode around camp a few times.

Sunday morning Doran and I went in to town to attend Sacrament.

It definitely was a great weekend!!

Fall Vacation - Day 11

You wouldn't guess what we got to do so I will tell you!!!

We went to the Snowflake Temple!!

This time we knew we needed to make appointments so Danny called for us at o'dark thirty.

When we got there we were again asked to help.

One of Doran's cousins were there handing out family names so we were able to do some family names. Then after the session we were invited to do some sealings. I happened to bring one of our names just in case we got the opportunity. We were able to complete my family name also. What a beautiful, wonderful day!

 This was Cortney's first time at this temple. 

 Daddy-daughter time.

 We went to lunch after at this..yes...Mexican restaurant.

I LOVED this sign!

Most of the temple workers were there too.

This has been such a GREAT vacation!!

Fall Vacation - Day 9

The annual Gardner Reunion was held in Mesa, Arizona.

We don't get to go to many of them because they are usually held two Saturdays before Thanksgiving and can't make that long of a trip.

This year the reunion was held the weekend before Thanksgiving so we got to go!

Daddy and I making Root Beer.

Nathan was in charge of getting as many pictures as he could for Claire. She is so good to make reunion pages each year for the Gardner sisters.

Auntie Claire, Aunt Wanda, Grandma Shelley

 Uncle Max, Danny

 Aunt Trelva

 Game time

 Aunt Wanda, Diana, Kim, Uncle Royd, Aunt Connie

 The Treasurers

 Carol, Wanda, Doug, Trelva, Linda 

After the reunion Danny & Claire, Doran & I and Cortney went over to Steven & Ruth's home to change for the Mesa temple. What a beautiful temple! We went early enough to get pictures before and....

at night.

Then we had a yummy Mexican dinner with mariachis playing.

Nope, not tired of Mexican food yet.

Great day...Great, great day!!

Fall Vacation - Day 5

We got an early start so we could drive up to Newport Beach Temple.

When we went to go in they checked and couldn't find our name on their attendance list. We told them we didn't know we had to call ahead to schedule. They told us they had room anyway and invited us in. Then right when we got past the first desk we were asked to help in the session.

The colors are so beautiful and vibrant in the temple.

As we were sitting waiting for the session to start in comes David Archuleta.

We didn't get a chance to talk to him. Right after, either they were in a hurry to avoid the "fans" or they were late for something.

After the Newport Beach time we headed back to the San Diego Temple.

What a beautiful Temple!! The grand staircases inside were fabulous! A must see!

After the session we headed upstairs to see the atrium that was in the middle of the temple. From there we were invited to do some sealings. Another great experience.

Since we hadn't eaten since breakfast we finally changed our church clothes and went to some messy BBQ dinner at Phil's BBQ. Now we know why it is always busy.

Great, wonderful day!