Martin's Cove

My Uncle John & Aunt Jean are on a mission at Martin's Cove in Wyoming where the pioneers took refuge from the stormy weather. They only have a couple months left so we knew we needed to go see them. My brother Blake & his wife Julie invited us along with our brother Ryan. We went up Friday night before Labor Day and stayed through Sunday morning. While I loathed the camping side of this trip, I'm really glad we went, it was a great experience for us all.

5 people, 1 car, 6 hour drive

My aunt & uncle have a nice little home on the site. I loved their sign by the front door, they truly have found joy in their journey as being missionaries at this historic site.

Saturday morning we got up and had breakfast with John & Jean then toured around the site a bit. We saw the visitor's center, the blacksmith shop, and a few other places. Then we picked up a handcart and prepared to walk up to Martin's Cove.

The round trip walk was about 5 miles, we only had a handcart for a little over 2 of those miles.

After a mile we "parked" our handcart and walked up to Martin's Cove. It was a great experience and left me in awe knowing that the pioneers had been right in this very place. Only they were freezing and had very little to eat & wear. We heard some great stories about pioneers and just enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded this cove. Behind Logan & I is where the pioneers sought refuge from the freezing snow & chilling winds.

The trail had some beautiful spots along the way. Vacation for me doesn't normally include pushing a handcart, especially when I already did a trek as a teenager. But I am grateful we did it, it's always good to remember what our ancestors did for us.

At this point we were about to cross the river where the pioneers had to cross. The statues below depict the men who carried many many people across the river in the frozen water. The statues were probably my favorite part, it made it real for me to see what they went through. The top 2 pictures are of my favorite statue. It shows a man carrying a young boy and a baby wrapped in his jacket. What these men did was miraculous, their love for others is a true example of how we should strive to be.

This picture was taken from where the statues stand, that's our handcart and the river is the Sweet Water river where the pioneers crossed in the frozen water.

Half way through the trek we had a picnic lunch, which was delicious. You'd think the boys had never eaten with how much they loved every bit of food we brought!

After the trek we rested up a bit and had dinner. Then my aunt drove us to Independence Rock. All over the rock and along the way there are names carved out in the stone. Names that date back before the pioneers crossed the plains. It's pretty incredible to see.

I only ended up climbing part way but the boys climbed all the way up and all over the top.

Thank you so much to our aunt and uncle who treated us so well and showed us a really great time. I am so glad we went, it was really great to see where the pioneers had been and try to show some of our own gratitude to them for what they did.

family weekend in Salina

Last weekend we got to spend time with both sides of Logan's family. On Saturday we went on the annual 4-wheeler ride for Logan's grandparents birthdays. On Sunday after church we went to Maple Grove and had a family BBQ to celebrate grandma Robins birthday, she passed away a year ago.

Saturday was so much fun. We got up early and headed to a small town called Marysvale. We met up with Logan's family, grandparents, and aunt and uncle. From there we rode up the mountain all the way to 11k elevation where you could see all the way down both sides of the mountain. It was gorgeous. We had a picnic near the top of the mountain for lunch and then came back down. We spent most of the day up there, luckily it was a lot cooler on the top of the mountain, a nice break from the heat.

Sunday was a really nice day. Maple Grove is one of the most beautiful places in Utah, in my opinion. We met up with most of the Robins family and enjoyed a most delicious meal. We walked around and enjoyed the scenery. It was a beautiful day to remember a beautiful woman.

My Best Friend's Wedding

Don't you just love that movie?

This past weekend I had the opportunity to fly down to Arizona for one of my best friend's weddings. Clarice, Meghan, and I are cousins, very close in age and have been best friends since we were born.

Clarice married Spencer this past weekend and I am so glad Meghan and I were able to be in the temple with her that day. I flew down Friday morning, went to the wedding, then the wedding dinner, and flew back home Saturday morning. It was one of the quickest trips ever, but I had a great time.

Congratulations Clarice, I am so happy for you and Spencer!

My flight down was beautiful. The cloudy sky reminded me of my hometown on a cloudy day, looking over the Rim at the city below.

We flew right over the coral pink sand dunes where we go every year with Logan's family. I also flew right over the grand canyon, I have yet to go there...hopefully this fall when it's a bit cooler.

Spencer & Clarice Patino

BFFs

Meghan, Clarice & me

Things That Matter Most

A friend just posted this video on her blog and I thought I'd share it too. It is a good reminder with our busy schedule right now to remember to focus on what truly matters most.

we love...

bike rides

image source

with my love

Chicago Chi-Town

Last week I had the opportunity to go to Chicago for work. This is was the second time I've been there for work but the first time I got to go downtown. All I can say is that downtown Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities I've been in. I had a great time and ate lots of great food.

I get quite lucky on work trips with upgrades...the flight out there was spent in first class...

a lovely surprise

 Silhouette goes to a convention called CHA-Craft & Hobby Association where all the scrapbook and craft companies get together to show retailers their new products. 

I made Mr. Fox on the shelf there, he sat there proudly the whole show next to the new fabric blade ;)

Got to go to one of my favorite restaurants-Portillo's/Barnelli's. 

I just found out there are a couple in California...I'll have to go next time I'm there!

Another favorite- Gibson's Steakhouse...mmmm...I love that place

And downtown Chicago, 

we got stuck down at the pier in a rain storm but it just added to the adventure. 

My iPhone pictures do not do it justice, clearly, but it was beautiful.

I love date nights

We've been so busy lately I can't even remember everything that happened in the past two months.

Sand dunes trip, Arizona wedding, work trip in San Diego, 4th of July in Salina, date nights, Logan started a new job, lots of stuff with Primary, and the list goes on. I'm not going to do a post about all of those things so I'll just mention 2 :)

After looking and interviewing many times my sweet husband got a job! He started 3 weeks ago at a company called Orange Soda, an internet marketing company, and he loves it so far. So many prayers were answered, we feel so blessed.

Last weekend we had a fun date night in downtown Provo. We don't make it down there very often but there was a rooftop concert and the band was playing Tom Petty songs so I knew we had to go. I love  Tom Petty and the concert was free, who can beat that?

We ate at a place called Station 22 and were very impressed with the food. Then we headed up to the concert where we had laid out a blanket and enjoyed the music. The music was great, each song had a different singer from different bands including Neon Trees. Logan isn't a huge Tom Petty fan but he likes most live music. After we left Logan said "see Dres, loud music is good for the soul," he sure does like loud music! All in all it was a successful date night.

thankfully the sun went down and we were in the shade for most of the concert

And I'm off to Chicago on Monday for another work trip...bring on the heat & humidity!