The Scenic Route

For the last week I've been on vacation in Loveland, Colorado with my friend Abe and his family. We spent a lot of time on the lake and had a great time. Yesterday I left in the morning to go home. I left early so that I'd have enough time to go the scenic route (I'm tired of going through Wyoming...no offense to any Wyomingites, but I-80 Is a snoozer in WY) and end up in Salt Lake in time for work. I intended to take I-70 through Colorado and I goofed. I took a right when I should have taken a left and ended up going through Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful, but I didn't want to have to pay $20 just to get through at a tourist's pace, but I figured that it would be faster than going another route. The sights were amazing and I enjoyed it, but I missed work (luckily the guys at work were able to cover my shift). Sometimes I feel like the scenic route is like a metaphor for my life. Eventually I get where I want to go, but it costs more money and takes more time. I sometimes hope for the days when I'm able to achieve my goals in a more direct and efficient way. I've had plenty of distractions. It's time for the main attraction.

Summer Travels

Grandma and Grandpa said they were planing to drive to Oregon for my cousin Melanie's high school graduation and I decided to go along. I had a great time. I have the most awesome family! The day before Melanie's graduation Haden and Cynthia showed their lambs at the county fair. I was impressed. I hope to go visit again soon.

For Christmas my sister Katie and I went to visit our family in Mesa, AZ and on our way back home on the 29th I decided to take a scenic detour/shortcut on Cottonwood Canyon Road, which is a dirt road that goes to Cannonville and eventually connects with Highway 89. At first we didn't have any problems on the snowy road, but after more than an hour we got stuck. To make a long story short, we ended up spending the night in the freezing cold (luckily we had warm clothes and blankets) and the next morning after a prayer I started walking and found a couple who helped us get turned around and then up a steep hill. This first picture is on the steep hill. By the way, my car is awesome in the snow and if I would have had two pairs of chains I would have been nearly unstoppable (or in deeper trouble). I'm really grateful for our rescuers Alex and Kathleen (I think that was her name but I can't remember for sure) and for the guy from California who just happened to come by after we got my car up the hill who supplied chains for Alex's truck so that they could get it up the hill. After we made it up the hill we were able to make it to 89 without any problems. When we finally got to the main road I didn't want to clean off my car because it looked so awesome covered in snow and mud, but the wheels were off balance with all the mud and slush in them. Almost exactly 24 hours after we turned off the highway we were turning back on the highway and on our way home. W

Ok, here is a lovely picture of mom on the day that Darlene, her friend from work was baptized. Darlene and her kids Freddy and Paula were our good friends and we loved to go to the beach, or, as Darlene insisted on calling it, the lagoon (real beaches are in California).

It's time for more pictures. First we have Jacob and the next one is Karl. They are playing on swings. It looks to me like it's at the sportsmans park in Aberdeen (we always called it the boat dock) By the way, those shorts that Jake is wearing were hand-me-downs from Jeremy and I. Those are some groovy looking shorts.

Here we have a few pictures of Jeremy. Because he was the firstborn he has the most pictures.

Family Photos

It has been requested that I make the photos of a certain album of Dad's available for others to see. I finally got up off my tush and scanned some of them today. I may perhaps scan some photos periodically and post them here for everyone to see. I hope you enjoy. First is Uncle Blake holding my older brother Jeremy. Next is Jeremy looking so darn adorable and playing with his dolly. I was a little bit impatient when I scanned the next few of Mom and Jeremy when JJ was learning to walk.
They look sooo happy!
Next is Grandma Pierce looking surprised. After that is Jeremy being held by Uncle Ted. Everybody sure loved to hold Jeremy. The last one is of Grandma Nash and my mom.