What we've been up to . . .

We're baaaack. Look - more than one post in a month. I told you I'd get better!

We went to Huntington Beach for the 4th of July. There we enjoyed spending time with Brent's family, playing in the waves, eating Chronic Tacos, and visiting the Newport Beach Temple. A jam-packed weekend of fun. 

When I was at BYU, I had roommates who used to laugh at me because I could always run into a cousin (which often met meeting new ones). Apparently the knack has followed me to California. Here we are standing on the beach with my cousin, Brig. I had no idea he'd be there. It was fun to finally introduce him to my husband. Yea for cousins!

Out to breakfast. Yum!

My beloved husband has known since we met that I have a terrible weakness for John Mayer. It's not something I can readily explain. He's easily one of my favorite musicians of all time. I love his voice, the voice of his guitar, his lyrics, the way his music is deep and easy to relate to for all kinds of people in all stages of life. It's like a good friend I come back to again and again. The same song can give me comfort in a myriad of situations. Pretty much, I'm hooked.

Anyway, Brent surprised me with tickets to the John Mayer concert in July that was in San Jose. We agreed that the roadside fruitstand we found would have been worth the trip on its own. Next time we won't try driving home in the middle of the night. 

The best part about this concert was that, while Brent bought the tickets to appease my sensibilities, he learned that he had a taste for John Mayer as well. It's now a love we can share. I love finding a new fan!

Then we took a camping trip in Arizona! I love camping and I love Arizona and I love camping in Arizona with my family. The makings of a wonderful trip. It was a pretty interesting drive - neither Brent nor I had ever taken Highway 58 and 40 straight west like that.

On our weekend camping trip, we went canoeing at Lake Mary. Brent wanted to try his hand at fishing there, but there wasn't a lot biting, and we didn't have as much time to sit and fish as we wanted. We did see an incredible osprey in flight right above us. He was washing himself off after a kill and a feast and we got a little to close and startled him. I've never seen a bird do this, but about halfway over the lake, he decided to fluff his feathers. He plumeted toward the water, but spread his wings and caught some lift at the last minute. It was beautiful - one of those moments when I'm struck by the magnificence of God's creatures and I'm so glad I took a minute to enjoy it and let go of the burdens of my life. 

Cousins at the camp.

Turns out Brent and my dad get along pretty well. Phew!

The man and his dwelling. (Granted, I helped. Just a bit.)

Do you see, my friends, what I see? That's right. There's water on these leaves. While we were camping, it rained in the middle of the night. I was engulfed in my favorite sound and favorite smell. I had honestly forgotten what rain smelled like. I love being wrapped up snug in your blankets while listening to rain beat against your tent. Mmmm. 

Pines and quaking aspens. Can life get better? I submit that it cannot!

We didn't eat the mushrooms.

That would be my brother. He makes me smile. A lot.

Lake Mary. It's a little hazy because there were clouds. Those are those fluffy white and gray things that hang in the sky and occasionally drop water on you. In the perpetual brownish-blue haze I live in, I had forgotten how much I LOVE clouds. 

Cousins! I can't even begin to say how much I love these two girls!

Lockett Meadow. Truly, this place is Eden for me. It's a place my family camped a lot when I was younger, so it holds a wonderful sense of nostalgia for me as well.

The Meadow at sunset.

We discovered these on Highway 40. Unfortunately, they are NOT boosts to make your car go faster. What a disappointment.