Hermano y Hermana Cheney

Mom and Joe have received their mission call! This has been a long time coming as they first said they were going to turn in their papers to the Church Mission Office back in August!  Finally, after a few more grandchildren were born, they decided to take the plunge.  They will be serving in Lima, Peru as area auditors for the Northwest South America area.  This includes Venezuela, Ecuador, Columbia, Peru and Bolivia. They will be working with 35 assistant auditors, training and working in the Church office in Lima. Joe knows Spanish from his Guatemala mission but mom will be learning the language in addition to the Church auditing software Lufas. They will be serving for the next 23 months, so much longer than I anticipated. They will train in Salt Lake Feb 5-6 and then check into the Provo Missionary Training Center Feb 9 for only one week before heading to South America!

I am so excited for their adventures ahead.  This couldn't be a more perfect assignment for my mother who loves to travel and see the world!  Although she will be busy working, I am confident she will find time for the 2 of them to have small adventures in the new world where they will be serving.  I find myself wondering what their life will be like.  Not their mission life, but their everyday life.  What will their apartment look like, and their beds, and what kinds of foods will mom learn to prepare.  Will Mark and I get the chance to go and visit?  And then, almost all at once, it hits me that my mom will not be right here.  I haven't lived close to her in a few years now, but it is still really weird to think that I can't just hop on a plane and be in her comfy home in a few hours.  

So very exciting to see my mother go to serve her first mission in her lifetime.  And perhaps not her last!  Love the examples they have shown in putting their lives in order to be able to dedicate 2 years of their lives in a foreign country to the building up of the Kingdom of God.

Lauren / Kaylinn Weekend 2015

 It is always a fantastic feeling to have a dear friend make time in their life to step into yours for a few days.  I've been lucky enough to keep this very special friend despite the changing seas of life and the physical distance between us. Lauren Lewis Kammeyer is truly, as Anne of Green Gables would say, my kindred spirit.

We had two really fun play days in her weekend trip here, and the state graced us with warm and delightful weather!  On Friday we headed up the mountains (and out of the horrendous pollution) to Park City.  Sunny and basically empty, we strolled these streets and meandered the delightful shops.  And you know me, I'm always excited about a little history - and Park City has it's share of it.

We enjoyed lunch a The Eating Establishment, where our table was next to a burning fire and a beautiful photograph of what we guessed was Zion's National Park. Cameron was a fantastic travel buddy, as usual, full of smiles and super obedient.  (Seriously, I couldn't have prayed for a more perfect buddy than he)

Saturday took us down to Provo; our old stomping grounds. (Photos compliments of Lauren being that I was lame-o and didn't take pictures) We went to Tucanos, which is a special event in and of itself.  Then headed over to Campus to walk memory lane there.  The bookstore never disappoints, and Lauren was surprised to see all the construction changes going on around campus.  AND it must be mentioned, part of the fun Saturday excursion was that a dear friend here let us borrow her van for the day.  SO - we got a lux ride in my all time favorite vehicle with some of my all time favorite people.  Thanks Jacie.

I've said it before, Lauren and I are two peas in a pod.  Not a memory of BYU goes by without having her in it.  So cheers to starting 2015 off on a fantastic foot. I'm already looking forward to our next get together.

My Little School

I'm obsessed with teaching.  I really just love the activities that go around teaching.  And so it is no surprise that my young one is now my student.  We try to have "school time" a few times a week.  It isn't scheduled or even consistent even; but we do have a ton of fun.  

When we do it right, which is about once a week, our schedule looks like this:

Calendar time {20 minutes}: sing songs about the days of the week, months of the year, & weather.  Recite scripture of the month.  Identify numbers, shapes, and colors. Article of Faith puzzles and tell one flannel story from the scriptures and bear testimony of the principle being taught.

Learning Center {20 minutes}: We go over to the table and do whatever I've got ready.  Games, puzzles, glueing, cutting, writing, matching...there is SO MUCH on the internet that it really is just a matter of what I feel like.

Reading Time {20 minutes}: Just that.  One library book after another.

PE / Music {20 minutes}:  We "exercise" to keep our bodies healthy.  Usually running around the yard or walking the dog or going to the park.  When we keep it indoors we sing songs, play the piano, and do fun things like build forts or color or dance.

The end!

It goes by really fast and has been super fun.  AND NOW, just recently, I've started tutoring a kindergartner on writing so we actually do that for an hour with the other activities before and after.  Today I spent hours making my own alphabet handwriting practice pages.  Mostly because I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. (Holy wow, I'm ridiculous).  There are plenty of options on the internet for purchase, but just didn't want to spend the money, and I wanted a mix of different skills.  (Although in retrospect it would have probably been worth it.)  But admire me...they did turn out cute didn't they? You want them don't you?

It's been a great outlet for my teaching love, and my need to teach Cameron how I want.  He is growing so quickly, I can't loose sight of this time we have together.  And, I'm putting it out into the world - judge me if you must - but I am seriously considering homeschooling.  EEEK!

Real Snow

We were all wondering if in fact this state was going to get a White Christmas.  Yet, just like a movie, on Christmas morning, we has a delightful flurry of white snow blanketing our lawns and streets.  For the next few days, we got a little more that made for a really great powdery play place in our backyard.  Something that Cameron had never really experienced before.  Sure, we were here last year, but he was a year younger then too.  So it was fun getting to watch him re-discover it all over again.

We tried to build a snowman, but my one memory of building one with my father is very vague and I couldn't seem to manage to put one together.  Didn't matter much; Cameron enjoyed just running around and playing.  He got more and more comfortable with it as the hour passed and was soon sitting in it and throwing it into his face.  My favorite part of the softly fallen snow? The way it lays on the trees.  It only happens when there is no wind and it's just a light snow. So pretty.

Focused in '15

Happy New Year all! I L-O-V-E New year's.  All things about them; I just love.  I am in love with getting started on a new planner. I went again with the Mormon Mom Planner brand because I really fell in love with all the additional pages for notes and organization and the scrappy feel it give me.  Plus, it's LDS based which adds quotes and encouragement for focusing on what really matters.  As for goals - I have many.  I am a goal oriented person.  Like - major.  During the entire month of December I make a huge "brainstorm" list of anything I can think of that I'd like to improve.  I then make 6 categories and select my top choices for the new year.  And I will be Focused in '15!

For example, this year I am going to:
Focus Spiritually by:
- Reading the Book of Mormon (learn more here)
- Indexing 2,000 names (learn more here)
- Do an ordinance in a temple I haven't been in before (learn more here)
- Keep a prayer journal

Focus Physically by:
- Do a 30 day challenge (thank you Pinterest)
- STOP any and all phone use while driving (Texting, calling, mapping - you name it)
- No Soda all year!

Focus Financially by:
- Recording purchases into YNAB at point of sale (budgeting software found here)
- Get our finances in order and buy a house

Focus on Home and Family by:
- One family date Monthly
- Try 2 new recipes each month
- Blog 6 times per month (I had an all time LOW in my number of posts last year. Shameful.)
- Visit Tessa's new house. (AND if we happen to swing by the Duggar's residence...)

Focus on my Hobbies by:
- Plant a garden with at least 3 plants
- Finish a few scrapbooks I started and never finished (Cameron's baby book is WELL overdue!)
- Visit / Travel someplace new
- Make my bed everyday


Looking forward to all the fun things that will come this year; whatever they may be.

Sally Forth, Tally Ho!

2014 Wrap Up

I'm not sure if it's the photo collages that take up too much time, or the fact that my photos in general are less amazing.  (Since straying from the iPhone, I'll admit, I have been less satisfied with the ease of a camera in my pocket).  Alas, I've let the rest of the year go by without anything really interesting to show for it.  Quite honestly, there wasn't a lot going on.  The holidays were fantastic, with a visit from my brother Dave and a turn around visit for me to Arizona. A few weeks and then Christmas with the Morrell's.  And now, here we are - with New Year's upon us.

A little update of our family:

Mark is enjoying his time over at the Utah Jazz organization.  He is working as a VIP manager there, specifically over the suite holders and maintaining their relationship with the Jazz organization.  Its a busy job that lets him exercise his customer service expertise daily.  He is currently writing a second book, which will be entirely his own book about leadership techniques and traits.  He is serving diligently as the Young Men's President for our ward and trying to pick up his Basketball skills again.  He enjoys reading, attending/watching sporting events, and being with his family.

Kaylinn (I) am still loving being at home with Cameron.  I really do try to focus most of my energy and time into raising him.  We have "preschool time" where we sing songs, read books, color, play with play dough, and "exercise" to keep our bodies healthy.  On days when I am not so productive, I like to watch "Reality" TV, scrapbook, sew, write cards to friends, and read.  I serve as the Primary Music Director in the ward and never paid enough tribute to those who have served before me. (It's a LOT of work!)

Cameron is our perfect little child.  We knew we struck gold when first saw his face, and watching him grow has been a daily confirmation of what a blessing it is to have him.  He is a fan of all things Disney.  Refers to Mickey as "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" in all settings.  Has a very strict diet of Peanut Butter and Honey sandwiches, Mac and Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, and chocolate milk.  All other foods are a struggle with his 2 year old opinions.  Really doesn't like meat of any kind.  Addicted to any screen; that's been fun.  Completely Potty Trained! Can count 1-20, knows all the big and little alphabet letters, and has 3 scriptures memorized. AND - has recently started praying on his own. Not going to lie - I'm super proud. Loves his Uncle Tom, and cousins Carter, Spencer, and Bennett.  And the Bouche boys.  Loves going to the park and riding the "blue car" around the neighborhood...there is so much.  Suffice it to say that the is delightfully fun and I love him.

Although the end of the year left my blog high and dry, I do want to continue doing it.  (I'm aiming at 6 per month next year)  It helps in my scrapbooking and keeps my memories strait.  I am beyond excited for a new year to start and all the "freshness" it brings.  I love my happy, happy family and pray that the Lord will bless us with more in 2015.

All Hallows Eve

We had a perfectly fun (and really normal) halloween holiday!  There aren't any really fun stories to tell; but suffice it to say that it was really fun. This was Cameron's first year where he really understood what was going on and what I was explaining to him.  He knew he was dressing up as a "Yo-Ho Pirate" and that he would be getting treats!  So, that was very fun.

Our ward threw the traditional "Trunk-Or-Treat" to kick off the Halloween season.  My boy danced and danced to the music almost all night long! I was actually surprised; I didn't know dancing was really in his bucket of tricks.  Public dancing has been off mine since High School!

We carved pumpkins the week of halloween in an effort to ensure their "health" on Halloween night.  They turned out really great this year.  I, for one, am very much a quick pumpkin carver.  Finding the easiest pattern and just whipping it up.  Mark, on the other hand, is far more artistic and patient.  This year he tried Batman in a cave, shaving off the cave portion of the pumpkin so the light glowed through it.  (This picture was his trial run; he went back and shaved a little more so the "cave" glowed really great)  And Cameron went for the "yo-ho pirate"; no surprise there.  Sadly, the pumpkins only lasted about a day before they were wilted and gross.  We can't win everything.

Halloween night was really fun too.  WE invited a few neighboring friends to join us on our driveway for Chili, bread, music, and trick-or-treaters.  It was really perfect weather and perfectly fun. Getting to socialize with all the other neighborhood members as they took their kids around.  We learned this tradition while we were with friends in California and hope to continue it each year when the weather permits.

So there you go.  It was indeed a very happy halloween.  And I am determined that NEXT YEAR I really will dress up.  I always intend to but then wait until the very last minute to try and find something in my closet.  Never works.  Next year though...just wait and see.

Walt Disney World

As if there aren't enough pictures on the inter-web of this family and their Disney obsession, here is yet another post depicting our love of the Disney Parks! We sure do love them and aren't afraid to spend all our vacation time there! What made this trip even more exciting was that my mom and Joe agreed to join us on our adventures.  We sure did LOVE everything about our trip and can't wait to go again.  So, if you've got some time on your hands, I give you our Disneyworld vacation in oh-too-many pictures.

We stayed at the Saratoga Spring Resort right there on property. Mark spent a lot of his time working at this resort during his College Program days, so he was in deja-vu a lot! We scored a delightful 2 bedroom "villa" which allowed us our own private space yet to be together. The only way to travel in my opinion.

Day 1: EPOCT and Le Cellier Steakhouse: One word-epic.  I don't usually go to Epcot as our first park on the trip; but dining reservations forced us to have it no other way.  I have always loved the World Showcase and meandering through the countries.  We had the disney dining plan again, so we made a stop in at the steakhouse in the Canada pavilion. Holy moly worth it a thousand times over.  It costs 2 dinners on your plan but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. So delicious.

Day 2: Hollywood Studios. Highlights included Mark getting me on Tower of Terror even though I dislike that ride. Catching all Cameron's favorite Pixar characters. And seeing the Home Alone crowbar. Our dining reservations here wasn't anything to shout about, so we'll just breeze over it without much mention.  We ate.

Day 3: The Magic Kingdom: This was a packed day! Since our last visit 5 years ago, the Magic Kingdom has gone under a ton of improving construction.  Specifically, the Haunted Mansion que and Fantasyland. The new Seven Dwarfs mine car had just opened the month before, so we snagged us some fast passes and took a ride on that.  It was a GREAT roller coaster but in my opinion, not worth more than at 15 minute wait.  The 90+ standby line is really not worth it.  We also enjoyed the new Be Our Guest restaurant for our dining choice; fantastic. Although "the grey stuff" isn't all that delicious; my chocolate cupcake was a much better option.

Day 4: Resort day and resting. Swimming and naps had by all.  Much needed and super delightful. Cameron became so much more confident in the pool, I just loved watching him try to motor himself around in the water. Too cute.

Day 5: Animal Kingdom. This is by far my least favorite of the 4 parks.  I'm not sure if this feeling came because I spent so much of my time working here during my college program days; or if it is just the park as a whole that doesn't suite my fancy. Whatever it is, we only spent the morning here and then headed back to the resort for more swimming and resting.  We hit up the Hoop De Doo Review that night and had a hoot of a time there. Yummy BBQ and really fun entertainment.

Day 6: Magic Kingdom. We spent our last day in Orlando visiting our favorite park of them all.  Ate a ton as we used up the rest of our dining plan meals, and just relaxed as we saw whatever we felt like. And I must mention that our good friends the Marcums who now live in Tampa made the trip up to visit us while we were there. It's always great to get together with old friends and renew those ties. Loves.  This was just a super fun trip and we can't wait to go again!

October - Check

Welp - so much for my blogging goals this month.  My priority list shifted a bit and blogging got bumped down the line.  It happens.  So here is a quick re-cap of the month we've enjoyed.

- I've been sewing like a champion this month!  Christmas gifts this year are almost down with everyone's family accounted for! I am loving how they are all turning out.  I've spent most of my sewing hours down in Orem with my Mother-In-Law.  I have truly loved my time there and how our relationship just gets better.

- I started making my own Laundry Soap.  Say what? that's right folks. After reading ump-teenth million blog posts about it, and seeing it on my Pinterest board too many times, I decided to make the plunge.  And, wouldn't you know, I LOVE it.  It took a round of Laundry to really decide that it is great being that there is a whole make it and shake it process involved.  But now that it's been a month, I agree with all the blog posts out there; it really does smell better. It feels cleaner.  And it is LOADS cheaper. (no pun intended.)

- We started prepping for our first Say ChEARS Foundation Christmas.  We've shifted the focus slightly in that now we are going to gift our Disney themed gifts to deserving families every Christmas.  (they will actually experience them during the year). Which means that it is coming up quick!  It'll be a small year being that we just launched, but we are so excited to have our first one. A thanks to everyone who has donated. There will be updates and reports on the family we gift on our website to come.

- Cameron is potty trained! It was a rough go for mom, but he really was a champ. By far the most patience trying time yet; but he got it and now we're out of diapers.  Party on y'all.

- Halloween is just around the corner! I'm a little worried it'll be too cold for Cameron's adorable Pirate get up; but we're braving the weather and we're going to celebrate come what may. Thanks to my sister for sending her son's costume bits. Made my job easy.

- I quit my Tell Me the Stories gig.  Honestly, it was a fantastic run.  I got 14 stories done for Cameron's collection and really boosted my confidence in art and teaching.  So-despite the fact that my only 2 sales were my to sister and Mark's friend; it was a nice thought none the less.

- There is some shifting going on over at the Jazz organization (where Mark works) which is proving to be very interesting. There hasn't been any decisions yet, but there is a ton of dust in the air.  I'm interested to see what it looks like when the dust settles.

- We adopted a dog. That is a shocker, to me especially.  I am not a pet person; so when the whole dog thing came up - I was shocked.  Even more shocked that it was suggested by - yours truly. I know. But, she had been living at my in-laws for her whole life, and we felt that she could be loved on and played with better with us.  So-we brought her home.  So far, it's been a nice fit.  I'm still not totally confident with her, but she'll lick you to death before she is at all dangerous.  So, that's been fun.

- I know it's really early, but I have been seriously considering homeschooling my little ones. (assuming the Lord blesses me with more someday). I can't say I'm totally shocked, it is something I love to do; school and teaching; curriculum and worksheets; learning and fun.  Plus, I would love to spend the short 16 years left I have with my son as much as possible.  And, excuse my tangent, but I have a serious dream about running a "neighborhood home school" out of my house someday.  The end.

I still love my calling at church, primary music director.  It's awesome. I love my neighborhood and ward friends. Seriously, like I never want to move. I am happy, healthy, and things are good.

Off to November.

The Farm

Alright y'all.  Back to blogging.  Don't hold your breath but, I have goals.  So - we're off to a start on this, the first day of the month. 

We were blessed with the chance to spend some time up with Uncle Tom at the farm this summer.  And it was delightful as usual.  I'm not sure how it happened, but now going to the farm equates with "junk food weekend." And we love it.  We dine at Moore's Cafe or Maddox, have bowls of "gaming food" like M&M's and Twizzlers, and always make Granny's Frosties.  This time around I made a Pinterest find, Salted Carmel Cookies.  Yes, they too were yummo.  Sure, we leave feeling fat and sick, but in the moment, it's totally worth it!

 This particular time around, Mark's project was working on the water pipe that had broke in the shed. I laughed as I sat in the recliner and supervised while Mark relived his Pool Man days.  He does a good job!  Sad that we didn't have a onsie for him to work in.  Gramps always worked in a onsie and the boys sort of loved that.

I also ventured to a new corner of the farm and found a huge collection of cars in what appeared to be a car graveyard.  No, these didn't belong to gramps, but rather an uncle who inherited the property after Gramps died.  And now, here they sit.  All old and abandoned.  Be still my history heart.

We sure love our time at the farm and are planning on stopping by again before the snow hits.  Delightful.

August to October

People.  Am I the only one here that feels like September didn't happen.  I honestly feel like we had August, and then I blinked and it is now October.  Say WHAT?  This year will go down in history as the year with only 11 months.  (Which is sad. Because I really like September.)

In all honesty, we have lived this month, and I WILL have the blog posts to show it.  (Just late, per usual) They will include our most fantastic trip to Orlando, which took up a huge chunk of the month, visits with my favorite cousins and aunt, preschool began, and my new 100% scripture study which has been awesome. And of course an update of the little one who gets more and more fantastic every day.  Can someone stop the clock?  At this rate he'll be 18 before I know it.

So there you have it internet world. I amuse myself thinking anyone in that big world out there reads this.  I lost a month of my life. It's gone and I can't get it back.  So here's to October. May it be as stellar as I anticipate.

A Big Deal

I won't lie, these past few months, and these next several months are pretty epic in the lives of the Morrell Bunch.  There are a few things in our pocket that will be unfolding in the next several months which are awesome.  Plus, the launching of the Foundation was a huge milestone that we are loving; and on it's heels was Mark being published in his first book.  It's entitled "Entrepreneurs on Fire; Conversations with Visionary Leaders"  Cool right?

The book is a series of interviews with those who have broken the mold of Corporate America.  The first chapter is by Barbara Corcoran who gives some really inspiring insight about how to tap into your own power.  

Mark is the third chapter and he talks about the lessons he learned from his Disney managing experience.  He has been titled the #1 Expert in creating systems and processes to help people and companies succeed.  His chapter really taps into the ideas of pursuing the Power of You.  And it is inspirational and awesome.  {No biased opinion there I'm sure}

The best part is, this book has reminded Mark of his passion for writing.  And what better thing to write about and share with the world than some of the tips that he has learned from his time with The Mouse?  He loves it.  And, he is Really good at it.  So - cheers to our FIRST book publishing milestone; but certainly not our last.  

Love that man of mine.

AND - bonus...if you'd like a copy of this book, you can buy it directly from Mark for a cheaper price than Amazon sells it.  :) He is selling it through Etsy so go there if you want a copy.

{GET YOUR COPY OF ENTREPRENEURS ON FIRE HERE}

A portion of each sale goes to The Say ChEARS Foundation.

Family History Lessons

Have I had quite the education these last several weeks!  I have never really been able to get into my family history; mostly because I am of the syndrome "my grandmother's have done it all".  AND - let's be honest here, I haven't really ever tried super hard.  BUT - all that changed these last few weeks after our trip to Nauvoo uncovered a bit that I didn't know about.

I had always known that my father's side held Pioneer stories.  That was basically the extent of my knowledge. So, when we visited Nauvoo and discovered the home Jonathan Calkins Wright, you better believe my history heart came alive with curiosity.  Jonathan is my 3rd Great Grandfather and has an interesting story line that led him to Nauvoo and into Joseph Smith's circle of friends.  He then crossed the plains to Salt Lake and soon found himself settled in Brigham City Utah. What I didn't know was the treasure trove I had just uncovered. 

Fast forward to last week.  My husband's family also has roots in Brigham City, Utah.  They were basically the pioneers that came with President Snow, under the direction of Brigham Young, to settle the new area.  Mark has an uncle who has been commissioned by the Mayor to do an extensive history of the area. Consequently, he is a wealth of knowledge and offers history tours of the city to passers by.  We were just so lucky to schedule a private tour just for us.  He took us all over to town showing us some key points of interest.  Starting with our very personal history.

 {1}  First stop was the now abandoned building that served as the hospital where Mark's father was born.  Say what? Abandoned?  Yes, and I totally wanted to go and explore.  But didn't.  Next up {3} Clyde's boyhood home where many summers were spent on those steps playing pickled waters.  A game I have no idea how to play.  And then, a surprise to me for sure was the trip to the high school where the Morrell name has been immortalized forever.  {2} Outstanding boy in 1966? Clyde Morrell.  Way to go pops!

We then learned quite a hefty load about the 3rd Great Grandpa Alvin Nichols and his history in Brigham City.  We saw some homes he lived in, the pasture where he did his farming, and the land he once owned that is now the home of many of his descendants.  We then hopped over to the graveyard to see where they are all buried.  

{This is where the tour got really interesting}

We found the graves of Alvin Nichols.  It was a square marker with the names of each of his wives on one side.  And who is one of his wives? A lady by the name of Charlotte Wright.  (dun, dun, dun).  Just a stone throw away was the grave of Jonathan Calkin's Wright.  This suddenly sparked my interest, so I asked Uncle David what the connection was.  And yes, Charlotte Wright was Jonathan Calkin Wright's daughter.  Can you put that genealogy chart together in your head?  I'm not going to spell it out for you right here, but there IS a polygamist line in there.  That is important to mention.  

Uncle David showed us Charlotte's house (below). and across the street was where Brigham Young gave his final public address 10 days before he died.  

So there you go.  A history lesson that sparked my interest way back in Nauvoo and led to a connection that I never expected.  Let's give it up for small towns eh? Cuz at this point, there is no going back.  {This last statement will make no sense if you haven't made the connection - the one that I'm not going to admit here. If you really are THAT curious ~ give me a shout out and I'll spell it out for ya. Again - there IS a polygamist line in there...let's not forget that point! Please. :)}

Obsession

I am sure not all people can say that have a TV family obsession.  In fact, I am sure that this is probably reaching an unhealthy level.  But - I'm coming out with it and embracing it in it's fullness.  I am obsessed with the Duggar family. (as seen on TLC's 19 Kids and Counting).  There are so many things about this family that I just love! Firstly, just as people in general, I think they are fantastic. I'd love to be their friends.  Secondly, their values are tremendously inspiring. Although they are not members of my faith, they follow similar values which I admire. Thirdly, they have 19 kids.  AND here is the bombshell; I want 20 kids.  As many as the Lord would bless me with, I'd joyfully take them. So that is cool to me.  I desperately want to sit in a room with Michelle and just listen to her talk.  So yes, I'm obsessed.

Fast forward to yesterday.  My sister is visiting Northwest Arkansas.  I know, not a place people usually go, but she is there. AND - because she loves me more than words can express, she stalked the street where the Duggar's house is and drove past for a photo op.  excuse me? Yes.  She made a little drive just for me to sit here and take a picture.  Isn't she fantastic.  She even said that a Duggar came into view and was driving the golf cart!  Be still my obsessed heart!

So - a quadruple thanks to my lovely sista and her feeding of my obsession.  Mark my words internet world; some day I will have my pretty little face in a photo just like this.  Don't mind me Duggar's, I'm just holding a stake out until my cup fillith over.  :)

For the first time in forever

Yes, I just used a "Frozen" line to title my post.  Let the record show I am not as obsessed with this film as the majority of Americans.  That being said, it does fit perfectly with how I feel this day went.

I had a great day.  Simply awesome.  Why you ask?  Well, because - for the first time in forever, I capitalized on the fact that I don't have an employer, I had a car to my disposal, and I could do whatever I wanted.  For my whole life, I always had to make plans on weekends; and even now am constantly aware of my husbands work schedule and when we can and can not play.  Well, with him being out of town, I decided on a  whim to drive up to the Golden Spike Historic Site.  I have wanted to go since moving here, and for the first time in forever, I actually realized that I could just go!

So, on a random Friday, I loaded up the boy and a few snacks and headed north. And, as a totally unexpected bonus, Uncle Tom decided to join us!

 This was a totally lack-luster historic site.  So many stories about this little 45 minute stop that I could fill a whole page.  A few favorite highlights included:
** the tour group just before us was full of Historical Society Senior citizens.  They were super helpful! Never in my life have so many strangers approached me to tell me about what I needed to do.  The platforms behind the trains was the most frequent tip.  Tom and I couldn't help but smile.
** The platforms. Not sure why everyone acted like thy were the best thing ever.  They are there to help you look into the locomotive.  Um - pretty sure I've been inside several trains at other historic places. So-looking into the cabin wasn't that exciting.
** Trains vs. locomotive.  I was corrected a few times by the gentleman reenacting some historic part.  I was telling Cameron, "isn't this a cool train?" and the man, looking around in wonder, exclaimed - "where is a train? There aren't any trains here. This is a locomotive".  Oh - my bad.
** NOTHING was historic.  The entire site, from railway ties to "trains" to the golden spike was all reproduced "look alikes"  The whole place was a farce.
** The plaques spoke of "a booming train depot with several ruffians who preyed on the train passengers." There were restaurants, hotels, saloons, and communities all up in these hills.  My thought - where are the remnants of this "booming town".  There wasn't so much as a foundation or a stone to show of any type of town.  How is that there are deserted ghost towns all over America and yet there isn't one single anything here to show there was life.  It all seemed very strange.
** You're not suppose to climb or even touch the locomotives.  Being that we arrived just after the demonstration ended, we were left alone with the locomotives right at the end of our visit.  Not even a ranger to supervise us.  Hence the illegal but DARLING photo of Cameron on the train.  ehem-locomotive.

We laughed and laughed at the whole day.  It was a bit of a drive into the middle of nothingness to get there, so it was funny when it was so - blah.  But I LOVED it.  And I loved that I could just pick up and go without any obligations to attend to for someone else.  I love that part of my life.  And I have finally just grasped the reality and coolness of this.  I feel like many more day trips and road trips may be in my future!

B.T. dubs- Isn't my kid like crazy photogenic.  Seriously.  I need to get him connecting with a modeling agency.  Start monetizing this cuteness.