Books Lie

I decided that we needed to go backpacking over Memorial Day weekend. I mean, Otto has a backpack, we HAD to use it. So I did what I always do when planning something: checked out a bunch of library books. 

[My 80 year old Grandpa is the best]

I found it, the most awesome trail: Bighorn Crags in Challis, ID. Being that my grandfather is the expert in all things Challis Idaho, I gave him a call. "Oh yeah, I know Bighorn Crags. Beautiful, beautiful country. But high country! Go up there this time of year, they'll be snow up to your you know what!" (I have no idea why he didn't just say "snow up to your neck", but thats part of what makes Grandpa Howdy rad.) So basically he told me we would probably have to snow-machine up to the trailhead. And if we did make it on the trail, they'd find our backpack laden frozen bodies the next day.

[the crags, still want to do them someday. like july or august]

Back to the drawing board. Except now its the day before we leave. And I have to find a non-frozen, dog friendly, nearby backpacking trip. Harder than its sounds. But I found one! Or so I thought...

We ended up getting a super late start on our departure day. So we decided to go camp somewhere nearby and then get started on the real deal the next day. We did a short ascent up Adams Canyon and spent the night overlooking the city.

It was nice, except for the fact that it was windy, Otto sucks at sleeping in a tent, and there were rocks everywhere. After possibly the least energizing sleep ever, we headed up to our real hike: Waterfall Canyon to Malan Peaks Trail.

It was hot. And I was slow. But we made it to the end of Waterfall Canyon and headed toward what my book described as a short, moderate, rocky path up to the Malan trail.

There is nothing moderate about this. With the help of nice passerby hiker, we were able to hoist Otto by his harness and leash up one platform, only to discover many more that would only be theoretically passable with climbing rope. Awesome.

We went all the way back out the canyon. I was discouraged, but still thought I could save this. I had to save this! I quickly asked Siri for the nearest State Park (dogs are allowed in State, but not National Parks). Antelope Island it was! We pulled up right as they were shutting the gate, only to be told they were at maximum capacity. And that is when I gave up.

Take home messages: Plan out your backpacking trip far in advance. Talk to people who have done the trail, find out if there is anywhere to pitch your tent where you will not end up with rock gouges in your back. Get in shape so you don't hold up your sister and husband and dog. Perhaps don't bring your 100lb dog who is afraid of heights. But most importantly,

DON'T TRUST A BOOK!

He made it a whole year!

Otto turned one last week (on May 23rd, to be exact) and the mere fact that he has survived the last 12 months is worth celebrating.

First an ibuprofen overdose and complete kidney failure

Then having a mean dog at daycare take a chunk out of his ear

And finally contracting kennel cough and needing to be quarantined.

In addition he has also had no less than THREE skirmishes with the Logan Police Department. Most recently when I was letting him swim in an irrigation canal. A lovely woman came charging out of a nearby squalid apartments and threatened to "Beat my *&^ if I didn't get my &^%$ing dog out of the canal! There were SIX baby ducklings and now they are only FIVE! Expletive, Expletive, Expletive." She also called me a "stupid b*&^" quite a few times for good measures. (For the record, Otto was not harming any ducklings.) SHE THEN PROCEEDED TO CALL THE COPS ON ME. I received a ticket while this fine citizen of Cache Valley walked off. Apparently owning a dog is illegal in Logan. Being completely retarded is not.

Anyway, we had to celebrate Otto's big day as he has overcome both illness and legal trouble to reach his first birthday. Anna helped bake him a dog friendly cake. He loved it. I swear.

And he got a present. A doggie backpack for our upcoming Memorial Day backpacking trip.

Happy Birthday, Otto. You little felon, you. 

Mother's Day + Other Stuff

First of all, it's Mother's Day! I'm so thankful for the amazing mother, mother-in-law, grandmas, and grandma-in-law that I have. (A detailed tribute them is here). Today as I was thinking about mothers at church (which incidentally did not include a sacrament meeting talk or lesson about mothers today!) I thought about how amazing its been to see my friends transform in to moms. I remember when I went out to visit Jane when Brooke was probably about six months old. It positively blew my mind not only to see Jane as a mom, but to see her fully embracing and loving it. 

This darling baby is Brandalee's little girl that I got to hold when I was home a couple weeks ago. Nothing warms my heart more than to see Branda and her THREE KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF FOUR. She is a champion. She loves these little humans, cares for them, and does it all with finesse. And then Danielle has IDENTICAL TWINS! I mean really, who has identical twins? Danielle does! And it feels completely natural to me to see pictures of her with two babies. This year has really driven home to me A) My friends are amazing and B) it truly is an innate and miraculous calling that all women have to motherhood. To watch the friends that I had so much fun being immature teenagers and then (chunky) college co-eds with seamlessly transform in to amazing, nurturing mothers has been mind altering. Anyway...

Otto got me these nice flowers for mother's day. His handwriting is impeccable. Ha. 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!

OTHER STUFFThe weekend after Chris and Ambers' Wedding they had an open house. This was awesome because we got to see more of the McNulty's before they went back to San Diego (thats Otto cuddling with his cousin Charlie) and because we got to have a cupcake baking fest:

It was fairly labor intensive, but actually quite fun. If you even want to bake a million cupcakes, call me up. 

I went down to STG a few weeks ago for a long weekend to see Branda's new babe, visit my Mom who had surgery, and got to catch Katheryn's livestock show. I was proud of Katheryn keeping it together and doing what she was obligated to do: sell the pig she'd raise, Toulouse, in an auction. It was seriously heart-wrenching. And I'm back to being a vegetarian. I've even taken to getting my eggs for a local farmer that I guarantee to have the chickens in a humane situation... So yeah, I'm sure Dan's real happy I went to this auction :)

Dan graduated from USU. That's right, DAN GRADUATED!!!! It has been a looonnnggg road. Between three different army training schools and graduations, a stint at the UofU, and finally USU, WE ARE FINALLY DONE. So now the million dollar question that everyone asks: what will you do next? Answer: we don't know. But as soon as we figure it out, we will let you know.

Finally this weekend we got to celebrate at Denise's both Mother's Day (Otto got Denise this giant card, which is directly proportional to the size of his love for her) and Dan and I's June birthdays (Dan will be gone for both of our birthdays to more Army training and Denise will be off exploring Europe). We love a good all purpose celebration. Especially when it involves TWO CAKES. 

HAPPY EVERYTHING, EVERYONE!

What a weekend! (Wedding + Baby Shower)

Our whirlwind weekend started out with a bright and early drive from Logan on Friday morning for Dan's brother, Chris', wedding. We started the morning at the Bountiful Temple for their sealing. 

How pretty does Ann look?

Dan and I sporting the wedding party purple. 

(Denise's Cousin) Marti, Grandma Ann, Denise, Me, and Tori

The Happy couple: Amber and Chris

Flower Girl Molly + Tori

Brothers and Nephew. Charlie throughly enjoyed this perch quite a bit this weekend. 

We then headed back to Rick and Denise's for a Cafe Rio catered luncheon: my fave. Later that evening was their reception in Highland (where Amber's family is). I forgot my camera, but it was beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen a cultural hall transformed so beautifully. It was amazing.

Congratulations Amber + Chris! 

Saturday morning Dan headed to drill and I was off to a Mustache Bash for Baby Monson. My pictures are seriously lacking, but it was a fun get together. Sue spearheaded this event and cut out so many cute little mustaches and ties to celebrate Bonni's upcoming little man. 

Mustache Chocolate Pop Favors! (I was so happy they worked out, as I was pouring chocolate into the mold I was sure disaster was eminent.)

This gift incited one of the funniest baby shower conversations I've ever heard. Its a battery operated nasal aspirator. The half of the room that didn't have kids was audibly gaging envisioning baby snot collecting in that CLEAR container, while the seasoned mommies in the room agreed that it was a lifesaver! There was also discussion of the Nasalfrieda, a device by which the mother sucks the baby's snot up through a tube. Awesome.

And here is the cute mommy to be, Bonnijane. I've just got to say that I love Bonni and Sue. I feel like our friendship was forged in blood in Monterey. We all went through the life changing experience of being a DLI wife together and came out stronger (?) for it. Anyway, anytime I can spend time with Bonni and Sue is awesome.

 Congrats Bonni, can't wait to meet your little man!

Sprinkling Branda and Baby Blu Bear Burr

I decided it was high time I throw Brandalee a baby shower. I was out of the country when she had her first baby boy. And trapped in Monterey when she had her second little guy. But now I'm finally in the right country, right state, and she's having a baby girl! So a baby "sprinkle" it was.

I love, love, love that Branda is having a girl. I'm not going to lie, I really prefer buying presents for baby girls, until its socially acceptable to put boys in pink sparkly Toms.

Brandalee. She's the cutest. 

 Games

The Celebrity Baby Name game. And since Branda hasn't settled on a name, I helpfully volunteered the name of Alicia Silverstone's baby: Bear Blu. 

Bear Blu Burr. Nice ring right?

Darling Loni color coordinating with the theme. 

 Drink Stations are my favorite.

 Sprinkly Desserts.

 Crepe bar - "Sprinkle with your favorite sweet or savory toppings"

 The youngest shower attendants, Branda's cousins little girls. 

Here is my Mom. Folding tissue paper to re-use. I love her and her recycling self. This baby sprinkle wouldn't have been possible without her - she cooked all 50 crepes!

I love Brandalee and can't wait for 

Baby Bear Blu Burr to make her arrival!