Fall in North Fork

We love fall in the canyons! We took a nice afternoon drive with Grandpa Ricks and my brother, Jake, to see some gorgeous fall colors and beautiful views. The sky was vibrantly blue above us and the turning fall colors were stunning.  

I love connecting with nature. For me, it's vital to my well-being. I feel so much happier and grounded when I get out and just breath in some fresh outdoor air. 

Jake owns the world!

       Sometimes the beauty of nature just takes my breath away!

Oh, how we love this sweet old man! We try and take Grandpa Welby on outings with us whenever possible. Sometimes we're doing things like rock climbing or mountain biking that just aren't quite right for a man in his 90's, but whenever we're headed somewhere he can come, we love to give him the chance to get out with us. 

                                              

  Grandpa Welby enjoys the scenery and the drive.

   

We fall for each other every day! (hee, hee!) There's nothing like getting out and doing something you love to keep your passion for life alive!

                                      

Nothing beats a bunch of beautiful aspens turning golden yellow!

Grandpa Welby looks around and shares memories of his home territory - 

he's lived near here for the past 50 years!

                     

Wow! I can't get over how beautiful this is! And it's right in my own backyard! (Well, pretty much - only a few minutes drive up the canyon from where we live!)

                 

We had fun taking pictures in this location that kind of reminded me of a studio. 

Doesn't it almost look staged?  

Happy Autumn!

Bahamas Cruise!

Happy Anniversary celebration! Kyle surprised me by taking me on a cruise to celebrate 4 blissful years of marriage. It was my first cruise and I really enjoyed it! It was relaxing and entertaining. We got a reputation as being the "dancing couple" as we had fun on various dance floors. After going on a cruise, I totally recommend it to others! Go! It's so fun!

There was plenty of quiet time for contemplation and relaxation during the cruise. Sometimes I look back and think about where my life would be if I hadn't met Kyle a few years ago. I'm so glad I took the leap to get married and to trust that he could love me, even with all my health problems and challenges. I feel that pretty much everything good in my life has come because I trusted that things would be better together than apart and that we could make a good life together. There've been ups and downs, and I know there'll be more, but it's really a wonderful journey!
                                

The Bahamas reminded us so much of the cayes (pronounced "keys" - go figure!) in Belize! We kind of felt like we were looking at something we'd already seen, although that didn't decrease our enjoyment of the experience. 

It was familiar and gorgeous.

Love my man, and this gorgeous place!

We found a beach away from all the cruise crowds! We opted out of all the cruise ship's offers and went on our own adventure to find this - and we're glad we did! We had lots of sand to ourselves, beach lounges and umbrella, snorkeling and access to a sea kayak and paddle boat. Ahh...this is my happy place!

       

       

We ate at a little cafe on the beach that advertised a free conch shell with every purchase! 

We had the ceviche salad. It's a bunch of different fish in a lime and pico de gallo sauce, 

served with tortilla chips. Yum - my fav! Reminded me of Belize.

  I liked this conch shell tree. It kind of reminded me of Christmas somehow.  

Just enjoying the view!

                

Click, click click! We love the self-taking feature on our camera! It takes 3 in a row but not until you look directly at it. Even so, we don't always make it into the right position before it starts clicking away! 

Four years and counting! Life is good!

The cruise dining was divine! I didn't know you can eat as much as you want on a cruise, so I was surprised when Kyle kept ordering dish after dish at each meal. I was a little worried, thinking it would end up being a big bill at the end, but after the cruise, when I mentioned something, Kyle let me know cruises are all-inclusive (exepting alcohol). I would have ordered many other dishes had I known sooner! :)

I can't wait until our next cruise! After such a great experience, I'm ready for the next adventure! 

Sun Valley Anniversary Inn

 During a doTerra conference, we stayed at this fun hotel where all the rooms have elaborate themes. This one is a cabin getaway and has a cabin built inside the room. It was a blast and really does make you lose a sense of where you are. We had a great stay!

Amazing, isn't it?! This cabin is actually built inside of the hotel room! Pretty fun!

Yep, the toilet is actually inside the outhouse! And the shower is a waterfall!

 Breakfast came with a bottle of peppermint essential oil -
which, as lovers of oils, we thought was so cool!

The conference was great - I learned a lot and had fun!

Blender

This was a very, very happy day, indeed! I have dreamed of the Vitamix Blender for many years, and this year Kyle got it for me with his graduation gift money. What a gem! This is me with my first green smoothie made in my own blender...hmmm, good! 

Our Last Project in Belize

September 2, 2011

The Eleventh Hour: Signs in Succotz

This project was really done at the last moments of the team's stay in Belize. We finished this project the day before they left town. It was a mad dash to the finish, but we made it!

This is yet another project we did in the charming village of Succotz - naming streets and ordering and hanging street signs. This is part of a larger project to help generate income for the village as they now run on $300 dollars a month. We hope the things we've implemented will help to raise that figure so they can have better healthcare, education and quality of life.

Here we are, laying out the signs by village areas so we can divide and conquer.

Interested villagers look at our work.

Of course we had to get a Spencer Street in there! :)

Our friends help us out.

We have since talked with villagers and they are thrilled to be able to say what street they live on as previously nothing in the village had a name. One lady proudly told me, "I live on Maya street!" It's a good feeling to know the project is well received.

Time to Say Goodbye

Goodbyes are never easy for me and I've cried my fair share of tears over saying goodbye to Belize. The people are wonderful, the experiences have been priceless, the opportunity has been incredible. Thank you to all who made it possible for me to be here to help the dynamic and caring people of Belize.

Me and Melissa - good luck in finishing school, my friend! You'll make it!

The Heaps, Roberto and us.

The Pulido family!

Me and little Shadow - my adopted street dog. I hated her at first because being a street dog, she of course has fleas and such. But she won my heart as she came around night after night and followed me obediently around town. Now I wish I could take her home...along with a little old crippled man, a baby horse I love and a few other Beliezian orphans. We could all live in my little apartment in Utah, couldn't we? Oh, how this place has won my heart!

Maria and me - she had always wanted to learn to play a song on the piano and was happy that I taught her one. She learned it at music classes and it took her 6 weeks of diligent work.

Diana and me. She's spunky and full of life and I didn't know she was related to my next-door neighbor (sisters!) and another close friend (siblings) until just last week. Funny!

This is our next-door neighbors, friend and Diana with us.

Adorable children in Succotz. Can you see the twins?

Our dear friends, the Chans. They live in Succotz and we've spent a lot of time with them. They are so kind and generous, and though they don't have much (not even indoor plumbing) they share with great generosity. They held 2 BBQs for the entire team, at great cost to themselves. What wonderful people!

We love you, Belize!