Jared's birthday

My mom happened to be here for Jared's birthday.  His favorite cake is Angel Food.  I contemplated buying a cake at the supermarket but thought that it was too expensive for something so simple, not even decorated, and the fact that I could make one.  It seemed a little daunting but I had the recipe and the right baking pan for it.  Besides, with all the eggs we were getting from our hens I figured we would have plenty to whip something up.  So we commenced to make the cake while my love was off at work.  It turned out fabulous especially after we added whipped cream and strawberries (his favorite fruit).  Just looking at the picture makes me salivate.  

THE ultimate birthday cake

Christmas 2011

My mom and I

 My mom came to visit for Christmas and stayed about 10 days.  We were able to attend the San Antonio Temple, and then on the way home stopped in Johnson City and Marble Falls to see all the Christmas lights.  In Johnson City, at the Pedernales Corporate Building(our electric coop company), they string all the trees with white lights out front.  The pictures show all the detail and beauty.  We knew about these lights but just happened upon the ones in Marble Falls.  That was an actual path they had set up to walk around and watch.  My mom loves to stop and see all the lights.  It kind of is a tradition in my family.  As a child, my grandma's neighborhood had neighbors that had a bigger and better "competition"(so it appeared) every year.  Out of all the lights we would go see, we always had to stop by the two houses on that street.
Another place we stopped was a neighborhood about 20 minutes from our house that had light blinking coordinated with Christmas music playing on a set radio station.  Cool, creative, time consuming. 
One thing she was not here for was Main Street Bethlehem in Burnet.  We have yet to brave the cold to see that.  We have heard nothing but good things about that.  Perhaps next year.

Jare and I

Mom and I in Marble Falls

Finishing touches

 So one of our neighbors had some previous experience sheetrocking and mudding walls.  We had him help out and he did a great job.  You can see the ceiling is all up just needing tape and mud. The walls were still going up.  A few days later, the middle picture was the result  Walls were cut to install the doors and install electrical outlets and such.  It was all coming together as their time here was winding up.   Mudding and such was completed within the next week or so. 
In December, we installed carpet to both rooms a matter of a day or so before my mother flew in for Christmas.  We also put up blinds in all three windows.  The kid's room now has curtains and all the furniture we should need!  Hurray!

Is this satisfactory?

Needing some electrical covers and mudding

Thanksgiving Turkey

Jared loves to make a brine every year for our turkey.  This year we had access to our bishop's turkey fryer so we soaked our bird along with our neighbors.  Due to the number of birds and size, there was not room enough in our fridge.   That night the outdoors was going to be plenty cold to keep the turkeys, so we put them out there in pots of brine with lids.  In order to ensure that raccoons would not get them Jared put weights on the them along with heavy rocks.  They survived the night just fine for our frying the next day, and they were oh so yummy and moist!  Contrary to what I used to believe, they are actually not high in fat because of the flash point.  The other plus is that your oven is not occupied for half the day cooking your turkey and having to baste every hour or so. 

What happened to the garage?!

Cleared out and prepping

 Jared and I decided awhile back that we needed some help to transform our long, single-car garage into bedrooms, and we knew just the man who could do it - my dad.  We logged in online and bought 2 round-trip tickets for my father and stepmother to Austin for November, and arranged for them to stay just in time for Thanksgiving too.  The next day while Jared was off to work, we began to feverishly clear out the rest of the garage that Jared and I didn't get to.   These pictures show some of what we got done the second day on the job.  It was mainly focused on getting the outer framework in.

Support and frame for window

Framing of windows and wall

The garage - Days Three and Four

Enclosed old window, wall, and installed windows

Some more pictures of the process.   It literally took the majority of the time my dad and stepmom were here to get everything up, framed in and form rooms along with the electrical work put in.  I am sure they were sad yet kind of glad to go.  I was truly hoping that they would be able to relax a little while they visited.  I think the only day we really relaxed a bit was on Thanksgiving Day.
Once we were able to finish these things, the division for the rooms was able to be made, the beams went up along with the enclosing and insulation.  It was so exciting to have an extra two rooms, and one specifically for our future child or children.  To assist with holding up the sheetrock, Jared used some empty paintcans as height extensions with the help of a little duck tape wrapped around the cans and his shoes.  Eventually, we made some T's out of 2x4's to hold up the sheetrock while it was being screwed in.  Linda and I did the holding.                                                                  

Insulation went up

Jared striking a pose on his makeshift stilts

Pavuchni Mavpa

Taking a nap

In October, my dear cat, Kitty passed away.   We really don't know what caused her death other than her liver not working properly.   The vet really was not much help as to tell me what was wrong.  Eight hundred bucks later we brought her home to mend or pass so she chose the latter.  I knew she was in pain and had to come to terms with myself that she wanted to go so I told she could go and I would be alright.  I grieved for awhile as well as did our other cat, Hallie.  They were best friends.  I know this all may sound silly to some but pets have a way of working their little hearts into yours and become like a family member hence my grief.
A month later, Jared decided we needed another cat to keep Hallie company and perhaps this time would actually 'love' him (cats tend to attach themselves to the primary caregiver which happens to be me).  We paid a visit to the Central Texas SPCA and took a little look around.  I immediately went to go play with the little kittens.  Jared's eye was drawn to a Siamese tabby mix.  Marcel was about 5 1/2 months old and still very playful.  After vicious attacks of play, I had had enough of those kittens so I went over to see Marcel.  He had a very lovable disposition.  We figured an older cat would be better than a kitten that tend to be a bit more demanding and besides the fact that the adoption rate for a kitten is much higher than the older ones.  We agreed on him and applied to adopt.  Within a few days after he had finished his series of shots, we were able to bring him home.  Hallie was not very receptive to the newcomer, but she finally took to him.  He and the dog actually seemed to get along.  We renamed him Pavuchni Mavpa (Ukrainian for Spider Monkey) after he climbed the backyard tree, for the way he clung to us when being held, and for his coloring.  We call him Pavuk for short.  He is our official family cat (Hallie is known as my cat).   
  

Tuckered out after playing

Six Flags Fun

Waiting in line for lunch

One of my friends from high school had us up to their home just north of Dallas.  First, we went to lunch at a BBQ joint that was really yummy.  Then there was some sort of special going on for Labor Day weekend with Six Flags.  They are Six Flags die hard fans.  They get their natural high by riding some of the crazy roller coasters.  They invited us to come join them because they knew the park very well and took us to all the great rides.   We had a blast.  Jared's favorite was the Mr. Freeze ride.  He loved it so much he rode it twice with my friend's husband.  I was not crazy about the vertical part that leaves you hanging so once was enough for me.  My favorite was the Texas Giant that evening.  It was crazy with the flames from the oil derrick set near the ride.  We rode that twice also because the line was shorter.  I have always loved amusement park rides even as a child, and it is even better when you have a strong stomach! 

Wetherill Mesa (Mesa Verde)

Square Tower

We stopped at some other locations on the way to our 4 o'clock tour of Long House.  One was Square Tower - an overlook.  Another was not too far  from a Visitor's Center, the Sun Temple.  While on the Badger House Trail, we were stopped just as we had pulled in to park by a park ranger/officer.  He stated there was an incident involving a man trespassing onto an site being excavated at the same time we were going around from site to site.  He asked if we were involved in that.  Of course, not!  According to an archeologist or excavator  there was a man who fled in a car similar to our's - a silver sedan (our car is NOT silver).   Jared didn't fit the man's description at all nor the clothes that he was wearing yet the officer still asked for Jared's license and called in his info and our license plate and such to the main office as if we were guilty.  We never did find out if they found the guy or not.  I guess sometimes in this country we are made to feel as if we are guilty until proven innocent.  Good thing they didn't try to slap us with a fine!  Yeah, I am kinda offended but I would still go back to Mesa Verde just because of the awesome camping and sites. 
   

Outside of the Sun Temple

A site on the  Badger House Trail

         

Mesa Verde - Long House

Long House

To end the day, we took the last tour of the day over on Wetherill Mesa.  It was much further away from anything because it was at the end of the mesa, so if I recall correctly it took about an hour just to get there.  Then we took a tram (open-air bus) to where our tour would begin a 4 p.m.   It seemed that for most of the tour we were actually behind the dwellings under an alcove. Water would seep through the rock, as you can see, and moss would grow as a result. In the picture above we were waiting for the other group ahead of us to exit the dwelling.

The alcove where we mainly walked along

Beautiful view

View of Long House at end of tour

 

View of Four Corners

Leaving Wetherill Mesa after a long day

Mesa Verde - Cliff Palace

View of Cliff Palace from landing

Our next tour of the day was Cliff Palace, the largest dwelling in the park.  It housed a small community and contained over 20 kivas (rooms used for religious rituals).  The tour lasted over well over an hour and it was quite the little hike down to the cave.    It made the heat of the day a bit more bearable.   

                          

Mesa Verde - Balcony House

Jared at Balcony House

Kristen at Balcony House

Once we checked into the campground, we went to the ranger office where tickets for tours are sold and purchased tickets for 3 tours for the next day.
We set out Thursday morning for our first tour Balcony House bright and early beginning at 8 a.m. sharp. It is located on Chapin Mesa, not too far from our campground so it didn't take too long of a drive to get there. It lasted about an hour.  There were some small spaces to crawl through.  Talk about claustrophobia!   And there isn't really any turning back once you start because it is a one way tour.  If you suffer from claustrophobia or anxiety, it really is mind over matter, taking deep breaths and removing the focus to something else.  Anyhow, it was fun to learn about these cliff dwellers.  It is crazy how they got there in the first place, tucked away in the side of a mesa and were able to build homes.  It is believed that these homes were only temporary. 

One of the narrow spaces to crawl through

Camp sight

Yes, I meant sight not site.  It was quite the sight when we found a site suitable for ourselves to pitch our tent and have a little privacy so we thought until we realized that Mama Mule deer and her fawn wanted to graze close by.   They did not stay long, however.  There was still one deer around our site who decided to plop down on some tall grass and just sat there watching us.  Up went our tent, set up our bedding, and ate some dinner before heading off to a program in a nearby amphitheater.  Later, we saw them all around near the roadside.  It was nice to see a "real"  deer not the Great Dane size we see down around these parts.   And the nights were nice and cool as would be expected in a higher elevation - a nice break from the summer heat.

Check out her ears!

Mesa Verde - Last Day

Spruce Tree House

Jared in the kiva

The last day we hit Spruce Tree House.  Having read Family Fun magazine before our trip, I had seen that there was a kiva that we could actually climb down into.  We really wanted to see that ruin before we left.   There was a trail leading down to it from a visitor's center.  It was quite windy and steep but really not back until you had to hike back up.  Part of the trail towards the bottom was shaded and it was nice and cool - rather rewarding after being in the hot morning sun.

Inside the kiva

Wilson's Arch

We shoved off from Jared's brother's place the following Wednesday headed for Mesa Verde, Colorado located near the Four Corners (Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico) to spend a couple days there camping and exploring.  Along the way, we passed Arches National Park and further down the road there was an arch we stopped at.  We spent probably a good half hour hiking up to the arch, then exploring, climbing around, and taking in the view.

Free Time

Jared and I in front of Salt Lake Temple

Jared and I attended church with his father on Sunday morning.  We had been staying with his older brother but they meet for church in the afternoon so we had a bit of time to kill before we could meet up with them at their place.   Neither of us had been to Temple Square for some time and heard of a few new items they had on display and such so we drove up there.  It was a beautiful day out as you can tell from the picture. 

Family Reunion

Jared, Linda, and three of his sisters

 
Every August, Jared's mother and her cousins and relatives have a reunion up in the Wasatch Mountains outside of Salt Lake City.  It starts at 9 a.m. but the breakfast crew shows up around 8 a.m. to set up and begin cooking.  For the last two times, Jared and I were assigned as part of the breakfast crew.  I believe is his uncle and auntie are permanently on the crew and oversee everything for the breakfast. 
This year I did not get to see my younger sister for very long and knew I could take advantage of the time I could spend with her if I invited her up (Jared's family is laid back).  She decided to join us later and brought her boyfriend along. 
The last two times we have gone to the reunion, Linda always brings up old boxes of Jared's belongings from his old room.  This time we found a wig and had a little fun with it (see picture below).
Lunchtime is the best time because there is always a ton of food.  It is always so good and filling.  Linda's uncle always bring some brisket.  The person in charge (changes every year) plans the games and such activities along with the assignments to head them up.  They also are to make sure everyone is notified of the date and place, buy the food for breakfast, and more.  It is always a blast at least when we are able to attend.

Jared's 70's wig

Jared, me, my sister and her man

Zion's

Zion's National Park

On our hike to a pool

 

So our final pit stop before heading up to Salt Lake was St. George, Utah where my mother resides with her husband.  We pulled in Tuesday evening and spent the night there.  The next day we enjoyed a visit to the St. George Temple and a short visit to the Visitor's Center to learn a little history of the temple.  After our time there and a change of attire, we headed to Zion's National Park, a place where Jared hadn't really 'tasted'.  As a young single adult, I had been there twice and climbed Angel's Landing both times.  What a view to see of the Three Patriarchs!  This time around, however, we didn't have time to do that hike so we decided to do the shorter hikes to and around the Emerald Pools.  It was very refreshing with the misting water dropping off the rock above us in the picture above especially on such a warm day which are typical in Southern Utah.  One thing that had stopped the hikers in their tracks was a rattlesnake off to the side of one of the trails who eventually slithered away.   Jared snapped a picture of the creature.

The Rattler

THE Grand Canyon

Once we left Nicole and Benson's, we headed on a route that would take us through a part of the Grand Canyon.  We chose to stop and take a few short walks to see different views of the park.  Neither of us had been before so it certainly was a sight to behold.   All around us for miles as far as the eye could see was this huge, massive canyon.  I wished we had had more time to explore and spend a week there.   Even then, I think we would have just hit the tip of the iceberg. 

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

Jared

So shortly after my return from New Hampshire, we headed up to Utah for Jared's mother's family reunion that takes place on the first Saturday of August in Big Cottonwood Canyon in Utah every year.  This time, however, we decided to make a few pit stops along the way.  We left the 29th of July after work with everything ready to go.  We drove until close to midnight and stopped at a rest stop.  After a short slumber in the car, we made our way over to southern New Mexico to visit Carlsbad Caverns.  We pulled up as they were about to open at 8 a.m..  The guided tour was sold out in minutes so by the time we made it inside the visitor's center the tickets were sold out.  We decided to just buy an admission in and do the walk ourselves.  It was quite the trip inside and quite a sight to see - a lot of stalagmites and stalactites and other formations of sorts. 

A very tired Kristen

Pit stop #2 was stopping outside of Phoenix, Arizona for a couple of days to stay and visit with Jared's sister and her family.   We got to see their new place and to visit a place that served Thrifty ice cream.   That Monday night we had fhe with them with a lesson on David and Goliath.  Jared brought along his sling and some materials to make one for everyone.  For a demo, we bought some marshmallows to be our 'rocks' and a battle of marshmallow slinging one another eventually ensued and ended with everyone laughing and exploded marshmallows all over the room.