Road Trip!!!!!

I hope everyone is ready for picture overload...and these are just the highlights!!!!

So I have family in Oregon and due to schedule restrcitions with the rest of my family, Dryw and I made a trip up to Oregon to visit my family alone. At first we were both kid of sad, but then we thought about how this was a great opportunity to take a road trip up the coast of California, stop in San Francisco on they way since we both had never been, and finish it off with the visit in Oregon. We also took this oppotrunity to stop at as many Temples as we could our entire trip...it was awesome!!! So here are some of the many pictures we took...

Here is one of the very first pictures we took while on our way up the coast. It was pretty early in the morning and it was kind of drizzly...but it was so pretty!!!

We used the car as our camera stabilizer...dont you just love timers!!!! This was a huge cliff that we sat on the end of and looked out over the water--pretty amazing!!

We stopped a few times on the way up to San Francisco and got to see some very cute towns like Carmell...so nice, but very expensive!!! Maybe some day we can retire there!! lol...

SAN FRANCISCO HERE WERE ARE!!!

I am sure you have all heard of the famous Lombard street in San Francisco...it is super windy and has super sharp turns...well Dryw and I decided we wanted to work off our Italian dinner from a cute little restaurant in "Little Italy," so we walked all the way up Lombard street!! It was so much fun...we later drove down it so we could get both affects!

This is one side of Ghirardelli Square...and for those of you who don't know what Ghirardelli is, well it's pretty much the most amazing chocolate ever!!
Our hotel was pretty close to Fisherman's Wharf so we were able to walk everywhere we wanted. We were going to try and ride a trolly but the lines were so long...and we never rode a cbale car but we were pretty amazed at how they worked!!

We had heard so much about these Clamchowder Bread Bowls and we decided we had to get them. We asked a local for the best place to get one...they were pretty awesome!! So good in fact that we had them twice while in San Fransicso (different days).

This was one of the many candy stores down in Fisherman's Wharf...I couldn't make up my mind because everything looked so wonderful!!!

We decided that we wanted ice cream and in the suqare you can go in and order from the Ghirardelli store...Dryw is allergic to Chocolate so he got a scoop of Strawberry Cheescake on a cone and I got a scoop of the Ghirardelli Rocky Road--it was amazing--very expensive but so worth it!!

Here we are enjoying the beautiful sunset down on one of the docks...if you look closely you can see Alcatraz in the background!!

This is a view of the Golden Garte Bridge at night...I had never driven across it before and I was a little nervous doing so, but it was pretty cool once we got across and took this picture.

This is Alcatraz...we decided that we really wanted to go to the Island because we werent sure when we would get another chance to take the tour. The way they had the tour set up was pretty cool. You had your own headset and it told you where to go and where to look and gave you the history...it was awesome. The feeling there is kind of dark...we heard interviews from some of the prisoners on the tour and it was gnarly. I can't imagin what it must have been like!! They even had a lady there that day who had grown up there as one of the officer's daughters. They had living quarters there and they would take a boat into San Francisco for school...pretty crazy!!!

The cells were soooo tiny!! I don't know how they liverd in such confined spots!!!

This is on our way out of San Francisco...this is a very famous picutre spot. That bridge is awesome!!!

We drove through some of the edwoods while on our way up to Oregon and I saw a sign where we could drive through a Redwood tree...we had to do it. You can see Dryw giving a thumbs up as he drove through it. I think you are only supposed to do it once, but we did it a couple times...it was cool!!!

Here is the Sacramento Temple..a little out of order here--we actually stopped by this one and the Fresno Temple on the way home...so beautiful!!! We were also able to go to the Okalnd Temple...but somehow I cant get the picture in here to show you!!!

FINALLY...OREGON!!!!

This was one of the many sunsets we enjoyed while we were there. This is the rive right across the street from where we stayed. It was very low and we could stand all the way out in the middle of it...pretty sad because it was so high when I was a kid that I would have drowned even trying to swim out half way!!!

We went into an Old Historic town by the name of Jacksonville. We took this trolly around the city and learned about the history of it. It was pretty neat...we also drove through the cemetary there. Some of the headstones are so old that they are just leaning against the trees...

We were able to enjoy a sessin at the Medford Oregon Temple...it was very small but very pretty!! We enjoyed being able to do this while on vacation.

We went fishing twice and the first day we didnt catch anything--I dont even think we had a bite!!! The second day was much better...I kept getting several bites and the next thing I know I was reeling in a fish!!!! I ended up letting him go because I felt bad and he didnt swallow my hook.

I am standing in the middle of the river fishing...

Dryw was upset that he still hadnt caught anything after I caught my fish and then all of a sudden...what do you know!!?? This fish put up such a fight...I laughed so hard when Dryw held him up...he was just a tiny little guy. We had to let him go because he wasn't legal size.

We also went to the wildlife reserve while we were there. They had tons of animals...most of them had been hurt or were pets and they were brough here to be brought back to health or to be protected. Most of the animals they bring in they are able to let go, but the ones at the reserve that we were able to see were permanent residents. Tis is one of the black bears there...he wa so polite, he looked at the camera as I snapped the picture!! lol...

Dryw brought his shotgun on the trip...I didnt think he was going to get to use it, but he lucked out and we were taken up to a spot where he could let lose. I shot it a couple times...it has such a big kick on it though...

We had such a great time on this trip. We were able to spend so much time with each other...time that we dont get to spend otherwise.

Misc. Pics from the summer

Ok....here are a few things we have been up to this summer... We spent our 4th of July with friends and family. First we went swimming and then we went to an Angel Game with our awesome Friends, Dave and Vanessa!!! The Angels won--it was a great game...but the fireworks show was even better!! To top the night off we went and got some amazing mexican food--it only seemed amazing cause we were all starving!!

Some of our other awesome friends...Gary and Kelli...invited us to their cabin on Lake Tahoe (i think thats where it was...it is right below Big Bear)...anyway, we went wakeboarding and it was so much fun!! Dryw is pretty good and Gary and Kelli are awesome!! I am average--I like to focus on not falling as you can tell by my face! Dryw is pretty good at jumping, I could never get a really good pic of it though!!

I mentioned my little brother was here for the summer...Here he is with Justin (brother-in-law). Matthew and Dryw were always at the beach. They would do an early morning workout session and then go to the beach...some if the time they would hit up Knotts Soak City the same day!!...then they both would go to work--crazy!!!

They wanted me to take a picture of them riding together on this bike so badly...they will never admit it but I think they enjoyed that bike ride!! We met Matthew at Knotts one night when I got off work and he had ridden the bike there from our place earlier in the day. As soon as we got there they started goofing around and this was the result...they miss each other so much!! lol...

In need of....

A very kind friend reminded me of how we havent had nay new posts lately...and I figured it was time to try and give you some updates! A lot has been going on with us...we are so busy that it seems like we dont even see eachother!!! Here is a quick run down of everything that has happened lateley: Dryw recieved his hire letter from LA County Fire which means that he successfully passed his background investigation and pending a physical we will get his academy date in the mail. He has already taken the physical so we should hoepfully hear something soon!!

We are both still working like crazy and Dryw has found a new love for mountain bike riding. He rides several times a week. I actually just went with him on Tuesday night to the Fullerton Loop and did a small section of it on a friend's bike (thanks Michelle!!) to see if it is something I want to get in to. I had a ton of fun but some of those hills are gnarly and ot knowing what to expect around corners on a downhill full of ruts is kind of scary--but I loved it!

My little brother was here for most of the summer and we all got Knott's Passes...we had a blast! We were there seriously at least 2 times a week...it was awesome. With our passes we got the Soak City Passes and my mom got one with us as well so its nice to have the time for her and I to go hang out in the water without the boys and without my sister's (no offense) hogging her up. I think Dryw got a feel for what it was like to have a brother because he is the only boy...Since Matthew has gone back home I think they text each other every day...poor guys!!! lol..

Well I have some pretty big blogs to post with some pictures of other things that have been going...enjoy!!

Mother's Day

So I know Mother's Day was on Sunday and all...and I know that I am not a mother, but I would like to express my thanks to all of those mother's out there that actually care about their kids and know how blessed they are to have some of their own!!!

I have a wonderful mom who has been nothing but an example of an unselfish human being. She has gone through so much in her life and has sacrificed so many things just to make sure that her girls were taken care of. I hope that one day I will be able to follow in her footsteps and be an example to my children the way she has been for me. I really dont think any expression of gratitude to her would be able to fully express how much I appreciate all of the things that she has done for me...I love ya mom!!!

I also have a mother-in-law who has been a great example to me...she is a very strong person and would do anything for her children. I am very lucky to have a mother-in-law that I can get a long with!!! I have such great examples of women in my life and Dryw and I are both so very blessed to be a part of these families.

I also have to give some appreciation to my sister Amber...especially since the only thing she ever wanted when she got older was dogs!!! She got her wish and has 2 of those...but she also suprised me when she said she wanted a baby. At first I was skeptical, but she is such an amazing mother and another great example to me. She has managed to raise such a smart little boy and I can't wait until I am able to give him a cousin!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there!!!

Spell Check...and fun...

Dryw says that I have some grammatical errors in some of the posts...I told him that I really dont care and I am too lazy to go back and fix them all...so if you see an error, please excuse it--im sure y'all are smart enough to know what I mean!!! lol... He also says that I say "so fun" a lot...oh well!! I think everything we do is so much fun!! I cant help it!!!
Thats all I have for now!! I am pretty much caught up with out posts...I have 1 more post to do, but for now I am going to go spend some time with my husband!! (Like you guys care right?? lol)

Sporting events...

Dryw and I both like to stay very active...especially in sports...He grew up playing soccer and I grew up playing softball...so far this year we have been blessed with the opportunities to go see our favorite sports in person played by some of our favorite teams. I was given a chance to chose tickets to a Galaxy game...we had four games to pick from and we had to rank the one we wanted to see first to last...luckily we got to see the game we wanted!! They were general admission seats, so it was a first come first serve basis, and they are right behind the goal...I thought they were pretty good seats because we could still see everything that was going on. We sat right next to the "fan" area...and those people are crazy!!! They had drums, streamers, their faces were painted, they had hats and scarves, they even sang songs!! They did it the entire game...talk about die hard!!! We both had a great time...the Galaxy played the New York Red Bulls and they won by 1!!! It was actually off of a penalty shot that was taken right in front of us...super cool!!!

We also have been able to go to 2 Angel games this year...so much fun!!! The fans there get pretty crazy too...We had pretty good seats each time and we were able to see everything at these games as well. So much fun!!!

We were really close to the field here and saw some pretty cools saves by the goalie and some pretty amazing kicks--they can curve the ball so much!! its crazy!! Dryw loved it...
Here another picture of the goalie...I have my own goalie at home!! Dryw is an amazing goalie...he cant wait until he is able to start playing again.

Here are the Angels on their way in to the dug out. I believe they lost this game, but it was still a ton of fun!


One of the Angel players was almost ejected, but we couldnt figure out why. All of a sudden he was batting and then he was getting ejected! So there was a pretty good argument behind the plate...but the batter ended up staying!! (I cant remember who it was)

Here we are...Dryw is sporting his red to show his Angel pride!! We got to go on the night they were giving out Angel fleece blankets...they are pretty warm!! I take mine to work every day cause I sit right under the vent and I freeze!! So my Angel blanket keeps me warm!! lol...

Easter!!!

This year was our first Easter as a married couple!! So much fun!! We had Youth Conference the same weekend so Easter was pretty crazy!!! We were both so tired the day before and I knew that I wasnt going to want to go to the store the day before Easter...luckily for me I was smart and went shopping before I left!!!

Dryw had no idea that I had gotten him a basket...and it wasnt easier trying to hide it from him. I had to keep everything in my car in the garage so he wouldnt find it!! That morning I woke up earlier and made him blueberry muffins and as soon as he got in the shower I put together his Easter basket. He was so surprised when he got out of the shower...and he was pretty excited!!! He felt so bad cause he didnt get me anything but I told him he didnt have to...I was so excited that I got him something though...he is pretty on top of surprising me, but I won this time!! lol...

This was right after we got home from church...we had our Easter colors on!! lol...We kind of matched, and I swear we didnt do it on purpose!!

This is Dryw with his Easter basket pretending to eat his nerds...because he is allergic to chocolate and nuts I had to find candy that didnt contain either...but I think I did a pretty good job!

I found soccer balls that were supposed to be like the plastic eggs that open so you can put candy inside...so I bought some skittles and filled each soccer ball up...he loved them!!!

Here is his basket...I thought I did a pretty good job, and I didnt spend a fortune on it either!! He ate it all pretty quickly!!! lol!!!

Here is my sweet husband, looking as handsome as ever, with his Easter basket. It was such a great day!!! We went to church and were spiritually fed and then we got to spend time with each other...couldn't ask for anything more!!!