Visit to the "Big City"

My neice, Macaela, came to spend a week with Steve and I. Wow, who knew entertaining a teenager could be soooo much work! I was concerned as we had to work some time during the week, but we managed to keep her busy. Between school shopping, babysitting for Shannon, and just some playing around...we did a good job. I must say, she'll be the best dressed at school this year!!

The last full day she was here, I took her and Jubilee to Cowabunga Bay here in Salt Lake City (well, Draper, but anywho...). Macaela had a blast! Slide after slide, and the lazy river...she wasn't happy when I told her we had to leave.

We had pedicures and yummy dinners...hopefully, she'll come back for another week next year. Sounds like we may have 2--Macaela and Kylah!

Cousin's BBQ, PARTY more like it!

Most of the cousin's were able to make it for a BBQ a couple of weeks ago. OH MY HECK (Utah terms)--that was one party! Traci and Shane went all out, cooking chicken, making dips, and had quite the spread. My only contribution was some cupcakes. They were cute cupcakes though and Macaela and Ashten helped decorate!

At the end of the night, kids were crashing where ever they found a spot... I had so many great pictures, but I promised I would share only some of them. Let's just say, everyone had a very good time that night. Steve sure payed the price the next day...hehehehe, the stories we can tell.

Take me away, mountains

I have been such a blog slacker! I have a quilt finished (I actually finished it before San Antonio), but I just haven't taken pictures of it yet. So much going on! I'll get pics posted soon enough. The quilt turned out beautiful (if I do say so myself). I'll tell the story later...

Steve and I went camping over the weekend. We went to Mirror Lake Highway, set up camp and relaxed. Went on a couple hikes, checked out the scenery and enjoyed the mountains. Definately nice to get away for a short while. Now, if I could only get my parents to do the same...

Upper Provo River Falls, the water is cold (even this time of year)! We decided it would be fun to stick our feet in the water...brrrrrrrr.

The hiking was awesome. We thought about hiking to the top of Bald Mountain, but the lightening quickly changed our minds. Instead we hiked near a few of the many lakes in the region. Funny, Steve didn't take the fishing stuff on our hikes. Oreo sure enjoyed the hikes too. She got to wander, explore and interact with wildlife (the local cow herd grazing near the hiking trails).

Bald Mountain

Oreo was soooo funny. She really made one little squirrel in camp mad! She chased him and he (of course) went up a tree. He yelled at us for 10 minutes then ran higher up the tree. The next thing we know, he's trying to hit us with pine cones!!! For 30 minutes pine cones were being tossed from the tree. Fortunately, there were no casualties, although, one did come within a foot of Oreo's head.

There weren't as many people out this weekend as we thought, so Steve placed the camera on the truck and the old Ford took our picture. Not too shabby for a Ford.

We are so lucky to live so close to the mountains. Glad we get the opportunity to hike, camp, and enjoy spectacular scenery.

San Antonio, The Alamo City

HOT! That describes San Antonio. Okay, maybe not just hot, humid too!!! Beautiful city with great hospitality. Although, I did get homesick and missed my husband and dog.

I had the great pleasure of attending the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) Annual Meeting in San Antonio this past week. I attended some terrific lectures, learning a great deal; and of course, some that weren't so great. I also got to meet Dr. Michael Roisen, author and doctor "enforcer." He was quite entertaining to listen to. Come to find out, his best friend is the Dr. Oz! Kind of cool, huh?

I stayed at the historic Menger Hotel. The hotel opened for business in 1859!!!! Of course it has been updated and now has air conditioning (thank goodness), but it is so quaint and FULL of history. There is so much history in that city...I had fun learning the history and looking at the pictures.

Of course, I had to visit the Alamo as well. Too bad the original grounds are so different from years ago... Now the Alamo stands in it's original place with the "barracks" in the original place, but the original front yard is a busy street and Ripley's Believe it or Not. The Alamo and it's garden (now behind it) are a great place for reflection (if you go late enough and there aren't too many people there).

Did I mention San Antonio is HOT? Being from Wyoming and living in Utah for so long, the humidity nearly did me in. It was beautiful, but very hard to spend too much time outside. I did walk the Riverwalk every night and had the most amazing dinner at Las Caranias. Incredible dinner!!! I cannot rave about the food enough! Delicious, 100 star, out of this world!!

I had so many pictures of the Riverwalk (more like a canal than river); too many to post! Fun place to sit and watch people. Not too many stores, mostly restaurants.

The Menger Hotel, opened February 1st, 1859

The original Victorian Lobby of the Menger Hotel.

The fountain was at the Menger nearly from the beginning. It is in the original "patio" of the hotel.

The Alamo: Remember the Alamo, battle started February 1836 (a really long time ago!).

An Alamo Hospital room. Surgeons were commissioned to stay at the Alamo and care for soldiers.
The garden and reflection area of the Alamo grounds.