In Mermory of Grandma

I know I will see them again.

    Early in the week we got the news that josh's grandma Carole Rae past away. We immediately got work off for Thursday and Friday and started to plan out trip to Idaho Falls, Idaho for the early weekend. Thursday we got in the car and headed down to Idaho.  Josh's grandma was the first out of both sets of grandparents to die. This event helped me to look back on memories of my grandpa and grandma Smith who died when I was young.

       I was in elementary school when my moms parents passed away; knowing someone that died at a young age was scary. Even though I was young I still have some great memories of my grandparents. My mom and I would fly to St. George to visit them a couple times a year. Its hard to remember a lot about there house in  St. George, the thing I remember most is the neighborhood pool right across from there house, it was there where I learned to love to swim. My Grandpa was a bigger man, he loved his chair and T.V. that was set up in the back room. Grandpa Smith worked as a skipper in pearl harbor when it was invaded, later he received a purple heart for getting injured serving our country.  As a young girl I would sit in the garage in a small metal chair in front of a WWII drawing of a ship that was in Pearl harbor as grandpa rambled off. My grandma whom I was named after was a tall, very slender lady with a frail frame. She looked forward to her shampoo sets. My grandma collected precious moments which I loved to look at, if I was lucky I was able to take them out of the glass case and hold them. she always wore a gold watch that would pinch baby fine arm hairs on my arms every time I would sit next to her! Grandma Smith always had a big pot the flowers, alot of the time they were Ssnapdragons in the back yard which would keep me occupied squeezing the flowers gently to open and close the petals on the flower that resemble a mouth. I used to always sneak up on my grandma and scare her when she was washing dishes. My mom said, she used to be a swim suit model back in her early years, as she worked down at the ship yards during the war. My grandpa Eddie was on leave and met my grandma Yeteve in downtown Portland. I wish I could have gained a relationship with them when I was older. When Eddi and Teve started to go down hill they moved up to Oregon so my parents could help take care of them. This was a ruff time for my mom and for me as a young girl I got jealous of the time my mom spent on helping them out. I wish I could have made it easier on my mom. Sorry Mom.

      I have only known Josh's Grandma Carole Rae Taylor for three and a half years. From all the stories that I have heard about her I feel like Iv known her a lot longer. Carole Rae was born in 1932, she loved to dance and loved spending time in the outdoors and enjoyed nature. Grandma and grandpa Taylor loved each other very much, it was heart breaking seeing Don take it so hard. Marriage can be such a beautiful thing. To see someone take care of there loved one for so long, always being positive and constantly letting everyone know how much they truly are blessed to take care of that person, is an attribute we should all strive for in our life. I have enjoyed getting to know Grandma Taylor, And my prayers go out to grandpa Taylor.

Me, Don (Grandpa Snow),and Josh

Carole Rea won the Shirley Temple look alike contest she she was a small girl. I love all these photos of her. I often wounder what pictures will people remember me by at my funeral. 

Carole Rea Oswald Taylor

I know I will see all my loved ones again up in heaven, And I cant wait until that day.

Rest in Peace

Tangled

My life has been TANGLED.

The great debate!

I am attending collage at Utah Valley University. Its been great I have truly enjoyed learning. I am taking Math and English. Now that the semester is coming to a end my lack of work ethic is running low and I'm dragging my feet to sign up for classes in the spring. I have started to ask myself what I'm trying to get out of collage. Is it worth paying almost $2,000 a semester if I'm not planning on graduating? Can I devote my time to school? Would it be worth it in the end? I wanted to go to school to learn about subject I'm interested in is it worth the money?

Recently I visited a doctor, I prayed something would be wrong with me! 

 Sense middle school I have dealt with stomach pain when I eat most foods. This has lead to many doctor visits traveling around Oregon seeing the top specialist trying to track down the cause of my discomfort. I was poked, pricked.I had cameras shoved through my body going up and down. I have swallowed dye, laid on tables that move in and out up and down. Force to restricted or over indulge on liquid controlling when I can or can not urinate. I was hospitalized for days at a time, leading to hospital staff knowing me by name. All leading to the same test result's NOTHING IS WRONG! After spending so much time trying to figure out where the pain was coming from and being told by doctors There is no pain or there is no cause for this pain it had over time affected the way I have looked and thought about myself and doctors. Last week I had more blood test done seeing if my thyroid, iron was in control plus I did a lot of blood work seeing again if I could be allergic to any foods. Of course I got my hopes up thinking this was going to be different. The thought finding out what I could and couldn't eat would be a simple solution. Unfortunately it wasn't, leading to disappointment.

 "Happy"

I am so excited for winter! Snow, Christmas lights, snowboarding. This winter were going to Portland for Christmas my favorite place to be during the holidays! I recently watched a documentary called "Happy" it talked about how people are more happy if there active and always doing something new. This winter I'm going to take up cross country skiing for something new. Last summer I took up mountain biking and I love it! Winters are hard in Utah if you don't like the snow, but the more activity's I find to do outside the more i can appreciate the beautiful state I live in!

So I Thought

Before I wrote my first post I always wounder why people wouldn't post more often, "I mean it cant be that hard" I would foolishly think. Well now I know there is such a thing as a writers block or not having the writing bug...so to break the long silence, I will try and catch the bug. Ill post about some of the events and activities that I have been doing, that has made summer blow by way faster then I want it to.

The 3B Yoga booth trying to spread Yoga"union" to Provo 

  I get into these moods where I think Provo's events can be so lame, then I go to the rooftop concerts and think it can be so new and exciting! Plus any Free event is sure to bring some interesting people, a Prime place to people watch!

 

Rooftop Concert

Forester=dead

   The past month has been Hell for me and Josh if it involves cars...just the thought of cars makes me want to Barf. This is unfortunate for josh because the want for a road bike just grows every day that my anger for cars deepens. All I'm saying is I WANT A ROAD BIKE!

(on the Left, good turbo...Right, our turbo)

WRX+bad turbo=Dead

Utah's sunsets have been Amazing this summer most night have left my eyes wide, and mouth open. the perfectly painted sky's which make me appreciate mother earth. There is only one good thing about forest fires, the sunsets they create.

One the the Amazing Utah summer sunsets

Bike, Bike, Bike, I really wish I could say that's what I have been doing all summer, but that's a big negative : (. I have been dealing with low energy, feeling lethargic and somatic pain for the past month, so it was nice when Priscilla wanted to go on a evening ride. It was just the think I needed to break the bad routine I have fallen into the past month.  

Pri and I at the "Alter"

 When nights are slow at 3B Josh comes into hang sometimes literally on our Yoga wall believe it or not this pose can do wounder for your back!

Josh hanging around on the Yoga wall

Me and Josh went riding with our friend Dane up to Big Springs, always great single track riding. There's nothing better to clear my head then to go on a Good Mountain Bike ride.  

Chasing the sun

Me and Josh riding up at Big Springs single track.

The end to my Birthday week

The week ended with Great food and beautiful views!

I was able to eat at Gingers! My favorite cafe, in Springville

I always get the cashew ginger smoothie its so good!

Then on friday night we went out to dinner up at Sundance at the Grill!

Sundance is so amazing with really great food its a perfect place to celebrate birthdays(like i did) or just head up there for a great dinner date!

On sunday we went up to my uncles house in Park City for dinner and a hike

my uncles beautiful house

view from his porch

our hike around Deer Valley

On the hike we walked down from the house to the Lady Morgan Chair.

Midway

We took the 224 home from Park City and it drops you into midway. During the winter the road is closed but during the summer its such a beautiful drive 

Yes that is a moose we spotted from the road

Morgans wedding

Morgan and I grew up together, we have always been close. She has always been one of my best friends and this weekend she got married! 

Me and Morgan outside the Logan temple

Morgan and Jared's photos on the Jones bottles 

Thursday night we went to their wedding dinner out at Jared's house up in woodland hills. The dinner was perfect they served BBQ and gelato. There was a lot of close friends that drove up from Oregon so it was really fun eating dinner with them and catching up.   

Morgan and Jared coming out of the temple

It was a great Ceremony, they both looked so happy i'm so excited for both of them! There reception was so amazing it was at a place called the Bungalow, the perfect setting for events. 

The Dance floor

Crape bar

Morgans flowers

the get away 

The night couldn't have been better, it was a perfect cool night in utah. I'm so excited for  Morgan and Jared's start for their adventure and new life!

Morning ill never forget at 11,749 feet

The Morning of my 21st birthday Josh came up 

with the idea to climb up Timpanogos Mountain 

so we could see the sunrise at the summit. Our adventure started at 12:45am so we could be above sundance at the trail and walking by 1:30 on our way we picked up Dane. At the trail head we met up with my uncle Jim. It took us 4 hours to hike 7.5 miles, 4,580 feet gained. On our way up we used our headlamps to guide us. We were set off the trail only twice which is pretty good for not ever previously going passed Emerald lake. 

Utah valley 

Me and Josh watching the sunrise

It was freezing when we got up to the summit, so glad I packed in two jackets 

Josh made me rice-crispy treats and carried them to the top so i could blow out a candle

Jim,Me,Dane and Josh at the summit

When we got up to the Summit there was 10 other people up there and it was so awesome everyone sang happy birthday! After we Watched the sun come up it was too cold to just hang out up there so we quickly made our way back on the trail

On our way back down we saw mountain goats. This goat was losings its winter coat and had its baby 

me and dane
It was much easier crossing this glacier in the day.

Emerald lake

The Wildflowers were amazing covering all the hills, truly breathtaking 

On the hike you cross so many waterfalls 

This was a great start to my 21st Birthday. I would be lying if I didn't tell you that it was hard. The last 2 1/2 hours were long,hard and very tiring I truly was exhausted from the hike.Pictures do not do this hike justice even though Josh took all these really great pictures!But it was well worth it!I would highly recommend seeing the sunrise and doing this hike.

July 4th through the 10th

4th of July Gang: Josh, Me, Copper, Zeke, Priscilla, Neena, Andy

For the 4th of July we went over to Neena and Andy's grandmas house, with a pool, and had a great BBQ and saw a firework show. I could not have asked for a better 4th of July!

Friday and Saturday I worked the 3B booth with Josh

Friday. Provo has free concerts the first friday of every month and I'm lucky enough that 3B yoga Sponsor the concerts so I get to go work at the 3B Yoga booth. This concert was all Tom Petty songs which is great because it brings me back to my high schools days! Then on Saturday 3B sponsors races all over Utah County so Josh and I went and set up a booth at the finnish line.  Its so inspiring seeing everyone cross the finish line.

Car Problems

Josh also worked on his bike Saturday. This past week has been bad news for all our modes of transportation

Sunday Hike

Sunday we always try and go on a hike. This week we went back up to a waterfall we really enjoy hiking to. The small and secluded waterfall is off a section of bonniville shoreline trail that hugs the south side of Provo canyon.

Josh and our neighbor Taylor

Taylor's poor wife has to work on sundays so taylor  brings their dog along for the hikes. after you get to the water fall theres a single track that hugs you along the side of the mountain that Brings you to some really cool rock formations you can climb on!

Jeremy Josh's brother comes with us sometimes on sunday hikes.
 Mt. Timpanogus in the back ground

Over looking Provo Canyon

 Nothing better then YOGA on a rock

Big Springs in 90 Degree weather

On monday Josh didn't start work tell 2 and I didn't work at all so we decided to go up to one of our favorite Mountain bike trails up Provo canyon called Big Springs. It was so hot, there were many times I thought I was going to pass out but the great thing about Big Springs is that the last half of your ride your by waters crossing the creek back and fourth over wooden bridges keeping the temperature bearable, plus your going down hill. Mountian biking in Utah is amazing and we have so many single track trails right out our back door.