For Memorial Weekend I headed down to Zion National Park!

Hiking the Canyon Overlook!

One of the many beautiful views I found while hiking the Hidden Canyon Trail.

Weeping Rock

A view from Angels Landing, this was one of the hardest hikes I have ever done. It doesn't help there is a sign before you start saying, "Six people have died while attempting this hike."

View from the top of the Watchman trail.

Stetsen and Easten got the opportunity to be bat boys, which they were super excited about!

Happy Easter!

Here is the Easter Bunny cake I made.

Nixen and Easten hunting for some eggs. Technically, Nixen was hunting and Easten was enjoying some treats he had already found in some eggs! :)

Rusty, Holly, and the boys

The boys opened up their surprises from the Easter Bunny!

Merry Christmas!

This was the first year I wasn't really excited for Christmas. I don't know why I wasn't, but there is one thing I always look forward to every year. I love to give people the presents I bought them. I get excited to see their reactions and yet I stress wondering if they will like their gift. Being able to spend Christmas with my family, especially my three nephews was the best part! Those three always make me laugh!

Stetsen & Easten loved opening presents! The best was when they were trying to open and see what the other was getting at the same time!

I am pretty sure Rusty had just as much fun as the boys did!

Nixen opening his presents. He was a little confused since

he wasn't getting into trouble when he was tearing off the paper!

Family Vacation 2011! We made our way through
Utah, stopping at Arches National Park before heading
to New Mexico then onto Arizona. After visiting the Grand
Canyon we came back into Utah to stop at Grand Staircase
Escalante National Monument and Capital Reef National
Park before we came back into Cache Valley. It was pretty
fun and I loved hiking at each National Park!

Delicate Arch at Arches National Park

Double Arch at Arches National Park

Four Corner Monument, New Mexico
where I got to stand in four places at once.

Monument Valley, Arizona

Grand Canyon South Rim

Grand Canyon North Rim

On May 6 something truly surprising happened...


I actually graduated with my Masters degree.
I had my doubts that I would see the light at the end
of THAT tunnel, but somehow I made it.


As part of the graduation process we "got" to
walk from the Fieldhouse to the Spectrum.

I am excited to have finally made it to my seat!

The Hooding part of the ceremony.

Walking across the stage.

I made it!!!


I have a great family and I am grateful for their support.
Below are some pictures of the best cheerleaders
anyone could ask for!

Dad and Mom

Rusty and Holly

Grandma and Grandpa Karren