Redfish Lake

Over Memorial weekend we took a much needed camping trip to Redfish Lake.

Redfish Lake is located in Stanley, Idaho. A place where the Dude and I had yet to go visit, and is now a place I love and want to go back!

This was our campsite! It was awesome being so close to the lake.

The Dude was excited to have a fire, he pretty much had one going almost the entire time....almost. That little tent by him was Cosmo's home so he didn't bother the nearby campers.

Oh how I loved that lake! It is so beautiful and so clear!

My coworker let us borrow his canoe, it was a heavy bugger, but well worth taking it along!

With the lake being so clear we saw several fish swimming around. We didn't catch any, which was okay, it was neat just to be able to see them!

Aw, that view......the Sawtooth Mountains are majestic.

He had mixed feelings about being in the canoe. He tried to escape before we hit shore after the first ride. The second time out I had a towel he could lay on and bask in the sun. He also enjoyed lots of goldfish snacks.

I love early mornings when you are camping!! Watching sunrises are the best!

There was lots of nature walks/hikes to go on.

Cosmo enjoyed his time getting dirty.

We really couldn't of picked a better time to go. There wasn't too many people there since we went up on Memorial Day and came home Wednesday. We had the lake all to ourselves on one of the days we took the canoe out for about an hour before anyone else made it out. It was just what I needed, a quiet, peaceful time away from society, media, and every day strains of life. I am already planning my next camping trip here.

Free Entrance to National Parks

The Dude and I took a quick trip up to Yellowstone yesterday. From April 16 -April 24 you can get into the national parks for free! We had to take advantage of it. Not all of Yellowstone park is open, some loops are still closed till May, but that was okay since we went for just a quick visit.

The Bison were everywhere!!

The day was absolutely beautiful!!

Bison are such LARGE animals!

Yet they trod so lightly, when they walked on the pavement you could barely hear it.

The last time there was a buffalo traffic jam for me in Yellowstone was when my family went when I was like 6...8...any way, along time ago!

The Dude kept asking me to roll down my window to take pictures, it was a little unnerving to be that close to them!!

It was freezing by Old Faithful!! The ice cream shop wasn't open yet for the season, The Dude was disappointed.

See, freezing!! 

We also saw a bald eagle catching a fish from the river, two cow elk, and one moose eating in the river as we drove home through Island park.

It was a fantastic drive through this beautiful world we live in.

Spring Is In The Air

I cannot believe it is already the 10th of April! Where has the time gone?!

Though I am sad that time is going by so quickly, I am beyond ready for spring! Warmer weather, spring cleaning, flowers, gardening, the lovely color of green everywhere! 

I love this time of year!

My brother and his cute little family came and spent the weekend before Easter with us. It was the best having them here! We look forward to another visit soon!

My niece LOVED dying Easter eggs!

They turned out so colorful! 

(Autumn tablecloths are the new style for Easter decor.)

This Dude celebrated his birthday! He likes this picture of them both trying to blow out his candles. Fuzzy phone quality photo.

We got a head start and tilled our garden yesterday. It is a nice feeling knowing it is already done for the year.

This is the first time I have ever grown spring garlic, let alone garlic in general. It is coming in quite nicely!

Lettuce is popping up!!

Spinach is too! (The Dude is less than excited for this row.)

We started our garden seeds inside about two weeks ago.

Look at how awesome they are doing already! 

I am beyond elated that they are doing this well so far. I sure hope it continues!

I didn't know I liked Hyacinths until this year, and they smell so good!!

The flower bed is doing pretty well in general. The Peonies and Lillies are popping up. I have an obnoxious grass that is growing in one of my day Lillies that I can't seem to get rid of. Hopefully I don't have to pull the whole thing out and start over.

We cut down the lilac tree in the back between the two pine trees. Now we need to find the energy to pull out the stump!

Once we do I want to transplant the apple tree I planted last year to that spot. I think it will be a better spot for it back there.

Our feathery friends survived the winter! Some of them look a little haggard, but they are alive and well!

Ten Years

The Dude and I celebrated our ten year anniversary yesterday. I don't feel like it has been ten years. The years have gone by quickly, but ever so slowly at the same time. I am beyond blessed and grateful to have this wonderful man in my life. I catch myself watching him when he doesn't know I am and thinking to myself how lucky am I to have him as my husband forever! 

"Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story no one on earth has ever read. Which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."

C.S. Lewis

"Love is meant to be an adventure."

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Jane Austen

For our ten years of bliss we left behind cold Idaho for a weekend in sunny San Diego!

We met up with Dave's parents for the weekend and went across the border to the Tijuana Mexico Temple.

It was beautiful!! 

Trying to get back to the states was a mess!! I secretly wanted to roll down my window for a tamale but we were all afraid to risk it.

We checked out the LDS visitor center of the Mormon Battalion, very neat place!

The Dude wants to be a drover when he grows up.

We could not pass up the chance to see the San Diego Temple at night, breath taking!!

Playing a game of bean bag toss while we waited for a table at Snooze. Get the Bella Bella Benny, so delicious!!

Sun bathing seals, they weren't afraid of the crowds of people gathered around them.

Take me back!!!

How many seals can you spot in this picture??

Both of these pictures were failed attempts due the gusts of wind blowing my hair every which way possible. Totally worth it.