Tahoe

Disclaimer: Before you read this I want you to know that first, I am very grateful for the awesome vacation we were able to go on with Chris’ family. Second, Chris and I love most dogs. With that being said, let me tell you about Tahoe.

The long drive to California was just as long as I remembered. Well, it wasn’t hard to remember having driven to Cali just the week before, but anyway, the long drive was overflowing with fun. My favorite part was a blow out tire in the middle of nowhere. Seriously, it was funny! Chris’ dad got a little stressed trying to figure out if we should turn around back to Battle Mountain or keep going for-ev-er to the next exit. Plus, all the tire stores were already closed. Who knew Chris could change a tire like that! The best part was the tiny donut on our big van that looked hilarious. We were piddling along so slow that even big semi trucks were passing us in annoyance. At this point, was it rude for me to laugh?

Then you have to love the many miles of warm dog smell creeping in your nose. Yep, all six of us and our luggage plus Rocky in the van. Maybe I should share Chris and my feelings about the family dog before I go too far. We’ll just say Chris was in a ton of trouble when he told his little sister he hated Rocky. Anita calls him the “little brother” and I just think he’s high maintenance. Two walks a day rain or shine. He eats human food at the dinner table with us. He whines until Anita does what he wants, but the worst is his bark that makes you wonder how really terrible it would be if you were deaf. Too far? Okay, I’ll ease up a bit. It’s mostly that Rocky hates us, well everyone except Chris’ mom.

It wasn’t until after we ate soggy food in our hotel room (which you can’t help but question if another dog had peed where you were sitting because the hotel “happily accepts animals”) because we couldn’t leave Rocky alone to go out to dinner, when Chris dropped the “hate” word. That was some funny stuff! Anita kept saying, “But Chris, he’s your brother…” That's a conversation that should be put in the family history books. Really Chris? The “h” word...that took guts! I love it!

Just imagine this. Chris' dad walking to Burger King to get Rocky a hamburger while we all got Taco Time because duh, Rocky doesn't eat Taco Time. Funny! To top it all off, the last straw was when I couldn't put my feet down for a couple hours in the car because Rocky decided to occupy my only two feet of personal space on the floor. When I reached down to move him after my feet fell asleep, he snapped and growled at me. Don't be fooled by his friendly exterior. Okay, enough about the dog. The rest of the trip was amazing. I’d like to name our vacation “the ultimate action packed Torgersen boot camp vacation.” Here’s our schedule to prove it: golf, rafting, beach, tennis, the park, baseball, more tennis, more golf, the fitness trail, more tennis, and on and on. Now, I like to think I am the ultimate planner, but this planning was way out of my league. We always had something going on. I finally had to give myself a time out while everyone else went to the course to let my muscles (and sunburn) recover. Tahoe is so pretty and it was nice to get the entire family together.

We don’t get to spend enough time with Chris’ aunt Jen and her family from Arizona. I’m really lucky to have married into such a fun family (minus the dog). Okay, okay, I’m just kidding! If anyone in Chris’ family is still reading this and doesn’t hate me for the dog comments, thanks so much for a great vacation! We loved it!

4th of July

This is how we do the fourth...

parades

treats

appreciation

friends & family

food and mostly, fun!

Living out of a suitcase

I love love love summer. Even though I am still having nightmares about school starting again in August, the idea of getting paid while out having fun might just make teaching worth it. How many jobs pay you while you ride rides in Dinseyland? Sweet! I bet teaching is a lot like childbirth. Yes, I really did just say that. You have to have a period of time filled with good memories to make you forget the nine months of pain. If not, you’d never do it again. So this summer we are totally taking advantage of the time I have off. Chris’ work is about to kill him for being gone so much, but I really have loved the time together.

First on the list was relaxation. Our summer started with an impulse trip to the cabin with a bunch of friends. I’d really like to say we went camping, but it’s more like a huge log house nested in the mountains above Oakley. Water running, toilets flushing, this is definitely my type of camping. Thanks for coming with us guys! We had so much fun up there that we are already talking about doing it again. Anyone up for a trip?

Next on the list was heat. Right when we got home we packed up our things and headed to California with my family! We spent a week in Disneyland, at the beach, and in Hollywood where they were having record heat waves. It was so HOT! We always have a blast with the family and this trip was no exception! So fun! Even though we walked a million miles, I still must have gained 50 pounds from all the eating out and yummy treats. Disneyland really is magical. Our favorite parts were having dinner in Goofy’s Kitchen and the new Toy Story ride in California Adventure.

The girl’s loved Libby Lou in downtown Disney and I already miss Huntington beach. Why can't Utah be on a coast so we can play in the ocean all the time!

To wrap up the trip we stopped for a couple days in Vegas on our way home. Along with a butt load more walking and crazy heat, we saw the jousting show at Excaliber, lounged by the pool, and Chris and I went out one night to see a Cirque de Soleil show. Seriously, this was the best show I’d ever seen. Ever! I can’t even explain how awesome it was. It wasn’t just a show, it was art! All the body bending was cool, but that wasn’t even the amazing part. The stage really stole the show. There were a few different floating stages that twisted and even went vertical with people performing on them the entire time. I can’t explain it well, just go see it!

Tournament of Kings at Excalibur

Ka at MGM

Now we finally cought up on laundry and are packed again and are on our way to Tahoe with Chris’ family. Just livin out of a suitcase! Wahoo!

Have you heard our story?

It was the beginning of my very first year of college and I was with my dad at the golf banquet for Weber State. I was a brand new freshman sitting there with my new haircut and trying not to let all my new teammates see how nervous I was. He was an oh-so-cool sophomore that strolled in late to be surrounded by tons of friends.

A few days later the girl’s team had a “get to know you” party in the boxes at the football stadium. Coach gave us all a questionnaire to break the ice a little. About halfway down the page was a question that asked us which boy we think we could be “friends” with on the boy’s team. Not only did I scrawl Chris’ name on my paper, but his name was at the top of other girl’s list too (and I’m sure I gave out a few looks because darn, who wants competition).

What? He’s the only boy with a girlfriend, of course.

We “hung out” a lot with the team and magically always ended up just talking to each other. On the course I had never been so diligent at practicing. We were the first ones there and last ones to leave. He even let me win some putting competitions.

Did I say girlfriend…not for long! The weekend after they broke up, Chris and I went on our first real date. After dinner we stopped by his apartment to meet with some friends. When we walked in Ben (his old roommate and one of my favorites) tried to quietly get us to leave. We had no idea what was going on when Chris’ tear-filled old girlfriend came walking out of his room. Man, she was not happy to see me! I don’t blame her though, I wouldn’t want to let him go either.

Two years later (and after many many late night trips from Pleasant View to Murray) we got engaged. Chris surprised me with a picnic full of beautiful flowers, candles, and all my favorite foods! It was so sweet. He was bummed because the hot air balloon ride he had planned couldn't take off because of the weather. I still thought it was perfect!

And a few months later I married my best friend in the Salt Lake Temple.

I don't think I've shared pics of our moms yet, so here they are. Aren't they beautiful?
Then we spent the next week in Cancun!

And now we have been married for three years in July. Love ya babe!

Photograhy workshop

Here are a couple pictures I took at the workshop yesterday. I'd go again in a second!

I can’t wait!

I have this crazy feeling deep in the pit of my stomach…

You know that excited feeling you get when the doors of Tai Pan slide open? You start anticipating all the greatness that might be waiting inside. It’s like the same feeling of putting your first pair of booties on at the Parade of Homes (which by the way is just around the corner)! This last week I have had those same excited feelings nonstop. Why? This Saturday Kami and I are going to ten hours of photography fun at the Picture Life Workshop!

Everything is ready and I’m stoked. I got a new camera

and lens

I'm so excited that I am actually taking notes in my camera’s manual and reading this book.

To be prepared for the big day, I got Kami to come out with me to experiment a little with my camera. Thanks for all your help Kam! My niece makes the perfect model. Here are some of the pics I snapped and put in my first collage in photoshop.