Oh The Joys of Summer!

It seems like this summer has taken forever to officially get started.  It had been so rainy and cool that I didn't think summer would ever get here.  But it finally came!! And it really felt like it once we went camping! Andy, Hill, Marcus and Wes planned to go camping up Logan Canyon and Jabin and I met them up there to enjoy it too.  Those 4 were staying the night up there, but Jabin and I just went for the campfire, smores, and good company.  Camping always makes it feel more like summer and it was so fun to sit around the fire with great friends.

Another official summer kick off festivity was going to the lake for the first time.  Our friend Tanner has a boat and we convinced him to get it ready and take us out to Hyrum Dam.  We left at 6 after I got off work and the weather was perfect.  I absolutely love being out on the lake and I had missed it.  Winter is way too long, that's for sure! I couldn't be happier than I am when I am on the lake, with the sunshine, friends, and my ski.  

Hill loving the sun

lovin life!

Hill, me, Tanner and Andy

another group shot

Tanner wakeboarding

me skiing

love it! 

Hill ready to tube!

The water was probably the coldest water I have ever been in, but boy was it worth it to get to ski for the first time this summer!! I love love love summer and look forward to more days on the lake!

Road Trip to Wyo

Over Memorial Day weekend, Jabin and I made the loooong trek home to Powell.  Somehow, Jabin had managed to  get away with not meeting my family until then.  I had Monday off of work so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to go home!  We left Saturday morning and started our journey.  He had never been that far into Wyo and it was really exciting for him.  So exciting that he slept for a good portion of the trip...even with all of the beautiful scenery. Ha! So we made it to Powell about 5 or so and Jill, Christian and the boys met up with us at my parents shortly after.

We all headed over to Cody for some Rib & Chop House...YUM!! Kyle even came to dinner with us, so Jabin was immediately introduced to most of the fam.  Dinner was great and we then headed back home.  We hung out for a bit with the boys and Jill and Christian until they headed back to Lovell.  Jabin and I hit up the hot tub for a little relaxation.  Sunday morning we went to church at my parent's ward and then chilled at the house.  The weather was pretty crummy so we couldn't go shooting, 4-wheeling, or anything adventurous like that.  We took some great Sunday naps and prepared dinner.  Jill, Christian and the boys came over and livened things up a bit.

Travy dressed up like Wolverine

My grandma and grandpa came over for dinner as well.  We had french dips and we were all so stuffed!  After dinner we all sat around and chatted and watched Home Alone with Travis and Carson, which was quite entertaining! After g-ma and g-pa left, we busted out some games and really broke Jabin into our family's craziness.  We played Loaded Questions and oh boy! Things got quite out of hand and several times I was to the point I was crying because I was laughing so hard.

Love this lil boy

dorks!!

Monday we slept in a little bit and headed out around 1-ish.  There had been a big storm moving through Wyo and I did not want to have to drive through any snow! I was not feeling very well so Jabin drove the whole way home.  We managed to miss the snow, and had just barely missed the bad weather over South Pass...thank goodness!

It was so much fun to go home for a few days and see my family.  I was so happy that Jabin was willing to drive through the beautiful state of WY to meet my family.  I thought that it went very well and he handled all of the teasing and harassment like a champ! I can't wait til I can see my family again and spend more time with them.

the open road :)

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch

Two weekends ago Jabin and I headed down to Enterprise, UT to his family's ranch, the Evans Beefmasters Ranch.  We left Friday when I got done with work at 5 and started our journey.  We stopped for some delicious In-n-Out and then at his aunt and uncle's house to pick up his brother and his fiance (Kaleb and Katie).  We then continued the trek down to the ranch.  We pulled into the huge town of Enterprise at about midnight and we headed to the Sleep-E Motel where Katie and I would be staying.  Enterprise reminded me of Byron, WY (for those of you who don't know where Byron is, if you blink, you might miss it).

cheese!!

We got up Saturday morning and headed to his grandparent's house for breakfast.  Every year the have a huge two week long excursion to move the cows to to the corrals and then to the new area where they will stay.  We were only able to be there for the weekend, but it was when they would be in the corrals and branding.  Jabin's dad, younger brother (Corbin), and younger sister (Donni) had been there all week, so we met up with them and headed to the corrals.  We saddled up a couple horses and went to meet up with the group as they brought the cows closer to the corrals.  Jabin and I helped move the cows the rest of the way to the corrals, which only ended up taking about an hour.  A lot of people think that since I am from Wyoming that I ride horses all the time, but that is just  not true.  I was quite excited to ride!

Evans Beefmasters Ranch

Donnie getting her horse ready

I am so ready for this...

They put me on Joe because he is getting old and is a good horse to ride.  After we got the cows into the corrals, we stopped for lunch.  Some of his family came and brought lunch to all of us.  After that we started working the cows and sorting the calves from the mamas.  This was quite the adventure...let's just say that my boots are officially broken in now! And they need to be hosed off.  After sorting the cows, the real fun began.  We had about 130 calved to brand.  I started off just watching and kind of helping getting the next group ready to go through.  Then I got recruited to really help.  I branded my first calf and after I did a less than adequate job at that, they had me help with the chute.  I did not want to man the header because I knew I would get harassed if one of the calves got away.  I manned the other part of the table that closes the chute and tips it on its side.

Katie, Donni, and Kaleb hanging out

branding a calf

Me and Donnie 

working hard...

It was fun to actually get into the action, despite all of the flying poop.  It was a long day, but it brought back some great memories.  We used to go to the ranch up in Montana and help brand cows.  This reminded me so much of the ranch and hanging out with my cousins up there.   After all day in the sun, dirt, and cows, we headed back to freshen up before dinner.  We had dinner at his aunt and uncle's house and played some cards.  Sunday morning we went to church with his grandpa and then went for a drive around the ranch.  We then started the long drive back to Logan.  I had so much fun playing cowboy on the ranch and loved getting to meet more of Jabin's family.  I think I passed the "ranch test" even though I wouldn't preg test a cow. Maybe next time...or not!

An Official College Graduate

Well, I did! It is official...I am a college graduate! This post is two weeks late, but things have been a little crazy lately.  On May 7, 2011 I graduated cum laude from the Jon M. Hunstman School of Business at Utah State University.  I actually finished classes in December, but this year they only had one commencement ceremony so I had to wait until May to "walk".  That Friday, my mom, dad, Jill, and the boys made it to Logan to party with me.  That night we went to eat at Firehouse Pizza to enjoy some delicious pizza and dessert.  We then headed to the hotel to take the boys swimming so they could get some energy out.

Saturday morning we got ready and headed up to campus.  I decided not to walk in the big graduation that they do in the morning.  For that, everyone meets on the Quad and then walks through campus to the Spectrum.  I didn't want to make everyone (and myself) sit through two graduation ceremonies, so I just walked in the Business School commencement.  We got there early and took some pictures outside before going in.  It was so great to finally be "graduating" even though I had been done with school for a few months.  It has been a long road full of late nights, early mornings, hectic schedules, too many tests, huge group projects, and countless other  tasks but it was definitely worth it.  Jon M. Hunstman donated $25 million to the business school a couple years ago, so he and his wife were there.  She spoke and then she invited him up to say a few words.  He is an amazing man and has done so much to help progress cancer research and now to help this business school.

After graduation, we headed to Hamilton's for lunch.  My roommate Andy also joined us.  It was very good food and so fun to have my family and friends there to celebrate with.  Jill took the boys back to the hotel for naps and my parents and I went to look for some furniture for my new apartment.  We found everything we needed at the first store and in less than an hour...that is pretty dang good for me!! We dropped our purchase off at my apartment and went back out for some more shopping and dinner at Cafe Rio. We went swimming again that night and had lots of fun with the boys!

Sunday morning we went to IHOP for breakfast then started moving my stuff from my old apartment to my new one.  It was so nice having extra help to make the moving process less stressful.  I truly appreciate all of the help from my parents and Jill and the boys.  After getting everything shuffled over to the new place, we went to dinner at The Beehive Grill.  They had to head back in the morning and I had to work, so we hit the sack pretty early that night.  It was so much fun having them here to celebrate with! I was so happy that they were able to come to Logan and spend the weekend with me.  They are amazing and helped me out so much.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout the years as I worked towards my degree.  It has meant the world to me and I could not have done it without you!!