Puppy Love

No we did not get a puppy.....

Do we want one....YES!  

This is our DREAM dog!  Is he not the most irresistible puppy?   

Tyson says he cannot make an appearance to the Parker family until CHRISTMAS 2040.  I will continue to give him my puppy eyes in hopes I can change that date to CHRISTMAS 2011.

Grandma Betty

We recently celebrated Tyson's grandma Betty's birthday.  She is a wonderful, delightful, faithful, astonishing and brilliant woman.   I remember falling in love with her the moment I met her.  We immediately found our similarities in one another when it came to our immense love for chocolate and sweets.  

The Gospel is imbedded in her every action.   Her testimony beams from within.  She has taught early morning seminary for over 25 years and has served two faithful missions with her loving husband grandpa Bob. 

I look forward to every Sunday evening when she brings by “Goodie of The Week.”  She takes a scrumptious dessert to every one of her five children who then distributes it to their children. 

I am overwhelmed with admiration at the example she sets for me.  Every time I see her she greets me with the warmest hug and tells me how much she loves me.

I can't wait to have a little one of our own, so we can name her Olivia Betty after her great-grandmother.  I am full of gratitude for the example that grandparents set for their grandchildren and for the wisdom that they offer.


We LOVE you Grandma Betty!

Yosemite National Park

Tyson surprised me with a weekend getaway to Yosemite National Park.  Our friends Danny and Ali also came along.  It was oh so wonderful to get out into nature and leave all of our worries behind.  There is something about being out in the wilderness.  It always seems to bring back childhood memories from when my dad would pile all five of us kids in the back of his truck and plop us out in the middle on nowhere.  

Tyson picked out the perfect campground.  We had a beautiful stream right behind our tent.  

Later in the evening we drove to a look out point of Half Dome.  Next year we plan on hiking this bad boy.  It reminded me of Angels Landing, however it is a much more strenuous hike.  I told Tyson that I guess it was time for me to start working out.  My hands became clammy just thinking about the hike.  

The sunset was gorgeous!  There was a man speaking to some tourist(they were everywhere, it felt like I was on "It's A Small World After All," in Disneyland) and advised them to take the time to watch the sunset at least once a year.

I sure love this guy!

When we got back to camp we enjoyed our delicious tinfoil dinners and smores.  One thing I especially love about camping is the justification for eating an enormous amount of sweets.  We ate treats galore and stayed up late chatting around the mesmerizing fire.  

The next morning we woke up and took a short trail up to see some of the largest Redwood trees I have ever seen.  

On the way home we stopped at the one and only McDonald's, while in the drive-through we spotted this awesome van.  I couldn't help but snap a photo.  I guess I just don't understand the sticker revolution that is taking over all vans.  

It was such a fun and much needed getaway.  Thank you babe for being willing to step outside of your comfort zone for me!

Meet Fresno

Since reevaluating my attitude upon our living situation, I am going to list some of my favorite things about Fresno, California.  Just in case you were wondering whereabouts Fresno is located, I have provided this wonderful map.  There you see, we are located smack dap in the middle of California, which makes for some exciting road trips.  We are within driving distance of so many fun places, such as Disneyland, San Francisco, Newport, LA, and many other hot spots. 

We are fortunate enough to live right next to Yosemite National Park.  Tyson is taking me here this weekend for another camping getaway.  I have yet to see its majestic beauty, that I have heard so much about, but from seeing these pictures I can tell that it will be breathtaking

45 minutes away from our home is one of my new favorite places Shaver Lake.  It is located right outside of this small town that has a farmers-market every weekend.  It has darling little shops and restaurants that line the streets.  It is so peaceful and quit up there!

Now food is the way to my heart so it is no wonder that Tyson has helped my find some of my new favorite restaurants.  Dog House Grill is number one on my list.  They have the best chicken salad with pine-nuts, feta cheese, and red peppers.  Number two is Sakanaya.  They have the best teppanyaki around.  Number three on my list is Me n Ed's Pizza.  Tyson and I usually find ourselves eating their pizza once a week.  There are so many other restaurants that I love here.  Having a new variety of restaurants to try has been great.

Speaking of dogs you have got to love the Fresno State Bulldogs if you live in Fresno.  I happened to marry myself one.  Here is a picture of the hubby in his glory days. 

Tyson and I are looking forward to the up and coming Fresno State basketball season to support Tyson's uncle Coach Cleveland. He was the former BYU basketball coach.... I try not to hold this against him.

I love living in the agriculture hub of California.  We have fresh fruit whenever we want. Everywhere you look is rows and rows of fruit trees and vineyards.  I am hoping to have our Christmas card pictures taken somewhere along these lines.  

Being surrounded by Tyson's family also helps the situation.  I am sure as time goes on I will continue to find new things I like about Fresno.  

Please come visit us.  We love visitors!

Gratitude

The older I become the more I realize the importance of family.  I love every member of my family individually for what the offer and teach me.   I am thankful today for a husband who brightens my every day and loves me unconditionally.  Even when I am an emotional wreck he seems to always know how to put me back together.  I have the best in-laws.  They have allowed Tyson and I to invade their home for the time being, as we save up to purchase our first home.  My mother, she is a rock and the backbone of our family.  Nick, who has a sensitive side that only few are lucky to see.  I will never forget the hug he gave me the night my dad passed away.  Cortney, she loves our family and is able to put up with my brother.  She is an incredible mother and wife.  She even lets me pluck her eyebrows whenever I want.   Tate, can put a smile on my face no matter what.  He calls me just to say, “ hello yaness.”  Kiersten, I am happy to say that we never fought growing up.  The older we get the closer we grow to one another.  She teaches me daily.  Joshua, he is the sweet one in the family.  He melts me heart.  He still allows me to cuddle up to him and hold his hand.  He has a passion for sports and I enjoy watching him play over the years.  

I am thankful for the Parkers and how they have welcomed me with open arms.

I don't know where I would be without all of you!  THANK YOU!!!!

Sister

Dear Kiersten,

I want you to know how much I love you!  You are perfect in every sense of the word.  Keep hanging in there.  I know you have not been feeling well the past week, somehow you have remained positive every day and continue to build me up if I am feeling down.  I know your patience is being tried daily as you lay in your bed and want nothing more than to move around and go out wearing leggings and a dress.

I thought you might like this quote by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Patience—the ability to put our desires on hold for a time—is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter. “Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace.”

You are the best sister anyone could ask for.  I remember when mom told me she was pregnant with you and I told her if it was another boy I refused to go to the hospital to meet you.  Little did I know I was about to be blessed with the most sincere, kind, and loving sister.  I am so happy I got you.

Love, Your Big Sister Girl

Fall

I have never been in such immense anticipation for fall as I have been this year. I am craving walking into the house and smelling the delightful scent of cinnamon sticks burning on the stove, stepping outside and hearing the crunch under my feet from fallen leaves, bundling up in scarf, and looking around at the vibrant colors on the trees. This is my all time favorite season of the year. I look forward to it all summer long. It can't seem to come quick enough with this 90 degree weather. Here are a few reasons why I love fall.

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins! I love pumpkin bread, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin seeds.

I always enjoy a tasty bowl of Maggie's homemade chili, a cup of apple cider, a slice of apple pie, apple cobbler, carmel apples, and endless handfuls of candy corn. My goal this fall season is to learn how to bake my mother's apple pie.

I really want to learn how to make the criss-cross top on my pie.

I love when I get to pull out my fall wardrobe. Tyson and I went into Anthropolgie last night so I could drool over the new fall line. I am pretty sure I wanted every cardigan, sweater, and dress that I saw. Tyson had a nightmare last night that I applied to work there, oh how fabulous that would be.

My poor boots that I wear almost everyday during fall and winter are showing signs of wear and tear. I guess the only thing that means is it is time for a new pair of these. Pretty please babe!

And last but not least, fall means the holidays are just around the corner.

Missing Utah

So I must admit, I have been a bit of a debby downer lately. I have been missing Utah immensely and everyone around me has had to hear about it. So in an attempt to stop complaining, I am going to give a few reasons of why I miss UTAH and be done with it.

Low and behold my one and only CAFE RIO, enough said.

Driving to Heber to visit my family and being surrounded by these majestic mountains.

Eating the most delicious shakes I have ever had at The Dairy Keen.

My favorite college football team and alma mater, The University of Utah.

Cold weather/being able to go skiing at the most fantastic ski resorts around.

Temple Square

Hiking anywhere and everywhere. I may be bias but I think everywhere in Utah is gorgeous.

I honestly miss my eyebrow lady. She is FANTASTIC and would be beside herself if she saw mine.

Long rides on the bike with my besties.

And most of all I have been struggling with being away from these people.

My friend posted this quote on her Facebook and I fell in love with the words,

"Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better."

King Whitney Jr.

I am so lucky to have this guy who makes everything better and turns my frown upside down. I can't imagine life without him.

I am grateful for change in my life even though it has its difficult times. It gives me the great opportunity to grow. I have amazing memories of Utah that I will always hold dear. I look forward to the new memories that will be built here in California.