Saturday, May 28, 2011

I finished it!

So if you have ever wondered why I have such long updates on Averie every month, here is the fruits of my labor:

Averie's First Year

I have been working on a book for Averie for the past year. I wanted her to have a book that had all of her monthly updates. It was a TON of work, but I can't wait until it arrives to see it in person. It will be so nice to look back through and I am sure Averie will love it when she is older. Feel free to click on the link and check out the preview. This is such a neat program if you ever want to make a book. Kind of pricey, but I think it will be worth it!

Times as of Late

I have not been very consistent keeping up on this blog lately. Life has been very busy the past few weeks. I started my new job and I absolutely love it so far. It has been a lot different than my job I had before. I am so busy! The time is just flying by. I am so much happier when I am busy at work. Maybe I won't be saying that in a couple of months, but for right now it is great.

So exciting news! In October, we are going here:



OAHU!!! Ah! I am so excited! We have not been on a vacation in 3 years. We are going with My brother, his wife, and my parents. It is going to be so much fun and very needed! The next few months are going to drag. I can't wait!

Introducing Easton Andy Payne

Whoa I am super behind on posting. I am going to do my best to catch up. Life has been wonderful and May 2nd we were blessed with a new nephew. Meet Easton:


He is such a sweet little guy. We were totally shocked with Easton's red hair. Both my brother and his wife have dark hair. Easton is so light complected. He is such a doll.

Love the hair.

It was a long time waiting, but we are so glad to have this little guy here safe and sound!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Four Years

I can't believe that Brian an I have been married four years! It has been such a wonderful four years. This year our Anniversary fell on Mother's Day. Poor Brian, double wammie. I have been bugging him for weeks about going back to Moab after I went for my volleyball tournament. He finally gave in and off we went to go experience the Arches.

I can't believe that I have lived in Utah for most of my life and I have never been! If you haven't been, make it a point to go! It was one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen. I will forewarn you, this post is going to be LONG. I have to post all the beauty I saw. Enjoy the pics!
Brian and Ave ready to go! We loved the Kelty Kid pack for Averie. It made it so easy to hike with her.

Brian under the North Window Arch.


Turret Arch



Beautiful!

Miss Ave enjoying the ride.

I love this pic because you can see the North Window Arch through the Turret Arch. So cool.

South Window

Both North and South Window

Double Arch (one of my favorites)





This was incredibly freaky. On the other side from where we are standing is a straight drop off. It didn't help that the wind was blowing a million miles per hour.



Just chilling enjoying the peacefulness.


If you go to the Arches the one thing you must see is Delicate Arch. It is probably the one you would recognize right off. It was a little bit of a hike and the end of the hike is super freaky, but just look at this.

Worth it right?




On the way there we saw this cool old cabin and some petrographics.



When we got to the arch there was only one way that we could see to get there. We had to walk along this ledge to get over to the arch. You can't really tell from the pictures but it was absolutely terrifying. There was not a lot of flat surface to walk on and the wind was blowing super hard. To the right was a big bowl. If you slipped, you would fall all the way to the bottom. I just kept thinking that Brian was going to fall with Averie and then I would watch them die. I know I am neurotic, but seriously scared me to death. Luckily we made it across and the sight was beautiful!



This was a lot scarier than it looks. Man I was the biggest chicken while we were there! See what having kids does to you?

I wish we could have stayed up there for hours, but the wind was blowing so hard and Averie was not too happy about it. We finally headed out and went to our hotel.



The next day we woke up bright and early thanks to Aves. We grabbed some breakfast and headed up to the park again. On the way up I hung my camera out the sun roof and got some pretty good shots. (Yes, I'm one of "those" people)


Our first stop was at Sand Dune Arch. Brian and I found a small crack in the wall.
Well I should say HUGE crack in the wall!
They didn't name this Sand Dune Arch for nothing. There was sand EVERYWHERE. And trust me, it was everywhere when we left!

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After the Sand Dune Arch we headed for our last stop, the Broken Arch. We were thinking this was the arch that collapsed a few years ago, but nope!


Looks ok to me. Turns out that the arch that collapsed was actually further up the park. We will have to visit that one another year.
This arch was one of our favorites because it was the only one we were alone at. We spent a good thirty minutes here alone. We had lots of time to take some pics.




Here is Averie nearly blowing away.




My sweet girl.


My sweet family. Oh how I love them!




Sorry for the picture overload, but there were so many that I loved. What a perfect weekend! I can't explain how much love I have for Brian. These past 4 years have been the best of my life. I cannot wait to see what other adventures I have with this man!