Pesky Critters

Ok, so while I was in Idaho for my fam reunion -I was eaten alive by Mosquitos from my knees down! And I got some sort of strange satisfaction from scratching them! It's like I remember having chicken pox as a child and my Mom was a Nazi about keeping me from scratching them, and now I could scratch all I wanted -so I did. Unfortunately I didn't realize they would scarr over. And since I am a somewhat vain silly girl, I have been wearing pants daily (in 115 degree weather) and nylons (yuck) to church for the last 2 weeks to cover up the uglyness. I am so glad they are starting to fade, I have learned my lesson. The mosquitos didn't even bite Edward once! I guess that's proof I'm sweeter ; )

Birthday #26!

I am so lucky to have the job I do. Not only do I work in a beautiful office (check it out at www.srcalldds.com), but the people there are so sweet and fun! (pictured above: Sweet Suzy & Steff) For my Birthday they blew up a ton of balloons (seven garbage bags full) and taped them all over my room!  Dr. Call brought in birthday donuts and then took us out to Red Robin for lunch! It was such a fun day, I felt like I was getting paid to party! That evening Edward took me out for Chinese food...Yummm! It was a great day!

Washburn Fam Reunion 09

After spending a fantastic week at girls camp with the wonderful YW of our ward, I packed up again and Edward & I flew off to Idaho for the Washburn Family Reunion!  I am so grateful to my Grandpa for facilitating this annual event. We wouldn't miss it for the world! It is so nice to get together and enjoy each others company.  You can always count on good food, laughing till you cry, and feeling the warmth and love of family!   (See pics below =)

Fishing with my Dad!

I went to Page last weekend for a visit! My dad and I tied at 302 points in an intense Scrabble game Friday night (Shocker, cuz my Mom usually wins!), so we agreed that the tiebreaker was whoever caught the most fish the following morning!

I love going trout fishing with my Dad down the Colorado river! For me it's more about the hike than it is the fish though.  It's so beautiful and serene down in the canyon. 

Hiking down in.  I love my Dad!!! 

Finally reaching the bottom!

My Dad was kind enough to thread my worms for me! Edward will never go fishing because he feels bad for the worm on the hook, and then the fish on the hook afterwards! He has such a tender heart for all living things! He won't even kill spiders, he scoops them up on a magazine and then carries them outside! Anyway, back to fishing...

At first all we caught were big gobs of slimy green moss. Gross. 

We moved further down river and found a nice sandbar.  I could even wade out in the freezing cold water here and cast out a little further.  Fishing is all about location!

Getting a nibble...

A fish at last!  In the end I caught 4 fish and my Dad caught 1.  

Now to hike back up and out with the added weight of the fish in the pack.  My legs were a little sore the next day! 

Gotta love that Arizona red rock! 

The sun was just setting as we reached the truck, and finding our way back to the highway was tricky business! There are like a million dirt roads winding around the Navajo Reservation, and they crisscross each other everywhere!   My dad tried blazing his own path across the desert, but we couldn't get the 4-wheel-drive to work. I'd rather be in the truck looking for the highway though, than running along the highway looking for the truck (which has happened before)!  It's always an adventure with my Dad : )  Thanks Dad! It was a fun trip! 

Happy Mothers Day!!!

This is my beautifull Mom! She is the most amazing woman you will ever meet! She is a cancer survivor and crazy teenage daughter survivor = ). I know everyone thinks their Mom is the best, but I really think mine is! She is a woman of many talents! She has an incredible greenthumb. (As is evident by the flowers blooming in the background.) I think because she nurtures weeds and plants alike for their respective herbal and medicinal properties, they in turn flourish under her care! (Unfortunately I do not have this talent -I struggle to keep plants alive). It always amazes me when we go for walks together how she can name all the plants along the way and tell me what they can be used for! (even down here in the middle of Pheonix where I didn't think anything good grew.) I've always admired her for getting her Bachelors and becoming an RN. She is a hard worker! She is a gifted tole painter -and has made lots of cute decorations to make home festive for every Holiday!  She cans food, bakes bread, sews, you name it! And a hidden talent -she has written 300 pages thus far for a book about Jay/Autism! I hope I can be as kind, patient, and loving to my children as she has been to me.  What I admire most about my mother though is her steadfastness and love of the gospel! Her testimony is rock solid and unwavering, and she has a vast knowledge and understanding of the scriptures that only comes from years of earnest studying.  She has an inner strength and peace that she uses to uplift others. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful mother and friend! Happy Mothers Day Mom!  

4th Anniversary!!!!

Eva Ross stitched this for us as a wedding present. I just love it!!!