Island Park

Today I packed for 6 hours, so I decided that I can take a break

to post about our wonderful vacation to Island Park!!

My sisters, Jen and Amanda, both came in with their kiddos,

and my brother, Blake and his buddy Dan met up with us

at the Robertson Family Cabin up in beautiful Island Park!

We stayed with my family for a wonderful 4 days!!

The weather was perfect, the company excellent,

and the adorable kiddos plentiful!! :)

Day 1

Because of crazy work schedules, we left at 4 in the afternoon!
The kiddos (and the adults) were all so excited to be there!
We stopped at the giant rest area near Idaho Falls
to climb the stairs and stretch our legs!!
(Notice my hair? Miss Ada gave me two pretty buns for the day!!
That is why I love having nieces - I don't have to do my hair while they're here ;)

Because we left late in the afternoon,
we were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset and a full moon!!

  

Enjoying a late night snack after arriving and unpacking!!

 

Day 2

 Our first full day at the Cabin was full of lots of fun!!

The 'women' got up and went for an 'early' morning walk/jog!
The air was so clear and it was such a beautiful time to be outside!!





We visited the always entertaining Warm Springs!!
We fed the fish some cheetos, some of the kiddos got brave and tried out the water,
and some of the kiddos were forced to try out the water because Uncle Nate threw them in!







 


We lounged around the cabin - the kiddos caught some frogs,
we sat on the deck (oh, the deck! How we loved the deck),
and we talked and enjoyed each others company!!

 




The evening was set aside for some games my mom had prepared,
which included some pretty awesome skits - costumes included!!




Day 3

We spent our Friday at Yellowstone National Park!
It was absolutely beautiful and it has been years since
Nate or I have been up there!
We were pretty impressed with Old Faithful,
and we got to see some fun animals as well!!




















After visiting the park, we took a little detour
and saw this amazing water fall and found a warm swimming hole!!








We topped off our trip with some ice cream and shopping in West!!





Day 4

Our last full day at the cabin was just kind of a chill day!!
Jen pulled out her scissors and gave some of us a haircut,
Nate & I went on a mini date to lunch at a little diner in Island Park,
we had a 60th birthday party for my dad,
Nate got beat up (in a loving way) by 6 year old Leiah,
and we stayed up quite late hanging out with my sisters and brother!!









Day 6

Our last day at the cabin was definitely bittersweet!
We had such a great time and we were so grateful that we
were still around so that we could spend time with my awesome family!!

Oh ... and we saw antelope :)

... it's officially official ...

if you haven't heard the news by now,

you must not be on Facebook ;)

it's officially official!

we are headed to a beautiful little city in Southern Oregon called Grants Pass!

we have been told by SO many people

that it is a beautiful little city

and that the people are so wonderful,

and i was advised that i would fall in love with this city

and probably end up retiring there!

here are a few little photos of our soon to be new city

to entice you all to come and visit us soon!!

(photos courtesy of grantspassoregon.gov)

we are more excited than words can express to begin this new adventure,

but we will miss Logan and the people who make Logan meaningful to us

more than they'll ever know!

wish us luck and happy packing - we'll keep you updated on our progress!!

... hair chalking gone awry ...

My sister, Jen, is a fabulous beautician!

Whenever she comes home, she brings all her fun stuff,

and this time was no different!!

My nieces LOVED playing with her hair chalk,

but as you will see, they got a little carried away!!

 And of course, Nate was entertaining the other kiddos on the trampoline!!

... there's an old saying ...

There's an old saying that goes, 

"don't quit your day job!"

For the past several months, my parents have been finishing their basement!

Nate & I have spent several Saturday's out at their house

framing, sheetrocking, mudding, taping ...

I've come to the conclusion that I never want to work construction!

That being said, I could see where people could get

satisfaction out of demolishing stuff and then re-building it!!

Along with the building, we've been sorting through stuff, reminiscing,

and having a fun time hanging out with my parents!!

I will also rule out professional colored pencil artist ...

... Running ...

Ok. So maybe the title to this post should be 

... Walking ...

or

... Climbing ...

or

... Really out of shape!! ...

Regardless of what it is called, here's why ...

For my birthday, I got new running shoes (exhibit A):

FYI: If you're looking for new running shoes, these shoes are AMAZING - they are Adidas Clima Cool!!  They are super light and airy,
and my feet didn't hurt AT ALL after the first time out -

which is awesome!!

Anyway, so we have been attempting to get back in control of ourselves,

and in doing that, we've been tackling the hill at Old Main!!

And now you will see why I shouldn't take a camera running (really, it was just my phone) ...

I tend to get a little distracted!!

My favorite place in the world has now become my favorite exercise spot!!

This is definitely something that I'll miss after we get relocated :)

... getting away ...

we are getting away today.

we are packing up,

filling up,

piling up,

and heading to island park 

for a whole LONG weekend.

this getaway is much needed

and will be very much enjoyed.

i hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

... unsettled ...

I'm just going to come out and say it - transitional phases suck.

I'm all about embracing change,

but we have been in limbo since May.

We are STILL waiting for word on Nate's transfer.

It's definitely going to happen,

we're just STILL indefinite on the where and the when

and it's SO FRUSTRATING.

He has been done with his training for a month,

we are just waiting ... and on what, I don't know.

His managers promise him that they're backing him up,

they're just waiting for word from the district manager

(who, by the way, happens to NEVER be available for a conversation).

I appreciate that people are busy with their jobs and their responsibilites,

but when they train someone for a new position,

they should just put them in a place where they can be used.

Grrr ...

I'm trying SO HARD to be patient,

but tonight, it's just not working.

I just feel so unsettled.

I want to get to where we're going to go,

I want to pack and unpack,

I want to find a job in my field,

I want to know my new neighbors,

I want to find my local shops,

I want to start our new life together.

We're SO ready and SO excited for this next step,

so here's hoping that it comes sooner, rather than later!!

4th of July

We had a really fun 4th of July!!

On the 3rd, we spent time with Joe & Ollie and their kiddos!!

We LOVE spending time with these guys, and Sam, Jack & Sadie

never disappoint in silliness and adorableness!!

We spent July 4th relaxing, shopping, 

then heading out to my parents house for a BBQ & Fireworks!!

It was fun to visit with my aunts & uncles,

and it was a nice surprise to have Britt & her kiddos join us as well!!

We are so grateful for our freedom and for those who are serving our country!!

... working ...

Many of you know that I work at a local Law office!

I work with 4 other girls and the best attorneys in town!

While our social engagements with the attorneys

consist of birthday treats and Christmas lunch,

us 'ladies' get together outside of the office on a semi-regular basis!!

A few weeks back, we decided to include the hubs,

and we had a BBQ at my co-worker's house!

We had some really great food and some pretty funny conversations!!

I am so lucky to actually be friends with the girls that I work with!!

We all get a long so well and our work days include a lot of laughter!!

It is such a fun office, and despite the tedium of handling legal matters,

we have a great time!!

 

When we up and move away, I'll definitely miss our daily laughs

and our crazy music moods!! Love you, ladies!!

... family ...

Last weekend I jumped in the car with my ma

and we headed towards Crystal Hot Springs,

where the Campbell Family Reunion was being held!

Nate & my dad opted to stay behind and lay sheetrock - 

my sisters are going to be here soon, and they'll need a place to sleep ;)

I had a very nice drive with my ma,

and it was so much fun to see everyone at the reunion!

The Campbell Family is a crazy, loud, fun loving

bunch of people, and I feel so honored to be a part of them!!

Shooting the Moon

We happened to have an 

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

view of the moon the night of the local fireworks!

We spent a little time on my brother in law's driveway,

with our nephew and his little camera,

and our big camera ...

and we shot the moon!

We are SO in love with this photo!

... so in love ...