The Adventures of Temperance and Juliet

                        Oh what did we do in the Summer time? Well... a little bit of everything.

 

We posed for the camera.

 

 

We went hiking at Five Springs

 

 

Ate Grandpa's first watermelon from the garden.

 

 

 

As Summer turned to Fall we...

 

 

Celebrated Aunt Katie's Wedding... Welcome to the family Uncle Jonathan!

 

 

Finally met cousin Payden who came all the way from Hawaii!!

 

 

Played with all our Olsen cousins.

 

 

and went swimming for the first time!

 

 

 

Time sure flies when you're having fun. Can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

Hawaii 2011 (week one)

I am finally getting through all the pictures I have recently taken off my camera, and realized I haven't shared our exciting vacation with you all!

Sam and I never took a honeymoon. Getting married just before spring semester, with me still in nursing school did not leave a lot of buffer time between our wedding (on Saturday) and me going back to clinicals (on Monday)....

For us a vacation was long over due since we will be married two years this month! Time sure flies.

I have been to Hawaii before, but Sam has never gone. This seemed like the prime opportunity to go somewhere a little exotic before our little bundles of joy make an entrance. Sam's brother Dan lives on Oahu, and we do not get to see him and his wife often so it just made sense that we would vacation in their neck of the... um... tropics.

We flew out December 10 and stayed through Dec 23. What a lovely break from reality, and what a lovely gift from Dan and Raia to let us crash at their place!

I wanted to share some of my favorite memories and places with you. I hope it will bring a little sunshine to you in this wintery weather!

We arrived on a Sat. night and the following Monday the fun began. A trip to the Dole Pineapple Plantation was silly, educational, and very tasty.

Of course the beach was a must, and we lucked out to be staying literally across the street from Hukilau beach. This soon became a frequent stop for surf, sand, and a little boogie boarding.

A little tid-bit... if you have ever heard the hula song about the Hukilau, it was written about this beach.

One of my favorite things to do is snorkel. We did this a few times and sadly the only pictures even related to snorkeling were from Hanauma Bay, a marine life conservation area 10 miles from Waikki. It was a beautiful little cove, however; the tide was really low that day so it made for some shallow swimming. Not very easy for two pregnant women!

I have a thing for light houses. This was a great "little" hike up to a very beautiful view. We tried to watch for whales since this is the time of year they migrate to the area, but no such luck.

We were able to take time and do a session at the Temple, which was in walking distance from where Dan and Raia live

When you have the right connections you get the special treatment. Dan has several buddies in the military, one of which got his Captain's license literally that day so we could all make a trip out in Kaneohe Bay. We rented a boat from the Marine base and skipped on over to a sandbar!! Once in a lifetime fun for Wyomingites like us.

There is Beauty all Around

I have been battling a roaring sinus/ear infection for a little over a week now (finally it is settling down...)... but even being sick and having tremendous pressure in my head did not keep me from a family fishing trip this last week. I have to admit I am a very poor navigator, so what I am about to describe may make no sense.

We went through Ten-sleep and up the mountain, past meadowlark lake... over the river... through the woods... (no, no stop at grandmother's house) and came to a trail that no one in their right mind would drive a full cab/long box truck through.... unless of course you count us. A mile and a few heart attacks later, we found ourselves at what we were informed is called Ten Sleep lake (more like two lakes). It was beautiful... except our hike around the lake resulted in Sam and Dan almost having to cary me back out because I could barely breathe (sill me for thinking the elevation would not effect my sinus pressure). We caught no fish, though not for lack of the creatures....

We then crept back down the insane trail and on to creek fishing in some beautiful meadows. If I had been in my right mind and not curled up in a blanket, I would have thought to take more pictures of the beautiful landscape... and for that matter charge my camera. Regardless of my neglect, I did walk away with a couple snapshots of natures wonder.

Our Little Garden

I was so excited about our little garden in its early form, but I had not seen its full potential yet. I have had so much fun with growing this year, and eating the produce is even better.

What you can't see here is the pumpkin patch developing off to the side...

An artistic view of the watermelons

It doesn't look like much, but we have already enjoyed buckets of peas, some corn, and now this. I can't wait for the tomatoes green beans and watermelon.

It reminds me of playing in corn fields as a kid.

Maiden Voyage

Sam and I have been accumulating a handful of motorized toys. Our most recent acquisition is a boat. Not a fancy boat. It is actually old enough that it still has a Chrystler outboard motor on it! It had sat parked for a few years before we got a hold of it, and after days of tweaking, Sam felt she was ready to test open water. We called up some of our closest friends to share the experience with us. They packed a pick nick dinner and we all headed out to Wardell reservoir to try our luck.

After having to jump start the boat twice... we finally got her out on the water. She did not have much power, but it was still fun. Especially for the little ones on board.

The Captain



Phoebe was so excited she could barely stand it!


It wasn't too long after we did a few laps, the motor went silent and poor Jake and Sam got to row us back to shore.



Our brave swimmers.

Shortly after making it back to shore and setting up the grub.... rain clouds set in and a torrential down pour ensued and we all ended up drenched.

What an adventure!

Hopefully with a tune up, our little boat will be ready to try again.

Cleanup

There is always a project at my parent's house. Recently we went to visit and my Dad made a comment about one of the dead cottonwood trees needing to come down someday. Well no sooner that we could think about it, Sam was ready to get out the chainsaw and fell that tree!

Here is how the tree looked before the men got to it, and they made short work of it.

If you squint, you can see Sam in the background acting as an anchor... I have to admit, it made me nervous.

Strategic discussion.

Had to have one artistic view.

Lumberjack Sam!!

All Grown Up

I always dreamed that when I had my own place I would have a garden. Now that we are in a house with a perfect little plot for a garden, my dream has come true. We started relatively small for our first go. Corn, peas, carrots, melons, green beans, pumpkins, and tomatoes and peppers.

Growing up my mother and I always planted the family garden from starts. Sam and I tried using seeds for everything but our tomatoes and peppers. I was a little nervous at first. I was not sure anything would even grow.

Look at the magic growing in our back yard!

Except for the neighbors dilapidated shed... it is not all that bad.

Okay, so it is not that much to look at, but for my first attempt at growing anything from seed.... I think it looks pretty good.
Happy growing to all you gardeners!

Christmas 2010

This Christmas marked Sam and mine first Christmas as a married couple. I had always wondered how to coordinate holidays between the two families, but I have found it is much easier than I expected due to our convenient location almost exactly half way between both places! I was scheduled to work on Christmas day, so we elected to spend Christmas eve with my parents, and then Sam would spend the next day with his while I was at work. I was not the only one who had a holiday work schedule, Sam's brother David was working as well, so the Olsen bunch put on a belated Christmas dinner the 28th so all could be included. As always it is a treat to be able to spend time with both families, and getting to share the holiday with both was extra special.

One thing my side of the family has always enjoyed in the winter season is ice skating. A relative of ours has created a rink complete with skates to borrow, warming hut, and basic hockey necessities. It is the Moncur tradition to make several "hokey" trips while the ice is on. This year we took Sam on our Christmas eve visit. I had forgotten how much balance it takes to be successful on the ice, and it took me a while to find my skating legs. Sam and the other boys took to it with ease.

As a fast paced hockey game ensued, I stood back to watch as pucks flew, sticks smacked, and Dad said hello to the ice a couple times. It was a blast, and well worth the trip.

This was easily one of the most pleasant Christmas seasons yet.

Changes

I love Fall. There is a feeling in the air that is different from any other time of year. Take a walk outside, close your eyes, and let your senses take over. The air has become crisp as if preparing for the coming winter chill, warning us that this fresh new feeling won't last long. There is a certain sweet smell in the air as the leaves turn back to the soil, and the first puffs of smoke can be caught coming from wood stoves around town. Fall is the time to celebrate a successful growing season, time to can produce, and bake pies, and if that isn't enough to make you feel warm, open your eyes and take in the color. Is there anything prettier than a tree that has become golden yellow with just a hint of green left to contrast?

Along with the seasonal changes, Sam and I have welcomed a couple new changes in our lives. Sam was just recently called as the Young Men's 1st Councilor for our ward. We always joked that we would probably not be here long enough to have callings, but the good ol' Basin Ward beat us to it. Sam has only two boys in his class and will be helping with a very.... VERY small scouting troop.

As for me, I have started my first nursing position. I am working at the Wyoming Retirement Center as an RN. This last week was orientation for me, and four twelve hour shifts in a row was a little much to take in as a first timer! I survived and am very excited to continue. I love the staff and residents, they have all been great and helpful.