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By Kate, 28 August 2010

On the way back to DC we took a little detour. We passed through the ever-lovely North Dakota to visit Neil’s folks… full of things like large Paul Bunyan statutes:

And random buildings shaped like monster-fish:

We then hit the exotic territory that is Canada.

Upon entering the country we were immediately surrounded by Canadian geese. Seriously. Here’s proof:

We hit up the Washington DC of Canada: Ottawa.

We went to one of the best vegan restaurants ever, which also happens to have the best name for a restaurant ever: Perfection, Satisfaction, Promise. It was perfect; we were satisfied, as promised.

And, of course, in Neil’s quest to visit all world heritage sites on the planet, we visited the Rideau Canal.

We also had a chance to do a little camping in Canada (FYI camping in Canada is just as awful as camping in the US, but it was at a beautiful spot).

We all know how I feel about camping:

We also visited Toronto, which is so awesome we didn’t even have time to snap many photos. We went to the Canadian Textile Museum where I discovered the most amazing people on earth, and one beautiful way to dress, and why I now want to move to Panama.

On the last stop before DC, we got to stop and see our niece Lily and her mom Anne. Our other friend Jason, who we  also visited, informed us that he has stopped reading our blog because, “it’s just full of baby pictures.” In an attempt not to tarnish this reputation:

Uncle Neil and Lily having a ball. (Well, at least Lily is )

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By Kate, 21 August 2010

Canada was amazing in many ways.

Amazingly large.

Amazingly beautiful.

Full of amazing inventions (see video above).

More pics and video to come.

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By Kate, 11 August 2010

Today we start our trip back to D.C. via North Dakota and Toronto.

Viva la vida!

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By Kate, 1 August 2010

We took a family vacation with our little cousins to Jackson Wyoming and Yellowstone. On “the way home” Neil took another detour back through Yellowstone with the top down in my dad’s Z3. Not to be an elitist, but seriously, this is the only way to go. When we came across a buffalo on the road, in lieu of stopping and waiting for it to pass, Neil decided to drive up to it. Thinking these moments might be our last, I decided to at least get them on tape. (see video clip above)

Also upon Neil’s life-threatening whim, and intense desire to see a bear, we went crashing down into a ravine in search in of a black bear. And, we found it. (more photos to come)

At my dear mother’s insistence we went for a round of old timey photos in Jackson Hole.

Mountain man!

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By Kate, 5 July 2010

Last weekend I got to go to Oregon for a mini-reunion with all the gals I grew up with. I would like to say that we did more than dress-up 24 hours a day for most of my childhood, but that would be a lie.

A significant portion of high school was spent dressing up like the Spice Girls. One night we found out we had a snow day the next day and had a 24-hour Spice Girls Bonanza.

Behold:

Here is the very same crew 12 YEARS later:

Not many people can say that they are still friends with their 5th grade friendgroup at thirty! (yes, I am wearing a Spice Girls t-shirt) I think we haven’t changed a bit. It is so fun to see what everyone is doing now that we’re old.

The highlight of the weekend was watching the Spice Girls music videos we made back in the day. You should be sad I have sworn not to put copies up on the internet, because they are PRICELESS!

Here are some shots with our new(er) friends from Iraq rafting on Sat. in Utah.

We floated the Provo River to celebrate our freedom.

We also met our new-est friends this week. They are from from Dubai. (no, I did not photoshop their faces, the face-garb is part of their everyday outfits)

Make new friends, but keep the old… one is silver & the other’s gold!

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By Kate, 21 June 2010

Hooters Restaurant in Texas.

In college, Pamy and I decided to drive from Utah to DC & back to take pictures of a poster-sized, framed picture of Vanilla Ice posing with a Book of Mormon.

Ah, the good ol’ days.

I found these photos while digging around my Mom’s house looking for goodies to take to a reunion with my childhood friends this weekend. More specifically, I was on the hunt for a video tape we made on a “snow day” vacation of Spice Girls videos, including interviews w/ fake British accents. I did find it, but alas VHS is keeping me from basking in its glory just yet.

But, luckily I found this ultimate tribute to the fact that I had way too much freedom and disgretionary income as a youngster:

Petrified Forest, Arizona.

The Grand Canyon, with Hippy Jimmy, a random hitchhiker we picked up in the desert with only a drum on his back.

Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. An apt tribute to the authors of the song, “Take it to the limit, one more time” which was pretty much our motto for 4 years. Taking it to the limit for a good joke, that is.

Waffle Dank, with the promising youth of Arkansas.

Oral Roberts, perhaps the only University more conservative than BYU in the US of A.

Vanilla and Elvis kickin’ it at Graceland, where my love of Elvis was born. GO THERE, and discover for yourself… that he IS ALIVE!

Pamy’s dad posing as a Senator in DC.

Niagra Falls, New York-no that is not photoshopped.We don’t cut corners!

Pamy in Chicago, Illinois.

Top of the Sears Tower, Chicago.

World’s Biggest Buffalo, North Dakota.

Sneaking into the World’s Biggest Buffalo after hours.

Fryn’ Pan, Fargo, ND.

Man, we were two funny freaks.

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By Kate, 20 June 2010

We went down to Southern Utah for a family reunion of Neil’s mom’s side of the family. It was a whirlwind trip, but well worth it.

We got to take a peep into Byrce Canyon National Park.

Neil got some good shots, as always.

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By Kate, 2 June 2010

We took a trip to Humbolt County, CA this weekend. We camped in the redwoods, attended the Kinetic Sculpture Race and generally had a grand ol’ time.

B-I-G trees!

Rock Band

I heart camping!

We also visited Neil’s dream house complete with bicycle powered T.V.

And furniture made of old cardboard boxes:

L-o-t-s of car time!!!!!!!!!!!!

And a pit stop at the Salt Flats.

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By Kate, 23 May 2010

I have been in Utah for a little over a week. We have already been to Moab, I’ve worked for a week (including a 3-day long child abuse conference… how’s that for fun?), and we have gotten plenty of June-ie time in.

Here’s June helping Neil with his Chem 105 homework:

When we babysat June over night we discovered the glory that is honeydew melon:

She would gnaw endlessly on melon if left to her own devices:

Here I am contemplating why I wore boots and jeans on our hike to Corona Arch. Why do I always think it’s going to be cold?!? even in the desert!

A future arch: