Laney and London

They don't come any cuter than this :)

London Rebecca Pehrson

Laney Addison Heath

A few highlights..

A few highlights from my last post.

Maui -
I have been fortunate enough to have been to Hawaii multiple times in the last 5 or so years though until recently I had never been to Maui. It did not disappoint. My dad has to work over on the Big Island and Oahu about every 6 months so occasionally I get the chance to go and hang with my mom while my dad works. We stayed at the Westin in Kaanapali and it was gorgeous. We had a few days of sight seeing and some great days of just lounging on the beach. We went snorkeling, zip lining, did a great hike, ate shrimp from the shrimp truck, went down to Lahaina, went to the top of the volcano, all in all had a wonderful time. Thanks Dad for giving me an excuse to go :)

Ragnar -
Prior to running the Wasatch back I had heard many stories of people who have had both wonderful and terrible experiences running Ragnar. I am happy to say that my experience was fantastic. I absolutely loved it. My van included 2 of my best friends, a girl I knew just a little bit, and 2 gals I had never met prior. I could not have had a better van of ladies to run with. They were all very positive and supportive of everyone. I ran the better part of two of my legs in the dark, 2 in the early morning and one in the later evening. Meaning for me....my first and last run were both pretty cold, at least the first half of both of those runs. I was runner #1 which meant that I was first to start and first to finish. I think I got the best deal. I had the most mileage of the 12 runners on our team but my runs were not the most technical by any means. They were rated hard, very hard, and easy...in that order---ideal. My first run was around 6 miles, my second about 11, and my last near 4. I would run it again in a heart beat, if you have the opportunity I would take it. It was something I had always wanted to do and am grateful I got the opportunity.

Costa Rica -
WOW! Costa Rica was like no where I have ever traveled before. The living conditions in Costa Rica were very humble in most places we visited. The roads are like nothing you have ever driven before. We rented a car and driving there is insane. Paved roads did not exist for a good portion of our driving, most were tiny dirt roads, super windy, tons of one lane bridges, giant holes in the road, uneven from the rain, and a lot of crazy drivers. You could get stuck behind a truck for long periods of time with no opportunity to get around them. Though driving was crazy the land was amazing. The landscape while you travel was beautiful.
We first drove to a town called La Fortuna which is right near Arenal. We rode horses up near the volcano and saw sloths, Toucans, falcons, snakes, gigantic spiders and bugs, armadillo, salamander, frogs, lots of wildlife. We also went canyoneering in this area. Repelling was one of my favorite parts of this trip.
The second place we went was to Monte Verde and the cloud forest. The drive to Monte Verde was probably one of our craziest driving experiences. The roads there were all dirt and it was a good solid 3 hours or so of crazy. Monte Verde was beautiful. We went zip lining at a place called Selvatura Park in the cloud forest. The lines were longer than any lines I have ever done and we did somewhere around 16 lines. The platforms at the top of the trees that they load you on are a bit nerve racking but the zip lining was awesome. We just stayed in Monte Verde for one night. The little bed and breakfast we stayed at was owned by the kindest German man but was something like a step below camp oakcrest. No windows, just slats you could shut with the wind blowing through, a good solid inch of space to outside around the door, no hot water, and a septic tank just to give a brief beginning to our little abode. The service and kindness of the man...incredible, would I change the experience...no, the room and such....something else.
The last place we visited was the Gulf of Papagayo near Guanacaste. The resort was beautiful and it was nice end of the trip to hang out at the beach and just relax by the pool. We went snorkeling (where I got stung by a jelly fish), kayaked, played volleyball, and just enjoyed. Loved every second of this trip...

Lake Powell -
It is still there and I still love it. I was not able to go to Lake Powell the first time my family went this past summer and so I was really excited to be able to go for the second summer visit. I love that place and I love spending time away from reality with my family. We did a lot of wake surfing, the kids as well as the adults enjoyed tubing, we played a lot of games, and did a lot swimming. Still love it, every time.

'Here' -
If you haven't been here.... you should go,
if you have... you should go again.
Best decision I have made yet.

It is not what brings us together today....

Today, my nieces, who are 5 and 7, decided they were going to try and find me someone to marry.

The options consisted of:
a few guys I am related to,
a few who are currently married,
and Justin Bieber.

Guess that didn't work out.
In all fairness to them...
none of my ideas have worked yet either.

and the search continues...

to know her is to love her...

If you know me, you may be blessed enough to know my mom. Today was my mom's birthday and I have over and over, today especially, recognized how lucky I am to have her. I do not think there is anyone who knows my mom that would disagree with me in saying my mom is simply amazing. She is one of those people that seems to be good at everything she does. She is a wonderful wife, the perfect mom, and a wonderful friend. She has faith that could move a mountain and her love for her Savior is very evident in the way she lives her life. She is constantly thinking of what she can do for those around her. She has a day every week that is devoted to one of her daughters, daughter-in-laws, or mom. She will do whatever it is that they want her to do...she will clean your house, watch your kids, take ya to lunch, you name it-- she does it. This is just a small example of the kind of person my mom is. Who else do you know that does a cartwheel everyday just to make sure they never forget how?! My mom is that lady...you know the one with the cute little figure, great coordination, always dressed in perfect fashion, her house always seems to be clean and organized, and she somehow seems to always be on top of things.. The thing is, it isn't just a facade, she really is just that good. I feel blessed to be her daughter and love her dearly. Happy Birthday Mom.

Christmas Meadows

For Christmas this year my parents gave all of the kids in my family a snowmobiling trip and we went this past weekend. I loved every minute of it. Pretty sure I have the best family around. Thanks Mom and Dad.Love them!!

My Birthday Palooza (better late than never?!?!...)

(just cause it should be documented)

I initially wanted to pretend that my birthday was not actually happening this year. I kept trying to tell myself that it was happening whether I liked it or not and that I may as well embrace it...not sure I really got quite that far but I did enjoy it. On my actual birthday I spent most of the day driving home from my family vacation to Lake Powell. I woke up that morning to this. Not a bad way to start off the day.
Once we got home my sister made me a delicious dessert and we ordered some of my favorite food in. If you have never had a pizza bender from Italian Village...I am sorry and I highly encourage you to do so in the near future.

A week or so after my birthday I celebrated with my family. We usually go to dinner for family birthdays but I had decided I wanted to make them all go climbing. Somehow I got them to do both :) It was good times. I think most everyone enjoyed themselves. We ended the night with dinner at Zupas. As it turns out...was one of my favorite birthday celebrations yet.

As always my friends and family were far too kind and generous. thank you! I am glad I was born.

Elijah 'Eli' Robert

....and the cuteness continues. My siblings seem to reproduce remarkably well. Often, yes--- though more so what I mean is-- all so adorable. I was able to be there when this little guy was born about a week ago. SOOO amazing these little babies coming to earth. Few experiences in life that so directly cause my testimony to grow. Absolutely love him! Congrats Jake and Pep!

(pic is a bit rough--- it was 4 am)

Charly Sophia

My younger sister had a baby a couple of weeks ago.
I can not get enough of her.
We took some pictures yesterday.
She is adorable.

CHARLY SOPHIA

Grams and Gramps

My Grandma and Grandpa do not read this, pretty sure they don't even have the internet but, I really like them so I just had to...

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa! I love you!

Happy Birthday Kat and Grandma!

I am glad you were both born....A. I happen to love you both and B. It gives us double the reason to celebrate. I had a great afternoon out and a wonderful night in!

Lake Powell

I went to Lake Powell with my fam for our first trip of the year! The weather was pretty darn good. We had some afternoon thunder and rain, but it did not last too long. I have 7 nieces and nephews and 6 of them are 3 and under which adds some excitement to it all! They are adorable! Nothing like a bit of hiking, playing on the beach, family fun, skiing, wake surfing, wave runners, tubing, fishing, games....gotta love it.

The Zoo

Yesterday was an almost perfect day for the zoo. When we first arrived it was a little bit chilly, but soon after we got there it seemed to turn into the perfect temperature. The zoo amazes me. All sorts of animals that I am sure I would NEVER see in my life time and if I did I am sure I would run in sure terror, are within feet of me. I actually have this strange inner struggle when I go to the zoo. On one hand being locked up in a cage that is hardly like their habitat seems like no fun at all---on the other where else would I be able to see and learn about these animals?! I mean, that is what we as well as they are here for right? They have taken great measures at the zoo to provide 'habitats' for these animals so they have more space to move around and feel like they are closer to what would be their natural environment. I have so many wonderful thoughts about that, but on a selfish note...now that they have this huge living space it seems at times like you are walking around the zoo playing where's Waldo and never finding him. I go from the thought of wondering if we should have these animals locked up at all, to thinking that the space they keep them in is so large now I can hardly find the animal to see him anyhow. I guess the bottom line is I don't know what I think really. I am for sure not in any way against the zoo... I actually love the zoo. My thoughts just go from one extreme to the other and it all provides some food for thought.

I was there with all of my nieces and nephews and their moms. (well, and Scott) Those kids are completely adorable and in my opinion were absolute gems the whole time. I really, really loved going to the zoo. My company was divine, I loved seeing all of the many animals, I am so amazed at all of the many different creatures God created, and there are so many good things to take pictures of there...I need to go back again with a real camera---how can you not love that!

Bottom line---the zoo was good times!

Nat Sprat

Conversation #1
(following a short talk about my 5 year old nieces Geography and Map workbook)

Grandma: So does your workbook teach you how to read maps?
N: Ya, I look at the map and color each part the correct color grandma
Grandma: Oh, so do you look at the legend, that little box with the symbols, to find where they each go?
N: Hmmm...Legend?
Grandma: Do you know what the Legend is?
N: Well, ya--A legend is like a story that people have told for a long time that has not been proven if it is real or not real.
----(this is where me and my mom look at each other like, did she really just say that?)
N: You know, like Santa Claus is a Legend.

Conversation #2
(while I was at work my mom and niece made some little people out of pipe cleaner---when I arrived home she decided I needed to make one as well. She helped me through the whole process, this is when we got to the hair)

N: Would you like a piece that is long or short?
Julia: Huh?! Oh, for my hair.
N: You can choose, corto or largo

Conversation #3
(to make a long story short--this conversation is after myself, my mom, and my niece have each made our person out of pipe cleaner)

N: Alright Grandma me and Julia are ready to play with our people.
Grandma: K just one minute N.
N: Well, Grandma if you could please hurry we are ready to play.
(Grandma comes in ready to go)
Me: Alright N what are we going to play?
N: Well how about we just have our people be us. Like Grandmas person can be a Grandma, and mine can be a girl who is 5 and in pre-school, and yours can be a teenager.

Savannah Beth

She is absolutely perfect. Can not get enough of her. Congrats Ben and Cass!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Crafty, creative, kind, loving, Christ-like, patient, humble, selfless, fun, organized, clean, forgiving, cute, determined---that is my mom! I could not ask for any one greater. She is the best. Happy Birthday, I love you!

Gardner Village

Did some fun shots of Kat's kids this past weekend! Love em. Do they get any cuter...Really?!

Best in the world...

...so remember the time I was in charge of the book club this month and decided to leave town the same day as our meeting---ya, that was today! Between my wonderful sister and the best mom ever they totally had my back! I never knew I would really miss it not being there...totally did. Thank you! I love you, hope it went well, you are the best~

Lake Powell

Yep, still love it! Another successful and fun trip with the fam to Lake Powell. I somehow seem shocked when we go and have minimal problems, our trip went pretty smooth. We had a few days of wind and rain which put a bit of a damper on going out on the boat much but, provided a day or two that you did not feel like you were going to die of heat, which was nice. Me and my brothers had a great time trying to improve our wake surfing abilities. Natalie created a club for girls only, and her dad, like any good daughter would do. We didn't really get any fishing in and I was pretty bummed. Oh well what can ya do?! My family better step it up in the horse shoe tournament--me and my mom beat out all of the boys and played for the championship. It was a close game, but in the end I came up with the win (the second trip in a row). It is a little bit crazy with six little kids all on a houseboat for a week but, once again there is nothing like being with the fam. Love them more every time I am with them. Thanks for a great trip!

RoCkBaNd and my birthday!

I had a wonderful birthday minus the fact that 28 sounds much too old. Pretty sure I got Rockband for my birthday and it is pretty much the best thing ever. Can you imagine me and my mom rocking out in the living room?! I highly recommend it! I got way too many wonderful things and my friends and family were far too generous but, I love them--thank you! I had originally shot for the goal "2008 find a mate" but, so far I have pretty much failed miserably, so I am thinking that maybe "28 find a mate" could be a possibility, that gives me another 8 months I would not have had otherwise. Anywho, I had a wonderful birthday filled with many people that I love. Thanks for making it great!

Bear Lake

Went on my yearly family trip to Bear Lake this past weekend. It was a wonderful weekend filled with family (that are for sure my friends), food, and fun. We stayed in a cabin with all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins--- a bit chaotic but, great none the less. I think we had something like 13 kids that were 5 and under. Pretty much good times. It amazes me that you can know people your whole life and still learn more about and grow to love them more, the more time you spend with them. We had beautiful weather and as far as I could tell not too many problems. We went to the beach, played games, had a horseshoe tournament, ate raspberry shakes, I had a delicious lime ricky, played a little tetherball, and golfed...all in all a wonderful break with wonderful people!