Saturday, August 28, 2010

book club.

We had book club today.  For the summer we read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  Halfway through the summer we decided to also ready Catching Fire {the second book in the series}.  I thought the books were entertaining, but not my favorite.  I think the first book is very predictable; I liked the second book better.  As always I had better insight into why they are so popular after discussing them with my girlfriends.  I don't think its the killings that get people hooked, I think its the emotions that we can relate too.  We had some interesting discussions making similes between the 'capital' in the book and our own governments and fear of government.

I will give the first two books two and a half stars out of five.

Thanks Monica for the yummy cinnamon rolls and discussion!

We decided to finish the series by reading Mockingjay {although a handful of the girls already read it}.  I am sure the entire story will come together in the last book, maybe I will like the entire series better!

We are also going to read The Tao of Pooh.  Don't know anything about it - should be good!


Friday, August 27, 2010

peaches.

Thanks Chris and Tara!!!

PS- I know I have been slacking on "Friday Flashbacks" sorry.  I will get back to it soon -summer is almost over and then we will be back into a routine.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

fun.


Never thought moving day could be so much fun!

PS- I didn't know this happened, I just found these pictures on my camera...McKay...

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Colorado.

We were home for about 16 hours last weekend {long enough to unpack, do the laundry and repack}.  On Sunday morning we headed out to Wyoming to hear one of my brothers missionary companions speak.  It was the elder that original trained Dallin and then later they served as Assistance to the President together.

Then we were off to Montrose, Colorado to my aunt and uncles house.  We helped them open this Papa Murphy's store.  Their original store burnt down about eleven months ago in a fire.  They built this new store and we helped them with last minute preparations for opening day.  It was very fascinating to me to see how everything works.  My uncle is super passionate about his Papa Murphy's - if you are ever in Montrose stop by for a pizza {it's in the Home Depot parking lot}



Here is a picture of all the dough ready for pizzas {if you ever wondered if everything is really made fresh, it is!}  The crew prepped and sold over 1,000 pizza's the first two days they were open.  Wow, that is alot of dough, sauce and fresh veggies!
After a long day prepping pizza's we went out to eat at Chilli's.
Thanks Marie and Jerry.




Truman enjoying Grandpa's blue cheese.
My cousin Josh and his wife Sam where also in Montrose so Truman got to play with his second cousin Libby.  I think they had fun together even though Truman is plugging his ears {he was sick of hearing us tell him to look at the camera}.
Next we were off to beautiful Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I highly recommend visiting this place. My parents rented a condo for us all to stay at.  This is the view from the deck.
The first morning we were there my mom, McKay and I went to a beginners water coloring class.  Above is a picture of us with our teacher and below is a picture of what I water colored.  It was really fun. 
There are lots of hiking trails and water falls in and around Pagosa Springs.  Every day my dad would have a hike all planned out for us.  The weather was perfect for some late summer hiking.

Truman collecting rocks.
Stopping for lunch after a four mile hike to a water fall {after lunch we never could find the trail to the next waterfall so we bush-whacked it to the other waterfall which made my mom crazy - then we had to bush-whack it back a mile to the trail before hiking out the four miles...}

On this trip Truman bonded with his 'Papa'..he always wanted to be with him!
Grandpa carried Truman out...and put him right to sleep!
The Hopkinson's came up from Flagstaff, Arizona and joined us for a couple of days.
Truman is a couple weeks younger then his cousin Jean.  Truman learned how to say "Dean" for Jean.  It's pretty cute!  Here she is feeding him breakfast!

Everyone loves uncle McKay {known as Kay, Kay}.
One day we rented tubes and floated the San Juan river.  First just the adults did it - but then we decided the kids would love it.  
Aaron and Enoch, McKay and Quinn, Addie and Tiffany
Addie ridding the waves like a pro.
Addie got stuck surfing this wave.  These teenage boys were yelling from the banks "do you want us to save you?"  She was giggling and laughing and enjoying the ride, it was pretty cute.  The funny thing was Aaron and McKay had been trying to surf the wave and couldn't do it and then with no effort Addie did it.  Eventually Aaron had to go pull her out.
After rafting Enoch's pants were soaking wet and see-through.  His pockets were full of darts - we had a good laugh.  He "won" a dart gun for not having any 'accidents' while potty training.  He carried the gun, and darts everywhere.
The last morning we attempted to play some miniature golf...it was entertaining!

Enoch and Quinn teeing off!  Nice form!


What a great week.  We missed Gregg.  He stayed home to work.
Now back to reality!


PS- I almost forgot, the best news of all...the Hopkinson's are moving to Utah {in one month}.  I can not describe how excited I am - I never  thought this would happen {I guess it's okay that I just announcement that on my blog...}   :)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

ahhh...

This is the view from the condo we are staying in this week.
ahhh...


PS- Read two books, started a third, can I stay here forever??  More pictures of the adventures when I get home!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

washington.


We just got back from a trip to Washington to see my cousin Lisa get married.  We are 'double' cousins because her mom is my moms sister and her dad is my dads brother.  So we share both sets of Grandparents - from the time we were really young we have called each other 'double' cousins!
They live in Moses Lake, Washington.  She was married in the Colombia River {tri-cities} temple.


The {Washington} Quinn Family
Allen and Christine, David, Sterling, Daniel, baby Kimball, Rachel, Lidia, Lisa and Skyler Hebdon, Angela, and Michelle {thats, Dr. Michelle}!
The kids.
Rachel and Sterling, Angela, Lisa, David and Michelle.

classic Grandpa Arave picture.
Cute Daniel doing his poses for me!





favors at the reception.


baby Kimball enjoying himself.
Grandma {Ida} Arave, Ilene Trent, Valine Quinn, Christine Quinn.
{notice my mom is on her tippy toes}.

caught!
The weather was beautiful - we loved seeing all the apple, cherry, corn and onion farms {I wish I would have stopped to make a picture}.  What beautiful land up there!  The wedding {and reception} were very nice and most important, Ilene and I survived the ghetto hotel {with a lake view}!!