Jackson Lake

And this is the beautiful lake where we spent the next week. Don't worry that I was SUPER sunburned after only the first day, and I was wearing sunscreen the entire time! Even Derek got red. Guess we haven't been spending enough (or any) time at the pool this summer-dang school and work!

Vacation part one...

So before Jackson we headed up to Idaho and visited Grandma Esplin and few of the cousins...

Then it was back to the road on Monday for the rest of our trip into Wyoming.

This X-terra sure is coming in handy :)

We got slightly distracted when we saw signs for the National Oregon trail center and stopped by and ended up spending an hour checking out all the fun historical artifacts. Hey it was educational and appropriate for Pioneer week. Any one wonder why it took us like 7 hours to get to Jackson?!

Home sweet home

Ok so getting unpacked and situated in the new place took a while but its finally coming together! Here are a few shots of the front room. This is the first time I've had the guts to hang my own art work on the walls so we'll see how that goes. I'd post a few more pics (like of my beautiful flowers out front which I had oh so much fun planting) but my camera is on the fritz and so we are sending in the lens for repairs, yet again :(

Still a few touches needing to be made, like repainting the hutch and coffee table. But it's starting to look like a home. Feel free to come by and visit anytime!

Trimmed and hemmed those curtains all by myself-aren't you proud?

Vacation

Hello everyone (if there is anyone who still checks our blog), sorry we haven't updated in a while. We haven't really had anything exciting to write about... until now... Once we get the pictures, we'll put up a new post, but thought we should give you a preview of things to come. Keep checking back for stories and pictures of our nightly meetings with beavers, escaping death on the snake river, hugging black bears, and running from grizzly bears!

Moving time!

Well I know I haven't posted much lately but I keep saying that I'll get my pictures from our Arizona trip all ready and post some (but I took hundreds, literally, I think I had over 300 pics!), and pictures of this and that because that's how I best express myself, Derek is the one who is good with the words. But that sure hasn't happened, its been a super busy few weeks! So hopefully someone still checks our blog!

Well our lease on our first married couple apartment came up at the end of April. We started looking for a place in March and tried and tried for 2 solid months! I was about ready to sign another lease- Dreading another year of hearing our neighbors blow their noses and the "elephant" who stomps around upstairs at all hours of the night, not to mention no one can ever get ahold of me cause there is zero reception in our place! But then just 3 weeks ago we found the perfect place! Ok maybe not perfect but as close as you can get and still be renting. It's a duplex in the Milcreek area where we have a TON more room and no one above or below us! We are so excited and will have everyone over as soon as things are put together. So after two years in the basement and a tearful good bye with my Young Women and ward we are moving on to bigger and better. Pictures to come soon.

Also wanted to remind everyone about RELAY FOR LIFE! Its this Friday night (12th) and into Saturday morning at This Is the Place State Park. We have put together a work team and will be there all night so come down to support donate and have some fun and food for a good cause. All funds raised go 100% to the American Cancer Society to help fight cancer. Please come down and support us if you can, or donations are still being collected online (see post below) Appreciate it!

Fight Cancer with Relay for Life!

Dear Family and Friends,

I've decided to take a stand and fight back against cancer
by participating in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life® event
right here in my community.

Please support me in this important cause by making a secure,
tax-deductible donation online using the link below.

To donate online now, click here to visit my personal page.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09National?px=11359158&pg=personal&fr_id=14933

Relay For Life® is a life-changing event that brings together more
than 3.5 million people worldwide to:

*  CELEBRATE the lives of those who have battled cancer. The
strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight.
*  REMEMBER loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who
have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find
healing.
*  FIGHT BACK. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and
desperately want to put an end to the disease.

Whatever you can give will help - it all adds up! I greatly appreciate
your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Sincerely,

KandisEsplin



CELEBRATE and Double Your Money
Many employers offer matching funds programs. Your $50 donation
could turn into $100. Inquire with your personnel/HR
department to complete the paperwork required to get your gift
matched. Visit our Matching Gifts page.
http://www.matchinggifts.com/acs/

REMEMBER loved ones through Mosaic Of Hope
Create a moving memorial tribute to your loved one lost to
cancer or an inspiring honor tribute to your loved one winning
the fight against cancer. Visit the American Cancer Society
Mosaic Of Hope web site to build your own memorial or honor site
dedicated to your loved one.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/DON/DON_2_Mosaic_of_Memories.asp?from=RFLFooter

FIGHT BACK by becoming a member of ACS CAN

ACS CAN logo

http://www.acscan.org/

You have the opportunity to make a difference and save lives by
becoming a member of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action
Network (ACS CAN). ACS CAN is the organization that allows the voice
of the cancer community to be heard. ACS CAN is a national
grassroots movement of people just like you - cancer patients,
survivors, caregivers and their families and friends who who are
dedicated to changing laws and policies to help people fight cancer.
You CAN take action. We CAN save lives. Together, we CAN
make cancer a top national priority. Join CAN today, at
www.acscan.org
http://www.acscan.org/

Check out the new ride!

So Derek and I have been wanting an off road vehicle for a long time now.  Well we found one that was too good of a deal to pass up, and so our Xterra was born!  And of course we had to go check out the off road package this weekend.  Thought we'd share some of the fun with you.  You can hardly tell because she handles so perfectly but these were quite the rugged trails!  She's a champ!