Donut Falls

Garrett and I have been trying to take advantage of the unique geography and hikes that are in this area. We'll be moving to the East Coast in August, and "mountains" will soon be used to describe the rolling hills. I had work off last Wednesday, and we decided to hike Doughnut Falls in Sandy. We've both hiked this trail, but it's been several years. It was a perfect day for a hike. Still early enough in the season for mild weather, and we didn't pass a single person on the trail. There was still a good amount of snow and ice coverage up near the falls which prevented us from climbing up near the hole itself. However, the available trail deposited us right at the river, and made for a couple of good shots and views. The very last picture is a distant shot of the falls. The river falls down a series of rocks, and into a hole in the rocks. During the middle of the summer, you can climb up to the top of the rock and see the river rushing through the hold, or you can climb under the rocks, and see the water pouring down toward you through the hole.

A Glimpse into Tuesday Evening

Today I wanted sugar. Normally we don't eat a lot of sugar. And normally when we do eat sugar, I enjoy making it. Today I wanted sugar, but didn't want to make it.
Garrett was a good egg and cheerfully let me persuade him to do the dirty work. We began scrolling through his pinterest boards, and came across a recipe for Pineapple Brown Sugar Crumble that made Garrett drool.
He glanced at me for my opinion.
Ever the pragmatist, I asked if it would be too much effort.
He threw his hands in the air and exclaimed "Don't put all your eggs in one basket!"
I blinked at him.
"... That actually wasn't what I meant.... Don't count your eggs before they hatch!".
I began to laugh.
"Don't put all your chickens in an egg!" He grinned and smooched me.
I sure love my eternal manfriend. We decided upon nutella no-bake cookies. Always a sure bet.

Also, this evening our stake had a service activity where everyone cleaned the church building. Our ward was responsible for cleaning the chapel. We and a few other couple arrived on time and had cleaned almost everything by the time everyone else arrived. It was funny to watch the pews I'd dusted receive four more go-overs by well-meaning ward members.

The stake provided grilled hot dogs, brats, and hamburgers. (How do people have the misconception that a pink hamburger is safe to eat?!? It isn't, people! All the bacteria laden pieces of meat get ground together, mixed with pus and infected organs, and then get shaped into a patty! The integrity of the bacteria-free meat is severely compromised!!!) It was fun to sit in a more casual setting with our neighbors and chat for awhile. Normally we see our fellow ward members in a dazed stupor on Sunday mornings, or in a dazed stupor passing each other on the street during the weekdays. People are actually a lot of fun to interact with when both parties have a little vigor.

And that's about all that's happened tonight. Life is pretty darn good. And I'm gonna go eat me some no-bakes!

Applause for the effort!

I (Michelle) just realized today that it's been awhile since I've blogged on our blog. In my defense, I attribute this unfortunate fact to our small little laptop that is really at the end of its life. It has served me well through three years, three chemistry classes, statistics, my capstone, several job searches, and wedding planning. As of late however, it's really slowed down. It typically takes me 10 minutes to get the internet up and running successfully. It is maddening. And I usually give up by the time I've logged in. Don't even bring up the challenge of posting pictures!

BUT. We will be getting a new computer in the next few weeks! And then I will post and post and write and put up pictures.

In the meantime, I will smooch my eternal manfriend for his devotion and dedication to continuing our blog. He sure is great.

Under the Sea

After hearing a rave review from our nephew Jack Stone we couldn't resist visiting the Loveland Aquarium in Draper Utah. Motivated by Michelle's childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist and my love of nature in general, this was a must see before we moved to the East Coast.

The first area of the aquarium, themed to the wild waters of South America, was quite thrilling...rays, iguanas, and huge fresh water fish drifted through the pools and our hearts.

The iguana was quite a swimmer and must have been nearly five feet from the tip of its tail to the end of its nose.

This tank had an amazing overhead view...

And then there was a toucan...

Notice the large line of kids waiting for the grown man to cross the small bridge. It was pretty cool.

The penguins were hands down my favorite. Watching them dive in and out of the water and swim so gracefully was both amusing and awe inspiring. 

Though the exhibits were not quite as good as, say,  the Monteray Bay Aquarium, we were pleased with this land locked state's attempt to share the wonders of the sea...

Motherhood “the highest, holiest service … assumed by mankind.

"Are We Not All Mothers?" asked Sheri Dew a prominent, successful allbiet unmarried and childless LDS persona. In her talk she reminds us that all the women in our lives are Mother's whether or not they have the opportunity to bear children. In sharing just a few thoughts from her talk I hope to honor all the women in my life who have acted as mothers to me...my Mother, my sisters, aunts, grandmothers, female friends and my dear wife.

Sister Dew stated: "While we tend to equate motherhood solely with maternity, in the Lord’s language, the word mother has layers of meaning. Of all the words they could have chosen to define her role and her essence, both God the Father and Adam called Eve “the mother of all living” ³ —and they did so before she ever bore a child."

"Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us."

Elder Ballard added: "All women have within their divine nature both the inherent talent and the stewardship to mother...grandmothers, aunts, sisters, stepmothers, mothers-in-law, leaders, and other mentors who sometimes fill the gaps."

Though much could be said about what a Mother is and does I with simply say that I am honored to have so many amazing Mother's in my life. 

To my mother: Mom, thank you so much for tirelessly devoting yourself to me, my dear companion, and the many children and grandchildren (and those of others) who are yours to care for. It would be easy now that most of us are adults, living somewhat independently, to let those ties slip away, to lessen your involvement, or to shirk the duties of motherhood. But you have not. You have been ever faithful, always loving, and continuously interested in us and our well being. You continue to nurture us in so many ways. It was a great joy having you with us in our home. I treasure your company, your good nature, and your wise counsel. Thank you for having the courage to raise us with expectations, consequences, and gospel teachings when the world portrays parents as hands off, incompetent, etc. Thank you for being a parent and not just a house mate or someone who needs as much support as I do at times. You have always been what a Mother should be. When I interviewed at Telos they asked me what I thought it means to "Think like a Mom." My response..."well let me tell you...." I can't remember all that I said but that is the only question I remember being asked and am certain because of you it is the only answer that mattered. Thank you. I love you. Happy Mothers Day.

To the mother of my future children: I couldn't have picked a better, more competent, faithful, and loving women had I scoured the whole globe. Everyday I am with you I feel more close to you, more confident in you, and more content with my life. Despite all of the uncertainty of the future there are two constants in my life: The Gospel of Jesus Christ and YOU! I don't care where we end up so long as I am with you. You are a fantastic mother: teacher, lover, friend, support, one who holds me to a high standard, listener, creator, and so much more. I don't know what the future will bring regarding our own children but I do know I am excited to figure it out with you and only you. I love you with all my heart. Happy Mother's Day.

Our First Home

Michelle took these pictures so we could post and sell our contract before we move across the country. I'm glad she did because these pictures are a living record of our first married home. Though just a small, one bedroom apartment, this place has been very good to us. We finished a thesis and masters program here, bought our first car together here, and talked through many of our first challenges as newly weds together. 

At the end of the day, home for me is wherever Michelle is...but here are a few pictures of the first apartment we shared together. Any stylistic additions or interesting interior elements can be attributed to Michelle's artistic eye. 

Our living room...

Our vanity and bath area...

Our little kitchen....

And the bedroom...

Thanks to Michelle, this little apartment looked pretty dang good. She helped color coordinate, make wall decor, and declutter this place. Lucky for the prior tenants it is probably freer from bugs and cleaner than it has ever been. Though this apartment was good to us we look forward to making our home in a new place and exploring a new area. Farewell Twin Pines. Hello Isaqueena...maybe.

Happy Easter: We know that our redeemer lives!

Well, we weren't feeling the Easter Egg hunt and lately our taste buds just haven't been craving a big old basket of candy but we wanted to some sort of traditional Easter ritual and decided dying eggs was something we could handle. Here's our mix of concoctions below. 

Before...................

After....................

In addition to dying eggs, we attended Provo City's Spring festival (replaced their old chaotic city easter egg hunt). As part of the festivities they had local businesses come advertise their wares, local food trucks and vendors selling food, and a variety of crafts, animals, and activities.

Canyon cycling had a booth in which participants could ride one of their bikes up and back down a brief, hilly course. They had very few people who could make it up the hill successfully or come down with out wrecking themselves. I had to try and show off of course, and needless to say, I was able to make it up and down effortlessly (in flip flops) and stylishly. One of the few, one of the proud...

At the end of the day, in addition to all of the fun activities and Easter celebrations we celebrate our Savior Jesus Christ first and foremost. We testify that he lives and that through him we can find peace and happiness in this life and the life to come. We can live after death with our families, we can be strengthened in times of trial, and we can be made whole through His infinite atonement and resurrection.

Pomp and Circumstance: Plenty of pomp and funny circumstances..

Graduation day. Two more years down...a handful more to go to get a PhD. In the mean time, call me Master Stone. We had our convocation in the Marriott Center at BYU and had, as our speaker, Governor Leavitt. He talked about about becoming managers/leaders who convene and collaborate and harked back to George Washington who sat at the head of the original constitutional conventions. Fortunately the Business School likes to be quick and efficient so the ceremony didn't drag on and on like graduations tend to do.

My family came to support and I made it easy for them to spot me by wearing the wrong colored hood. True story. Of the hundreds of graduates at the ceremony I was the only one who missed the memo to wear a blue and white hood and was wearing a yellow and white hood. Good thing I have a masters degree to help me figure that one out. I had a good laugh at that and figured most of the audience thought I was the top of my class or something like that. We'll let them keep wondering...

There I am...the yellow eye sore in the sea of blue.

And the moment we have all been waiting for...the grand walk across the podium to grab a fake diploma. It's a little anticlimactic...but I really am done!!! Woot.

Mom had some trouble getting a good photo but I'll try to get some of her pictures up soon. Thanks to my lovely wife for snapping these pics to remember the special day. And thank you my beloved wife for supporting me along the way. Couldn't have done it with out you (at least not on time). Love you lots.

The graduating couple...my greatest accomplishment is to be married to Michelle....getting a masters doesn't even come close.