Sitophobia

I have been lax in my medical terminology.  I came across this on the other day, and it baffled me.  Sitophobia.  Fear of what?  That's right food.  Fear of food.  I don't know about you, but sometimes I'm terrified that my food will sprout legs and attack me, or it decides that it doesn't want to be eaten, and so lodges itself just right in my esophagus so that I choke and die.  I have to deal with this every day.  Sitophobia.  It's real.  Apparently.

Things that give perspective...

I've been reminded recently that I did not have a typical youth.  I grew up on a farm, and we went camping in the mountains without being able to take a car, etc.  Some well-meaning coworkers think I'm the spawn of the devil because as children, we named our animals, but then when the time came, we ate them.  Now, don't freak out, I'm talking about cows, pigs, and sheep people: typical meat for eating.  We also had rabbits for a while.  I am not a pet eater.  Just to clarify.

Also recently I was at dinner with friends, and someone ordered fish.  Somehow the subject came up that it was really cool that Ryan knew how to catch, cook, and clean his own fish.  I spoke before I knew what was coming out and said, "Isn't that a normal skill?".  Haha!  No, my friends, it's not.  I am a minority for being able to catch, clean, and cook my own fish.  I like fish best that way in fact. Anyway, since some will demand proof, I offer the few pictures I have.  Alas, I do not have the skill to take a picture of myself whilst fishing at the same time.  Enjoy!

Can you see the fish jumping?

Yes, I caught this thing.  Quite big for the area we were in.

Henry with his line in the water

One of my favorite places...just for fun

Cordell with his line in the water

Again, on of my favorite places

The crew fishing after hiking/riding to the lake

St. George: Zion National Park and Tuacahn!

On the way home from Utah, I stopped in St. George for a few days and met some friends from Mesa.  We went to two shows at the Tuacahn: The Little Mermaid and Grease!  Oh man, The Little Mermaid is fantastic and I want to go back before the season ends.  Grease was good too and quite entertaining.  We hiked Observation Point on Saturday and it was rough: 4 miles uphill and then back down.  I got plenty of blisters and sore muscles.  It was gorgeous though.

Tuacahn stage

Troy, Lindsay, and Dave

Sarah on the hike

Observation Point

Me, Kristen, Sarah, and Lindsay

Believe it or not, this blister got worse after I took the picture!

Dinner at Iceberg

Maryann, Troy, Sarah, Dave, and me

On the drive home, we stopped at the Navajo bridge over the Colorado river to stretch our legs. 

The bathroom stalls were kind of short.  So funny!

Kristen gave Dave a piggy-back ride

It was great!  I'm so blessed with great friends!

Herschel's Farewell Part 2

So as part of Herschel leaving for 2 years, we had a family party where we had lots of family come over for food and fun.  Doesn't he look good?

The girls at the party: Heather, Caroline, Me, Melinda, Julibeth, Rachel, and in front is Emmie

Same except we've got Shelly

Alyssa, Westin, Ethan, Cordell, and the horse April

Westin petting the pig

Cordell, Westin, Ethan, and Jason

This was the first horse experience

I told her I wouldn't put this on facebook, I never said anything about my blog.  Thanks JB for the pic!

Sunset in Genola: one of things I miss a lot

We went for a horseback ride around the fields and town.  The last one for Herschel for a while.

This year's baby

I don't know what Jane was doing, but it was entertaining

Andrew and Henry on April and Rootbeer

Herschel on Diamond

I went to the park with my oldest friends.  We've known each other since we were five years old, and I love them both.  They both have kids, and their two daughters were born on the same day in the same hospital.  I kind of felt left out.  Haha!  They're so cute though!

Bailey and Tiffany

Emily and Bailey

Jeffrey, Bailey, Brooklyn, Seth, Linnea, and Tiffany

The drive home brought a cool scene:

We took Herschel to the missionary training center on July 20th.  We took pictures at the Provo Temple.  He was excited--for him anyway.  He's going to be great!