Cress Creek

On Friday, the 25th, I took Tom up to Cress Creek for a little hike. I'm really not much of a hiker, but this trail I can handle. It is short and sweet, and super beautiful! It's called Cress Creek because of all the wild watercress that grows in it. The creek's water is lukewarm all year round because it comes from a natural spring up on the mountain.

Me holding some watercress

From the top we had an amazing view of the valley below, and of the sun casting its light upon the river.




The weather here has been absolutely perfect lately. It's just a shame that all the bugs have realized this too, and are out and about. Already I have numerous mosquito bites. I forgot how much I dislike them!

On the way up we saw this abandoned stroller and thought that someone had left their baby inside!

Psych! It was only a water jug (thank goodness)!



We had such a good time!

Camping and Fishing

This past weekend my mom, Colter, Tom, and I went on a camping/fishing trip. This is something I missed out on last summer since I was in Washington, D.C., so I was really excited to go. I can't even remember the last time I went fishing and forgot how much fun it could be!



We went and camped at Warm River near Mesa Falls. The weather forecast predicted rain showers, but to our pleasant surprise it didn't rain at all! Aside from it being occasionally windy and a little chilly, the weather was great.

Tom is such a manly wood-chopper. :)

I woke up Saturday morning bright and early (5 a.m.!!!) and was ready to go. I couldn't believe that I felt that great so early in the morning, but it turned out to be a good thing that we were up early. We were down at the river before 7 a.m. so there weren't very many other people out fishing yet.

I was not too thrilled that my mom had the camera out right after we woke up.

Right off the bat we had great success at fishing. Within just a few hours I had hooked four fish! Two got away, but I am ok with that. (It makes me feel bad to kill them.) But we decided to keep the other two.


Tom also caught two fish that morning. We took them back to camp and Tom taught me how to gut a fish. When I was younger, I had always wanted to learn because I thought that it would impress the boys and prove that I wasn't a sissy girl. Well, I got my chance and it really wasn't that bad. I would much rather gut fish than rip the worms in half and put them on the fishing hook. Yuck, I hate that part. It's so gross, but Tom made me do it.

After we returned to camp and ate a delicious breakfast, we went back to the river for round two of fishing. It was pretty windy and there were more people out, so we didn't have as much luck this time. Tom caught a few little ones but threw them back in, and I didn't get so much as a nibble.
But Colter caught a fish later that afternoon and we were so excited for him! He would have been really disappointed if we had left without him having caught a fish.



We got to enjoy the fresh air, watch the sunset over the Falls, and eat amazing dutch oven food. It doesn't get any better than that! I can't remember the last time I was that happy. . . I just couldn't stop smiling! :)


After all the fun we returned home to much needed hot showers and inviting beds.

Banana Bread

As many of you may know, I have completely mastered the art of baking the perfect loaf of banana bread. (And some of you may have been fortunate enough to sample said bread.)

It all started a few years ago with my roommate, Brooke. She decided to make up her own recipe for banana bread and then made it quite often. I was given her recipe and made it a few times, but decided to make a few personal adjustments . . . and voila! My own breed of banana bread was born and has been a source of pleasure to many people ever since.

It has become my trademark of sorts. If there is a birthday, holiday, party, potluck, etc. you can expect banana bread from Kimberly. I think some of my friends get tired of it. Presents are supposed to be a surprise, but you always know what you're going to get from me.

Well, today I made a total of eleven loaves of bread. Can you believe it? Six big ones and five little ones. This was by far my biggest batch yet. For some reason we had tons of old bananas at my house . . . and what else are you going to do with old, spotted bananas?

Just the other day I was thinking - Wouldn't it be great if I could make a living by selling my banana bread?! If I could make a viable salary off of teaching aerobics and selling banana bread for the rest of my life I would be one happy clam! But, since that's not likely, I have continued searching for a more traditional job, and even had an interview this morning so keep your fingers crossed for me! But seriously, how much would you be willing to pay for a loaf of banana bread? I would like to know.

P.S. Have you noticed how many of my blog posts are dedicated to food? That should tell you something about me. :)

"Remember" is a place from long ago . . .

"Long ago, far away, life was clear; close your eyes..."


Allow me to reminisce for just a moment as I reflect on the past year of my life, particularly my internship experience . . . .

Exactly one year ago from today I was leaving for Washington, D.C. to begin what would become the greatest adventure and best experience of my life! (so far)
Filled with large amounts of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation I boarded the plane . . . and that is where the story begins.

I have thought about Washington, D.C. every day since returning back in August. I long to go back there so much that it hurts. It literally hurts.

I was perusing through a blog the other day of a friend of a friend who recently returned from doing her internship in D.C. As I looked at pictures and read through stories, I was reminded of my own unique experiences that I had there; people who have become special to me, who have changed my life.

Here are some of the lessons that I learned while in D.C. :

• I have the ability to find and make friends in any place and in any situation.
• No matter where I go, I can always feel at home when I go to church and enter within the sacred walls of the temple.
• Time will rob you of experiences if you allow it; take advantage of every moment you have and make the best of it.
  
• I can make it out there on my own in the big city!
• Life never turns out how you expect it to.

I'll tell you one thing, a year ago I certainly didn't expect to find myself in the current situation that I'm in. Although my life isn't everything that I had hoped right now, I know that my expectations will be realized in the future. And I certainly can't deny the fact that I am learning lessons and making new friends along the way. . .

In commemoration of this great day, I thought I would include some of my absolute favorite Washington, D.C. pictures. I had a hard time narrowing it down so you're going to get a good 15 or more in no particular order . . .
Enjoy!

Mount Vernon

Just looking at this picture makes me crave a Potbelly's ice cream sandwich.
Nothing can compare!

This is where I worked - um, yeah, can you say amazing?

Some of my favorite "regulars" who would come into the fitness center.
These people are the best!

The amazing fitness center staff!

Concert at the Capitol - July 3rd.

Kayaking on my 22nd birthday!

Gotta love 5 Guys!

. . . and of course I had to include a picture of one our potlucks.

Best sushi I have ever tasted!

movie night

David in his infamous baby-blue polo.

Cupcakes on Ashley's 21st birthday.

My last evening in D.C.

What little boys are made of . . .

Yesterday morning I had the opportunity to babysit my little nephew, Eli, and his older brother Nathan. They are both so adorable!


As you can see, baby Eli is not so little anymore. He will be one year old on June 26th! I can't believe it. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I got the phone call telling me that I was an aunt: I was in downtown Washington, D.C. (Chinatown to be exact) with some of my best friends. It had been an uneventful night of wandering and we were just getting in the car to drive home when I got the call. I was so excited and overcome with emotion. I had no idea you could love somebody immediately without even meeting them.


Since it is an open adoption, we get to see Eli every few months. His whole family is so great, and I love having the opportunity to occasionally see them and spend time with them. I am looking forward to attending Eli's first birthday party next month!

A rude awakening

Lately, as I have had plenty of time to contemplate my life and the direction I am headed, I thought that I had finally settled on something that I want to do when I grow up. As many of you know, I have a passion for health and the human body as well as caring for other people. Why not become a nurse? I questioned myself. I talked myself through the fact that I may have to clean many a dirty bed (which had held me back from considering this option sooner), and resolved that I would just have to grin and bear it, because all the other work I would be doing would make it so worth it. Finally I had found direction! You have know idea how exciting this is after you have been floundering around in a sort of limbo for the past five months! I began researching schools, financial aid options, prerequisite requirements, and so on. It felt so good to be working towards something.
Well, all my plans and dreams were rudely interrupted and cut short this morning as I was reminded of the fact that I don't do well with blood. I never have been able to stomach it, and fear that I never will. Heaven help me when I have small, adventurous children who will surely sustain scraped knees, cuts, and possible broken bones. . .
My mother cut her finger while working out on the deck yesterday and asked me this morning to help her find any possible slivers that may have remained in the wound. Looking at the cut alone already made me feel a little queasy, but I decided to face my fears and help. My job was to peel back the skin with a pair of tweezers while she dug around (literally) in her finger to find stray pieces of wood. The cut started oozing blood and, much to my dismay, I just couldn't handle it. I was absolutely no help to my mom and had to leave the room. I could hardly stand without feeling woozy. Pathetic. I was reminded of similar instances where that same feeling would flood through my body, like the time I tried to help my dad remove stitches from the horse, or when I had to have blood drawn, or even times when I would cut myself shaving in the shower. Super pathetic.
Now I am back to square one trying to figure out some other medical career that piques my interest and that does NOT involve blood. I am open to suggestions . . . .

My Dad's Wedding!

As promised, here are some pictures from my dad's wedding! I am hoping to get more pictures later since all the ones I took are on Chris's camera. It was such an awesome experience to be there for the wedding, and it made me feel good to see my dad so happy. :) He couldn't stop smiling. Amber and I had to tease him about being nervous beforehand too. How many girls get that opportunity?

The wedding ceremony

Here is my dad and Chris with my four new step-brothers: Bobby, Zac, Grady, and Trenton.

Nana, Grandpa, Dad, and Chris


Me showing off the card that Amber and I made for the newlyweds.


And of course we couldn't pass up the opportunity to take pictures of ourselves . . . being goofy.