A Camper, finally

Well, we finally found a camper we wanted. We have been looking for a couple of years actually. Bill has wanted a Big Foot and they are not easy to find. But we held out and finally did find one. Here it is at the place where we bought it and also getting it on. I didn't want a big one, and this isn't, but is sure seemed big once it was on the truck. We got a camper so we could pull a boat or 4-wheelers.

We were so anxious to go camping and then we had church commitments every weekend for a month, between Stk Conf, which was wonderful (with Elder Johnson coming), out of town speaking assignments, temple trips, etc. It's just been busy. We finally got to go, it was kind of spontaneous (isn't that the joy of having a camper) when I realized I didn't have to work on Monday, so after we attended a funeral on Saturday, we came home, scrambled to get things ready and off we went. We had a lot of fun. We didn't go far, just up the McKenzie River, but it is one of our favorite places to be. The first night we stayed at Belknap Hot Springs, but got there kind of late in the day, early evening actually. Bill tried to fish, but the water current was so fast there was just no way.

This is the camper from across the McKenzie River our first night.
Bill fishing, of course. Below is a picture just up the river. It's so pretty up there.
Here is a picture of Bill's new friend that he made while there.

Then someone came along and insisted she get a picture of us both, ugh!

Sunday morning we got up and drove into Sisters for church. I can't believe I didn't get a picture, but seeing that the parking lot was full and realizing that we were late just didn't think of it, then or after. It was so fun seeing Nyle (Emily was in Az), Diane and Rick. They have a great little branch there and a very nice building. Nyle, who is the Branch President, said that they were working on the next stage of the building. I told him about when we were trying to get a building here and Floyd went around all the campgrounds playing Come, Come Ye Saints. It brought every member out of the woodwork. He would stop and ask them to come, no on cared that they didn't have typical church clothes, everyone just wanted them there. Because of that, we now have a building ready for 2 wards. I told him that when he picked his months to count, to let us know and we would try to get the whole ward there. Well, maybe the whole ward couldn't come, but a bunch of us could take turns and go all summer. (Good excuse to go camping too, right? Yeah, I'm thinking!)

After church we stopped at my favorite place, Suttle Lake, and had lunch. We stayed until thunder and lightening started and just a few drops of rain.

Met a new friend, shared our lunch with him, (or is it a her?)

or at least our Cheez-It's, and then off to find a place for the night. At Suttle there were 100's of these butterflies flitting about. They were so pretty. Just that time of year I guess, seriously, 100's.

I think we both wished we would have just camped at Suttle, but we didn't and that's okay. (Bill likes to move around) We stayed that night at McKenzie Bridge campground. We were about the only ones there. Seriously, I think there were about 3 campers that night, but it was very nice and quiet. I sent Bill to get pictures, but have no idea where they were, since they aren't on the camera. So, no pictures of that either. Oh well. It was relaxing, just BBQ'ed some steaks and zucchini and had a salad. Bill was boiling hot (for once he know how I usually feel, I was not hot, which is a miracle) and I had asked him to start a campfire. He thought I was crazy, but did it anyway, Good Husband! and within an hour it was cooling off and we had a beautiful night talking by the fire. Is there a better way to spend an evening?

Chip called and decided to meet us to go fishing the next day, so we got up early and met him, I don't know where, some park where you put in, he brought over the drift boat and they floated the river the next day and had fun fishing. They had a great time.

Here are a couple more pictures of them fishing during the day.

I just headed home after visiting Zach on the way and stopping at the garden store. Yes, I drove the truck/camper home all by myself. I'd only driven the truck once before so it was kind of weird for the first mile or so, but then it was fine, just big. I'm used to my Camry. All in all it was a great trip and we are excited to go again. Want to come along?

after 25 years...

On May 4th Bill and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. It doesn't seem like that much time has passed, but then we think about our kids, who are now adults and of course, time has passed. We went out to dinner and talked about how much we love our life and our family. We are so proud of each of our kids and who they are. We have got great boys that are just nice people. It is fun to be around each of them and our best days are when we can be with them and their families. Certainly it's harder when they live so far away, but we constantly look forward to the time we can go and spend time with each of them. We also talked about how happy we are together, we talk about this often in fact. There have been rough times over the years. Sometimes we wondered if we would make it. But there is staying power in these covenants we make that go beyond this earth life and it's challenges. (if you want to know more click here) One of the things I hope we have taught our kids is that when the going gets tough, hang on and don't give up, keep living what and how you know to be right, pray and do all the other things that we have taught them. It may be easier to walk away, but it isn't usually the best way. Honor the covenants you have made, work hard and hold on.

So, if you know me, you probably know that I LOVE the movie Fiddler on the Roof. I love everything about it. The morning of our anniversary that song that Tev sang to Golde'. "Do You Love Me", you know the one, popped into my head. Now I know there are some differences. We don't have daughters getting married (does a niece count?), there is no trouble in our town, (just in the whole country), I don't think he's upset, he can't come inside or go lie down (he's currently mowing our lawn that takes 2+ hours to mow). He might have indigestion. Sometimes he acts like a fool, but only for fun. Yes I know, it's sounding more and more like there isn't much we have in common with this song (I have been trying for weeks to just get the short part of this song in a format I could post, to no avail). For 25 years I've washed his clothes, (well, he's been doing his own laundry for I can't remember how long), cooked his meals, (well, most nights), I've cleaned the house (we clean it together now) we did raise three boys, I haven't milked his cow (does a goat count?) Well, there are some similarities, right? We didn't meet for the first time on our wedding day (we had known each other 4 months). I was feeling a little shy, I don't know about him, nervous, maybe. I know I was. His parents were at our wedding, but I think they figured he already loved me, neither my mom or my dad were there. For 25 years I've lived with him, fought with him (should I admit that :), we haven't starved. For 25 years my bed is his; if that's not love, what is? "Tev: Then you love me?, Golde: "I suppose I do. Tev: Then I suppose I love you too.

It doesn't change a thing, but even so, after 25 years... it's nice to know.

Oh, did I mention, we are singing this every day of our 25th year...just for fun.