2 1/2 years way to long.

Since moving to Utah in July of 2007, I told myself ok I will make a trip back home next year. Well 2008 came and gone and so did 2009. At the begining of 2010 I told myself that this would be the year that I take that trip to Tacoma. I couldn't believe that it took me 2 1/2 years to finally make it back to Tacoma. Since Cody and I moved here we have been working a lot and I can't stress enough that we work a lot. I love my job but it was great to get away for 5 days. I took the first flight out of Salt Lake on March 11th, one of my greatest friends ever picked me up at the airport and I spent the day with her and her kids, Krysten I am so greatful that we were able to spend time together. I had a great time going to Target even tho we didn't make it to that Hat Isle, we will have to save that for my next trip. Later that afternoon my sister Shawna picked me up and we headed to her house where an anxious 7 year old was waiting to see her Aunt!! My brother in law made a great dinner then it was off to see my Mom & Dad and my Grandma. Pretty much everyone knew I was coming but my Dad and Grandma. My mom and I had it planned that my dad would answer the door. The look on his face was totally priceless, I wish I had my camera out. He opened the door then shut it on me because he was shocked to see me there. Needless to say My dad was very happy to see me and so was their dog Rufus. I didn't know who I was more excited to see My dad or Rufus. I got big hugs from my Mom & Dad then I went and said hello to my Grandma and got the biggest hug ever! I really love my Grandma and I was thankful to be able to spend time with her. We spent a good couple of hours with my Parents. Friday morning it was off to get pedicures with the girls, Me my sister Shawna my niece Jenna and my sister in law Bridgette. I was so excited to see my Brother and sister in law because back in June they had their 3rd son Jaimus, I got to meet my nephew for the first time, he is the cutest thing ever!! After pedicures it was off to get lunch, I think I ate the best Mexican resturant ever. That evening the whole family came over for dinner. My sister Susan got married last summer and I wasn't able to make it home for the wedding so I was able to meet her husband Tom and one of her Step Kids Beth who is the sweetest ever. I can't wait to meet the other 3 kids. Saturday was a girls day for Shawna, Jenna and I. We took the light rail in down Town Tacoma, Jenna was super excited to take the train since she had never been on one and the best thing its free. We went to lunch and then walked down the street to get these awesome cupcakes. Saturday was just a great day. Sunday I was able to attend my old ward and see friends that I hadn't seen since I had moved. That afternoon my baby nephew had his blessing. It was awesome to be able to be there for that. I've been able to be there for all of my nieces and nephews blessings. I don't think I've missed one. I can't wait for my next trip and hopefully i'll be able to see some other friends and stay longer!






Me and the kiddo's!




















Me and Kourtney

2009 another great year gone by!

This year has truly flown by way to fast. The last few days I've been thinking a lot about what has happend in my life this year. Cody and I bought our first home. I have had a blast being able to buy new things and decorate our home with my sisters help! I have been really spoiled this year and being able to see my family members. I was super blessed to be able to spend time with my sister three times this year. Even if one of those times was just 45 minutes at the airport. Shawna and Craig, Jenna came to our home the day after Thanksgiving and spent the day with us and we showed them around Logan. That was Craigs first trip here and it was great being able to see my brother in law. My parents made the trip here in June and they were able to see our new home as well. I love being able to spend time with my family. I feel very blessed that my family is able to come and spend time with Cody and I. Another awesome thing about this year I turned 30, I remember when my older sister turned 30 and thinking she was old, but now that I'm 30 I don't feel all that old. It feels like just yesterday I was graduating High School.

I hope that 2010 will be another great year. There are just a few things on my check list for the year. I am planning on taking a trip to spend time with friends and family back in my home town. I know my husband does get irritated when I say i'm going home but I have to remind him that Tacoma will always be home!!


I am really excited for this year and I hope everyone has a wonderful 2010!!

A sweet post about me

My sister in Kala is an awesome blogger, for this month she has been doing the 25 days of christmas, she has been writing about people in her life and i've enjoyed reading about them everyday. And to my surprise today it was about me. What a wonderful way to start my day by reading something so sweet. Kala thank you so much, you are awesome and I can't wait to see you guys on Christmas, I wish you guys lived closer so we could see you more often and play more Apples to Apples! Here is the link to the blog so you guys can read this post about me!
http://salmontolmanfam.blogspot.com/

A Priceless View

This is what I saw this evening from my kitchen window

YellowStone

Last weekend I was lucky enough to be able to go to the annual Perkins Family Reunion. This year they went to Yellowstone. I had never been to Yellowstone and I was quite excited for this trip. Cody wasn't able to make the trip due to work. Rather then me driving alone I rode along with Mick and Jen and the girls. We all met up in Rexburg, which was another first for me since I had never been there either. I was able to see the new Rexburg Temple as we took our exit from the freeway. Its a very beautiful Temple. After we stopped for lunch in Rexburg we were on our way to Yellowstone. As we were driving to Yellowstone it reminded me a lot of driving to Mt Rainier. It was so nice seeing huge pine trees. I didn't realize how much I had missed all the green. We made a few stops before seeing Old Faithful, and I was impressed with everything that I saw. I would just stand there and take in all the scenery. We had great weather on friday it was nice and warm and a nice little breeze. It was so fun watching the kids take everything all in. As we drove to see Old Faithful I couldn't believe how beautiful yellowstone was. Being a girl from the Northwest it was so nice to see all the green it did make me miss home a lot!!! When we arrived to Old Faithful we had a little time before it went off, we went to a lodge and had dinner. As we were done with dinner you could tell it was about time for Old Faithful to go off because everyone was standing around. I was really excited to see Old Faithful go off, its much better in person then it is on tv. After seeing Old Faithul we headed to our cabins which was about 45 minute drive. They were really cute cabins and we were all lucky enough to have them all together. When we got there you could tell that all the Big Kids (adults) just wanted to head to bed. Saturday was a pretty laid back day we went to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and that was just breath taking. The kids were able to listen to a Park Ranger while we were there. We saw LOTS of Bison, as we all got out of the car 2 bison decided to go out into the street and stop traffic. Those 2 didn't want to move for anything until a Park Police showed up and got them to move so traffic could start up again. We also saw Elk and Deer, I didn't see any bears. The cabins we stayed in were really cute, I loved how they were all decorated. The cabins were also near a lake, which was down a ways but it was still pretty seeing it everyday! I was very happy to be able to make this trip. A huge thanks to Mike and Ruth for making this trip happen. It was great to get away from normal everyday life and have some family time.

beautiful scenery

Old Faithful

Bison on the road way!

Flowers Flowers Flowers!!

Before my parents came to town my mom and I had talked about planting flowers in my front flower bed. I have to say I was pretty excited because it was looking rather plain out there. So a couple of days after they got here my mom and I ventured to Home Depot and Walmart. We found lots of pretty flowers and i'm very very happy with the out come. I give my mom full credit for planting the flowers, I just watched and watered them when they were all planted in their new home. In the next couple of weeks i'm going to be planting some more. I've always wanted a rose bush so i'll be venturing back to Home Depot to see what they have. I've always loved rose bushes and flowers. We had rose bushes in our back yard when I was little and this huge lilac tree. My mom always kept a pretty flower bed in our front yard. I'm no green thumb but maybe one of these years I can learn how to keep a pretty yard. I still have lots more work to do, I have yet to attack the back yard, and there is a little bit more work to do in our front yard. Cody and I are planning on planting a tree. I wish I could of gotten a picture of our lilac tree, it was in bloom a couple weeks ago and it was very very pretty. I hope you guys enjoy the pictures of our front flower bed. And HUGE Thank You to my awesome Mom for helping me out both her and my sister Shawna are so wonderful with flowers!

Hello!!

I know i'm a huge slacker, I haven't posted anything in a couple of months but hey its better late then never. Here are some pictures of when Shawna and Jenna came the end of March.


I'm not sure who won... but they were having a good time.

Jenna reading to Cody... No trip to Logan is complete without a visit to Aggie Ice Cream.