Going to church in the mountains

John Muir called it Cathedral Peak because it was the first time he had been to church in the peaks of Yosemite. And we went there too!
There was backpacking, sucking wind at 8000-10000 feet, heavy packs, gorgeous trails, still lots of snow, and great times!

Our campsite was gorgeous. Good thing we set it up when we did.... it downpoured, hailed, and gusted wind for 90 minutes! Good nap time.

The next morning we climbed the peak. What a challenge, and what amazing views!

Here are just a couple pictures to give you a taste of the beauty.



See that peak all the way up there... makes me tired just thinkin of it!


Let's climb that crazy thing!


Camping by a snow patch, and look at those clouds rollin' in!


Yeah.... we totally did that!

Crazy, terrifying, and fun?!?!?

So last Saturday, my friend Andy and I embarked on yet another crazy adventure... that's right, another Big Wall climb. This time in beautiful Yosemite. The 'big wall' means that it takes more than a day to climb the beast, and it takes some advanced skills in some sections. No, we did not make it to the top this time either (aargh!!!), but we got a lot better and did some crazy stuff that ranks at the top of "Most terrifying things I have ever done" list. At least we are improving!?!?
Here are a few of the basics of the adventure:




Look at all the pretty gear! We love our gear, so it will stop us from falling (yea!)


Andy and the haul bag (appropriately named so we can haul up our food, water, sleeping bags...)



Taking a rest, and a snack (yes I am all safe and hooked in). This was a great seat, and check out the gorgeous view behind me. Part of Half Dome!



Me, jugging up a rope like a crazy person! But looking tough.. Yeah!



Andy hanging on the rope for a second. This was the terrifying and horribly difficult part of the climb. Pull yourself up the rope, and then over the ledge.... Twice!!! (the first day, and then came down, which means we had to go up again!!!) Talk about finding out what you are made of! (and bashing my leg in once over the edge too - ouch!)



Me hanging in mid-air under that horrific roof, and so I took a picture entitled "what the heck am I doing here? aaahhhhh!!!"



Andy and I at the highest point in our climb (gorgeous El Capitan in the background)



We actually had a little rock ledge to sleep on this time, instead of the scary port-a-ledge!



Me, just hangin' out.... literally hangin'!

Too cute!

Noah and Rosie.... dang, I love you guys! (and I love this pic)
It is so fun to talk and laugh with you!

Family Gatherings

As you know, I love my family. I also love just about any reason to get together. Even though my Grandpa Bird's funeral was not the happiest of reasons to gather, we found so many reasons to celebrate. We celebrated his life, his service to our country in the Army, and we celebrated being privileged to be his posterity. Blackfoot will not be the same to me when we don't stay at Grandpa's house. But I do have so many years of sweet memories with him and Grandma. Campouts and BBQs in the backyard, making fabulous chocolates, hearing stories of dry farming and the military, and the smell of coming home when you walked through that door. We were always welcome, and I will miss the phone calls to keep in touch when we couldn't visit as often as we like.


I had never been to a military funeral. It was beautiful, but "Taps" never sounded sooo sad!


The fam.


Adorable little cousins who are growing up so fast. I love you all!


Angela, Erika, and I. So good to get together and reminisce about the crazy teenage days, and make new memories too.


We had so much support and love from family and friends. Even my sweet great Aunts came!


Mom and Dad in front of the Homestead. So many memories revolved around that house for the last 50 years. Thanks for the memories!

And, thanks to my cute cousins and their sweet posts about Grandpa too. I loved reading your memories!

Cousins

Cousins....
Who else can make you laugh like crazy? It's like having more sisters!
I love you guys!
XOXO

Blayne Duffin Bird

Grandpa, I love you and will miss you.
I will miss the yearly travels to the huge metropolis of Blackfoot to visit you and Grandma in the summers. Some of my fondest childhood/family memories were in your basement or in your backyard around the fire pit.

This potato is a couple blocks from Grandpa's house. Great photo op for tourists!


You supported me in everything I did. You were at my high school and college graduations, and you were quick to tell me how proud you were of me.


I will miss your stories, your opinions about life, our phone calls, and your love for me. Thankfully, those sweet memories will continue to live on. I will treasure those memories forever. I will continue to try to be patient and flexible too. :)

Happiness is...

Happiness is not having to hop out of bed right when you wake up.
Happiness is a good surprise.
Happiness is a beautiful sunny day in Yosemite.
Happiness is Nathan calling and saying "Auntie Hoot, can you come over and play?"
Happiness is a good laugh (I mean the one that makes it hard to catch your breath and you are just crying it's so funny!)
Happiness is knowing that my grandparents are together and happy too.
Happiness is good sourdough bread.
And happiness is good friends sending amazing flowers to cheer me up. (just when I thought I might fire you and get new friends!) I really do love you guys!

It's that time of year again!

That's right... it is the time for the outdoors and loving every minute of it!
I made my first trip to Yosemite for the year. It was fantastic! Great weather, good friends, and good climbing! I can't wait to go back again soon (4 weeks and counting!)
Happy outdoor season to you all!


First outdoor climbing experience! Yahoo!


Good friends and a good view of Half Dome


Is that a bear? No... check out that gorgeous view!

Where the men are...

Okay, so me and my homegirls went to a LDS MidSingles Conference in Huntington Beach. And why do we do things like this that has great potential to be depressing, humilitating, and damaging to the self esteem??? That's right, to find us some men! Some days I wonder if all the available single men (the non-crazy ones, of course) have fallen into a black hole in the middle of Kansas with Dorothy's house. So we get up our courage to go to things like this in the hopes that an email was sent to the black hole, and they might show up! (a girl can dream, right!?!)
So the 4 of us went, and it was great! I came back with a tan, feeling great from running on the beach, and a renewed hope in finding Mr. Right (no great stories to tell about that yet...)
But we look like total Hotties in the pics, and that is what counts. Yeah!


Beach Clean-up Activity


Mixin' and Minglin'

I am addicted to crack

Kari, this is for you...

So, I make this mean dessert. They used to be called Congo Squares or Blond Brownies, but that is not an accurate name. Someone renamed them Crack Bars because they are sooooo addicting. I have unfortunately shared this recipe, and I apologize for any addicts I may have caused. :)
For those of you wanting to take your chances, here is the recipe. Good luck!!!




3/4 c butter
2 1/2 c brown sugar
2 1/2 c flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
1 c chocolate chips

Melt butter in saucepan. Add brown sugar. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Add eggs one at a time. Then add flour, baking powder, and salt. Add choc chips.

Bake at 350 in 9x13 pan for 25-30min.