A Wicked Good Time

Yes - a Pun. Jason and I did have a "Wicked" good time in San Francisco for our Anniversary trip! We hope these pictures will help each of you feel included in the amazing day leading up to the extraordinary production of "Wicked." It's almost been a year since our wedding day, and we're so grateful for all the adventures we've shared together. This adventure was a great one for the year marker (almost...)!


We're off to see the Wizard! The Wonderful Wizard of OZ! Actually, we're more excited to see Alphaba and Glinda. The start to our adventure!












Now THAT is a dessert! Claim Jumpers is pretty much amazing. Our chicken pot-pie left-overs are in the bags. Unfortunately, we didn't finish the dessert, and even more unfortunate - we couldn't get it to go... it would have melted. :(






On the B.A.R.T. (Bay Area Regional Transit) heading into the city. This route actually goes under the Bay!









The view of the Oakland Temple frome the B.A.R.T. (zoomed in of course). We were sealed in this temple almost a year ago!!!








Lions and Tigers and Bears.. OH MY! Forging our way through Golden Gate Park as we try to find the Flower Observatory.






My husband may be a Scoutmaster, but I did the forging over the river and through the woods to find.......








THE EMERALD CITY! Okay maybe not... but we made it the the Flower Observatory at least, and I was excited I was able to Navigate it out!










There were some pretty magical things going on in the observatory...






After my Scoutmaster took the turn of leading through the Park... and a detour to see something that caught his eye... and on a trail that looked like it lead us in the right direction... and past that old log cabin and college students doing something artsy... and around what we hoped would be our destination... we finally arrived at Stow Lake. This was finally it... the Pagoda to eat our lunch in!





This is no cowardly lion. Jason got the job done rowing us around Stow Lake as we talked about our year together and how there truly is no place like home. And we wouldn't mind having our own personal lake like this someday by our home.





Ahhh... The joys or having a husband who can row. Now this is my version of the River Test. Can my strong handsome guy row me romantically around the lake? YES. Besides, if I were the one rowing.....








It would look something like this.














Taking a break from rowing to enjoy the beautiful view. California may not have natural waterfalls in San Francisco like they do in Oregon, but we sure know how to did a huge whole in the middle of nowhere to build a man-made lake and pile the dirt in one mound to create our own waterfalls!









Thankfully the trees were not apple trees. We weren't in the mood to be pelted with apples by mean trees. I thought this would be a neat picture, and it turned out great!












The moment we've all been waiting for! We've finally arrived!!!










You don't need Ruby Slippers to take you to this place! Only tickets that have been bought and paid for... We're finally going to see "WICKED"!!!







Well, the trip was amazing, the play phenomenal, and the memories priceless. Needless to say, we are definitely going to be seeing this play again.

Our Adventures into the New Year

Jason and I had a wonderful Christmas with the Mower family in Gresham, Oregon. I'd love to post all of those pictures as well, but to save time and space, that will have to go on the Mower Family Blog! The following pictures are of our adventures leaving Gresham and coming to California. After having Christmas with the Barry, Barry-Snook, and Scofield families, Jason and I visited Lee and Danika in Lake Tahoe at Lee's parent's house for the night of New Year's Eve. Following that, we went and visited Jenny, Nate, Kylie, the cats, and Bella - the new addition to their family. You'll see pictures of her down below! ENJOY!




This is Buddy. He was a gift from Jason and me for Gladys. The McGill's saved him from near death as a kitten a year ago, and have been waiting for someone to take him in. Gladys was willing, and so we drove the 9 hours back to California with him. Yes, a long drive... He did really well though once he was out of his crate!







Sorry Jason, but I had to put this picture on. We had to make a couple of stops for Buddy so he could have a potty break. Unfortunately, it never worked. Fortunately, he was able to make it 9 hours without any accidents! Here he is in his harness and leash. Jason did such a good job!






Lake Tahoe! This is a lookout spot a few blocks up from Lee's parents house. SO BEAUTIFUL!








Making Grahm Cracker Houses on New Year's Eve is a tradition for the Roger family. It was sooo much fun! Jason made a mobile home with a shack next to it, and I made a temple! My Angel Moroni was made from Jelly Belly's.






Jason finally got to fullfill his dream as we went snow-shoeing with Lee and Danika! Unfortunately I didn't make it to the top because of blistered heals and feeling sick (8,000 ft. elevation doesn't help with sinus infections), but it was still so much fun.








Lee and Danika at the top of the Snow-Shoeing Trail! It's a magnificent view.






A look-out of Lake Tahoe on our way back from snow-shoeing.








This is Bella - the new addtion to the Herde family! She's a full-bread Rotweiler puppy, and so adorable! Jason and I are hoping she will remember our scent for when we come and visit again! We babysat Kylie and Bella on Friday while Jenny worked, and it was like babysitting two babies!





Bella was a genuine puppy - the nibbling and all! I think Jason loves puppies as much as I do!












Kylie is taking a little nap on her Uncle Jason... He's going to be such a great Daddy!









Ha Ha Ha! I love this picture! It looks like Kylie is thinking, "What the heck are you doing Uncle Jason?!"







Aunt Lindsay's first time feeding Kylie! I'm definitely going to need some practice! And yes, I was cleaning her face with the spoon and feeding her that too. She just kept looking at Uncle Jason everytime I would try to put the spoon in her mouth!



Jenny took me to get my very fist pedicure! It was a Spa Pedicure, and so amazing! We both got French tips put on our toes with a flower. So much fun!












This New Year has much in store for Jason and me, and we are excited to share in the adventures together!

West Yellowstone with the Rogers!

This Thanksgiving break, the Mower's and the Rogers teamed up once again for a two day trip to a Worldmark Destination! This trip's choice: West Yellowstone! Although we enjoyed staying in our apartment watching movies, playing games, swimming, and eating, we also found ourselves discovering The Bear and Wolf Museum and Observatory! Because West Yellowstone National Park was closed while we were there (go figure) we spent an ample amount of time learning about bears and wolves. So COOL! It was a lovely short getaway, and one definitely needed
before finals come and the big move. Enjoy the pics!



I guess I'm on my own with this one... My knight and shining armor has no clue what to do!










Lee on the other hand just found his new career: Polar Bear Modeling. Danika doesn't know if this is such a good Idea..






This is Jewel. She's a Bear Dog! They train these dogs to chase away bears. It's a whole system of having the Bear Safety people with them, trapping the bear, sedating it and putting a collar on it (to make sure it won't come back again), then releasing the bear when conscious. The bear wakes to a surprise of rubber bullets hitting it on the bum, and dogs chasing it away. Once it is back in bear country, it all stops. They hope this conditions the bear to know that they have there safety zone - and human places are not one of them!



At this Bear facility, they do testing on Bear Safe containers. Manufacturers send their "Bear Safe" containers here, and test it on the bears (while videotaping the process) . If the bear can break in to it (which is more often than not) then they send the video to the manufacturers, and they modify the container and try again. The bear has one hour to attempt the break in. This bear opened this container in about 15 minutes!!! So smart!!!!






One of the wolves we saw. There were two packs with four wolves in each. They are in separate areas to prevent any fights from breaking out. These animals are so smart too. And beautiful!









At this facility, they try to keep the environment as real to life as possible for the animals. The bears are only partially trained to come to the sound of a bell (tempted with food), and go back inside their little sleeping areas inside. While the bears are inside, the workers will hide fruits and vegetables outside under rocks and what not, then release the bears to find the food on their own.






Life can be rough when hunting for food.










Lee and Danika in front of the bear observatory.









Jason and me in front of the bear observatory. For all those who are wondering, there is a fence and 20 foot drop separating the viewers from the bears. No worries!









Boys will be boys. The funny thing is, this is right across from the wolf pack area. They started making barking noises and the wolf pack came running to see what it was. It was way fun, because the wolves had been just sleeping the whole time we were trying to watch them!








The big teddy bear in the souvenir shop!











Lee and Jason as fish. Jason is the fish that is scared out of his mind.









This is the female wolf in one of the packs. This pack is made up of a brother and sister, and two brothers. They are only two years old! She is the Alpha female, and the other wolves knew it! I love this picture. She is walking towards me, and I'm on the other side of the viewing glass. She was looking me in the eyes! And let me tell you, this look is not the look of a tame dog.

Visiting California

I got to visit family in California, and had so much fun! I did miss Jason terribly, but now we are together and don't want to be separated again! Lol... Here are some pics from my trip. I got to babysit Kylie, who is 4 and a half months old, for three days, and have night duties for two nights. Great preparation for becoming a Mommy! I miss her already...