Birding Adventures: Utah

It is so much fun to have a birding buddy again! Our first adventures was up to summit park to see an evening grosbeak. We didn't see him but did hear it. Which means we were in the right area, just had bad luck. They are birds after all, and wild ones at that. But it was a fun day anyway. I saw lots of birds I hadn't seen for a long time.

But then posted on the internet were directions to a spotted owl....in Zion's national park. Do you know what the best part about having a birding buddy is? They don't think a 10 hours car ride for a spotted owl is all that crazy, in fact its their idea! So we went. And it was so fun! We crashed at my brother-in-law place in Cedar City (Thanks again K&M). Got up the next morning headed to Zions. They were seeing the owls along the trial to Angels Landing. That day they weren't roosting in the trees right off the trails so I think we got lucky seeing one in this crevice.

Can you find the owl in that picture? It took us a while too.

Angie searching.
We never found the other ones. (Three were two adults and a juvenile).

Angie enjoying the fruits of our labors.
After enjoying him for awhile we hiked the rest of the trail to the top.

It was really great to be in Southern Utah again. We are really lucky to have 5 national parks in same state! And the landscape is so unique.

Then we stopped of a slushy and headed home. It was a great weekend, with a great friend, great conversation, great scenery, and a great bird.

The only thing that could have made it better was if Bushtit E could have joined us. But for a last minute quick trip 2 out of 3's not bad.

Omaha Bucket List

All the things we did in the last month before we left Omaha. (I'm too lazy to upload pictures, so I just posted links to my picture website).

April

Our playing began in April. First up was the BIG Slides. They were a BIG hit. We visited the BIG slides many more time in the following month, some of which included wax paper, air, and ripped pants. But the first trip is the only one that has pictures. We also went to the Omaha Children's Museum with some good friends, and one last trip Durham Museum. Next is the pedestrian footbridge, which crosses the Missouri river. We visited the footbridge again with Grandma Kate later in May. Next was Free Comic Book Day (which was actually in May), complete with people in customs and a trip to the donut store. Then it was on to Iowa to do a drive by of their "ski resort". And finally one last visit to Hitchcock Nature Center (HNC), a chance to say good bye to a great place and some great people. Beth volunteered at HNC every month for the last 3 years. I will miss you HNC!

MAY

First up in this section is a trip to Neale* Woods, to one of their Preschool programs. The program was AWESOME and Missa LOVED it. They played around and then took the kids on a hike. I've never seen Missa hike so good before. I guess it helps a lot of have friends with you. I wish we could go to more. The area was so pretty and I've only been there once or twice before. It made me wish we had one more summer there to finish exploring all of the trails. And since we were in the area, we stopped by the Winter Quarters temple and trail center. It was a fun day. That was on Kents last day of class. So the next week was the week of insanity.

For a more complete details click HERE. In summary we went out to Lincoln to the Childrens Museum. Then we went to The Amazing Pizza Machine with the Journeys. It was AWESOME! And last but not least one more last trip to the Zoo. As a special treat we met Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Kyle there.

*Side note: I was glad I gave Neale Woods a second chance. I had a REALLY bad experience there once and vowed NEVER to go back again. But that is another story.

MOVING

I was going to write about moving, but I just can't summon the energy to care. So I'll just say this, it was stressful, we have a lot of crap that didn't all fit in the truck, so we had a penske pulling a uhaul, but I managed because I have a great mom and a TOTALLY AWESOME WARD!!!!! Rockbrook rocks. On a holiday weekend with 3 families moving they totally came through for me. LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!! Can't thank you enough.

Birding Adventures

For my birthday, or Mother's Day or both I don't remember, I went birding. I had a great day and actually saw one of the birds I was aiming for. Despite the wind, which was blowing pretty hard, it was a good day for birds. I took along my digi-scope adapter to give it a try, most of the pic didn't really turn out but it was fun anyway.

After some debate I went to one more wetland further away than I was planning on but it paid of with this.Its really hard to see but that is a Hudsonian Godwit. One of the bird that I was hoping to find. See the upturned bill. The one just to the left is a Dowitcher. Notice the size different and different bill shape. However they mostly looked like this. I was also rewarded with this fun guy.

No scope need here. This was taken just off the road with nothing but my 10X zoom. He is an Upland Sandpiper. Pretty common in NE although this was my first time seeing one in Nebraska.

On the way home there was a thunderstorm building. I tried to get off the interstate to take a picture of the clouds, but by the time I could stop I couldn't see the clouds I was going to take a picture of. Instead I saw this.

Still pretty cool.

There are several bird that were on my 'must see before I leave Nebraska' list that I never saw. Not for lack of trying mind you. They include the Buff Breasted Sandpiper, Piping Plover, Mississippi Kite, and Pileated Woodpecker. But as someone once told me "I always like leave a place wanting more. It makes you want to come back." So Buff Breasted Sandpiper, Piping Plover, Mississippi Kite, and Pileated Woodpecker you are still on the list. One day I will see you, and not seeing you now will make the moment I see you that much sweeter.

HAPPY BIRDING.

Things I'm looking forward to in Utah

Since my last post I thought I need to put a positive spin on leaving Omaha. So here is my list of things I'm looking forward to in Utah. (and maybe a few things I wont miss about Omaha).

1. Being with Kent again

2. A summer of grandparents. My kids still know who grandma and grandpa are and have a relationship with them, but it will be fun for them to get to know each other better.

3. Family and Friends

4. Walks to the park

5. Having a fenced in yard

6. Antelope Island, and the Great Salt Lake (and hopefully some new birds). I'm also looking forward to seeing old friends again, like the magpies, and avocets, and blue, jays that aren't Blue Jays.

7. Mountains. Picnics, camping, summer wildflowers, hiking and having a place to go where its not hot outside when its hot outside.

8. I am looking forward to discovering where the next phase of our life will take us. Will we be in Utah? SLC? Back to Nebraska perhaps? Someplace new?

9. My anniversary. (well I guess that was going to happen no matter where we lived but I'm still looking forward to it so I'm putting it down cuz its my list)

10. Things I will NOT miss about Omaha: Winter (I was going to list stuff like snow pack roads, negative temperatures, no skiing but really I just wont miss anything about the winter). Summer. Okay really just the crazy humid hot days, but other parts of summer I like, when there is a pool around.

Things I Will Miss About Omaha

10. Fireflies. I feel deprived as a child for not have fireflies growing up.

9. Thunderstorms. Nobody can do a thunderstorm like the Midwest can.

8. $0.50 ice-cream cones from BP, and taking the kids for walks to get one.

7. Spring.

6. The birds. There are many birds that I can see in Utah that I haven't yet, but I still feel like a beginner birder in Nebraska. I'm just scratching the surface on birds to see, and how to find them.

5. The Zoo

4. The Prairie. Believe it or not I have enjoyed the lack of mountains. (except during the winter). It has been fun to discover and find a sense of place in a place that is so different from where I grew up. I can now put a face (so to speak) to books like Sara Plain and Tall, and Little House on the Prairie, not to mention all of the pioneers that traveled west. I have only just begun to explore all that the prairie has to offer.

3. Hitchcock Nature Center. HNC is the cute, beautiful, awesome little nature center that I volunteered at. I will miss the people there, the scenery there, the chance I had to escape there. I will also miss Fontenell Forest, Nealle Woods and other Nature Center out here. I will especially miss the fun programs that they offer for kids and adults alike.

2. My Ward. Growing up I often hear the term "ward family" but never understood it like I do out here. Living away from your extended family your ward family becomes your extended family. You call on them to do what you would ask your family to do. From watching your kids to helping you move. I have had some wonderful opportunities to serve out here and I will miss all that the Rockbrook ward has given me.

1. Of all the things I will miss; the thing I will miss most are the people. Weekly game nights with Journeys, lunch dates with girl friends, play dates for Melissa.

What a Week

So I wasn't going to write about this weekend, but I felt the urge to anyway. But I better start with the whole week. We had much to accomplish in one week. We needed to pack but also wanted to see/do some Omaha things one more time. Monday we started out packing. Melissa got to spend the day at a friends house. Tuesday we were suppose to have family pictures taken at the temple but it was way too cold and raining, so we moved pictures to Thursday morning. Instead we headed to Lincoln and went to their Childrens Museum. Melissa had a GREAT time. For pictures click HERE (after I get them loaded).

Wed morning we took Mia to the doctors. It was one of those things when you debate if it is just a virus or an ear-infection, take her it or not. But we decided to take her because the next day it would be possible would be Monday and if she got worse in the next few days it would be rather inconvenient. We made the right call since she did have the start of an ear-infection, so we got a prescription for antibiotics. Then we went to The Amazing Pizza Machine. I thought it was going to be chucky cheese like, but it was SOO MUCH BETTER. It was Amazing. There was a buffet, slick track, rides, arcades, and lots of fun things to do. We all had a really great time. For pictures click HERE (after I get them loaded). Wed night we packed a little, rescued a stranded friend, and had one more, last game night we some of our favorite people.

Thursday we planned on having pictures in the morning and then head to the Zoo for the afternoon. Since family was going to arrive around noon we invited them to join us. However once again the weather was too cold for pictures Thursday morning so we rescheduled again for 2:30. Which meant the Zoo trip had to be pushed up to the morning. So up we got up and quickly pack a lunch for the Zoo and everything we might need or desired to be immortalized by photographs later. And of course did all of this as fast as possible so as to have as much time as possible at the Zoo, which was packed with field trips. But was still fun and we were able to see the new Madagascar exhibit, which was neat. The Cottam delegation consisting of Mom, Dad, and Brother Kyle, met us at the Zoo. Melissa got to ride the carousel TWICE her favorite at the Zoo, and we got to show the Cottam delegation around a bit before dashing off for family pictures. Click HERE for pictures, after I get them loaded.

We raced up to the temple changed and waited for our photographer. The pictures turn out great and the weather finally cooperated. We bribed Melissa into being good and smiling during pictures with swimming at Grandmas hotel after. So after pictures, Kent and Melissa went to the hotel for swimming. Meanwhile the first wave of Jewkes delegation arrived consisting of Mom, sister Lisa, and sister-in-law Brroke. So I took them and Mia shopping to find me a new dress for all the up coming festivities. I ended up with a skit and blouse outfit and 3 inch heels.

After a week of friends house, childrens museum, pizza machine, zoo, and swimming my poor 3 year old, was exhausted and the fun was just starting. Friday we hit the ground running early again. We were up, dressed up, looking good and out the door for court by 8:15 am. And we played the hurry up and wait game. We waited for our attorney who waited for the judge who was double booked, so we waited for another judge to fill in. Another judge later we finally had a judge. In Utah for Melissa they swore us in, and we testified, our attorney testified, as did a representative from LDSFS. This time the judge visited with us, congratulated us, had Melissa turns some pages and signed the paperwork. She didn't even really read any of it. This could be because she was also double booked, or because she knew and trusted the attorney, or simple because that is her personality. Either way the whole process after waiting for 45 min took 5. But it was an important 5 min because now Mia is officially legally ours. Click HERE for pictures.

We headed home, after a stop to pick up a cap and gown from the law school. The Parental delegation who come to court, went back to hotels to change clothes, so they could take Melissa to the 'big slides'. In the meantime we had lunch, and Mia fell asleep. So I decided to stay home with her so she could sleep in her bed. The Jewkes delegation went to pick up my dad from the airport. And then I went out to eat with the whole Jewkes delegation. (Meanwhile the big slides were a BIG hit. Wax paper really makes them fly and everyone had a great time). More changing clothes and we were off to Hooding.

Shift one (seat savers and graduate) head for the hooding around 4. Shift two arrived just on-time although it was closer than preferred. We had kids, in tow with a packed dinner. Hooding was awesome, although the kids weren't that well behaved, as a result Mom J missed Kent hooding since she was in the hall with screaming baby, (but she volunteered to help with the kids so...) I was very impressed with graduation. It felt very regal, and as my Dad said 'not everyone graduates from law school'. I personally know two people and kent knows more, that either failed, or dropped out before completing law school. I was very proud of Kent and his dedication. Proud too of the small role I may have played. I have always tried hard to encourage but not push. Encourage to find what he likes and pursue. Sometime it is hard to be in the background playing the supporting role but I haven't minded and loved seeing him accomplish this great goal. Although he of course down played the whole thing, as NOT a big deal. Pictures

Saturday morning, was commencement. The Jewkes delegation (minus Mom) volunteered to watch the girls for me, which after Friday night I took them up on. (They really just didn't wait to sit through commencement not that I can blame them). Melissa woke up sick, but eventually perked up enough to swim again. Thanks Lisa and Brooke for watching the girls. Again I was very impressed with commencement. Many graduations try to be too much pomp and circumstances, that they come off silly and dumb, but it was really nice and felt regal. It is the third graduation I have sat through for Kent, since getting married. LDS Business college, University of Utah and now Creighton University. I was more emotional than I thought I would be. It is a significant event for our family. Much has happen because of the decision to go to law school. Wonderful things that will effect our lives forever. Graduation means the end of an era for us. Possibly the end of Omaha which we have loved, and all the people whom we love here. And in many ways student life had its advantages.

We finally got both delegations together for lunch at Farmhouse. I left early to pick up a cake from Walmart and then drove in circles for an HOUR which I didn't have so that Melissa could take a nap. She finally fell a sleep 1/2 hour before we had to leave for the temple. So she wasn't in too great of a mood. I should have packed dinner for her, but between getting the house picked up and myself ready ran out of time.

The temple was incredible, not as streamline and organized as the big busy temples in Utah but more intimate. Mia was adorable, Melissa was still a little grumpy but good. In all the ceremony took about 5 min. But it was an important 5 min. because now Mia is officially, religiously, eternally ours. Pictures.

After the temple we had some friends over to help us eat cake and ice-cream. Sunday morning was actually the most downtime for me. Kent however was frantically trying to pack. Frantically trying to pack a car, his clothes, three years of law school stuff, all the stuff I wouldn't know what to do with, and anything else he may want for 2 weeks. I got the girls ready for church and realized that although my family had been in town for 3 days I felt like I had only had a chance to really visit with them for 10 minutes. Sunday afternoon we blessed Mia in the Rockbrook ward. I was disappointed that Mia's birth family left before I got a chance to visit with them. But everything went really nice. Now everyone, including the records of the church new Mia was officially, forever, ours.

After church brother Kyle drove one of our cars home. Mom J. and Brooke loaded up their car and headed for Alabama. And Dad J., Lisa, and Kent headed to the airport for a 5:30 plane to Salt Lake City. I think the full impacted of everything that had happened and the realization of what the next two weeks for be all came crashing down on my on Sunday afternoon. So I was a wreck. But sleep helped. Sunday night we visited with Mom and Dad C. who left early Monday morning. And then it was just me and my girls.

Whew...no wonder I didn't get dressed until noon on Monday....Writing it all down I see why I was so exhausted. I'm tired just re-reading it all.

My M&Ms: Bookends

2007:
Wednesday: My final day of my job that I loved and had for 7 years.
Thursday: We went to court and finalized the adoption of Melissa
Friday: We took Melissa to the temple to be sealed
Saturday: We had a family and friends get-together/party in the park.
Sunday: We bless Melissa in church.
Monday: We packed up all of our stuff
Tuesday: We left for Omaha Nebraska and Law School

On top of that we didn't have a place to live until that Friday when we were frantically faxing apartment offices. Kent was also trying to solve a major laptop disaster.

2010:

Friday: Court to finalized Mia will take place in the morning. Kent's hooding
for law school graduation will take place that evening.

Saturday: Kent commencement graduation from Law School ceremony willtake place at 9:00 am. We take Mia to the temple to be sealed that evening

Sunday: We bless Mia in church. Kent flies to Utah that evening.

Two week later the girls and I will follow Kent to Utah.

Our M&Ms two perfect bookends to Law School and our time in Omaha.