Fun in the Sun

I've been so busy lately, I've been getting behind in my blogging! And as my friend Aubrey tells me, as the queen blogger I must blog about all my experiences! 

Here are just a few random pictures through out the month of July! 

Fairview Cabin

We went to the Fairview cabin for a short weekend. Kami was so nice to take Leah for me Saturday morning so I could go on a ride. We ended up on a 6 hour horse ride through the mountains. Brian had some game cams that we needed to set up. I had a chance to play with my camera, so these are some of my favorite pictures! 

Fiesta Days

We LOVE fiesta days!!!! We go to the rodeo every night! Its one of the highlights of our summer! 
My little (its a loose interpretation of the word) brother got in a water skiing accident, and it messed up his teeth. I think that he looks like a WHO. 


My nephew Bridger was able to ride in the mutton bustin! He did so good!!! The clowns had to chase him and pick him off! He got a great 89 points!!! The crowd went wild for him!!! I was so glad that he could do so well!! 

Happy Birthday Toby

My adorable niece October celebrated her first birthday on July 18th. We had a great time at the park! Toby dug into her cake like nobodies business!!! Toby, we love you so much!! We are so grateful that you are in our life. I am so glad that you and Leah are close! I can't wait to watch you two grow up together!! I love you!!! 

Twilight

(Don’t worry, no BD spoilers) 

Ok, so once again, for my journaling purposes, I’m here to review another book. The Twilight Series. And, yes, as my brother says, I am a Stephenie Meyers loving nerd. (Thanks TJ)

So, this is not the first time I’ve read Twilight (or the second or the third for that matter), but I have recently re-read it and in anticipation for the 4th book, I would like to get some of my thoughts out so I can get on with real life! (If only for a while)

So, over all, I absolutely love the Twilight series!!! I first got my hands on them about a year ago, and read all three in a week (and Twilight and Eclipse twice) Then for weeks to follow, I was in a Twilighted haze. All my thoughts were directed toward the story, all my free time on the internet finding anything about it. I was obsessed, ask anyone who knew me then, (right Maria?) I tried to put it out of my mind, and the obsession faded, but never went away. I still constantly check the internet for updates! So, I promised that I wouldn’t touch the books until this summer, right before Breaking Dawn came out. A week or so ago, I finally went downstairs and brought up the books!! I thought that 3 and a half weeks would be more than enough time to get me through all three books. After all, I already knew what was going to happen, I didn’t need to read them so quickly right? Wrong!! I had them all finished in 1 1/2 weeks! There is something about these books that are just much better read at two in the morning. And unexpectedly I’m back in my full on Twilighted haze!! Its so crazy that a silly fictional book can get me so wrapped up!  But I guess that that is the mark of a good author, right? So, with out anymore back story on my woefully silly life...I would like to talk about what I thought of the stories. 

So, over all, I love her writing. Her characters are so deep! I love that Bella is so completely real that it makes her relatable. And of course, we can’t forget Edward. (yes, totally Team Edward!!) I’m totally in love with Edward (seriously, admit it, we all are!) She has created such amazing characters, that you can’t help but get so involved in their lives. I love reading, I’ve read more books than I can count, but I have never been so emotionally involved with a story. Wow, Stephenie is such an amazing author, I’m convinced that I will read anything that she writes! So, I have so many thoughts on the books, I’m going to go through each book one by one! 

Twilight. 

I was very apprehensive to pick up this book. I’ve only ever seen Vampires portrayed as evil, and I don’t like any thing scary! But I was persuaded by my mom and sister who know me all too well. So, I picked it up and didn’t put it down! Obviously I loved the book, but the only thing that really bothered me was the sudden intensity of Bella & Edward's relationship. They went from awkward getting-to-know-you stage, to passionate love in one day! It was a little too fake for me.  But, I guess its silly of me to ask that a Vampire love story be a little more realistic. I only think that her books would be better if she spread out the suspense, the action and the passion. But, of course, I can easily put those qualms aside once the book is in my hand, and totally immerse myself in the story. 

New Moon

(Ok, if you haven’t read it, you probably want to skip this review) 

I honestly have to say that this was least favorite of the series. But, I was also surprised at how intense my emotions were about it. I was full of anticipation once I got my hands on this book, and began reading with the same energy as I did with Twilight. But once I got deeper into it, I was a little disappointed. I was so excited about Twilight, that I was surprised at how sad and bored I got through out New Moon. All I cared about was knowing if Edward was going to come back, and every thing that happened in between was difficult for me to get into. I read late into the night, and ended during a Jacob part. The next day at work, I was so depressed! I couldn’t think about anything but if Edward was coming home. I was surprised that I could get so emotional over a book. But, I took Stephanie's advice and read New Moon again. And I definitely enjoyed it more the 2nd time through. Knowing how it ended, I was able to relax and really enjoy the whole Jacob part. I still think the whole Jacob part could have been shorter, while the Italy part could have been longer. But of course we know that Edward is back, so I’m ok now! 

Eclipse 

Its a tie between Twilight and Eclipse for my favorite book in the series. My complaints throughout the first two books seemed to be heard in the third. I thought that this one was a little more balanced in the excitement, and I really enjoyed that.  I was surprised by the whole Jacob thing. Bella falling in love with him was something that I totally didn’t see coming. I didn’t like it at first, but as I have time to think about it, I’m glad that Bella has had a chance to really, deeply know what she would be sacrificing by choosing immortality. It seems to make her choice stronger and her love for Edward more meaningful.  I love the passion between Edward & Bella, but I love even more that the passion is reined in. (Despite Bella’s attempts) Someone once said, considering the intimate moments, “when they do it, its called porn, but when they don’t do it, its called romance.” I totally loved Eclipse. I’ve read it over and over. 

Breaking Dawn is now officially out, and normally I would have it read twice by now. But, I am trying to maintain some self control. I have a long flight to Alaska in August, so I’m saving the book for the flight. I’m looking forward to 7 hours of uninterrupted reading time!! Brad doesn’t think that I will have the book read by the end of the flight...hehe! Little does he know how fast I can read when I’m excited!! So, if you see me from now till then, please don’t spoil it for me!!

These books are my all time favorite! Stephenie Meyer is an amazing author! Her ability to draw her characters so deeply, and paint her pictures so vividly is astounding! Its fascinating that she can grab us "Twilighters" so intensely. Not only do we want to meet and fall in love with a vampire, but we want him to bite us so we can become one as well! Sounds crazy! But what skill she has! She is an inspiration to me! 

I love Twilight!!!