Summer 2010

This summer was Authome. We had a great time here in Hawaii and then an amazing trip to the mainland.

Here are some highlights.

1. Mike and Sarah's Wedding: July 3rd. Timber was the officiant. I was a bridesmaid. The ceremony and reception were at Unky's farm. I loved the song Nakil played and sang as Sarah walked down the isle...tears. I loved the parasols we gals held. Drinking during the ceremony was a kick (well it would have been if I could've drank). I enjoyed the potluck style dinner. I loved the firecrackers and the power outage (only in Hawaii). Congrats Mike and Sarah many blessings for a life of love together.

2. Colorado Tour with the Ball-Comers. Emily picked us up at Denver International and we drove up into the Rockys near Salida. The drive was so beautiful. Whew, I missed mountains and pine trees. We stayed in a rustic cabin at Bunny Lane with Aaron, Emily and Kyana. Miley and Ky had a blast together. (Almost as much fun as Aaron and Timber had.) We hung with the Ball-Comers for J and T's wedding, at the Peak's house, on the river, and all the way to Mike and Lainie's house. So many good times. We love this family and are stoked to have finally met Ky.

3. Jason and Theresa's wedding. J and T got married in a field by a creek with the chalk cliffs in the background. It was beautiful! Timber was a groomsman so we got to enjoy the rehearsal dinner and more time with the wedding party. I really liked hanging with J's mom Jennifer.

The night of the wedding we upgraded our lodging from the rabbit cabin to the hot spring resort. There were two heated swimming pools that Miley and I lived in for a few hours the day after the wedding (Timber watched World Cup).

Here's shout out to Stormy and Louisa I am so glad they made celeb appearances for the wedding. It was great to meet Louisa! They flew down from Alaska got Louisa's car and were road tripping it back up to Ak to be at work the next week.

4. The Peaks! We spent a couple days with Jeff, Katy, and Huxley at their place in Palisade. We were out of the cold Colorado mountain air and into the HOT, dry, desert. Good thing Jeff kept us busy with events so we couldn't think about our brains frying inside our cabezas.

We shot BB's, wrestled goats, road the swing bike, took wagon rides, fed chickens, ran through sprinklers, admired the dory, ate peaches, adored Huxley...

The Peak's farm house is so cute and their barn was full of toys for our river trip. We borrowed their raft and river board and a plethra of river gear. Thanks friends.

We are grateful they let us use their place as a staging area for the river trip. Everyone showed up at their door to get ready for the riv. (Aaron, Emily and Kyana arrived with us.) Mac and Steph drove in from Jackson Wyoming. Nicole and Greg Bun came up from Moab. Dave Gelber (what the heck was our Hilo friend doing in Western Colorado?) arrived in from Denver. It was quite the party at the Peaks. We feasted on Elk burgers (Mac's huntin' skills) and fresh greens from Katy's garden the night before put in.

5. River Trip! Kip and Katy (newly weds) drove in from the Aspen area and met us at the boat ramp in the morning. After running shuttle and rigging boats, we shoved off for two days on Ruby-Horsethief and a day run of Westwater. This section ofthe Colorado River flows across the border to Colorado and into Southern Utah.

Miley did great on her first riv float. She didn't like the pfd, but tolerated it. She loved tooling around in the eddy at our campsite, Blackrocks. I loved the red sandstone cliffs, the muddy water, and the relaxing flow of life on the river...food for the soul

6. Mike and Nana's Ranch in Norwood CO. We met up with all the West girls and Ry and Mike in the Telluride area. (Aaron and Ky were having such a good time with us that they decided to hang out for this weekend as well. It was great to stretch out every possible moment with them.) Mike and Nana bought their place there..um...about a year and a half ago. It is a quirky house on amazing property up in the clouds. (Just walking around made this sea level gal huff and puff). We enjoyed Mike's birthday and were treated to the Norwood Rodeo. Yee-Haw. Miley pointed to the calves at one point and said "cat".

7. Grandma and Grandpa Auth's. We flew back to LA for some parent pampering. I was in desperate need; I caught a cold that hit hard just as our plane landed. I spent three days napping. I got out of bed just to eat a bit of food, and then back I went. Some guest I am:( to make it worse, I gave the cold to Dick and he was sick for a week after we left.

Miley had a great time with the grands. Dick dug out a stroller from the garage. Timber asked if it was from when Dick was a baby...but it was really just from Timber's tot days. I looked at the rusty thing and thought, "no way is my daughter getting in that thing." Miley promptly climbed up in it and wanted to GO, GO, GO. Turned out being a great stroller! We cruised around the block looking at the flowers. Miley always wanted to stop at the park down the street. FUN! Timber and I enjoyed a date night just the two of us. Yipee for grands baby sitting!

(Dick I need some photos for this post. I don't have any)

8. Milford with the Wests After LA, Timber flew back to the Big I to start the school year. Miley and I headed up to Nor Cal. All of my sisters were at mom's sanctuary. I haven't been there in the summer since Timber and I got married. It was gorgeous. Mom has developed even more of the yard. There is a grape trellis, fire pit, blooming flowers everywhere, and plenty of boulders for Miley's climbing enjoyment. We spent a lot of time outside enjoying summer.

The garden was amazing. Cedar and Mom picked beans every third day. We ate a lot of fresh beans and managed to pickle and can 4 batches of dilly beans. YUM.

Miley loved the dogs and cats at grandma's place. The dog loved her food droppings. I loved that the dog did the "sweep up". I loved being with my sisters and my mom. I really wish we all lived closer to eachother.

So that was our Authome summer. Many thanks to everyone who made our travels so wonderful. We are blessed with and abundance of friends and family.