Natural Bridge

Today was one of those "just perfect" days. You know those days where the weather is just perfect, not too hot, not too cold, slight breeze, and spending time with family outside is all you need? Yeah, that was today, the outdoors were calling.
After a park date with some friends in the morning and lunch the three of us headed to Ayres Natural Bridge near Douglas, WY.  Can you say GORGEOUS? It's this rock naturally formed into an arch that looks like a bridge, there's a river running through, red rock, tons of picnic tables and benches, camping, a playground, perfection. There were even names carved on the rock with dates, I think the furthest back we found was 1827. All the leaves on the trees were starting to change color too so it was even more beautiful! We had fun exploring, letting Carson run around and play, and getting our toes wet in the river. I'm diggin' Wyoming guys!!

Oh and then Keith made the perfect dinner---seriously guys it was AMAZING! Peanut Butter Chicken with sauteed vegetables and rice. Oh we were in HEAVEN!!!

As Keith always says--"The day can't get any better, so you'd better just go to bed."

Skipping rocks and splashin' in the water

Keith at the top of "the bridge"

Playin' around on the playground

Devil's Tower

Over the weekend we took a day trip to Devil's Tower National Monument. It's only three hours from Casper so we decided to make the drive there and back in one day, it wasn't bad at all and definitely worth the drive! We ate lunch there and hiked around the tower. There were even several people climbing the actual tower, yikes! It is very sacred to the Native American's, they have several myths and stories that involve Devil's Tower and you can see several "prayer bundles" on the trees surrounding the tower put there by them. Devil's Tower is on my Wyoming bucket list and I was so excited that we got to go. Definitely need to see this beauty up close and in person! I didn't know that it was the first national monument too. We had a perfect day just the three of us :)

The Native American myth is about a bear that was trying to get the Native American daughters so they climbed Devil's Tower and the bear scraped the tower with it's claws (that's why the tower has those ridges), but "the great spirit" lifted the tower up so the bear couldn't get the girls. 

WY Life

We've been adjusting to our new life in the Cowboy State quite well. I practically know my way around now without a GPS and we have quite a few of our favorite things to do here figured out. Still have a lot of exploring to do and we're excited about our future road trips we have planned. Here are a few snapshots of our WY life these past couple of weeks. 

Park time---almost everyday. There is a park right across the street from our town home we walk to. We've also had a lot of park play dates with other Mom's & their kids in the ward and Emmett.

Wings and Mozzarella sticks for the BSU game

Emmett (Carson's new bestie) and Carson playing over at our place.

"Castle Park" as Carson calls it. Our favorite park here in Casper.

Sam's Club trips with these two and their Mom---my good friend Athena.

Making giant bubbles at the Science Zone.

Eggington's....I could do a whole post on this place. My new and ultimate favorite breakfast/lunch restaurant. Move over Ihop. The best breakfast can officially be found in Casper---at Eggington's.

So quaint, I love it.

So excited to be a Eggington's!

Zombies joined us for breakfast after the Zombie Run.

I am so excited for next week because this beauty will arrive! We got a new bed and since it's a King I got to pick out a new frame & headboard since our old one was a Queen. Eeeek!! I'm soooo excited! Why do I get excited about beds? Darn, Pinterest probably.

Happy 40th!!

HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY TO THESE TWO SPECIAL PEOPLE!!

8.20.1974- Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple.


Love my parents, and so glad I got to be a part of the wonderful Lewis family!!! These two have been through sooooo much together, and I've only seen a little part of it. Raising 15 kids can definitely not be easy, I have one and I don't know how they did it most days. They both are truly an inspiration to me and have each taught me different things. Mom--your patience and spirituality is amazing, you are the MOST CHRIST-LIKE human being I know. Dad--your financial and budgeting skills are out of this world!! I'm glad I picked up on that. You are one of the hardest working individuals I know.

They've both seen a lot of heartbreak--my dad-- losing a wife and son, both of them losing a grandchild, but they've also seen a lot of happiness--temple marriages, 36 grand babies, graduations, baptisms, blessings etc etc. They've done a good job. Here's to 40 more....Love you two.

April 2009

1995 (I believe)

Wyoming State Fair

On Saturday we decided we'd better hit the fair since it was the last day. We headed to Douglas, WY where the state fair is held (since we missed Casper's before we moved here). We decided to eat lunch at KFC before we went in since we were all so hungry. I loved that the fair was only $1 admission for adults and free for kids. Who can beat that?!!

We headed over to a free magic show which was cute for the kids, afterwards we watched "dock dogs," dogs jumping off of docks into a huge pool and try to leap really far to catch what was thrown into the pool for them. Carson spotted some fish and poles that were set up for "catch and release fishing." So we gave Carson a pole and let him have at it. He didn't catch anything but loved holding the pole in hopes that he'd catch a fish. Next we headed to the carnival part where Keith and Carson rode a roller coaster and we let Carson ride a train and helicopter ride after that. Then we went and watched the rodeo for a bit. We decided to head back over for the circus show which was also free and way cute. Carson kept bugging us to go in these huge inflatable balls that where you can "walk on water." I didn't know how he would do but surprisingly he loved and it did well, after he was done just lying down in it he caught onto the idea of trying to walk in it. It was funny to see him try to walk and all the other kids, they didn't make it far before they would fall. After that we called it a day at the good ol' Wyoming State Fair.

I just had to throw in a few pics from FHE tonight. We went out to eat at a cute Southern/Louisana style restaurant called Sandford's. I loved all the gas station/old car decor, and who can forget the huge Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. So random. We ordered wings and Carson loved them so much they ended up all over his face!

Oh and Friday we got Carson his first pet--three goldfish. One already died. Sad. I think Keith and I pay more attention to them then Little C. Oh well we tried. 

Our First Visitors!!

My brother Jared and his wife and three kids came to visit us last Monday-Wednesday. We were so excited to have some family visit us since we don't know many people here yet. Carson loved having his three cousins Hailey, Katy and Aiden to play with. We were sad to see them go Wednesday.

Monday we met them at Martin's Cove--about an hour outside of Casper. We toured Martin's Cove where the pioneers trekked on their way to SLC. It was so neat to experience that and to see what they had to go through and what they sacrificed. We also stopped at Independence Rock---a few miles from Martin's Cove. It was getting to be dinner time so we didn't stay too long there but I want to go back to find the pioneers names carved into the rock. It's really a special place. Afterwards we went out to dinner and were shocked to see the news of Robin Williams death, he was one of my favorite actors. Then we grabbed some chocolate satin pie and watched "Heaven is for Real." Love that movie.

Pushing the carts at Martin's Cove

Independence Rock

Tuesday we showed Jared and his family the waterfall in my last post. I love how short of a hike it is. We let the kids play near the waterfall for a bit then headed to Crossroads Adventure Playground--my favorite park here in Casper. We didn't stay too long though because it was soooooo hot out. So we grabbed some late lunch/early dinner at Golden Corral then headed to the National Historic Trails Museum here in Casper. It was a pretty cool museum that focused on the trails that went through Wyoming---Pony Express, Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail and more. The kids loved riding in the covered wagon  and "crossing the river." Afterwards we headed back home and the kids had a movie night complete with a huge popcorn mess! haha. I'm glad Carson was able to spend some time with his UT cousins. Now we just need his ID, TX, AK, and NJ cousins to visit!!!

Carson and Katy at Golden Corral. They asked me to take a picture.

We can't wait for more visitors! SO COME!!!!

This is WY

Yesterday we took a short hike to this beautiful waterfall literally 10 minutes from our townhouse. Carson had fun playing in the water and with all the rocks. We're still exploring, but I gotta say, Wyoming is definitely a beautiful state. There is wildlife everywhere. Yesterday at the park there were about 10 pronghorn just chillin near the playground where Carson and Keith were while I was at the gym. Keith is definitely excited about the hunting, camping and fishing here. I'm just excited that I can literally ride my bike to Hobby Lobby.