Some Tall Trees...

I've been thinking about this a lot lately... God created some beautiful things here on Earth. Every time I see mountains, rivers, oceans, lakes, trees, canyons, waterfalls, etc. I can't help but feel happiness inside. If this is just the "Telestial" or "Terrestrial" World, I can't wait to see what the Celestial Kingdom looks like, I can only imagine!

Anyway, Dee & I had the opportunity to visit my Dad, my step mom, & my brothers & sisters in California at the end of May. Before going & seeing them, Dee & I decided that we wanted to go to  Sequioa National Park since we knew we probably wouldn't get to do that many fun things this summer. (Dee is taking a summer class). It was a neat experience. The trees were unbelievably HUGE & TALL! It's also crazy to think that these Sequioa Trees only grow in one place. It just blows my mind (again) how beautiful this Earth is! Here are some pictures from our Trip:

 Before we started the hike to the Big General Sherman Tree.

 

Dee next to the General Sherman Tree (:

Us next to the General Sherman Tree!(:

The beautiful view when we were leaving the National Park.

So beautiful!! I cannot wait to go back. Also I cannot wait to see the Redwood trees! That will be fun!

Next Dee & I went to Monterey Bay! Neither of us had been there before so we decided that we would go see the ocean & go to the Aquarium.The Aquarium was kind of a disappointment... just like the San Diego Zoo. People always talk about how amazing the San Diego Zoo is.. or how amazing the Monterey Bay Aquarium is.. They AREN'T that amazing. Sorry. I mean if I had gone in thinking it was going to suck, then I probably would have thought it was amazing. (both the Zoo & the aquarium... I mean the San Francisco Zoo was TEN times better than the San Diego Zoo in my opinion). Idk. It just was not organized & it was completely confusing. I would have liked to see A LOT more animals then fake stuffed animals. So stupid. Well I mean we did have a good time because we were together & it is always cool to see new things. Here are some pictures:

Jelly Fish!

Then we went on the 17 mile drive at Pebble Beach together.. Advice.. don't go on this drive at night, it is kind of boring, it has pretty sights & stuff, but its boring & it was FREEZING.

 We stayed the night in Monterey & in the morning we headed to Oakland. When Dee & I first got married we decided right away that we would attend the temple weekly. This is random & off topic, but we recently just realized that because we went to the temple weekly, we strengthened our marriage, we avoided MANY fights & we realized why we had such an amazing first year. It's because we went to the temple weekly. A lot of married couples would ask us if we "had a rough first year", or if we "argued a lot", or they would ask "do you guys get along pretty good?" It was always funny hearing those things because we always answered No we had a very good first year, or we rarely argue, or we get along really well. (We still wouldn't say that we have even had a "major" fight yet). Then they would proceed to tell us they had a rough year, or they argued a lot, or that they just didn't agree on a lot of things , & they would say that the first year was hard. It always made me wonder why those things didn't happen to us. I just always liked to think that we were a perfect couple.. but no. haha The temple was the reason those things didn't happen to us. I'm so thankful we decided that we would always try to attend the temple weekly. It has been a blessing in our lives. Sure we have missed a week or two.. we are not perfect. But we at least try.

So anyway back to the topic. Since we decided we would attend the temple weekly, that also included if we went out of town. So since we were out of town we went to the Oakland temple. It is such a beautiful temple! (But which one isn't? ha). Here are some pictures:

I'm so happy that we get to go & see other temples. It always reminds me that the church is true everywhere. It is exactly the same in California, Utah, Mexico, etc! It doesn't change. We are lead by a true prophet of God, & true leaders of God. I am so happy to be a part of this Church! (If you do not know what "Church" I am talking about.. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!)

After the Temple we decided we would stop in San Fran, since Dee has basically never been. (When I say basically he really hasn't been, he went through San Fran last time we went to Cali.. but I feel like that doesn't count). We went shopping, we went to Pier 39, & Dee got to go over the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time. (Next time we will walk on it!) Here are some pictures:

Us at Pier 39. (:

We got to try some crazy good clam Chowder!! YUM! (:

The Sea Lions! (:

We were lucky because it was actually a clear day in San Fran. So we could see the Golden Gate bridge pretty clearly from Pier 39! You can't really tell in the picture.. but it's there. haha

The Golden Gate Bridge. So amazing to see in real life. I was glad Dee got to see it for the first time!(:
That ended our San Fran trip, & we were stuck in traffic for a million hours. haha (we went memorial weekend, Thursday-Monday).

When we got to my Dad's the kids had all went over to my Aunt Kristie's. It was a nice trip, but I do wish we would have been able to see the kids a lot more. I understand that the kids wanted to see their cousins... But still it would have been nice. I miss them daily... we are going to my mom's this summer. It wasn't the plan, but since we didn't really get to see the kids a whole lot we decided that we probably should make the trip there. Otherwise we might not get to see them until December, or next summer.

 Well that is all from our California Trip.

We have made a few other trips in June though. & Since this post is sort of about how beautiful the Earth is & spending time with family... I think it'll be fitting to share. (:

Dee & I had an opportunity to go to Zion. We both were off so I felt like it would be nice for us to just get away. We got there & did a hike. It was HOT! It was hot while we did the hike, it was HOT pretty much at night in our tent, & it was HOT in the morning. I do not think we will be going to Zion again until maybe September. haha but it was still fun. Here are some pictures:

Zion is SO beautiful! I am so glad we live pretty close to it.

Then June 21, Dee & I went up to Bryce Canyon for Dee's Family Reunion! Bryce Canyon is BEAUTIFUL! I was so glad I was able to experience it! We went on a hike with Dee's uncles. Sometimes while I'm hiking I wonder why I do it. But whenever there are pretty views at the end of the hike or during the hike, I realize that is why. I love seeing the beautiful things God created! Also I love spending time with my hubby, & getting some good exercise in! Here are some pictures:

Well that is all for now!