Wisconsin!

My mother loves me so much that she flew me to be with her for my last week of summer. She has mommy ESP and on a day I was feeling a bit homesick wrote me this text: "So do you want to fly home?"

My husband was nice enough to let me come even though he wasn't very excited for me to leave. He's very good to me! (and it's true love for me to leave him the iPad so we can video chat while I'm here!)

I was excited to surprise my softball team on Tuesday. I had to keep my coming a secret, which for this Facebook addict was hard, seeing I found a way to also take my nephews to a Milwaukee Brewers game. It was hard to not check into Miller Park on Monday night, especially because they won!

We also won our softball game on Tuesday. I wish I had pictures of the surprise on the ladies' faces as they each arrived and were shocked to see me. My friend Marla was most shocked because the day before I had texted her and said that I didn't have enough time to get back to Wisconsin. I'm so mean but a good surprise maker!

I had big plans to go to Wausau for a sleep over last night with Marla like old times, but my stomach had other plans. I was sick the past two days with some sort of stomach bug. I still feel pretty dang worn out but I'm glad I'm not spending a lot of my time in the bathroom! Last night it was nice to watch a movie with my mom. We even rigged up two TVs so we could watch the Packer preseason game at the same time!

Tonight the girls will head up here to Rhinelander for a game night. Hopefully, I will be a little more awake by then. I am not a nap taker but have been the past few days!

My seester is awesome too because she arranged for her kid to pick me up at the airport, had a henna tatoo party for me, and drove me up to Wausau so I could play softball. I am a spoiled brat!

Always See Ya Later, Never Goodbye!

Reuben's sister, Liz, and her son Cade, have been visiting from Arizona for the past couple of weeks. We have done lots of things with these two and it was a little hard to say see ya later, tonight.

Liz and I have a lot in common and she reminds me of one of my dearest friends. Too bad she has to live in bloody hot Arizona! We would have a blast is we lived in the same city.

Last night, after a fabulous dinner date at The Smoking Apple, to celebrate the last adventure with Liz, we headed to Sundance Ski Resort for a lift ride(they do this once a month during the full moon). It was a great experience, even though this wuss was a little scared about getting on and off the lift!



Here are some pics:

Sometimes You Just Live and Don't blog!

Well. Where has Alice been? She has been captivated by the Olympics and out having adventures.




My friend, Sharri, have gone hiking a few times in the past few weeks. She is a rockstar and one of y favorite co-workers. Above she is at Staurt Falls.




After the hike, we went to Cascade Springs. It was way cool and well worth the little drive!




Last Saturday, Reuben and I joined his sister Liz and her son for some amazing fishing adventures. Tibble Fork is a great place to fish, if you are Liz, and proved to be entertaining with it's vast amount of mud. Liz was up to her waist at one point. I am kinda glad I didn't follow her and I can still hear the sound the mud made as she rescued her shoe from it! Things like that make for great memories, no?




Reuben fly fishing @Tibble Fork




Liz the pro fisher.




This week has been full of adventure too. Monday The Ficklin clan got together in Provo Canyon for a family night and tasty picnic.




Here are My father-in-law, brother-in-law, and cute husband
The week flew by and Tuesday-Wednesday kinda escape me.
Thursday was full of Geocaching. Liz and my friend Jane love this activity and I am catching the fun! It's like a treasure hunt! I love it. We took my friend Kari and two of her kiddos and they also loved it!




Jane, Liz and I later went about a half hour south of here and found a few more caches. It was gorgeous in Diamond Fork Canyon.












And I even got to climb around!








It was a blast!
Today, Jane and I hiked a bit and then it was off to celebrate Spencer's birthday. I cannot believe he is five already. I remember driving trough Kansas and holding tiny newborn Spencer-Man. It makes this "aunt" feel old.
These are the only pictures I took at his slip and slide "Surf's Up" party, which makes me a little sad. I must have been tired or something. You can read all about the party at ingfamily.blogspot.com




Ezra watching basketball. This boy loves his basketball!




Caleb wearing one of the Batman masks I got for the boys.




Josh as Thor.

Pioneer Dayr

Reuben and I headed to the cabin for Pioneer Day festivities with his family. If you aren't familiar with this holiday, basically it is the celebration of when the Mormon pioneers arrived in The Salt Lake Valley. It also celebrates all pioneers of Utah. It is actually a holiday. Reuben even had the day off. I haven't been around for the holidays in years and was quickly reminded how much I love honoring the pioneers and how I find it silly how it has become another reason to light fireworks. (It isn't the 4th, people)

We had a blast just relaxing with Reuben's family. Then on tueday, we hit the pioneer day demolition derby in Fairview. It was awesome. I am a secret hillbilly underneath it all.

Here are some pics:



Sunset at cabin.



With Reuben.



Reno on an adventure.



Hiking with niece, Eliza, and Sister-in-Law, Liz



Nap time



The derby

A Month Already?

Wow. A month of marriage already. Time sure is escaping me. I am sure I complain about summer going too fast each and every summer.

The month I have been married has been great. I really would take married over single any day. It has been nice. Even the one hard thing, getting used to a dog, hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be! Reno is doing a great job at puppy training. He now sits on command, tugs less on walks and cries/barks less while kenneled.

Here are Reno pics from the week:













He's a silly.

Here's a list of five things I love about Reuben to celebrate our one month anniversary:
1. He is a hard worker and gets things done.
2. He is so easygoing and patient. He puts up with all sorts of crazy from this wife.
3. He holds my hand lots and agreed that we need to be that couple that always holds hands.
4. He's funny. I laugh with him all the time. It's an added bonus that he thinks I'm funny too.
5. He still is courting me. He opens doors and invites me on weekly dates. He's sweet.




Oh...and he will pose for my silly picture needs. This is my favorite pic so far!




Marriage isn't always easy and I'm sure I'll learn a whole lot more about that on this journey, but having an eternal date and constant companion is an amazing thing. Reuben and I make a great team. (And one handsome couple, don't ya think?)

Life is good!