Mammoth Lakes

My research group went on a retreat to Mammoth Lakes (paid for by Howard Hughes, not our federal government grants). It was a fun time.
The biggest event is that I saw a bear on my morning run. It was about 20 feet away from me. We saw each other at the same time and I had three options: play dead, wave my hands and scare him off (I'm told this is possible with CA bears), or just act natural and keep running. I chose the third option, and it worked out. It was probably the same bear that left scratches on the door of the cabin we stayed in:
Other than that we went on some great hikes, and spent half of each day listening to each other give science talks.

This is me at Devil's Postpile National Monument:
Some of my group at the base of Crystal Crag (the professor I work for just left of me in the gray jacket and sunglasses):
This is a lookout on the drive. We passed through Yosemite National Park. The farthest peak to the right of my head is the famed Half Dome in the Yosemite Valley.
Click the link below to see the entire photo album:
http://picasaweb.google.com/asmithw/GrovesRetreat#

For those of you out of the loop ;)

Hey hey hey, long time no post... I know.. I really do need to get better at this! Sorry.. I'll try harder.. maybe.  Anyways, I guess I should fill you in on my situation, and I think I know just where to start!
Yeah I think that shows quite well "where" (if i can say that) I am in life. Who'da  thunk eh? I don't know how I convinced/fooled her into thinking i was good enough for her to date me, but I'll take it! She is out of this world good after all! :) I guess introductions are in order. This is audrey! I've known her for a few months and for the past few weeks we have been "officially dating". And that makes me very happy! Mom in her post said my middle name at the moment is stressed... I couldn't agree more. This whole falling for someone and hating not being close to them thing sucks. As mother also said I am looking for an apartment in Ogden, and I think I've already found a job! I can't wait to be closer to This wonderful girl! I hope you all get to meet her soon! She truly makes me happier than I thought was possible... Which is good... Right? ;) Lets see.... what other news do I have? Hmmm, well besides the fact I still can't decide on a major to save my life there isn't much else going on. Seems a heart in love will drown out all the small stuff that would normally be important. Anyways I'll stop rambling, Keep up the faith fam I love ya.
J-swiss

Tonight on space-d book...

No pictures- just a post to say we're back! Two weeks (was it that long?) out of touch with the family blog feels like a long time- yes, this little place on the internet is at the top of my list of "favorites". My fingers itched as my birthday posts for Ainsley (Friday, Sept 10th, and Bry on Thursday the 16th...) were denied- watch for belated birthday wishes! In the meantime- life is good. Like each of you, we sometimes find we are busier than we have a wish to be, time seems to fly by. Some of our recent notables: Levi has moved to SLC where is enrolled in school at SLCC- we see him on occasion, he looks good. Jared spends as much time in Ogden as he does in Salem- this since Audrey went back to school at Weber State. He likes her ALOT- this evidenced by his search for an Ogden based job and apartment. His middle name is "stressed" of late. Dad has had a difficult time the last few weeks though he feels somewhat better now- he was dehydrated, his sugars soared, so he went potty and sweat all the more- it was a vicious cycle that we hope to have broken. He is currently sleeping peacefully with his new cpap (blissfully silent little machine), and his blood sugar this evening was below 200 for the first time since July. I heave a sigh of relief, now this is good! I am being busy with my little business- I have had two orders for mortuary service this week, it is gradually building through word of mouth. I have mastered each skill at the work bench (thanks for your help, Levi)- and am rather proud of myself. It is gratifying work- pendants are usually received with tears- and I believe it will continue to grow. Time will tell. In the meantime, fall is gorgeous- Loafer is at it's best with the quaking aspen showing as bright yellow while the red and orange of the scrub oak still grace the foothills. The days have been warm, each saturday finds us at the Farmer's Market, and I am reminded daily of all the reasons I love the fall. I hope all are well- you are in my prayers daily! Mom

Bow ties

Addiosn's love of bow ties seems to be wearing off on Lafe. Now we just have to convince Adam that it is the cool thing to do.

This week....

We hiked a (big to us) mountain.

Caleb started preschool.

Ainsley turned 2.

:)

Right Now on Facebook...

Dad: This has been one of the hardest Weeks I have work in my time with Nebo School District, We have two new systematize that are not talking, We are receiving. 16 to 20 hour work days no real plan of action to go by.

Bryan: Husker's Game...

Jen: As I stood in the crowd at 8/28 right at 9:59 I heard the crowd start cheering and everyone turned to see geese flying in formation right down the center of the reflecting pool. I thought, along with most, that it was arranged as the kickoff for the 10:00 start time.

Adam: Those red vines are crazy delicious.

Lesli: last day of summer vacation.

Becca:Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. --Thomas Jefferson (Thanks for the trip to DC, Jen.)

Levi: Well first night in my new place. YAY right till I go to lay down and the new bed frame I bought at Ikea breaks so here I am king size mattress on the floor with a $250 bed frame sitting around it could have saved a lot of money.

Jared: Being sick is not helping... This decision is hard enough on a fully functioning brain. Ugh what to do?

I heart Hurricane Earl...

I've been sitting here trying and trying to think of something to post about our family. I thought about telling you about me and Jen's trip to Washington DC for the Glenn Beck rally...then I thought maybe I could post about Emily's back to school and Caleb's beginning preschool this week--and I probably should, but in honor of our favorite Danzel record, let's just "suppose I don't." No. Instead, I should like to talk about Hurricane Earl and why he was my favorite hurricane, so far.

Most people think of hurricanes and only think of the horror and destruction that they leave in their wake. Especially when you hear that a hurricane is going to make a direct hit on your own state.

But Earl?

He was a true gentleman.

After creating awesome surfing conditions, he hit the Outer Banks (who needs 'em?) this week, he swept up the East Coast, and he took with him...

the humidity.

It's gone.

*breathe a huge sigh of relief*

The morning air is cool, the afternoons are perfectly warm, you can actually lay on a blanket on the grass and NOT feel like the Wicked Witch of the West: "I'm melting, meltiiiiiing..."

Last night, I took Emily and Caleb with me out on the back lawn. We crawled down into sleeping bags and watched the stars come out, one at a time. When the humidity is really high, you can't really see the stars. We counted 71 before we came in for bed.

When I stepped out to look again at midnight, I could actually see the milky way.

Truly.

Thank you, Earl.

Ok. Maybe one back to school picture... Emily on her first day of first grade:

First Day of School

On September first our park days ended and school days began. Addison got the most strict teacher in the school--but we hear she is fabulous. Ellie's teacher well, she has a pit bull and is a d.j. at night. She may also be fabulous--so far all we have heard about is the pit bull! Lafe and I have spent the days taking regular naps and waiting for the big kids to get home.

Washington DC

"My idea of good company...

is the company of clever, well-informed people,

who have a great deal of conversation;

that is what I call good company.'

'You are mistaken,' said he gently,

'that is not good company, that is the best."

-Jane Austen