Random Recollections - An Afternoon with Esther

I had a very busy fun-filled Summer with many adventures worth blogging about.
And since I can't remember everything in perfect order, I figured the best way to share would be to just recall things at random when inspiration hits. :)

 Today I'm remembering an Sunday afternoon with my dear friend, Esther Dodd. She's fun, cheerful, mischievous. My favorite kind. ;)
After church we headed out to eat a scrumptious lunch at Olive Garden. SO good! We both got the soup and salad meal and enjoyed it immensely. She told me all about her trip to Africa (which you can read about here) and then we caught up on everything with each other.

After we finished eating we got the bill and with a pretty smile she said, "My treat!" I argued for a bit but then decided I could settle score with buying us something sweet later on.

We headed to a park to chill in the wonderful weather and continue our chatting. The day was seriously epic and I could have sat in that beautiful sunshiny mountain air for decades. We talked and talked then laid back to just enjoy the nature around us. I had really dressed up and the afternoon sun was reminding me more and more as each minutes went on. However, all my clothes were in the states and it wasn't really worth crossing the border and back for a shirt. Esther and I had just decided to go to her place to change when we sat up and behold! Someone we knew? Ah HA! It turns out more young people had decided to come to the park to hang out and play some volleyball. We said hello and then Esther and I went We stopped at the

Weirdest/coolest store ever. I guess like a Super Target - Canadian style? Anyways we had no trouble finding something modest, cute, and affordable. We got matching shirts and wore them proudly. :) Hehe.

We went back to the park and hung out for a while. Then we decided to head to the states. Beautiful weather, windows down, music on, singing. It was a blast. To finish the day off Sis Joy said Esther could stay the night with me. Ah, the fun continued.

I seriously had an amazing time with her. She's so fun and sweet and AH! I love her to pieces. 

Can't wait to see her in a couple of months! <3

5.5.13

So I stayed with Naomi Saturday night and had a great time!! Girl talk, giggles. It was so nice to catch up after not seeing eachother in a while. :)

Sunday we got up and headed to church, followed by a potluck.

I met a bunch of new kiddos and enjoyed getting to know each of them.

Here are some sweet girls. :)

I heart this picture! :D

My buddy Gabriel

5.4.13 (Pt2)

So after the Riverfront Park and Carousel, we headed across the street to my favorite mall!

Mom's not a fan of sushi... ;)

Naomi and I in one of the indoor walkways that cross above the streets.

Snuck a shot as we went up the escelator!!

There are plenty of candy shops down town, one of them had a large assortment of Candy Apples.

We of course had to go to See's Candies and get samples!! :D

After the mall we headed back to Grandma's house and while Brook took a nap,

Naomi and I went for a walk.

Everything was sooo beautiful!!

Yes, I laid in the middle of the road for this picture. Haha!

Don't worry, Naomi was on the look out for incoming cars. ;)

We found this mirror on top of the hill and decided to pose.

Red Convertable Bug = Totes Adorbs! :D

The grass was so inviting I just had to lay down in it.

Naomi thought I was weird, but hey... ;)

So we tried to do a shadow heart shot and compltely failed.

However, it wasn't til later when we saw the elephant.

Funny, eh? We had a good laugh over it.

We found some long abandoned scooter...

....blonde moments...toothpicks...giggles... ;)

So after Naomi and I finished our great expodition, we headed home to wake up Princess Brook.

She wasn't too thrilled about it and threw a towel at me!! Haha!

We did finally get her attention when we told her where our next stop would be!

A beautiful campground just north of Salem.

When I was little, Mom and Dad would take me camping there.

I have many wonderful memories about those woods.

We drove the beautiful country drive to Lyons and as we were coming up to the campsite I spazzed.

I made mom turn around and go back to see what I'd just seen.

Baby Canada Geese!!!!

Ofcourse, I was all excited and talking to the sweet little fluffballs.

I could hardly contain myself with so much adorableness swimming around.

I finally was able to leave the goslings and we went into the camp ground.

While Grandma, Mom and Brook went to the playground,

Naomi and I went down by the river to dip our feet in the icy water.

We were about to head on the nature trail when I saw our shadows and snapped a shot.

Brook's, Naomi's then mine.

The nature trail was amazing, as always.

On our way out, we had to stop and see the babies again!!

We counted 23 babies with one couple! :O

This handsome bovine was beside the road on the way to take Brook home.

Completely adorable and as we pulled over to see him, he just watched us and chewed his cud.

However, I suddenly squealed, "Noooglebears!!!"

And then he just stopped chewing and stared. Hahaha!

We took Brook home and stayed and visited some with her mom and dad. My uncle Rob and Aunt Tiffany.

They're great!! We held one of their chickens and had icecream on the back porch.

It was a wonderful way to end our busy busy day.