Our Labor Day Vacation

This Labor Day Rob and I decided to spend it out in Yellowstone. This was our second time at Yellowstone, as we went two years ago in July. Since we saw a lot of the main attractions last time we went, this time we tried to do something different and see a different side of the park. We arrived late Friday night and the plan was to go kayaking in Grand Tetons on Jenny Lake at some point on our vacation. The first day we were there we wanted to just take it easy so we spent Saturday driving the grand loop of Yellowstone spotting wildlife and taking photos. We started at the very south entrance and went all the way up the East side to the North entrance and saw mammoth hot springs, then went all the way back down the west side and stopped off at old faithful. We were going to go kayaking the second day, but mother nature had other plans. It was cold and rainy all day on Sunday so we decided to take a scenic cruise on a covered boat on Yellowstone Lake instead. It was stormy and the boat ride was a little rough but it was still a lot of fun and very beautiful. We also spent Saturday and Sunday night in Jackson Hole.

Rob had been wanting to see bears the whole time we were there, that's all he talked about. Anytime we'd see a bunch of people pulled over on the side of the road viewing wildlife he'd say "is it a bear??". We had seen more buffalo than we could count, some Elk, a family of marmots, deer, a pronghorn or two, some swans, and we even saw an otter swimming in the lake by our boat. We finally we saw a bear way off in the distance on our way to mammoth hot springs but it's a good thing we brought binoculars or we wouldn't have seen it at all. Then, coming back from Jackson Hole on Sunday night I looked over and there was a little baby black bear only about 30 feet from our car, walking through the bushes. I had Rob quickly turn the car around and we pulled off the side of the road, rolled the windows down, and watched as two or three more bear cubs came over the hillside. We were so close and there was no one else around. It was just us and these baby bear cubs in the middle of mother nature. They were so cute and it was so cool to just watch them from our car. Being dusk at the time, the sun quickly set and the bears set off back over the hill. I think THAT bear sighting was much more satisfying for Rob. :)

Monday morning we were both just anxious to get back on the road and get home so we didn't get back late, so needless to say, we never did get to go kayaking. But overall it was a fun little weekend get away. Here are some pictures from our trip.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Old Faithful

Somewhere in Hayden Valley

Hot Pots

A herd of Buffalo

So many updates, so little time!

I've been TERRIBLE at blogging lately, even though I have lots to blog about. Nothing too major, don't get too excited, just some fun stuff we've done during the summer that I wanted to share, there's kind of a lot so try to keep up. :)

For starters, back in the beginning of June was mine and Rob's 3 year wedding anniversary, so as a gift to me, Rob got us tickets to go see Huey Lewis and the News live in Wendover! (I grew up listening to them and am a HUGE fan) We had 3rd row seats and stayed the night at the Montego Bay, it was a great gift!

Rob also had to go to San Diego for work on June 4th, (I know, bummer right?) so we decided to make a little vacation out of it to celebrate our anniversary. Rob worked for Clear Channel as the director of promotions and marketing for 4 of the 7 stations they own locally. The morning show for KOSY 106.5 was giving away a trip to Sea World so they all went out there to do a live broadcast from the park. So, naturally, Rob and I got tickets to the park! We were also put up in a beautiful resort right on Mission Beach with our own private cabana in a private cove. You literally opened our front door and stepped onto the beach! Not only that, but we had our own little fire pit right in front of our room as well. It was perfect! We also had a personal bell hop/chauffeur that led us to our cabana by bicycle, it was this cute little old man, so adorable I had to take a photo!

So our SD vacation consisted of getting sunburned at Sea World, bonfires, visiting my childhood town, Escondido, strolling through Balboa Park, free all you can eat breakfast buffet at the resort right by the water, the most amazing steak dinner I've probably ever had, brunch with two of Rob sister's and brother-in-law, visiting old friends, and taking the LONGEST evening "stroll" of our entire lives that led to getting lost, extremely sore feet, and having to take a cab ride home. It was a wonderful little mini-vacation and a great way to celebrate our 3rd year of marriage!

Our room at the Paradise Point Resort

Our fire pit right outside our cabana

Rob's sisters, Melinda and Charity and her husband Rick

Sea World

Flamingos!

Balboa Park

One of Rob's old friends from the mission and his wife and son

Later that month my sister and I went to Strawberry days and rode a few rides, got some henna tattoos and of course, indulged in some famous strawberries and cream! mmm

We also went hiking up passed Kawanis park in Pleasant Grove by the 'G'. There's a big waterfall up there and some amazing views of the valley!

As a tradition, my sister and I always go to the annual Fourth of July parade and Freedom Festival in Provo. This year was no exception. Parade, breakfast at IHOP, and then all the vendors, carnival food and more henna tattoos you can handle!

My Alma mater's marching band

Some exciting news in the Nish family, if you haven't already heard, Rob got a new job! At the end of July Rob got hired on at the Miller Motorsports Park as their High Performance Driving School Brand Manager! So, after almost 5 years at Clear Channel, and I don't know how many years in radio and media, Rob has moved on to a new chapter in his career and a whole new change of pace and atmosphere. So far he really loves it and it's fun to go to the track on the weekends to watch the different races and events they have going on.

Since Rob was leaving he had a few more vacation days at Clear Channel for the year so of course he decided to take them! So we went to Washington, to the Tri-cities to visit our really good friends, Darin and Jenn and their amazingly gorgeous 3 year old, Ivy. Darin is also a photographer so we always have a lot to talk about and shoot when we're together, and he is also a classic car owner and has a beautiful bright red Ford Fairlane. So between that, the kayak shop they own out there, the Columbia river, and the boat races going on the weekend, we had a lot of fun things to do!

Darin's Fairlane

Photo shoot with Darin Warnick

Watching the boat races

Paddle Boarding on the Columbia

Bike rides along the Columbia river

Well that's my sum up of our summer so far. I'll try not to be such a slacker at this.

3 years and counting...

Rob and I have been together about 5 years now, and in that time, he has become my biggest supporter, my confidant, and my very best friend. Through Rob I have learned patience, understanding, forgiveness, perseverance, ambition and compassion. We have seen the worst in each other, and brought out the very best in one another. We have shared many amazing experiences and opportunities, and have also been through some challenges, heartache and trials. But we went through them together and because of that, our love for one another has grown.

Three years ago today, we were married and sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. On that day, my love for Rob was stronger than it had ever been, I felt as though I couldn't love him or anyone more than I did that day. Since then we have grown and experienced so much both individually and together.

Rob truly is my better half. He helps me see the person I am, and has helped me become the person I always wanted to be. He loves me for me, the good, the bad and everything in between. Rob is patient, loving, supportive, and full of surprises. He encourages me, admires me, and always makes me feel loved. Rob brings a smile to my face every day that we're together. I can not imagine my life without him. There isn't a person on this earth I would rather wake up next to every morning and spend eternity with.

Now, 3 years later, I look back on June 2, 2007 as the day I loved Rob the very least.

Happy Anniversary to my amazing friend, companion, and husband!

I just love you so much...

26 going on....20??

When I was younger, 14, 15, 16 etc., I always got told I looked 21, 22, 23...which at the time I loved, of course, not as much as my parents ;). I always felt older than I was too. I dated older guys, had older friends and was often told I was mature for my age when people found out how old I really was.

Now that I am older not much has changed. I am married to a guy that is six years my elder, and I don't necessarily feel older than I am, but I feel like I'm still pretty mature for my age, or at least for the age people think I am. Now that I am passed my early 20's I get told I look younger ALL the time. Which I suppose is fine, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it more when I'm 30+, but being that I have owned my own business for 4 years now, it would kind of be nice to at least look my age. People look at me and think I must just be starting out cause I'm so young, so how could I have possibly been doing this for very long?! They are shocked when I tell them this is my fourth year in business. Not to mention I have a younger sister that people always think is my older sister....she's 20! So if I'm the younger one, how old does that make me??

I met with a client a few weeks ago who looked to be in her mid 40's, as we were talking she made mention of her 3 children, the oldest being 18. She then talked about her wedding date, being on September 18th, and I mentioned to her that that was 2 days after my birthday. She looked at me with all sincerity and said "oh really?! How old are you going to be....20?"

I told her I am actually turning 27 and her eyes about popped out of her head! The whole time I'm thinking, "great, this lady is sitting here with me trying to decide if she wants a girl SHE thinks is barely older than her oldest child to photograph the most important day of her life". It's a good thing I told her my husband is going to be 33 AFTER I told her my age. Could you imagine the look I would have got then, if she thought I was still 19?! haha

So, alas, for now I guess I am a 26 year old in a 19 year old's body, trying to prove myself in a world where people don't take youth all too seriously and in an industry where it pays to have experience under your belt. Hopefully as I continue to get older, this whole thing will pay off....

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I booked her wedding.

In a completely unrelated post, Rob and I took the Chevelle out last weekend for a little Sunday drive. We went up American Fork Canyon and took some pictures, here are some shots from the day.

Saved by the....Chevelle

So the other night Rob and I went over to my parent's house to visit after dinner. They live in Saratoga Spring, Ut and there is a long stretch of road to get to their home that was recently widened from a two lane to a four lane road. EVERY time I drive down that road I see several cops, without fail.

So, it was no surprise that as we were driving back we were side by side with a police car. Now we weren't speeding or anything like that so it should have been fine, except for the fact that we were in our yet-to-be-registered Chevelle with Mississippi plates. Sure enough, the cop ran our plates and within seconds his lights were flashing. Rob looks over at me and tells me the he had forgotten the bill of sale and title at the house. Greeeeaat!

The cop comes over to Rob's side of the car and says "ok, so what we need to do is get side by side, and wait til no one's around", joking that he wanted to race us. Rob was oblivious and thought he was saying we were going to need to follow him down to the station. haha.

Then he told us he ran our plates and nothing came up, we explained to him that we had just purchased the car and driven it back from Mississippi and hadn't had a chance to register it yet. Hoping he wouldn't ask for proof of purchase. The cop said that was fine and was impressed by our ride and the 396 under the hood. He asked Rob if he's ever seen how fast it can go. Rob told him we drove Route 66 back from MS and at one point got it up to about 105-110. The cop laughed and seemed amused. He then leaned into the car and said "ok, so after this car you're clear and there isn't going to be another cop for at least two miles. So we'll just pretend I'm not here. You guys have a good night".

So the cop is basically telling us he wants to see the Chevelle in action. So what does Rob do? He floors it! I think we got up to 90 miles an hour before letting off the gas. The cop followed for a minute then turned around once we slowed down and went the other way.

I think that's the first and LAST time we'll ever get told by a police man to speed. It's a good thing we got pulled over by a cop that appreciates classic cars and big engines.

7 states in 7 days

Today was the final leg of our trip and what was supposed to be an easy 4 hour drive, turned into a very loooong 11 hour journey. We've driven about 2000 miles across 7 different states and seen half the country, when suddenly our luck ran out. I was all snuggled up with my head on Rob's lap, taking a nap on our comfy bench seat, when I was abruptly woken up by a terrible knocking noise in the engine. About 150 miles south of home, right smack in between Beaver and Fillmore... we broke down.

We had the car towed to Cove Fort which was only about 10 miles up the road where they had a small service station that was fortunately open on a Saturday, and the guys were happy to take a look under the hood.

Not knowing what the issue could be, Rob and I had our fingers tightly crossed that it was nothing major. Soon after removing the valve covers the problem was staring us right in the face... a broken rocker arm.

Luckily, this is an easy fix, IF they could find the part. The thing about these 396 engines is that they are no longer in production, so finding a working part can be a bit of a hunt. The shop owner headed out to Beaver to begin the search. Roughly 3 1/2 hours later he returned with the trophy. He told us he was just about to give up after searching all the local parts stores and having no luck, when he ran into a farmer friend who just happens to own several hot rods. Our luck soon returned when he found the exact part we needed, in his barn full of classic cameros and vettes. The guy even told him we could have the part for free as long as it was for a cool car. The shop owner assured him, it was "a very cool car."

So about $200 and 6 hours later, we were back on the road.

With large gray clouds overhead and the sun quickly setting we were worried about hitting more bad weather. But fortunately we were able to make it home and FINALLY get our new baby safely in our garage.

We had the time of our lives on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip traveling a classic route in a classic car.