Hummingbirds and butterflies in my stomach!

Have you ever had a hummingbird land on your finger? I have to say this was my first encounter. It really feels pretty exciting such tiny little feet resting on my index finger. You feel like you have to hold your breath.....I loved doing this. At Steven's cabin they hang a hummingbird feeder and so they come from all over for the nectar mixture. At one point I think five were all fluttering around me at once! Definitely an experience to remember!

We're Going On A Moose Hunt!

Here is a Mama moose with her baby!


It looks like they won't stay at the dock for very long!


It looks like this duo is going to take their act to the lake!


We saw so much amazing wildlife while we were in Colorado. These pictures were taken from the cabins dock. I was wondering if they would eat gumdrops, but Steven thought they might get sick..... stay tuned for more!

Happy Birthday Fox!

We hope you have a wonderful 3rd birthday! Here is a special birthday poem just for you.....


The birthday march has begun,
Big grey elephants play the saxaphone,
Silly pink hippo's start to hop,
Lions dancing non-stop,
Green alligators bring up the rear,
The baby tiger starts to cheer,
Together they shout, "Fox is three this year!"
The band of chimps strike up a tune,
A trio of parrots start to sing, "Happy birthday to you!"
It's time for the parade to make it's last stop,
"Here we are at the house of Fox!"
Purple Kangaroo presents a gift,
Three kisses from panda,
Giraffe stutters, "Make a special wish!"
So blow out your candles,
1, 2, 3........
Happy Birthday little Fox,
To you from me!





Love Always,

Auntie Dena & Uncle Steven

Happy Birthday!

I dedicate this post to my neice Kaya, who is celebrating her 9th birthday today! On Princess Aurora's birthday, all the magical fairies came far and wide to bless her with gifts. In case you didn't know magic still exists, and so even though we are far away, the moment you turned nine these are the gifts we wish to give you on your very special 9th birthday:

Nine hugs and kisses just for you,
Nine candles for wishes waiting to come true,
Nine smiles to keep in your pocket when yours is lost,
Nine compliments free of cost,
Nine happy thoughts when you could use a friend,
Nine lucky coins at every rainbows end,
Nine pinches of stardust to help your dreams to fly,
Nine gentle breezes to lift your spirits high,
Nine giggles to make you laugh out loud,
Nine compasses so that you won't get lost in the crowd,
Nine rays of sunshine to keep you warm,
Nine prayers that you never come to harm,
Nine whispers in your ear to tell you how much you are loved,
Nine moonbeams to watch over you from up above.

Happy Birthday Kaya!
With all our Love,
Auntie Dena & Uncle Steven

The continental divide......

I am trying to build suspense, and only do one posting of Colorado pictures every week. It is absolutely beautiful there, and I loved every minute of it! These pics are at the great continental divide.....enjoy!

A river runs through it!

Ok, I know that I am not the typical woman, but I've learned to embrace it! I have always wanted to learn how to fly fish. Steven and I went to a wilderness outfitters store and purchased some hip waders, and a fishing hat. Then we went to a pawn shop to buy an inexpensive fly pole so that I could begin pursuing my dream. I did practice a little bit in Colorado on the lake, but I knew I needed a river! Yesterday, Steven and I went to the Provo river near Heber. It was pretty hot yesterday, but I was so excited! I think that fly fishing is so much fun.......and hopefully I will acquire top notch skills. I did get my rhythm of casting down, but there is so much more I have to learn. I love standing in the middle of a river, feeling the water swirling around my feet, and just being out in the quiet, hearin the swishing of my line as I dry cast. Seriously euphoric! Anyways, I digress. I hope you enjoy the pics. Get out in nature this summer and try something new... you won't regret it!

I will always be by your side Steven!

Exactly one year ago, I met Steven Ivan White, and we have been inseperable ever since. So I dedicate this song to him....BFF!!^^

"I need a vacation....a vacation from my problems!" Bill Murray in What about Bob^^

As of June 30th, I was officially done teaching sixth grade! I was ecstatic. So the next day, Steven and I drove to his cabin in Colorado and met up with his parents.Their cabin is near the source of the Colorado river, and on a small fishing lake. I will try not to overwhelm you with too many pictures. I loved it there! The mountains are gorgeous and it was good to have time for some much needed peace, tranquility, and just all around fun! It was so good to be able to spend time together and not have to worry about school or work. I love summer!

Steven.......my one and only!

With you I can climb the highest mountains,
I can reach out and touch the stars,
Your smile lights up my darkest days,
And fill up my loneliest hours,
I can't help but laugh at your silly jokes,
You are my nearest thing to hope,
For your love is my unsinkable ship,
The castle for my moat,
One look still can give me butterflies,
My stomach does a little flip,
You are my long drink of lemonade,
From the sun you are my shade,
You are the spring in my step,
The last dream as I slept,
I cannot capture how I feel,
Though it's my heart you did steal,
Sunrise to sunset,
I have no regret,
You are the one I want to see,
Hour by hour,
Into eternity,
My hair will change into shades of silver,
Yet side by side we will love each other,
I cannot express my deep gratitude,
For the day that you said, "Dena, I love you...."

Poolside...................

I decided I needed to reconnect this weekend with the rest and relaxation. I went to my friends pool and tried to do the whole rotation like a hot dog. Unfortunately it was about 100 degrees in Salt Lake on Saturday, so even though I was only outside for a little over an hour I am definitely "lobsterified"! I went home and had to drink tons of water. I used my down time to finally hang up some of our family momento's and I am happy to say our little apartment is no longer just white walls! I'm getting so excited for Rachel and Tracy's visit on Thursday.......double trouble!!!^^

Memoirs of a beginning golf girl.......

A beautiful sunny Saturday at the driving range in SLC


Christy and I were excited to sharpen our novice driving techniques!


Seriously.....who needs Tiger Woods?


Better not "T" me off!


Elvis doesn't have anything on me!


I love to play golf in the sun,
To me it is rather fun!
I like to hit the ball quite far in the grass,
Watch my club as it flies past,
Over head but not too far,
I can feel the sweat dripping down,
A slurpee craving coming on,
Golfing gives me quite the high,
I watch the sun sinking lower in the sky,
Time to call it a day,
To my friend I say,
"Until next time, eh?"

Let the camping begin!

Steven and I enjoying a smore fest in the mountains^^

Steven and I went camping this weekend. It was just an overnight trip, but we had fun roasting marshmellow's, playing games, and being in the mountains! Hopefully we will continue to explore the mountains that are so close. I look forward to learning how to fly fish, and donning those hip waders. So sweet! Summer is almost here, I have about three weeks left of school, and I just hope I can hang on that long!

The many faces of Koll......

My favorite pic is his infamous "Popeye" look! We had so much fun together! Sunday Shane, Whitney, Koll, and Troy came over for brunch. Then we all headed to our sacrament meeting. Steven had fun getting to know Koll, and making him laugh! I felt spoiled getting to hold him so much!

Koll is such a sweetheart!

I was so happy to see Koll again. He is such a good boy, and I loved spending time with him. I love you Koll!

Hiking with Whit, Koll, and Cody near Sundance Memorial Day Weekend

We got a later start, but it was still very sunny and so we agreed to continue on. Koll was so good the whole time, and we all took turns carrying him. I was impressed with Whitney's strength, she carried Koll uphill almost the entire time! I had fun carrying him on the way down and making up songs but one of my lines, "Walking down the dusty trail..." The only word I could think that rhymed with trail was "ale"! Hopefully Koll won't remember my songs alcoholic references. Bad Auntie!! It was good to see Cody again too, hopefully all of his business ventures will come to fruition soon. He made us a really great Italian style lunch to help us gear up for our journey. After that we joined Shane and Troy at Ray's house and had some pizza and discussed the wonders of non-caffinated mountain dew, (Steven would probably say "that's sacrilage!"). It was a great Saturday, and it was fun to spend time with everyone!

Immigration Canyon on Memorial Day.......

Steven took me on a beautiful drive in Immigration canyon............Gorgeous!



Ok, really cheesy pic of us! We look goofy, but we did have a lot of fun!

We didn't have a lot of time on Memorial Day, since Steven had to work at three, so we went for a drive. Immigration Canyon is where pioneers camped before descending on the Salt Lake Valley. We saw a lot of cool trails we want to explore when we have more time. After that, we had a quick celebratory lunch at our favorite "South Siiide" Mexican joint. It has really great ambiance, and really nummy eats.

Gabriella's Graduation Pics....Better Late Than Never!

I realize these are way late, but what can I say! I'm posting them anyways. So to Gaby....Congrats! I hope that you will find the job of your dreams!

I need a hug!

I feel that most of the world's problems could be solved by hugging. Today for example, even though I'm really really exhausted and running on only a few hours of sleep I know I would feel better if I could just have a big hug!

Experiencing the joys of teaching!

This could be any of my adorable pre-teens in my sixth grade class. It takes a special person to be a sixth grade "lifer"!

Today we had an earthquake drill. My response to such a situation was surprising. As I am sitting underneath my desk covering my head I thought to myself, "Ahhh, it is so cool and peaceful under my desk, too bad we can't have more of these!" I really do love teaching but I have a couple of students today that almost got me to lose it and say something I would definitely regret. I think that most teacher's develop "think time" in other classrooms when it could be more appropriately "You better go to another classroom while all of your body parts are still properly attached!" Not that I am a violent person by nature, but some of these sixth graders really no how to push my buttons! Good thing I have yoga tonight!!^^

Memoirs of an insomniac...........

It's getting late,
For my bed I will wait,
Sitting comfy on my couch,
In Steven's hoody I slouch,
My eyes feel heavy and scratchy,
Yet I feel torn,
Should I stay up and finish a flick?
Or should I snuggle up in my bed,
Staring at the walls...books unread,
I suppose I could count sheep instead,
I need a late night hobby,
Something to quiet my mind,
No more thinking about my to do list,
I should close my eyes and dream,
Can't stop the wheels that turn,
Perhaps it is time to adjourn,
I will embrace my comfy bed,
I guess I could lay down my head,
I can cuddle with "Cookie" my favorite bear,
Maybe I can be like Shane and twirl my hair,
Hmmmm.....no that's defnitely it,
A cup of hot chocolate could be the ticket,
Soothing and sweet marshmellowy treat,
Call Steven at work and wish him good night,
I settle back in my covers with a slow smile,
Time to turn out the light.