Dad-time!!

Lately, I've been really realizing the value of family.

It's not that I haven't recognized the importance of family in the past, but since coming to college, family has started to mean more and more to me.

I've really begun to see how much wisdom the Lord has in organizing us into family units. When you are down and out, who do you turn to? Who comes in and saves the day? When there seems to be no one there for you, who cheers you on from the sidelines?

Family.

So, when my dad started making plans to come visit me, I got really excited. We decided that when he got here, we'd spend some time in Provo, and then go visit my grandparents in Vernal.

And guess what!? While he was here, Dad bought me something that I've been wanting FOREVER! A digital camera! So needless to say, our mini vacation is well documented.

On the way to Vernal from Provo, you pass a little town called Miton, where my great-grandma lives. She's 92 years old!

It was really neat to get to sit and talk with her for a little while. She and my dad reminisced about times when my dad was a little boy, visiting his grandparents.

In the middle of talking to her, she bore her testimony to Dad and me of the reality of the Holy Ghost. I was really grateful for that unique experience. How much more often will I get to hear my great-grandma's testimony?

She also joked about the things she needs to change before she can be twinkled.

We asked her how long she had been living in her house. She told us that when she was married, she and Great-Grandpa Richens got on her horse and rode right on up to the house to start their lives together. Grandma only had one horse, so the two of them got on her horse and rode off.

It was so cute and sweet to hear her story. I loved it.

And speaking of cute: I have two adorable cousins, Aliya and Breanna, who I was really looking forward to seeing when I went to Vernal.

These girls are just wonderful. They love to have fun, and are always happy. They are smart, too. When they grow older, they are going to be little heart-breakers.

I had an absoulte blast spending time with these two.

My grandparents, cousins, and dad and I all went fishing on Monday. We spent all morning in the boat. It was such a nice, sunshine-y day, and the lake/river we went to was absolutely beautiful. I loved the rock formations surrounding it.

And who caught the largest fish??? Dad. He actually caught almost all of the fish we took home with us. But I caught the second largest! And Aliya caught a pretty good sized one. We ended up with six fish to take home with us. (Perfect-- one trout per person.)

So, that night, dinner was easy! I felt so proud, providing for myself and earning my keep--Eating food that I caught!

Maybe that's weird, or morbid. But it was cool.

And I had so much fun.