I've also been tinkering around with more painting. I did this flower:
I like it alright, but it's probably the least favorite of the paintings I've done. Then, I bought some acrylics and canvas and decided to get serious about this little painting hobby and this is the last painting I completed:
I had no idea I could do that and I probably won't be able to do it again, but I'm really happy with how it turned out. Best of all, I got to send it to my daddy for Father's Day. Growing up, he was always doing wood-burning, carving, and craft painting projects. I think I got the my inclination for art from him, so it felt great to give the painting to him. Being Father's Day, I'll keep it brief, but I want to say how blessed I am to have such an incredible dad. He is such a good and stalwart man. We may have butted heads a lot when I was growing up, but I'm so thankful for everything he taught me and how he always pushed me to grow and be better. He expects a lot from me, but I'm beginning to understand that it's only because he sees my true potential and he loves me so much. Happy Father's Day, Daddy! I love you!
So, between the painting and sewing (I have more projects in the works) AND making three batches of homemade fruit jam, I've felt very suzie home-maker lately. Oh yeah, AND I made my sister a chocolate cake, complete with icing from scratch!
On the flip side, I've also had a few awesome adventures. Last week, Aimee, Derek and I took a trip to a tree fort that a guy built up Logan Canyon. I can't give the exact location away or I would have to kill all of you. Anyway, that has got to be the coolest tree fort ever! It isn't that far out of the way, but you feel totally secluded. You do have to cross a marsh to get to the tree, which is completely surrounded by water right now, but it's worth it. The guy is a genius! He has a big area where he's going to make a platform, and then he has placed logs connecting to different trees and even has handrails to get from place to place! Bottom line, AWESOME. We had ourselves a nice picnic lunch and enjoyed a peaceful afternoon in the trees. It was great and of course, here are pictures!
Then, that night, despite the colder temperatures, I went boating with some friends. I was just along for the ride originally, but I got peer-pressured into wakeboarding. I had never been wakeboarding before, but I have tried wake surfing once...unsuccessfully, I might add. So, I braved the ice cold water, and after 4 or 5 tries, I actually managed to get up! I was so excited!! I got up twice, not for very long each time, but it was pretty awesome. AND...yep...here are the pictures! (sorry they're blurry)
This is Aimee's amazing crash. LOVE it!
Quick lesson
Ready or not!
A wipe-out or 2 (or 4)
And FINALLY, I made it up! Woot! I know my form is pretty terrible, and yes, I biffed it about 5 seconds later, but I don't care...I got up!
Last, but certainly not least, Derek ran the Wasatch Back race this weekend, so I got to puppy sit for him! YAY! I was in heaven. This is Koda. (I can't tell whose eyes are crazier! haha)
Amazingly enough, he and Riley got along pretty well. Riley even took to protecting Koda from Carlye's dogs and even Natalie! Koda was a good cuddler...and decided to sleep laying across my neck! Too cute! I have to keep telling myself that I shouldn't get another puppy right now....but it's SO tempting! Here's Riley and Koda being friends....awwww.
Alas, my completely free days are behind me. Stats started this week and I'm already behind because I have NO desire to study or do the homework, but I'll get it together. I just want to survive the next eight weeks and never think about it again.
Well, that's it for my adventures. I hope you enjoyed! I know I sure did!
