Show Off

Seth and I went fly fishing this weekend up on the Weber River by Coalville. Can I just say again how much I love my new waders? Anyway, I ended up catching 2 large fish (well, large for me) so I wanted to show them off. What's the use of catching big fish if you can't brag about it?

These first 2 pics are of the same fish... Seth measured it at 18".

Not sure exactly how big fish #2 was... maybe 16 or 17"?

After looking at these pictures I realize I need to come up with a better system of holding my gear in the middle of the river... it looks like I'm gonna pee my pants.

They're Here!!

I've waited for this day for a long time... the day when I would get my very own pair of stockingfoot chest waders. You heard me people. Waders. These are not just any waders. They are Simms WOMEN'S Headwaters stockingfoot waders. That's right, they actually make chest waders especially for women. And they should. I mean, what woman wants to go out looking like she's fishing in a potato sack? Ok maybe her, but I digress.


You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a pair of women's waders. They practically don't exist. Ok, they do, but not in stores. I've researched waders for the last year or so, mainly dreaming that one day I might have the money to finally buy a pair.


Seth and I finally decided that with my July bonus, we'd both get some waders. I was searching around online to try and find a good deal when I came upon a website that had 25% off the Simms waders I wanted. I decided to jump on it and buy the waders before they sold out. Sweet! They were on their way and in a week or so, I'd have the waders I'd been waiting for.


Except things didn't quite go as planned. The waders were supposed to be delivered on July 24th, but we left that morning to go camping so we missed the UPS guy. I wasn't too worried about it and figured we'd get them on Monday instead. So we get back from camping on Sunday night and on Monday I check the delivery status when I get into work. It says they were delivered. And left at the front door. My heart sank. There was no box at the front door. I asked Seth to look on the patio. No box. Could he go check at the front office and see if they have it? Nope. They don't have it either. It's gone.

At first I think maybe one of our neighbors picked it up when they noticed it sitting there. But no one ever came by with it. I was so angry. Why did that UPS guy leave the package sitting at our front door? And on a holiday weekend when lots of people go out of town?! Duh. Plus those guys ALWAYS leave our packages at the main office when we're not home. Such a pain.


So I contact the company I bought them from and the lady there tells me they gotta work with UPS and get things straightened out. After a week I protested and insist they just send me another pair of waders. The problem was that the style I'd ordered was sold out. They were last year's model and there were none left in my size. So I had to pay like $50 more to get the newer model. Argh.

Today as I walked in the door after work, I wondered when my waders would arrive. I talked to the cat and sorted through the mail and then... WHAT? What do I see?! A Simms box sitting on top of the bar stool with a note from Seth that says "SURPRISE!! THEY'RE HERE!"

WAHOO!

I place the box on the couch, lift the lid, and gaze down at the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. They almost sparkled with greatness and the smell of nylon and neoprene was almost enough to make my knees buckle. I deeply breathed in the heavenly fragrance as I lifted the waders out of the box. Perfect.

I couldn't wait to get them on. I immediately took off my shoes and slid my feet down into the little black feet. It was almost like climbing into a pair of feet pajamas, but better. I lifted them up and clipped on the suspenders and then added the finishing touch... the wading belt. I have to admit, I looked hot.


There was just one thing I needed to complete my look: my Simms Headwaters Boots. They were my birthday present and I'd bought them a couple weeks ago at the local fly shop. I pulled them on over the stockingfeet, laced them up, then finished it off by pulling down the gravel guards and hooking them onto the boots. Wow.


To my delight, everything fit perfectly. I can't wait to try all this stuff out. I'm pretty sure those fish are all going to want me to catch them because I look so ravishing, don't you think?

Super Fun Time

I know you've all been waiting for this moment... the time when I get to share with you all of the wonderful activities Seth and I enjoyed over Christmas vacation. We both really needed the break from work and school and made the most of the time we had together and with our families.

We spent our first Christmas together at home. Seth got me a fancy new Simms fly fishing vest and tied up a whole box of Royal Wulff flies. He spent a lot of time on my gift and I really appreciate all the thought he put into it. I really loved it!

I just woke up... Don't be jealous!

Seth also really liked his gift. I got him a fly tying bench complete with a lamp and a fly box. He's been tying a lot of flies lately (in addition to the ones he made me!) and he uses his new bench a lot.

We did really well this year I thought especially considering we set a reasonable budget for gifts and actually stuck to it. We may have had to think a little more and spend a bit more time, but I think it made everything mean that much more.

We also got some really nice things from our family. My parents gave us a set of monogrammed towels (which my mom made herself!). Corinne and her family gave us a print of one of my Dad's pictures. It turned out really beautiful and looks great in our apartment. Annie and Eric put all of the family home videos on DVDs along with music and everything. There were around 10 DVDs that they made and I could tell it was a lot of work. We really appreciated and loved it. Seth's family exchanges names and this year Rachel and Abraham had our name. Rachel crocheted a beautiful white afghan for us and made some mixes for soup, biscuits and cookies. It was very thoughtful and I'm sure it took her a long time to make.

We spent Christmas with my family this year because my sister, Corinne and her family were here from Arizona. The day after Christmas my dad took me, Seth, Corinne and JR out shooting on the west side of Utah Lake. Not too many people were out because it was pretty cold and snowy.

My 'Home Defender'



I think this is an AR-15, but who cares... I look hot!



Dad showing Seth his sawed off shotgun.



Militia anyone?


We had a great time skeet shooting using my dad's double barrelled shotgun.

Corinne's gone a little soft since she moved to Arizona...


JR's gone a little crazy.

It was great to see my nieces Lily and Ella and my nephew, Bryce. They are such cute kids and it was a blast hanging out with them. Lily, who just turned 5 was nice enough to give me a make-over using the make-up she just got for Christmas. I really needed it.

First, lipstick and face sparkles...

Next, eyeshadow. Blue is my signature color....


The finished product. Don't be a hater.

We also went to Clark Planetarium with my parents and Corinne and her family. We saw a 3-D movie called 'Santa vs. the Snowman.' The kids really liked it and we thought we looked pretty awesome in our special glasses!

We drove up to Idaho to spend New Year's with Seth's family. January 1st is our nephew, Soren's birthday. He turned 2 this year and we had fun with him and the family at Rachel's house.

Soren smiling while we sang him Happy Birthday.



Grandpa Hanson and Arielle


Collette and Marty

Tessa



Seth and Grandma Hanson... they were having a good time... really.

We probably won't get another long vacation like that for a while but it was fun while it lasted. We appreciate our families and the great people that they are. Hopefully we'll get to see them all again soon!