AWKWARD THANKSGIVING

I spent Thanksgiving this year at Lake Powell.  It was all going swell until I wished the Navajo Indian who helped me at the boat dock a "Happy Thanksgiving!" Awkward. 

WHY I AM NOT MARRIED

Answer: my birthday.  Don't get confused, stay with me.  Every year on my birthday I make the same wish when I blow out my candles.  I started making this wish when I was probably 6 or 7 years old.  I always wish to marry and orphan so I don't have to share family time (don't judge me).  I wished for that again today.  I am starting to think that birthday wishes do come true and that is why I am not married because I have never met an eligible orphan.  But then again, maybe birthday wishes don't come true because I never got to dance with Patrick Swayze to "Time of Your Life."

JOHN WESLEY POWELL AND THE GERMANS

I don't know how I could manage to teach Lake Powell better than I do.  I am kind of awesome at talking about it.  I mention Lake Powell and John Wesley Powell in my class probably 2-3 times every day.  Literally.  My students recently took a test on government explorers (including Powell) and one of the essay questions was, "Why did Powell explore the west?  Discuss both of his expeditions."  This is a student response with their exact spelling and grammar: "because the germans sent him and he trapped beavers.  teh purpose of his second was to catc beavers and teh germans wanted to see if he would surviv."  Where did I go wrong??? I don't think I have ever said anything about Germany in my Utah history class.  Ever!  Oh boy.

"ANDY...YOU GOONIE"

Thank you to my parents for hosting a goonie-rific summer vacation.  To be a part of the Belnap family means you have the entire Goonies movie memorized.  To vacation in Oregon and be a part of the Belnap family means you visit all the Goonies sites.  We did just that!  We watched Goonies while staying at the beach and toured all the famous sites from the movie.  It was amazing!!!!

Cannon Beach

"The rock, the lighthouse, and the restaurant..."

Opening scene - jail

The jail is now a museum honoring The Goonies

Where Mikey's dad was raising the flag pole as the Goonies rode past

Goondocks!

The owners of the Goondocks are Goonie friendly

Josh and Baby reenacting the opening scene

Data's suit

BOSTON WITH MR. SUMNER

I went to visit Jaimee and the kiddos is Boston last week with Jen.  We had a lovely time in the New England Fall.  I saw some super history, super houses, and super people.  Jen and I slept in Kate's room and read her stories, made her stay up late with us (yes, we did that to a 5 year old), and let her pick out our outfits.  I was so scared that Will would be shy and not remember us because he lives 2000 miles away but he totally loved us!  As much as I literally HATE having Jaimee and the babies so extremely far, I also love having them in such a cool city.

My.  Dream.  Home. - Concord, MA.

Edge of the Concord River where the "shot heard round the world" took place.

THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!  I MEAN THIS WAS ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY AMAZING!!!!  I MET STING aka GORDON SUMNER.  HE WAS SO NICE AND LET US GET A PICTURE.  THE HISTORY STUFF SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY FAVORITE PART OF THE TRIP BUT MEETING STING TOTALLY TRUMPED EVERYTHING!

House of 7 Gables - this was my favorite thing in Salem, MA

Scott took us to the crew race Head of the Charles - they do way cooler sports back east

The entrance to Harvard.  A bit classier than the BYU tunnels.

Harry Potter Witch and Wizard store in Salem, MA