Summmmmmmmmerrrrr 2012

On a recent ferry trip back from Martha’s Vineyard, with the moon shining on the ocean, I stood on the edge of the deck and thought to myself, “Golly, I love New England.”

Time and time again I am reminded how neat this place really is - many wonderful adventures I’ve realized, the backroads I’ve discovered, the townships and street corners I’ve walked, histories I’ve learned, and places I’ve fallen in love with.  I do love New England.

And there is more to love.  Please let me come back!

Love me some New England summer!

One of several camping trips this summer.
Nickerson State Park, Cape Cod, MA

Lighthouse on Cape Cod, MA

Hansel and Gretels house on Martha's Vineyard, MA

My future cottage on MV.

Magic of Fenway.  Great seats.  Boston, MA

Firewater in Providence, RI

To the top of Mt Lafayette.  White Mountains, NH

First battle of the American Revolution took place 5 miles from my house.  Reenactment every year on the same grounds.  Battle of Lexington, Lexington, MA

The home of John Adams.  "Peacefield", Quincy, MA

Fun-yaking on Deerfield River with friends.  Right before heading to Tanglewood for a celebration concert for John Williams' 80th birthday!  Berkshires, MA

Leaders from Behind.  My Spartan race team.  Amesbury Park, MA

To the Mothership!

Attention: Friends and Family -  I am moving to Utah.  Not sure how long I will be there but I have a couple of things to take care of while I am there.

Why?  I have been in New England for two years, working, playing, saving and I feel that I am in a good place and time to take action and accomplish some very important goals I have set for myself.

When?  I will be leaving New England in October after my little sisters fly to Boston.  We will spend a couple days around the city, visit the nieces, view some sights, pack the car and head West on a week-long cross country trip to Utah.

What?  Without going into too many specifics (you can ask me more details off-line) these are some of the objectives I have established for myself while I am at home:

1-   Write a book on Grandma Stuart’s life – pending project for the last six years that I am finally getting around to doing with Grandma.

2-   Start a travel agency – taking classes and certifications right now and hoping to be open to business by the end of the year!

3-   Accomplish some fitness goals – begin training for Ragnar relays (180 mile running relay races) and long bike rides, super-healthy eating, and taking a weekly yoga class.

4-  Get certified to become an aerobics instructor – been on my New Year’s Resolution list for the past four years; I think it is time to just do it.

5-   Take the GRE to apply for master’s program – wanting to get an MBA and I have a couple of schools in mind, most of which are in the West.

6-   Lots of Mormon boys are in Utah – did I really just add that to the list?  :)

After this is done, then what?  Good question.   The answer is TBD.  Maybe go back to school for an MBA right away or get job in Utah or back in Boston.

Moving forward....

Mother Dear

I am now the mother of three!  Welcome to the family, MacBook!

Amy Stuart, born: Sept 1987

Toyota Matrix, born: July 2010

iPhone 4S, born: Feb 2012

MacBook Pro, born: July 2012

Washington's City

Since reading the book John Adams by David McCullough, I have new appreciation for the founding fathers of America.  Thank you to those inspired men who created our constitution and formed our nation.  And thank you to those who fight for our liberties today.

God bless America!

"Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom!  I hope you will make good use of it.  If you do not, I shall repent in heaven, that I ever took half the pains to preserve it."   John Adams

This was probably the neatest thing I have ever witnessed: the reading of the Declaration of  Independence by descendants of the original signers on Independence Day.  Took place on the steps of the National Archives where the Declaration is housed today.

US Capitol.  Awesome tour given by Matt Westerberg (former USU ambassador with me).

Ice cream and Washington DC go hand in hand I think.  Can't have one without the other.
Hot and humid DC + Ice cream = Happy Amy

Another Fantastic Trip Home

Two weeks is just not long enough!

My temple dress is finished - yipee!

Logan Temple, Utah

Anxious to go inside the temple.  Feb. 15, 2012

Dad, Mom, Kemp, and Grandma joined me for the temple ceremony

All together again!
Clockwise from top:  Mom, Dad, Kemper, Keni, me, and Taybabe

Kemp and Sadie workin' our way through security in SLC.

A Special Place

What a lovely trip to the temple it was.  Very special, very sacred.  I am thrilled that my family was there to join me on this wonderful occasion.  Thanks all for your love and support!

Before endowment session

Logan Temple

My fan club