They always looked smaller on my money

There are a few states that are just too easy to make fun of (New Jersey, Wyoming), the states that don't get any credit and for good reason (North Dakota, Oklahoma) and then the states that are totally underrated. I'm not sure what all of those states are, but South Dakota just made the list. I made a quick little road trip to South Dakota, and it was awesome. As in, I'd love to go back soon if I didn't have to drive through Wyoming to get there.



No biggie, we drove hours out of our way to see Devil's Tower. This is all we could see of it.

The never ending project

My backyard is done. If you can ever say that a backyard is done. I am constantly finding more projects to work on. And as I sit typing this, can think of 20 more things I need to do/buy/add/weed/plant/trim. But it's at least done enough to show off and be completely proud of. And I am. Although I've realized even though I always thought I wanted a big yard, I'm not sure I could handle much more! This small yard was plenty of work. I mean, not for me, but for my dad. Just kidding, I've done plenty of work. But will admit it wouldn't have been possible, nor look nearly as good without all the work and planning my dad did. Thanks dad.

Let's get them all out of the way

May and June are pretty busy with the Pace's as far as holidays are concerned. We kick off the season with Mother's day, followed TODAY by my mom's birthday. Two days later my parents have their anniversary. June follows with Father's Day and then only a few days later with dad's birthday. And then, the icing on the cake, my birthday the end of June.

So for the record, happy mother's father's anniversary birth- day

Wheel of Cheese (cake)

I do not like cheesecake. However, every time I see a piece I feel the need to try it. I know going into the situation I'm not a fan, but it just looks so good. The crumbly graham cracker crust, the smooth cake, and the colorful fruity toppings. They suck me in. Only to be painfully reminded, this stuff is gross! However, last week at one of my best friend's weddings, they had little cheesecakes. So of course they lured me in to try one. And, surprisingly, I ended up eating...four of them. They were so good. Now I don't think I like cheesecake, it may have been a fluke, but for that night at least they were little drops of heaven.

On a related note, I do not like mountain biking. I have tried it, and I don't like it. But I feel like it's one of those activities I should enjoy so when people talk about going, I want to go. I like the outdoors and being active and so many of my friends who enjoy the same things as I do, seem to love mountain biking. It sucks me in. I keep feeling like I need to try it...again... because maybe THIS time I won't hate it. So tonight I did it. Again. I still don't love it. But I didn't seem to dislike it as much as I have in the past. So maybe I'll have to keep trying it until I like it.

Following my footsteps

All you need to see to know that my dad is cool, is this picture.

Ding Dong the mouse is dead

Last week I discovered I had a mouse friend in my backyard. Now, under different circumstances I think we could have been friends. He was kinda cute in that he was so small, and my favorite children's book is "If you give a mouse a cookie", and that mouse is adorable. But our relationship got off to a bad start. He was always coming out of nowhere, scaring me, scurrying around with no purpose. It just wasn't working. One of us had to go, and since I had access to D-Con and a mouse trap--his number was up.

However, the story ended up playing out much differently. The heroine of the story being my mother. I had used my grill the other night and after it cooled down my mother went outside to cover the bottom of the grill so the mouse couldn't get inside. She lifted up the grill, not realizing the mouse was already in the bottom of the grill. It scared her so bad she dropped the grill and managed to trap the mouse between the grill and the side of the grill. In doing so, it also killed him. It couldn't have been timed better. I got rid of my pest, he got a quick send off to mouse heaven. Thanks mom! But I'm keeping the D-Con, I'm sure he has friends. And don't worry friends, the BBQ grill is safe, we cleaned it really well.

Happy Birthday

Last Saturday was Brennan's birthday. To celebrate Angela and I went hiking all over Big Cottonwood canyon. It was a pretty hilarious adventure as always. After I bought myself a new pair of double strapped Chacos and justified it as a birthday present. To me though.