Scott Robert Dougall

Three years ago today, my mom called me at work and informed me that one of my high school/college friends had just died in a motorcycle accident that morning. My reaction: complete shock and numbness throughout my body. Tears could not be suppressed and my heart was broken when I thought about his parents. It's not normal to loose a son at the age of 26.

As the day passed I became desperate for information. I started to browse the web but my results were limited as the accident had not happened that long ago. I did manage to stumble across a brief article from the Orange County Register which I saved to my personal files. Below is the article I found:

"Motorcycle fatality backs up 91 Freeway this morning
SigAlert shuts down all westbound lanes except carpool at State College
Blvd.

BY SPENCER KALLICK
The Orange County Register

ANAHEIM – A SigAlert was issued this morning for the westbound Riverside (91) Freeway at State College Boulevard after a motorcycle rider was fatally struck by a big rig, authorities said.

Preliminary investigations report that the victim fell from the motorcycle and was hit by the big rig at about 7:35 a.m., California Highway Patrol officer Rolf Trondsen said.

All lanes on the westbound freeway except the carpool lane were closed, backing traffic to Lakeview Avenue. The SigAlert was canceled at 10:40 a.m., Trondsen said.

FREEWAY FATAL: Troy Kewiliian, tow-truck driver for Arches towing, pours absorbent material on oil spilled from a motorcycle this morning during a fatal accident on the westbound Riverside (91) Freeway."

It was a very tragic and unexpected death. It's been 3 years and I still think about Scott regularly. He will forever be missed.

To all of Scott's family: my thoughts and prayers are always with you.

Why did the turtle cross the road?

Honestly...I couldn't tell ya!

This last Saturday, Nathan was on his way home from cleaning the church and then I get this phone call. It went something like this:

N: "Hi Honey! You are not going to believe what I just found on the road!"
R: "What?"
N: "A BIG turtle."
R: "Seriously...a turtle?"

So he swung by, picked me up, and drove me down the street to show me that there was indeed a big turtle in the middle of the street. Apparently, it was a snapping turtle. And let me tell ya...it was a really mean, hissing snapping turtle!

Don't worry though...the turtle is safe and back in its pond.

Mom's Visit Part IV

One of the last days that my Mom was here we went to the apple orchard. We walked around and picked some fresh apples which we later used to make a home made apple pie. The pie was amazing!

But I think one of her favorite things was walking Kronk. And I think Kronk liked all the walks to. Check it out.

Well...that wraps up my Mom's visit out to Iowa. Thanks Mom for coming. It was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed having you.

Mom's Visit Part III

Since we live so close to Nauvoo my mom really wanted to spend some time there. So, we took 3 days and did LOTS of things!

Day #1: My mom wanted to stop and see Fort Madison so we did.

After Fort Maddy...we went to the Lands and Records Office. This place is a gold mine for genealogy! We were able to gather information regarding property that some of our ancestors owned/rented. So we set off and do some house hunting. We drove all around and looked for the plots where some of our ancestors lived. It was a really neat experience and I'm glad I got to share it with my mom. Here is a picture of me standing in front of a replica of one of our ancestors homes.

After house hunting we stopped at the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds. This is a hidden cemetery in a grove of trees and it is a very sacred and quiet. Most of the stone markers are unidentifiable which makes it that much more of a treasure.

Day #2: We went and did a tour with the Community of Christ so that we could see the Smith Family Homestead, the Smith Family Cemetery, and the Red Brick Store. After the tours I took my mom to go see many of the homes that the Church has restored.

Then...we went to the Temple. This was my mom's favorite part. The last time she was in Navuoo was when she was a little girl and there was no Temple. Her reaction: priceless.

Day #3: We headed to Carthage.

My mom was really looking forward to this because their is a painting hanging in the visitors center that is very significant to our family. My mom's father posed for this painting. He is the man standing behind Joseph with his arms folded.

Carthage is always a very touching and sacred place and you can't help but feel a deep love for Joseph and Hyrum Smith.

After Carthage we headed back to Iowa (which I'll post more about later).

Mom's Visit Part II

"Is this Heaven? No...this is Iowa."

While my mom was here visiting we decided to go to Dyersville, IA. You may ask "what is so neat about Dyersville?" Well...let me tell you.

Do you remember the movie Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner and the mysterious voice that says "If you build it, they will come"? Well this movie was filmed in Iowa!

It is just a tourist attraction now where you can come and play around on the baseball diamond, run the bases, and come walking out of the corn. The only thing you cannot tour is the house and that's because there is a family that lives in it.

Here we are in front of the house.

We took a picture of us coming out of the corn just like the ghosts did in the movie. It was a photo opportunity that was too good to pass up. Plus...there were others that were doing the same thing which made me feel like I wasn't being too cheesy.

We had a great time and were very fortunate to have beautiful weather. Thanks Mom for convincing us to go!

Field of Dreams Movie Poster provided by Google Images

Mom's visit Part I

For the past 10 days my mom has been visiting us here in Iowa. We have been VERY busy which means there is a lot to post. So I'll get right to it.

One of the first days she was here I took her to see Old Capitol. The capital of Iowa used to be in Iowa City, but was later moved to Des Moines where the current capital is. The old capitol building is still standing and is at the heart of the University of Iowa's campus.

One of my mom's favorite features was the reverse spiral staircase in the rotunda. These type of staircases are very rare.

My mom and I also went to a Kernels game. As many of you know, my mom is a devoted Angel's fan and since the Kernels are a minor league baseball team and affiliate of the Angels...she had to go. So we went to a game and we had a really good time.

More posts to come...I promise.

5th Anniversary

I can't believe it's been 5 years since we've been married! Thanks for all the fun memories honey! You're the best husband in the world.