Happy 2 Year Anniversary!

It's hard to believe 2 years have gone by since we've been married!

We have our ups and downs, but we always have each other's back, and we love each other more each day!

Our favorite things to do usually take place in the mountains... climbing, hiking, biking, camping, etc. So to celebrate our anniversary our gifts to each other had this theme (new mountain bike and all the things that go along with it was part of my surprise gift from my wonderful husband) and we stayed at Snowbird just like we did on our wedding night.

A little less snow there this year, and it felt quite a bit cooler! 2008 was the best year for a wedding at Alta. As we continue down this path of life together, I'm sure glad we have each other and I look forward to all the new adventures ahead!

"Day of Decadence"

We picked the perfect night for a party at our house... the rain let up and the ER crew set out to indulge in all sorts of goodies and yummy food.

Homemade manicotti and other decadent chocolate desserts... aebelskivers, cookies, chocolate covered strawberries, brownie cheesecake, etc. There were more calories in this room than we cared to count.

It's fun to get together outside of work and get to know everyone's "significant others."

Lacey is away from work on maternity leave, but that doesn't mean she couldn't come and hang with the work crew. Her darling baby Isla never made a peep all night!

Industrial strength expensive blender makes killer ice cream shakes. Steve is clearly a fan.

It turns out that the "Day of Decadence" turned into a week of it! With a friend's b-day and then Father's Day I haven't been eating very healthy this week. Now it's time to burn off some of those calories... I am doing well with my training for the 1/2 marathon!

Daddy-daughter days

Last weekend my dad took me along on his "Westerners" field trip through southern Utah and northeast Arizona. Our destination was Hopi Land, with several other stops along the way. It was an incredible trip and I felt very lucky to go with this group.

It was fascinating to learn about the Hopi people and their culture and beliefs. Many of the things I will have to remember in my heart since they do not allow photography in most places. These are 4th generation native American potters- so talented!

The absolute high-light of the trip was seeing a plaza dance where the kachinas were in their traditional ceremonial dress as they chanted and danced and made offerings while praying for rain for their crops. As we toured the mesas, we asked every artisan that we came in contact with if they remembered my Uncle Al who would bring cottonwood root to them so they could carve their symbolic kachina dolls. We actually did find one who did and dad bought a kachina from him. I feel like we came full circle! Al is the reason I became interested in the Hopi culture in the first place and I was excited to be able to go with my dad here!

Lee's fort in the Grand Canyon at Lee's Ferry. Thousands of years worth of human history are here in these canyons, and I was soaking in every bit that I could from the knowledgeable historians in the group.

It is hot in the Grand Canyon in June, and all I could think about was getting in that Colorado river. Two other guys on the trip jumped right in and after hesitating for about 30 seconds, I went for a dip- clothes and all!

The Lonely Dell ranch. John D. Lee lived here for some time, but it was his wives that really made this place thrive. Vegetable gardens and an orchard of fruit trees still grow today thanks to the preservation from park services. We sampled the apricots growing there.

Although I used to think that these trips my dad would go on sounded SO boring, I had a great time and learned that I actually do like to learn about history quite a bit. But most of all I will always treasure the memories and time I got to spend with my dad.

Weekend Warriors

If we have a weekend to get away, we all vote on going to Zion! We got a permit to do a slot canyon and things couldn't have turned out more perfectly! Here we are at the petroglyph spot. This place is special to me because the last time I was here last summer my Uncle Al showed us the way here. I felt his presence with us the entire time we were there.

We were the only 5 people in the entire canyon, which starts on the east side of the park and comes out above the Zion Lodge. (Lodge Canyon) Emily, Nick, Brandon, me and Anthony. We were a great team.

Loving the 75 degree weather. This weekend marked the 2 year anniversary of Em's "non-wedding" in Zion.

This was a first for me! Southern Utah has received very heavy snowfall this winter and there is still snow in this canyon! We skied down this chute- Brandon got first tracks.

Emily didn't want to risk injuring her knee, less than 3 months post-op ACL repair, so she slid down on her butt!

Lunch break.

We found a really cool cave in a side canyon and went up to explore for a bit.

It was nice to get out of the sun for a while.

Double-rope rappels.

Our fearless leader.

Nick on the spectacular last rappel over the hanging garden. A beautiful oasis in the desert. 8 hours after we started we hiked out and made it as quickly as we could to the Zion Pizza & Noodle. We were staaaaarving! Such a fun trip with fun people! We can't wait to go back again!

Are you kidding me?

Remember this little muffin?

Well, she just turned one!

She is the sweetest thing in the world, but don't be fooled! She is the most mischievous and sneaky little dog! Doesn't she just look guilty there?

While we were out at the Martin Sexton concert last night...

this is what she was doing! She jumped the gate into the front room where we don't allow the dogs and had her way with the couch! She also pulled scarves and coats and boots out of the front closet just for good measure. Naughty dog!

One Spring day...

Spring in Utah is hit and miss- luckily before the late spring snow we enjoyed some lovely days!

College roommates. Sammie now has 2 kids and 1 on the way.

Piper and Ryker- the cutest kids I know!

Piper, this beauty looks just like her mom.

Isn't he a heart breaker already? I wish they lived closer!

Goal Setting

I figure since I am doing a lot of running outside with my dogs lately, I should set a goal and train for something. Besides the junior high track days, I have only done ONE race in my life. The first year they did the SL Marathon I ran the 5K. I have been at the finish line of several marathons cheering on friends and loved ones, very tearful and inspired by the energy and sense of accomplishment as they come across the finish line.

Personally I don't think I will ever have the stamina or endurance to run a full marathon, but I have been encouraged by plenty of people that I could surely do a 1/2 marathon. I just bought this little device to help me with my training, and I am excited to see if I can really do it!

So tonight I signed myself up for the Provo Half Marathon and then if all goes well, I will also be participating in the Moab Other Half Marathon in October. Anyone who would like to join me, please do!