Category: fun stuff

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Umm, maybe the snow IS too deep…

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The plan was to explore Falls Creek Falls, a (we have read & heard) beautiful waterfall not too far from Stevenson, Washington. It is also not too far from Panther Creek Falls (aka Davenport Falls), which we visited last fall.

As we drove further up the road, there were patches of snow in the forest, but overall it didn’t look too bad. One guidebook claimed year-round access, so I wasn’t too worried. Imagine our surprise when we found the last two miles to the trailhead covered in 2-3 feet of snow. I guess we won’t be making that hike today.

We did have an enjoyable drive back to Dan and Jessica’s though and were able to catch a great view from the aptly named “High Bridge,” where the road crosses over the Wind River. The high snowpack is feeding a strong river that is running a bit higher than in the past. Looks like an awesome place for a bungee jump!

Coming back into Stevenson, we came to the Davenport’s home. They have an unbeatable view from the front yard, with the Gorge and the Columbia River spread out before them. This is a beautiful place! Now, if they could just do something about the rain…

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“hey, you look hot!”

That’s right! I was standing in the kitchen the other day in black pants and cute black sweater with my hair cutely done. My husband walked through the room and out of the blue said “hey, you look hot!” and then gave me lots of kisses. This might not seem like a big deal to some, but to me it’s huge. Adam hasn’t said that in a really really long time. He’s said I look pretty or beautiful or nice, but not hot. I still have so far to go in terms of fitting into all my clothes and looking the way I want, but it’s a start. The best part about the compliment is that it was totally unsolicited and honest.

I go to the doctor on Wednesday for a follow-up so I can get my current weight. I went to the doctor right before I started my training program so I’ll be able to get an accurate number on how much I’ve lost. I’m hoping for 20, but I’ll be happy with 15. I’ve been working out this past week, but I haven’t counted my calories since we’ve been working at my mom’s all week. So now I’m not sure where I’m at.

One more thing….I was able to jog almost all of my five miles the other day. I can walk miles and miles and miles, but I still can’t jog super lots. I was so proud of myself this week. I think it helps that I’m at a lower elevation and not fighting the monster hills. Thanks for the challenge Jena, I jogged about 3/4 of the five miles. SLC is only three weeks away–I’m soooo excited!!!

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One Little Tent—moab, ut

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Check it! We were the only tent camping in any of the campgrounds or RV parks! I love it. One of the older RVer’s asked if we would like to borrow an extra blanket-cute, huh? We said, ‘no thanks, we actually went and bought one yesterday, and a pillow, and an extra cushion.’ (for real) But we were roasty toasty warm and much more comfy after that. And yes, we both have our laptops out inside of the tent. :)

We spent our three days here hiking in Arches, playing cards, watching movies, and eating. This is the best time to visit the park. Spring Breakers and Jeep Safariers were on their way in when we were on our way out. There were other visitors at Arches, but nothing like when we’ve been before. I think it helped that we didn’t stay over a weekend and we were a week ahead of the start of the ‘season’. We were actually the only people at Landscape Arch for few moments. Usually, it is so crowded you couldn’t dream of such a thing.

The rest of our pics are here!

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Well, that about wraps is up. We had the best time on our shoestring budget. I know we spent more time “lookin’ at dirt” than some of our friends (Robert Lea) can muster. It was hard, fun, and rewarding. Our relationship is rejuvenated, as well as our resolve to keep exercising. There’s No Way I could’ve put the miles in I did (w/backpack) if I hadn’t been walking and jogging our hills with my sister.

SLC ½ marathon-I’m ready for you!

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Bridges Over Troubled Waters—natural bridges national monument

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Here’s another hidden Utah treasure. We stopped by after driving out to the Black Hole. We both wished we had more time to spend. There are three natural bridges that are much bigger than any bridges I have seen before. You can hike to all three of them.

We considered, earlier in our trip, hiking the nine-mile loop down in the canyon, which passes under each of them…but we were way too tired. This could be a super cool trip for the future, though. Instead, we hiked to each of the viewpoints and hiked down to the oldest bridge. Very Cool! We’re glad we stopped by. The rest of our pics are here!

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I Dream of Hovenweep–hovenweep nat’l monument

What’s Hovenweep, you ask? How about only one of Utah’s coolest hidden treasures. The Indian ruins at Hovenweep National Monument are extensive and terrific. We would like to take our children back and camp so that we may explore all of the sites with them. We only had time for one 2-mile hike of the closest of sites. But it was totally worth it.

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The rest of our pics are here!

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Where the Crazies Roam—black hole canyon (keep dreamin’ mccracken)

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Need I say more! This is one of the canyons that is done at “freeze fest” over New Years. Some of the boys have wanted to try it, but it gladly hasn’t worked out yet. Adam says the debris has since been washed through and canyoneers descend it every year. Mmm hmm, heard that one before!

Seriously though, the White Canyon system is A-Mazing, simply spectacular to view. All the boys would love driving through here and spending some time. I think I had to close Adam’s mouth a few times for fear he would drool all over the seat.

Click on the photo for a bigger view of what the sign says!!!

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Down in the Valley—valley of the gods and monument valley

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While heading out for a day trip to Four Corners we realized just how close we were to Monument Valley so we decided to extend our trip by a few hours and make a loop. We reached Valley of the Gods first, which is coined as a mini Monument Valley. There is a 17-mile loop you can drive. It was pretty cool.

Driving through Monument Valley, I totally felt like I was in the middle of an Old Western. You can even see John Wayne’s cabin, which we didn’t. The scenery seems other-worldly…a little surreal. The funniest part of this side-trip was the amount of EMPTY road-side stands that said “Open”…also check out the visa/mastercard graphic on the “Sacred Monument” tour stand. Nice juxtaposition, right?

The rest of our pics are here!

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Spring Break ‘08…aren’t we too old for this???

Adam and I are busily traversing Southern Utah peppered with a bit of New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. We’re having a blast and there are many adventures to recount. As you may have noticed, our blog is having an issue in regard to posting pictures. I really don’t want to post our main excursions without the spectacular photos we have to share. So here’s a peek at the titles I’m working on while Adam resolves our hosting issue. 

Calling All Canyoneering Wives—todie canyon

Here’s To The Anasazi—grand gulch primitive area

Down In The Valley—valley of the gods and monument valley national monument

Four States and Fry Bread—four corners

I Dream Of Hovenweep—hovenweep national monument

Where The Crazies Roam—black hole canyon (keep dreaming mccracken)

Bridges Over Troubled Waters—natural bridges national monument

One Little Tent—moab, ut

If you would like to view all the pics from our trip, which are housed in our gallery, just click here. Some mornings, as there is ice on our tent and we can’t twitch our noses properly or spring off the ground quickly, we think, ‘Are we crazy? Aren’t spring break excursions for the twenty-one year olds out there?’ Mostly though, we’re soaking up the time together. We know there’s a big change coming in our lives and in our family!!! 

This trip reconfirms how grateful Adam and I both are for these past four years together. Would we have traded it for the opportunity to be parents sooner? Absolutely! Nevertheless, we are grateful for the relationship we’ve had time to cultivate. I can’t imagine it any other way for the two of us. We’re especially grateful that we didn’t spend our childless years sitting on the couch. We’ve spent the beginning of our marriage trying new things, meeting new friends, and experiencing new places. Looking back, we are so very thankful for the time and the means to do these things. Happy Trails—we still have FIVE days left, wahoo!!!

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finally…something scrappy

It’s finally come…my friends fly in tomorrow. I can’t wait to bask in a bit of scrapper’s delight. The best part of a scrap day is the company, of course. Mmmm…I can taste the peanut m&m’s already.

 Brian is taking Adam  and  Robert snowmobiling on Saturday. Rob has never been so they are way excited. And Brian will actually get to enjoy his equipment (it’s a rare occasion). The best part is that they will be ‘out of our hair’ for the day. Jaimee arranged for a babysitter and for two massage ladies to come in toward the end of the day. How great is that?

Okay, enough already. I’m sure you’re all sick of hearing about my birthday. We didn’t intentionally plan the scrap weekend on my birthday, it just sort of happened. And it has been a huge blessing because I haven’t thought about actually turning 32 until just now. I do have three more days of 31 left and I intend to enjoy every bit of it.

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my poor future children :)

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This is what happens when I Leave My Husband in Charge!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brooklynn heard me tell Uncle Adam to put Spencer in the sink to rinse off his bum (he’s had a terrible rash) when his feeding was finished. I disappeared downstairs to a stimulating shift of grading papers. After I went downstairs, Brookie asked Uncle Adam if she could get her swimsuit on and get in the kitchen sink too. You all know my cute easy-going husband so you can picture the sly smile on his face and shrug in his shoulders as he says, “sure.” Since bathtime is both Brooke and Spence’s favorite thing, they had a blast. By the time I came up for a break, Brooklynn was still in the sink as pruny as could be and still playing gleefully. Mind you, she has both a huge bathtub and hottub at her disposal. It just goes to show what fun we can create in our homes if we are a little slower to say ‘NO’…especially as moms.

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