Stewart Falls - Take 2

My last trip to Stewart Falls was last year with my BFF Lolly. The hike it a nice 4 mile hike round trip and it is near by, so Becky and I decided we wanted to start doing a hike a week after work and wanted to start with this one. She invited Dallin and I invited my mom and sister since my sister is in town and I have not been spending as much time with her and I would like. So... we all went.

We got a little bit of a later start than we should have. Hiking with kids takes a little longer especially when you have to hold one of them. We all made it right before dark, took a few pictures and then started hiking back before it got too dark.

the end of the hike was pretty dark and I had to use my phone as a flashlight. Not my favorite way to hike... but we all made it and got a nice little work out and got to see a beautiful waterfall and enjoy being in the mountains for the evening. We will have to leave a little sooner for a our future hikes after work.

Sodalicious wish Asher

My nieces and Nephews are loving my new tradition of taking them out for their birthday, so I am continuing with it.

Asher's birthday is not until the end of this month, but since he happens to be here now... and I won't see him on his birthday, I took him out for his birthday early. Asher loves mixing flavors with soda, so he was pretty excited. 

He was so excited to go that he was practically bouncing off of the walls. Good thing too since we did a long hike right after. When we got there and he saw how many flavors there were, he wanted to mix them all... but I told him to choose one soda (which he chose Sprite) and then he could mix in 4 flavors. I don't remember all of the flavors he put in... I remember he chose Apple and Blackberry and cherry? I don't know... I do remember being worried it was going to taste bad. However, I tasted it and it wasn't terrible. He loved it. That was the important thing. 

He chatted my ear off the entire way there and at my house and on the hike. Asher is such a creative, smart, funny, energetic, cute and fun boy. I can't believe he is turning 8 this month and will be getting baptized. Time sure zips by with all of these nieces and nephews growing up! Asher is a fun part of the family and I sure love him a lot and wish that I got to see him a lot more than I do. I AM glad though that we are at the point that even though we don't see each other very often, he no longer has to warm up to me when I first see him. I love being an Aunt.

Calf Creek Falls

Ever since I found out about this waterfall, I have wanted to go to it. Luckily... my friends and I were going to Bryce Canyon and this wasn't on the way per say... but it was close enough by that it was worth going to. It was an easy hike. Around 4 plus  miles round trip. It only seemed extra long on the way back because I was hiking on blisters and the sun came out and it got extra hot on the way back. Glad we hiked in the morning rather than the afternoon.

It was a beautiful hike. Utah is so beautiful and diverse. I had never been to this part of Utah before. So great. We all loved it. The waterfall is like an oasis in the middle of the desert. Freezing, but beautiful.

So glad we made this hike happen on our way home from Bryce Canyon... even though it was a little out of the way and not everyone was on board with it at first... I really pushed for it and I'm glad everyone agreed. It was a great hike and fun to see something new in Utah.

Merica

Today I got back from my camping trip just in time to have some BBQ dinner with my family and homemade ice cream and a firework show by my dad. This year was the best yet. It was fun to watch the kids watch the fireworks. They LOVED them. I guess I am just a big kid myself because I never get tired of watching fireworks. I was glad to get back and spend time with my family for the holiday. I love having so much family near by and having family in town. I wish everyone was close by, but I think we do a pretty good job of seeing each other throughout the year.

Around 10, when it got dark and all of our fireworks were done and my siblings went home and kids went to bed... I went back out to party with the friends. There was still the Stadium of Fire Fireworks that still needed to go off. It was last minute that they asked me to come and I thought for sure by the time I got there that most of the show would be done. I got lucky. I drove to the Zion's building in downtown Provo and my friend Adam works there and has access to the roof. So he let me in and took me to the roof and I joined my friends and as soon as I got there the show started. It was perfect timing. We played our own patriotic music to go along with the fireworks. While we watching the Stadium of Fire Fireworks, we were so high up that we saw everyone's personal fireworks in all of Provo. It was awesome. What a view! Best view and no traffic or crowd. Can't beat that! Thanks Adam! It was a great day, a great weekend. Happy Birthday America! Sure glad to live here.

Tipi

Last night was awesome. Why? Because I left work early and I went with my friends and drove to Bryce Canyon. Because of the holiday weekend, we were not sure if we would be able to get a camping spot in the National Park since we couldn't reserve ahead of time. We could however reserve a Tipi right outside of the park... we all thought that sounded awesome, so we went for that. Worth it!

I have always wanted to sleep in a Tipi. Of course when I thought of sleeping in a Tipi, I was wanting to sleep in a Tipi in like New Mexico with a Native American tribe after doing some sort of tribal ceremony..... but this will do.

The Tipi was actually pretty well insulated and we were all pretty warm in there. I slept pretty good. No regrets. I thought it was awesome. More of the rest of the trip to come.

Confessions of a Brunette on the Internet 278

Still trying to figure out where June went. I have been so busy. I just know this entire summer is going to fly. I don't want it to... but as long as I am having fun, that is what I care about.

I am now officially in the cube. It is super depressing. I think instead of making me interact with people more, it will actually make me interact with people less because I am not happy. I am trying to keep my mouth shut and just go with it because there is nothing I can do about it. However... I can do something about investing in some quality headphones.... so.... that might just be my next purchase with the next paycheck. Bose is always a good way to go. I love my blue took portable speaker I have of theirs and I also love the sound system I have in my car from them. Plus my friend Becky recommended them to me, so I'm sure they are perfect for blocking out all the sound. Right now... mine don't block out too much. At least I am by the window. Trying really hard to look on the bright side. I'm not looking forward to unpacking all of the files and putting them in the new filing room. It's going to be a lot of work, but I will try and not worry about that until I have to do it on Monday.

I am still watching Heroes. I am just starting the 4th season, so I should be done with this show soon and ready to start another one. I have liked this show, but for sure the first season was the best. As usual with most shows. I haven't decided what I want to watch next. I have a list of recommendations.

My roommate and I are so happy that we have Google Fiber. So far it has been working great. Just MacKenzie and I have been using it, but still. It's nice to not be sharing with the neighbors anymore. Hopefully it continues to go well.

It has been really nice to have my sister and her family in town. I wish I didn't have to work full time so we could spend more time together, but we do have a family vacation coming up, so I will get to spend lots more time with almost the entire family. That will be really nice. This weekend Jamie and I went to my favorite store and then got pedicures. Always fun.

I have new visiting teachers. They are girls in the ward that were not my favorite (which is how I also felt about my last one) and I am glad that they were forced to be my visiting teachers and they were good about visiting me because I really changed my mind about my last one (we are now good friends) and I think I will quickly change my mind about my current ones because they came this weekend and already I felt bad for not thinking the best thoughts about them. I am happy to be proven wrong and to be served a little bit of humble pie. They are sweet girls and I look forward to future visits and becoming better friends.

Monday night Allison came back to get a few last things and clean before she was moved out forever. Since she was already back, we decided to have one last roommate night, the 3 of us. We went to dinner at Malawi's and got yummy pizza. Then we went to the movies and saw the new Jurassic Park movie... which was like the other ones... I laughed throughout the entire movie... and I don't think it was supposed to be that funny. I still liked it though. It was entertaining enough to see once. I wouldn't own it by any means. Then after the movie we went to Sodalicious because that is our thing! It was a good night and we will miss having Allison as a roommate.

This week has been busy with the move at work and getting ready to go camping tonight. We get to leave work early today and then I am going to go home and pack my camping gear and head to Bryce Canyon with my friends. I'm excited for tonight because we are staying in a Tipi. What? That is right. I have been to Bryce Canyon before, but it was super Windy and it was a really short trip and I'm excited to explore with more time. One of many adventures to come. Can't wait to tell you all about it when I get back. Peace out!

Photo of the Week 276

Another picture from the river. It was SO beautiful!