Power Post

Things are falling into place, and I'm feeling hopeful. We leave for Europe in TWO days! Surely catching up on the blog isn't the highest priority right now, but the thought of having this entire summer backlogged is tear-inducing. So without further adieu, here's a Power Post of our early summer fun.

Lagoon.  For the most part, we haven't been used our Get Out Utah Passes as much as we would have liked. However, using the passes for a day at Lagoon was awesome. Annika was so excited to be able to ride all the rides. And believe me, we rode all the rides, opening the park and staying until closing.

Rattlesnake rapids is my very favorite.  Good thing it was a hot day, because we got soaked!

Grandma Susie met us at the park.  I have to say, we have the coolest grandma!  It takes a pretty special person to enjoy the big rollercoasters with the grandkids.  She does better on the big rides than I do.

Yup.  I'll get on the pirate ship, but I'm sure not sitting at the back of the boat.

Jason also biked all the way from ASSIST to join us.  What a great day!

At one point I was sitting next to Annika during a crazy ride, holding onto her wrist SO tightly as we went upside down, as if that would somehow save her.  I just kept picturing her flying out and me grabbing on to keep her from slingshotting into space.

 Fortunately everyone stayed safely buckled and we all had an amazing day.

Provo Canyon.  Ben and Christy invited us to bike Provo Canyon with them.  It was epic!  I can't wait to do it again some day.  The trail starts off along the Provo River, passes Bridal Veil falls, turns up Provo Canyon, and heads all the way up the South Fork until you hit Trefoil ranch.  We couldn't have picked a more beautiful day!  I can't exactly remember, but I think round trip is a little under 20 miles.

Fancy photos of Talia, Brooklyn, and Christy.

Bridal Veil Falls.  Missing is a great picture of Ben cooling off by sticking his head in.

After our ride, we headed for an early lunch at Maria Bonita's.  The chilaquiles were amazing!  Just know that the serving sizes are enormous.

Ben and Christy brought the most adorable surprise with them one day, a tiny kitten named Jasper that their roommate had found and given to them to rehome.  My girls were in love.

In case you're wondering why there aren't any pictures of Annika and Eli enjoying the kitten fun, they were in Omaha with NomiAnn and Papa Kay enjoying Hummel Day Camp and the College World Series.  Also, while we were sad to see Jasper go, she now has a lovely new home and has been renamed Sparrow.

Triathlon training.  No, no one has any plans for a triathlon in the near future, but it's on my bucket list.  Good news is I have a great kids to help me train.  Here's Talia swimming laps with me at Steiner.  I love their outdoor pool, especially when it's not crowded.

Here I am after surviving a bike ride to the top of City Creek.

Cross-training by hiking the Desolation Trail with Brooklyn and Talia to the Salt Lake Valley overlook.  It's certainly not very desolate!  Plus, we had a nice jog on the way down.  Brooklyn thinks that might have been her fastest 5K ever.

I also hiked White Pine Lake with my friend Heidi Brady.  It was fun to reconnect after twenty years--we first met in Zimbabwe back in 1999.

A little closer to home, they've been doing a lot of work on the Bonneville Shoreline Trails in the foothills above us.  It's such a peaceful place in the evenings.

Fiery sunset.

There's been a lot of new trail construction, designating certain sections for hikers and others for bikers.  I personally really enjoy the separation.

Funny story--we've lived in Salt Lake for almost exactly five years now.  After five years, I finally explored a new path and ran/hiked up to the Avenues Twin Peaks.  Even with the flowers past their prime, it was stunning.  I couldn't wait to go home and tell my family about how we should all hike it someday.

Ironically enough, the stake youth programs had planned to hike Twin Peaks that very evening.  Well whaddayaknow.  Glad we could all discover it at the same time.

In case you're wondering why it's called Twin Peaks.

That next Sunday we decided to hike it once more as a family.  Some beautiful things should be discovered again and again.

Speaking of stake activities, Brooklyn was a brilliant sport and accompanied her Dad to a stake Primary activity since her Primary aged sister was still out of town.  I'm loving the photo backdrop!

Bumping up to in age, here's a combined YM/YW barbecue up Millcreek canyon.  I feel so blessed that bishops are encouraged to be closely engaged with the youth these days.  Instead of feeling like Jason's calling takes him away from the kids, I feel like they are spending more time with him.  At this very moment, he is at Youth Conference with Brooklyn, Talia, and Eli.

Colter and Dylan.

Lydia and Paige.

Becca and Emi.

Shige manning the grill.  Yum!

Back on the work front, it looks like Jason's bike commute has been rubbing off on his employees.

A few photos from ASSIST's annual barbecue.  Here's Ben Schreiter and Ann Flor.

Jason's new hire Sam, his wife, and Yvis.

The star of the show, Sam's adorable son.

If this cute kid looks hot, he probably was.  This summer has brought blistering temperatures and drought to the valley.

Talia's managed to stay cool indoors by crocheting like CRAZY.  Her creations kraken me up.

Last but not least, great news from the Millcreek Wheelers!  Ruby is getting a sibling!  We celebrated Brianna and Justin's happy news with a gender reveal party.  Everybody picked a plate according to whether they predicted a boy or a girl.  Christy and Talia are on team blue.

Guess again! The inside of the cake was pink, so Ruby's getting a sister.  :)  The family couldn't be happier.

I learned at the gender reveal that my sweet friend Brooke was moving to California in a few days, so I'm grateful we got to spend a little more time together.

Justin grilling up some amazing corn.  Thanks for hosting such a great party!

Most of all, congratulations to your growing family!