In Case You've Been Wondering...

What I've been up to...


















Family Lagoon Day! We love spending time together as a family...especially when adrenaline producing rides are involved! Kaicee loved {EVERYTING} and was so sad she wasn't able to ride {WICKED}.

















I {SURVIVED SUPAI}...Again! Casey, Alli, and I spent a night on the trail and watched the meteor shower. We were poured on by rain with nothing for shelter but our hammocks and lived to tell the tale! Best of all, we channeled our inner {WARRIOR} woman and had an amazing time!


Rocked out with Def Leppard, Poison, and Cheap Trick!
My belated birthday celebration
and gift from my big sister, Kierstan!






























When I asked Kaicee what she wanted for her 4th birthday she said, "Uhm, I'll sleep at your house." So, that's what we did. We went to dinner, to the Spanish Fork Wind Fest, and to Grandma's house to make {COOKIES}.

The next morning, we woke up and had breakfast with Grandma and then headed for the mall. Grandma and Ashleigh always take Kaicee to the Disney Store to pick out a present. This year, Kaicee and I started the tradition of going to {BUILD A BEAR} We had a blast!

Y? Because We Like You!

Havasupai is drawing nigh, so it's time to kick it in gear. I'd been hiking Timp Cave again in preparation, but the cost of gas to get there was starting to get to me. When my pass to the canyon expired, well, that was the last straw. So, I needed a new training hike. My roommate, Amber, hikes the Y {a lot} and suggested that I try it. Yesterday, I hit the trail for the first time. The hike is BEAUTIFUL! The dirt trail reminds me of the switch backs in Havasupai, so I think it's perfect for preparing...That, and it totally kicked my butt!

Surviving Supai

I did it! I survived my trip to Havasupai! It all started a few months ago my Mike invited me to go on his annual trip to the Grand Canyon to go hiking in Havasupai. I can only imagine the look of shock and fear at his request as memories of statements made by those who'd made the trip in the past echoed in my ears..."Next time I'm taking the helicopter".... "I don't think I'll ever walk the same".... My answer was not only no, but Hell No! However, Mike can be incredibly persuasive. So, after some encouraging words and a helicopter to fall back on, I was in. Although I'd started preparing about a month before, my anxiety kept increasing as the number of days until our departure were decreasing. Then, it was
suddenly July 8th and we were on our way! The hike into the canyon wasn't so bad...I didn't expect it to be, since it was all down hill. We started out around 4 a.m. and made it to the camp ground around 8:30. After setting up camp and a quick nap, we were off to play in Havasu Falls. It was just a quick hop from camp and truly a Garden of Eden in the desert. Mooney Falls was day two's destination. We spent the day playing in the water, soaking up the sun, and saving our snacks from sneaky squirrels. Navajo Falls was our final day adventure. Since it was on the way to the village, we packed up our packs and headed out to play. These were my favorite falls of all! I even jumped from 40 feet high...much to the surprise of the onlookers below.

After some fun at the falls, we hiked out to the village to fill our bellies with food and a quick rest before facing the 9 miles ahead. I was nervous, but confident. Seven of us girls set out together...The Sisterhood of the Traveling Packs. We made a vow to stick together, take things slow and steady, and passed the time with singing and laughing...especially with the rule that any complaint must be sung!

I'll never forget the feeling of accomplishment, empowerment, and fulfillment as I made my way up the final switch back! I had done it! I'm so grateful for the confidence and encouragement from my friends and sister...I can't wait until next year!

Training Day

With my Havasupai adventure less than three
weeks away, it's time to begin some serious training!
Although Ashleigh has vowed to drag my dead body out alone if she has too, and Mike has promised to eat my remains before leaving my corpse to rot in the Arizona heat, I'm determined to make it out alive...ON MY OWN TWO FEET. Ashleigh, Britney and I are going to hike to Timpanogos Cave two are three time a week to get our rears in gear! We even joined the Mt. Timpanogos Hiking Club to log how many miles we hike over the summer. So, let the training begin!