Adventures

This summer has been filled with a million adventures. It's been great fun in between the school stress and business. About a month ago we went to Lake Powell for a family reunion and it was perfect. It was so fun to be with the crazy family and make more memories. We will never forget Brookie and her talent show cartwheel or Indian Day.  I love family reunions.

We also hiked Mount Timpanogos a couple weeks ago.  Scott and I made it into a backpack trip and stayed overnight about 1.5 miles from the top at Emerald Lake. It was so fun to sleep in the mountains and to finally climb to the top! Last year we tried, but there was too much snow to make it to the top safely so we only made it about a third of the way up. It's been a hot summer so we were able to make it to the top just fine. Only one glacier had to be crossed, which we both gracefully landed on our butts during the trek. It was so crazy to see the entire Utah Valley from the top of the 2nd highest peak in Utah. The wildflowers were GORGEOUS and I know understand that those beautiful mountain paintings are actually based off of real life stuff. Coming back down was tough as the 98 degree heat got the best of me and my legs were giving out, but we made it and after a GIANT slurpee, I was content again. My ankle even survived. Props for Scott and I finishing our 2nd backpacking trip together. We plan on backpacking Lone Peak with Jennifer and Chris in a few weeks.

My cousin, Keaton, left on his mission last Wednesday and it was fun to spend time with him and Aunt Dayna before he left.  He will be serving in the San Diego Spanish Speaking Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For more information on missions click here.

Utah is great because there is always something going on somewhere on the weekends.  Saturday morning with went rock climbing with our newlywed buddies, Tyler and Ashley.  I red-pointed for my first time, which means I lead climbed (took the rope up as I went) the entire route without falling. It was a great accomplishment. I think I went up on Scott's cool factor a little bit, even if I am already his wife.

Alpine Days was last weekend and its always fun to look at all the booths and eat yummy snow cones. Along with Alpine Days there is a rodeo we went to, which was so fun even if it did start to rain on us and we hid underneath the bleachers with all the little kids. A rodeo is always great for people watching too. However, the coolest thing about Alpine Days was the Tour of Utah pro cycling race that went through Alpine. We saw it go through the round-about in Alpine and then hopped on Scott's dad's motorcycle and caught them (which was actually pretty hard, which they go 35 mph on flat ground) 2 more times in Alpine and then in Draper. It was definitely on the list of something never seen before. Those guys are CRAZY! It was really cool! After catching them for the third time, we had to stop by Cabella's because I had never been there before. It was the best people watching yet of the whole weekend.  Inside the store, its practically a museum with stuffed animals everywhere you look. Very fun.

More adventures to come I'm sure. My classroom is coming along. School starts in 7 days!!

Indian Day!

Our campsite

It was an intense hike. 

At the top!!

Wildflowers

Sitting on the top of a waterfall. Nbd.

Keaton the missionary!

Hiding from the Rain

A Little Cowboy

Bull Riding at the Alpine Rodeo

Me :)

Tyler rockin' it

Bouldering

We don't know how to say no to a snow cone.  

The Tour of Utah Pro Bike Race

Cabella's

July

Lately we've been able to take a break from our crazy work schedules and do some fun things.  We went to our friends, Tyler and Ashley's wedding.  They are so happy and we are so happy for the them! Hopefully we can fit in a camping trip with them before the summer is over.  It was fun to go to the ceremony and reflect on our own wedding day.  I kept feeling the nervous/excited jitters for them and me just reminiscing on my magical day. We were even adopted into the family picture!

Last Saturday we went on a hammock hike up Rock Canyon and set up our hammocks in some trees. I definitely got sore, but it was relaxing once we got everything set up. We found a spot nestled in some pine trees up from the trail.  If I was homeless I would live there.  I've been reading "Peter and the Starcatchers," a Peter Pan-like story that's a popular children's book right now.  I hope to read it to my 3rd graders in the fall. I would recommend it because it's not your average children's fantasy book.  A lot of creative juices went towards it. There's nothing like a Saturday reading a book in a hammock at the top of a mountain!

We have also been doing a lot of slack lining lately because its something that we both can do (sort of) and it doesn't take a whole lot of planning or work to set up. Basically you hook up a piece of rock climbing webbing between two trees and walk on it. Scott can walk back and forth on it and sometimes turn around, while I'm still working on the standing part. It's been fun though.

Draper, UT LDS Temple

All matchy matchy!

Our view

Slack lining

Mid-fall

Concentration sometimes looks creepy. Sorry.

ESL Endorsed

I'm officially (sort of) ESL Endorsed! I finished my class today and had my Exit Interview.  It was such a fun experience and great practice to work with kids this summer. I had an absolutely amazing mentor teacher and had fun with the other student teachers. I loved our car rides and talks about the good and the bad. I'm very glad the many papers are done! Horray! It was a wonderful learning experience about students learning English as the second language. It taught me a lot about how I'm going to teach my own class.  I came to love my little 3rd graders.  We had some fun times, especially water day with all the water games. 

I'm now officially in full preparation mode for school to start on August 21st, exactly one month away. Yikes! The real world is definitely sinking in as I begin my first real job as a 3rd grade teacher. Wish me luck! 

Water Day

All of us teachers!

Tomato TomAto

I hereby announce that the newlywed Jennings have officially harvested their first crop of tomatoes!!! (clapping and cheering in the background) We are growing a variety of herbs as well but they don't give us quite the excitement. Summer is so fun because light brings warmth this time of year. We love it, especially when it gives us tomatoes. One day we'll have a rockin' garden, but for now we'll be happy with our little pots. :)

Summer Nights

A lot has been happening this summer with both of us working and me in school. We go into survival mode and count down to the weekends or the rare times we see each other when it is light outside. Here's what we've been up to lately.
-Picnics in the park. We especially love it when Jennifer and Chris join us!
-Walks down to center street. Our favorite place in Provo with its unique shops, restaurants, and live music. We have a singapore restaurant that's now on the list to try.
-Gift card to olive garden where they now have the St. Louis famous TOASTED RAVIOLI! Man, what a great day.
-I tried Mountain biking. It'll take me a bit to try again.
-The fires in Utah county have been CRAZY! Despite evacuations, no one I know has had any damage done to their home or property.
-City Days. We went to Strawberry Days and the Freedom Festival. Both awesome! Utah county is so festive during the summer. I loved walking around and seeing the different booths, which resulted in me buying the cutest maxi dress ever and matching sunglasses for me and the hubby.
-The fireworks display for the fourth of July was amazing. I have never been so close to an amazing display. The parade in the morning was great as well. We were lucky enough to find a spot on University to park our chairs. A feat only understood by those who have been to the parade.
-We're headed to Lake Powell this weekend for a family reunion. Can't wait!

A high class picnic with pizza. 

Our favorite park for people watching.

Mountain Biking

Strawberry Days

Smoke from the dangerous fires.

Toasted Rav!

Happy 4th of July!

Tom and Jerry!