Canyons, canyons, canyons!

Well, he did it. Brandon took the DAT and aced it. And now we are celebrating. We bought a national parks annual pass, so we can go to any recreation area or national park for free for the next year. So far, we have already done three canyons and had many adventures.

Two weeks ago, we went to Englestead Hollow with Laura and Jake and Summer and Nelson. The canyon started with a crazy three hundred foot rappel. It had to be broken up into two rappels, and Brandon stayed a hundred feet down the cliff on a little ledge to help us switch out ropes to go the last two hundred feet. We planned to go up another canyon so we wouldn't end up in Zion, but we missed our turn. At about seven in the evening, we gathered together to make the decision to go back up the canyon or keep going down. We decided to go down. It was another five or so miles through rivers and waterfalls, and most likely would be in the dark. But we weren't sure where the turn was if we were to go back up, and would risk spending the night in the canyon. So down we went. In the dark. A couple hours later we made it, but our cars were both still at the top of the canyon! Luckily, a Zion shuttle driver was willing to drive Brandon and Nelson to their cars. The rest of us hung out for three hours, cold and wet in the dark. Jake found us a roll of paper towels and we wrapped ourselves up like mummies to keep warm. I wish I had pictures of this, but by this time we were so tired and cold that pictures were the last things on our minds. We finally got picked up at 3:00 am and headed to Cedar City to stay at Brandon's grandparents.




It was one of those experiences that is stressful and uncertain while it is happening, but after, you feel like you have just been through a great adventure.

This last weekend, Brandon and I went to Zion again. Friday night, we did Pine Creek by ourselves. Brandon finally trusts me enough to go alone with me. I feel so special! We rewarded ourselves with hot juicy burgers from Blondie's. And an oreo shake.


The next morning, we met up with Jason and Eliza Cook from our ward and decided to do Orderville (part of the last canyon) mostly because those were the only permits left. This time was much less eventful but still way fun. We actually finished the Narrows when it was still light. In honor of Shark Week, we bought two inflatable sharks and swam through the Narrows with them. my shark hated me and kept bucking me off on the sharp rocks.





My shark!

4th of July Weekend

So I basically got a four day weekend and it was awesome! Friday I got to go to Salt Lake for my cousin Owen's wedding. It was a wonderful day. That night, Brandon and I had to hurry back to Provo to go camping with Rob and some friends at our favorite camping place ever, the summit of the Alpine Loop. We had to hike our gear up about a quarter of a mile to our meadow. It was so wonderful to wake up to the sunrise in a dewy green aspen grove with snow covered peaks in the background! The air was so fresh and there was nobody else around. So beautiful. Then we rode our favorite trail, Tibble Fork. We topped the trip off with DQ Blizzards. It was a perfect morning!



Later that night we went to the Stadium of Fire with Brandon's family. The fireworks were awesome and the performances were good (especially Brad Paisley). But it took us forty five minutes to get home on the scooter! Crazy.



Sunday...we didn't do much. Brandon studied, we had dinner at his parents, and played at the park by our house.


Monday, the boys all went golfing while Laura and I had WAY more fun and hiked Stewart Falls. There was so much water in the falls and probably ten feet of snow still at the base. I love this year! So much water. We came back and drove to South Jordan for a family party at the Lyons, complete with Sharon's famous cherry chocolate chip homemade ice cream.






Happy Fourth!

Playing Catch Up

The last few weeks have been so busy and I have totally neglected my blog. Lab work is super busy right now. The first group of mice for my study have reached the age we want to look at their prostates, so heads are rolling. Literally.

A couple of weeks ago I went to Moab with my parents. Brandon was studying, Laura had work, and John was at a basketball tournament, so it was just me. It was still so fun though. I love love Moab!



Also, I threw Laura a bridal shower and then she got married. It was a wonderful day and a beautiful reception.






Brandon and I moved into a new apartment in our complex. Our old apartment was...old...super hot, and the swamp cooler blew out chunks of dirt and mold every time we turned it on. This is what it did to my allergies: I look so good!


So as soon as a spot opened up, we took it. I had to do most of the moving myself because Brandon is still studying like crazy for the DAT next week. Everything is still pretty unorganized but we will get to work once Brandon has finished. I'm too lazy.

Last but not least, I accidentally chopped off all of my hair. My long hair was getting gross and stringy and I wanted to do a good trim, but somehow.....I just chopped it. Sad.It hasn't been this short since I was fifteen.



We are holding our breaths until after the DAT. I feel like that's when life will start again. I will have a husband, at least for a little while and we are going to have some pretty serious adventures!

Fun with Lish and Jake

Sometimes when your friends are leaving for law school for forever, you ditch your DAT study and your lab work and you go biking. That's what we did Friday morning. We rode the Draper downhill at eight thirty in the morning; sadly that may be the earliest I have gone biking. So fun! Don't worry. We went to work and studied the rest of the night.

Action shots of the boys:


Now girls: (we mostly sat)

Just kidding. We rode a little.


So much fun! After we went to JCW for some DELICIOUS burgers and shakes.


In other news, our Sunday Almost Adventure this week wasn't really even almost. We drove to a lookout and watched the sunset for one minute and thirty seconds. Brandon is applying for dental school tonight. Yeah that's his "I don't want to be in a picture" face.

Looong weeekends are the best ever

Fun weekend happenings:

Saturday bike ride with Kimber at Big Springs. It was so so beautiful! Afterwards we came home and made waffles-and pancakes-and bacon. And the mono girl Laura came.


Sunday almost adventure with Brandon. We went all out this week and took a walk around the new streams south of BYU campus. Brandon looks so happy!



Monday powder day at Snowbird! I went up with Jake and Ellisha while Brandon stayed home and studied. Wow he is dedicated! I thought he was going to cry when I left this morning. When we all got back from skiing he came with us to Cafe Rio. Then Jake and Ellisha came over for FHE and a movie and cookies. They are leaving for law school in Seattle this week! Sad.


I was the giant of the group today.

This is what Brandon did all weekend. I kid not. All weekend. All work and no play makes Brandon a dull boy. Also crazy, as evidenced by his crazy scientist hair. But really though, I am so grateful for the hard work he is doing for our family. He is making some big sacrifices.




Also, I got fried today. Kinda funny because it was stormy and snowy all day at Snowbird. But I am still a tomato.

I love Sundance!!

Sunday Almost Adventures

It began long ago in 2007 with "Thursday Night Adventures." Then they became "Adventure Thursdays." (Brandon thought that sounded better) Later in 2009, they changed to "Adventure Thursdays on Wednesdays." And now, we are proud to present "Sunday Almost Adventures." During Brandon's DAT study days, he doesn't have much time to do anything but...well study. But Sunday is a day of rest. So every week after dinner, we try and do a little something together-an Almost Adventure. Usually it is a little walk somewhere other than around our block. Tonight we went to Jake and Ellisha's family cabin at Sundance to celebrate Jake's birthday. (We took a little walk on the trails around the cabin.) We made pasta and had strawberry cake. They are leaving for Seattle in a couple of weeks and we will miss them!

Last week's Almost Adventure


This week-cookin' pasta


Love this picture from our walk today: