Our Fourth

For the Fourth and the days surrounding it we packed up our car and headed out for lots of adventuring outside.  First stop was the Webbs cabin up past Oakley.  We relaxed and enjoyed the cool {er} mountain air and spending time with family.  Asher was in pure heaven as usual riding the fourwheelers.

Next stop was the Oakley rodeo.  It was such a great show this year and Asher loved it.  I would have to say the bull riding is always the best part of the show but Asher was mesmerized by the whole thing, and couldn't stop talking about horses, baby cows and baby pigs {although there were no pigs...I don't know where that one came from}.  They had a fun firework show afterwards which was the perfect way to end the 4th.  

This picture seriously melts me.  My two boys watching the rodeo.  Asher's perfect face and the sun going down.

The next day we spent boating at Jordanelle.  It was another gorgeous day and all I can think of is that this has been an amazing summer and I never want it to end.

We ended the day at the Mandarin with my parents where we enjoyed some delicious food while Asher was with a babysitter.

Saturday we did more adventuring and enjoying being outside...more to come.

Joe is Home!

My little brother got back from his mission last week and it has been so much fun.  In some ways I can't believe it has already been two years, but at the same time, when I think about the fact that he had never met Asher before it made me realize he has been gone a really long time.  It was so good to see him again.  I can't believe how much he seems to have grown up while still definitely being my cute little brother.  We love you Joe!

We went boating a few days after he got home and had a really fun time despite it being a little chilly.  Asher was a little nervous of Joe, but Joe was so sweet and Asher finally warmed up a bit when he took him down to the water to play.  Cutest picture ever.

~Love these summer nights ~

Beautiful Bells Canyon

I've been wanting to get up to Bells Canyon for years now and I finally hiked it with Kate and Rilee a few weeks ago.  It was absolutely gorgeous up there.  We didn't have a ton of time, and we only hiked to the first reservoir, so now I will have to still go back to see the waterfall and second reservoir.  What an incredibly beautiful place so close to home.

How dang cute is baby Charlie?

Asher loved throwing rocks in the water, riding in the back pack, and seeing all of the baby ducklings up there.  We definitely had a fun morning.

Phrases

22 1/2 months

asher has so much to say these days and is pretty much constantly mimicking what we are saying and talking up a storm.  it is so convenient for him to be able to communicate so well and most of the time I can understand what he is saying.  he is pretty much obsessed with colors and points out all colors he knows --

red, green, blue, yellow, orange, purple, pink white, black.  a "white truck" "yellow tractor" "blue shirt" and on and on.  

Other phrases he is pretty much constantly saying are:

-uh oh mama

-bless you mommy.  or asher.  or whoever sneezed

-i shoot the ball

-i made that

-papa's boat

-i read a book

-thank you

-bye bye daddy.  or bye bye moon.  or bye bye car

-asher's house

-asher's car

-what's this

-asher nakey

-i up too

-i sit down

-another blankey. two blankies

-asher poopey

 -it breaked

tonight we went for a little walk.  when we got home asher said to me - thank you mama ride in stroller.  

it is so much fun hearing him have so much to say and i wish i could always remember the cute little way he says everything.

Mommy & Me

I think this year I'm just pretty much going to let the pictures speak for themselves.  I am blessed beyond words to be the mama to this little guy and so grateful that Marcus and I, with our little Asher, are a forever family.  My thoughts are feeling too jumbled and blocked right now...too many of my close friends are struggling with infertility, pregnancy loss, and heartache right now.  All I can say is that I know it is truly a miracle to have Asher in my life and one that I will never ever take for granted.  I love you baby bear.

Thanks to my friend Christine for capturing these sweet little moments.  

Escalante

This year we had our biggest group yet head down to Coyote Gulch in Escalante.  The ten of us left early Wednesday morning and started on our hike later that afternoon.  We had an amazing time with everyone and had absolutely perfect weather.  It was windy and cloudy at the trailhead but the rest of the time we had sunshine and blue skies.  

At the Trailhead:

{Jake & Kate} {Rilee & Tommy} {Dan & Shalane} {Sam & Marie-Reine} {Me & Marcus}

First you hike through thick sand and then over red rock.  It looks pretty barren and you can't really imagine where you are going.  After a few miles you get to a cliff, and are overlooking the most beautiful view.  You can see red sand, rock, a river, and an arch.  We lower our packs with a rope and then hike through a crack in the wall to get down.  From there we hike down a sand hill which is steep and quick, which means it is pretty brutal on the way back up.

The kitchen set up:  It is pretty awesome but the boys do 99% of the planning and cooking of the food. This year we tried a few new things.  Tommy made some delicious quinoa with lentils and Marcus impressed us all with an amazing homemade pizza.  

We camp in the best overhang.  We sleep out on the sand (although a few couples brought tents this year) and have lots of room to hang out, play card games, and of course cook.  

We hiked all day long on Thursday and loved hiking through the river, up and around several waterfalls, and finally came to the Coyote Gulch Natural Bridge.  Sam and Marie-Reine turned around before we got here so it was the eight of us at this point.

We kept hiking up and reached Jacob Hamblin Arch.  It is huge and so pretty.  There was just no way to capture the size and beauty of this arch with my camera.

Friday we headed down to the Escalante River.  There is one scary-ish part to cross here but it is my absolute favorite part.  It is gorgeous.  You are crossing the red rocks and below you is a deep green river, pooling up in deeper areas and surrounded by lots of red boulders.  

Stevens Arch:

The Pughs and Browers headed home a day early and left just after we finished swimming in the Escalante.  The rest of us continued exploring the river and finding more places to swim for the day.

Saturday morning the rest of us packed up and hiked out.  That sand hill is a killer and it was hot but it was also gorgeous and somewhat exhilarating hiking out of that place.

{This picture is kind of crazy of me and Marcus...I was a little freaked out that Marcus was going to trip and fall off the cliff (that wasn't all that close to us) as he ran back for the picture before the timer went off.  I was trying to get all ready to catch him.}

This year was such a fun trip - thanks to everyone who came and made it so fun!  I really do love the feel of roughing it, getting all sweaty and smelly and not having showers, having very few clean clothes, and carrying everything we need on our backs.  It makes me feel strong and grateful for my life, body and where I live.  I feel so lucky to have a good group of friends who love it as much as we do.  We had such a good time messing around with everyone and just enjoying being out exploring nature.  

Read about last year's trip here, and three year's ago here. I can't believe this was my fifth trip down there, and even more for Marcus.  We love it here and I'm sure this won't be our last.