Brag Time

This last weekend I had the awesome opportunity to hike the Grand Canyon with some of my in-laws, my father in law, Delwyn; my mother in law, Flo (she didn't hike, she was our driver); my sisters in law Monika & Alisa; and brother in law Jason (Alisa's husband). (There were also about 30 people there from my in laws stake in Glendale and some from Peoria.) It was such a great experience and I still can't believe I did it. We left early on Saturday morning and hiked from the South Kaibab trail head to the North Kaibab trail head, twenty one miles! It took me 10 hours and 10 minutes! It was definitely hard, but I felt so excited when I finished. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face! From the North Rim trail head my mother in law took me back to the lodge were we stayed. When I got to our room, I couldn't find my overnight bag anywhere! So I hung out for about an hour in my nasty sweaty clothes until we could locate my bag! And of course, by the time it was my turn to shower, the water was COLD! We stayed on the North Rim Saturday & Sunday nights. The lodge sits right on the edge of the canyon! There were so many gorgeous views, I took lots of pictures, but just added a few. They had a really nice restaurant, quite pricey, but when your hungry...who cares, right?! On Sunday we were able to have Sacrament meeting then we just relaxed and walked to some of the scenic lookouts. Monday morning we hiked back from North to South (I was one of the few women to hike back!) When we got out of the van at the North Rim trail head (at 6 AM) the temperature gauge read 28 degrees! Coming back it took me 9 hours and 40 minutes and was actually easier for me than hiking the other way. Anyways, I have an awesome sense of accomplishment. I trained for quite a while but still didn't think I would do as well as I did! Now I'm proud to say that I'm one of the few that has hiked the Grand Canyon "Rim to Rim to Rim"!

Delwyn, Me, Monika, Alisa & Jason @ S. Kaibab Trailhead Saturday morning

The lodge where we stayed is right on the edge of the canyon.

Monika, Me & Alisa at a North Rim lookout.

A couple of good pictures of the trail. On the left is the north side, the right is the south side.

I did it!! Me on Monday afternoon, back where I started at the South Kaibab Trail head, 42 miles in total.

Map of the trail we took.

Six Years

Chad & I celebrated our sixth anniversary on Saturday. We went out to dinner to one of our favorite places, Julio's Too. The original is Julio G's in Scottsdale, but Juilo's Too is closer (Val Vista & Baseline) and almost as good. Sometimes it's almost like I can't remember what it was like not being married to Chad, and other times, like when I look at these pictures, it's seems like just yesterday. Crazy how time just gets away from me...

Celebrity Look A Likes

Is this a joke?!

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

Who Looks Like Who?

I don't know how they come up with this stuff, but it's pretty fun anyway.

Four Things

I have officially been tagged by my sister-in-law Heidi.
Job's I've had:
1. File Clerk for City of Mesa, summer work program
2. Office assistant for Farmer's Insurance Agent
3. Office assistant at Haw's Flowers
4. Receptionist/Account Analyst for SSSC (Student Loan Company)
Getaways:
1. Back to Kauai with Chad (Anywhere alone with Chad)
2. NYC
3. Washington D.C.
4. Europe
Movies I put on repeat:
1. High School Musical 1 & 2
2. How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days
3. The Sound of Music
4. Cinderella
Guilty Pleasures:
1. Reading, especially when the house is a mess.
2. Word puzzles/games
3. Facials
4. Pedicures
Places I've lived:
1. Glendale, AZ
2. Tucson, AZ
3. Mesa, AZ
4. That's it, not real exciting.
Places I've Vacationed:
1. Kauai, Hawaii
2. Bear Lake, Utah
3. Big Lake, White Mountains, AZ
4. Disneyland, California
Favorite Foods:
1. Molten Chocolate Cake from Chili's
2. Pizza Cookie from Oregano's
3. Mexican Food, Julio G's
4. My mother-in-laws cinnamon rolls
First Kiss Location:
1. On the couch at my parent's house. Of course, I had to kiss him.

Now I tag Ann, Michelle, Kim, Mikelle, Jamie & Jenni.

California

This last week we went to California. We have some friends over there in Corona that set up several jobs for Chad. He worked almost the whole time, but the kids & I had fun! On Thursday Vicki & I took the kids to Newport Beach. Parker didn't like the sand or the water. If I put him on the blanket he did okay. (He held his leg up, so it wouldn't touch the sand. What a goof.)

Janey enjoyed playing in the sand and a little bit of water. But Russell, he was so brave. He took a kick board out there and was having a good ol' time in the waves. I was trying really hard not to be an overprotective mom and let him just try things out, but it was scary for me letting him go so far out there. He had such a great time! He loves the ocean.


We stayed with Blaine & Vicki until Saturday. Thanks you guys for opening your home to us. You always make us feel at home! Then Saturday afternoon we went to Bakersfield to see Chad's sister Heidi and her family. They have a new baby, Preston, and he is so sweet! Janey, adored him.

We went to the park and played while Chad cleaned their carpet. There's a pretty bad fire down in the Santa Barbara area and all the smoke made the sky so orange. That's why the park pictures have a weird tint.

Sunday, was the long trip home, 8 hours. The kids really did pretty well, considering none of them would sleep...Ugh! I don't know what it is with them, not even Parker will sleep. Thank goodness for portable DVD players.

Eclipse

Okay so the newest book in the Twilight series came out today and I'm so excited to read it. I went down and got my copy today and am wishing my kids were back in school so I could just sit and read! No such luck...not yet at least, just 5 more days!! I am so hooked on these books, so if you haven't read them they are 1. Twilight 2. New Moon 3. Eclipse written by Stephenie Meyer. For more info go to http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/.

Crazy Summer

This summer has been my fullest in a long time. The kids and I went to Bear Lake in Utah to the Belnap family reunion July 3rd-8th. It was quite an adventure! We went with 2 of Chad's sisters, Angela & Alisa and Alisa's 3 kids. It was a lot of work, but well worth it.

The following weekend I flew back to Utah for a Lia Sophia Conference alone! I stayed with my cousin Kara and had a great time taking advantage of some "me" time. Kara & I got pedicures and she took me shopping at a great place called Rod Works. Check out their website http://www.rodworks.com/

This last weekend we went camping up by Big Lake in the White Mountains. The weather was gorgeous. It rained every day. Here is a picture of Janey and her cousin Kinley. Then a picture of Kinley and Grandma Robyn. Kinley was giving me the "crazy eye" when I took this picture. I think it is so funny. Click on the picture to enlarge it...then you'll see what I mean.

Here is a picture of Russell. He went fishing and caught a crawdad. No fish...bummer. All of the kids had a great time playing with cousins they only see once a year. Every year when we get home Russell wants to know how many days until we get to go back. Then the disbelief on his face when I say "about 360 days". That feels like forever when your 7.

Trying It Out

Well, I've finally given in...I sit here and read everyone else's blogs out there, I guess it's about time I started my own. Recently Chad & I hiked Havasupai with a bunch of friends. We had a GREAT time. Here are some pics from the trip.