Hidden Falls

A quarter mile still counts as a hike, right? 

I like to think that Owen loved it.

 Check out this link if you want to have the same mini-adventure: 

http://www.yourhikeguide.com/hidden-falls/

Up

Gavin had never seen the movie Up. Go big or go home. The Up house replica is all but 2 miles away from us so we drove by to get a visual. Then Gavin put his creative abilities to the test so that we could watch the movie in theater style after Little O went to sleep.

 13222 Herriman Rose Boulevard

 Gavin borrowed the projector from his mom, and set up this contraption...

He nailed a couple holes in our bed sheet but I think it was worth it. He keeps saying how excited he is to watch March Madness on this!

Provo River

It's ironic that this was Gavin's first time floating down a river considering how many hours we have spent in a raft. The river is pretty mellow so I decided it's something I CAN do while pregnant. We went with Maddy and Aaron and Shaylee and Brady. At one point Shay and Brady got high centered over an obstacle in the river. Shortly after, they got caught in a fisherman's line. I'm glad they came! 

If you want to do this activity sans tour guide or rental gear, you need life jackets, a floating device (aka tubes, raft, air mattress), and two cars. Park one car at Vivian Park (where you'll end the river run) and another car about 3.5 past Vivian park at the parking area off to the right of the road, where you will start the river trip. The float takes about an hour and a half to complete.

Anniversary!

This past Saturday Gavin and I celebrated our mark of being married two years. Seriously I am so grateful for this kid. Enjoy some wedding pictures with me...

To celebrate we watched our wedding video and went on some old fashioned dates: mini golf, pizza, and tubes down a river, complete with love notes and flowers. 

I don't know what else to say without turning this into a bunch of mush but the fact that Gavin married me is a slice of evidence that God loves and cares for me. 

Happy anniversary Gav! Love you!

Date Night

Total Cost: $11. It would have been $15 had we not brought our own rackets. The JL Sorensen rec center has some fun courts and you just pay for a day pass to use them. Gavin beat me every time of course. 

"Racquetball is the only sport where you can be staring at the ball and simultaneously it will hit you in the back of the head going 70 mph!"

I've Been Waiting for YEARS!

It finally happened- twice! Gavin let me teach him how to snowboard! He's picking it up quick and doesn't experience the same love I have for it, but we have tried out Brighton and Sundance. Hopefully we'll go again soon!

P.S. Wednesdays you can get buy one get one free Brighton night passes if you buy a combo meal from Arctic Circle!

NYE

Our holidays this year have been a lot of fun but very busy. I'm glad Gav & I took some time on New Years Eve to go on our own date before joining friends and family. After a quick trip to Red Robin, we bundled up and rented skates.

At about 10800 S and Redwood Road in South Jordan, UT, you will find a complex that holds the Pie Pizzeria. Behind "The Pie" you can rent ice skates for $2 and skate around the little outdoor rink right there. It's cute. Try it out sometime.

After being with all my cousins for while, we hung out with Gavin's family. 

Everyone played with $3 and 3 dice. Roll a 1, pass a dollar to the right; roll a 2, a dollar goes in the pot; roll a 3 and pass a dollar to the left; 4,5,6, you are safe. If you have the last dollar and roll a safe number, you win.

We won.

Starting to Fall

Every year it's like a break-up. Summer ends and fall comes. This year though, I've accepted it early; I am summered out this time around (which I never thought I'd say) and am moving on. Here's our seasonal bucket list:

Pumpkin flavored everything, Half marathon, football games, pick-your-own orchard, glittery holiday crafts, look at the stars, build a fire, go on a hike in a colored canyon, spicy candles, jump in a leaf pile, buy something plaid, visit some hot springs, corn maze or haunted house, carve a pumpkin, make a trip to Wendover, see Luke Bryan in concert, and have fun with our coming soon nephew!
We are always open to new ideas so feel free to share! and everyone's invited.

P.S. enjoy this inspiration picture with me

Weekend Thoughts & Activities

All the wedding details I've been sharing were so fun and exciting. Planning the reception was great and everything turned out perfect. But let's be honest- the reason for it all was much more significant than any of the decorations. The most important part of the wedding was that Gav & I were sealed together under God, and yes, that is reason to celebrate. 

We were able to re-celebrate all of it in Park City this last weekend. The 16th was our actual anniversary. We both worked and I was a little stressed getting our feet out the door but we were able to make it to the Deer Valley Chateaux (thanks Groupon!) in time to enjoy Historic Park City, pizza, and the hot tub. We also ate our anniversary cake that had been in my mom's freezer for the past year. Yummy!

Saturday we waited in line for the Alpine Coaster but by the time we made it to the top of the line there was lightning so we had to come back and do the coaster Sunday. Fun nonetheless. We headed to the outlets instead where I bought a J Crew Sweater that I can't wait to wear and a little Nike tank.

Along with our Groupon we got a 3 course dinner at the hotel. It was rich people food. We had never eaten a meal worth so much money and we weren't quite sure what to do with it. That was an adventure in and of itself. We later spent more time in the Hot Tub where strangers tend to open up and we watched How to Lose a Guy in 10 days and our first episode of Catfish. That show scared me.
Anyways, being with Gav on our anniversary made me think about all the reasons I love him. A lot of them are the same reasons I loved him when we were married: he's funny, he's sweet, strong spiritually. But a few of the reasons are already different. The biggest thing I have been thinking about is just how supportive he is. Whether it's me being on a crazy pill (birth control SUCKS) or wanting to do a pinterest project or go on an 18 mile hike, he is happy and fun and patient enough to help me out with it all, despite his busy schedule. I really don't understand how I lucked out getting him! Love you Gav! 

Shoot the Tube!

We've checked another thing off the summer bucket list and have officially shot the tube! The video below was not made by us, but by one of my heroes whom we are just as cool as because we did the same thing... right?

The group:

WHAT IT IS: A large drainage pipe carries a creek out of Parley's canyon. Bring pool toys and flotation devices to the top of the tube. Kind, creative people, have nailed road signs and logs to the top of the tube so that you can dam it up. Let the water build, make some friends to release the water, and enjoy the 200 yard homemade waterslide!

Top of Timpanogos

It's an 18 mile trek from the Timpanooke campground (American Fork Canyon) to the top of the mountain and back.  We took the challenge either in honor of Pioneer Day or because we all had the day off. We started at midnight so that we could get to the top by sunrise. The top was FREEZING and beautiful. My favorite part of the hike is the meadow full of wildflowers of all colors. I loved it! And we saw a porcupine!

Getting there: Drive up American Fork Canyon and stay on UT-92E (Alpine Loop Road) until you come to Timpooneke Rd. Turn right on this road and find a place to park. The trailhead is clearly marked. This hike took up about 9 hours but that's because I was trying to keep up with my long-legged brother; it usually takes 10-12. The top of the mountain is usually really cold, so pack appropriately. 

The hike is fairly easy if you are from Utah and used to the altitude. The last mile up is all switchbacks and that can be extremely difficult, but that's only a small portion of the hike. Also, trust me on this: it is much easier to get down the mountain the same way you came up, opposed to trying to slide down the glacier. 

Alpine Rock Slide

This place is on every summer bucket list I've ever made. I love the backyard feel to this hike not to mention it is beautiful and fun... especially when you slide down the waterfall!

Only visit this place in July or August. The water is freezing. Before July the water is too high and after August it may not be warm enough outside to make up for the cold water.

Directions:
Take the Alpine/Highland Exit 284 off of I-15 and head East for a while. Turn left (north) on Alpine Highway. If you are coming from the south, take an American Fork exit and head north on 100 East, this road turns into Alpine Highway. Turn left (west) on Fort Canyon Road. This road eventually turns into one-lane. Find somewhere to park by the No Trespassing sign. Apparently it isn't trespassing. The path forks a few times, but whenever it does, choose the way that leads you UP the mountain. Walk until the road ends then go left and the water fall should be about 30 yards up. If you don't go left, you will cross a stream and come to the popular bike jump.

Mona Rope Swings

This is where I almost lost my left arm. The swing would not have been worth that actually happening but it was worth the bruise, burn, gash, and scar I got to show off for a while! 
I would go again.

When travelling on I-15 south from Salt Lake, take exit 233 (Mona) west. Turn left at the first stop sign. You will turn right when the houses end, which is about as clear of directions as I can give considering there is not a street sign. Follow the unpaved road until you get to the north side of the Burraston ponds. There are a few rope swings around the pond. Be careful not to get the rope wrapped around a body part when you jump. Enjoy!

Donut Falls

I have loved this hike for years now... short and sweet! Try it sometime!

http://www.utah.com/hike/donut-falls-trail

The Great Salt Lake

Sometimes I feel like my life is average and boring. This feeling is easily curable by trying something new and/or playing outside. Paddle boarding hit both of these cures! I didn't actually think I would find a place to go in Landlock, UT but it turns out there are plenty of places to try this!

http://www.gonzofun.com/site_directory/gonzo_rentals_tours.html

We called the marina at Antelope Island and they got our message down to the Salt Lake Marina that we wanted to rent two paddle boards so they reserved them for us. The people were so chill and easy to work with. We got to the marina and it took us a minute to figure out who to talk to- they rent their stuff out of a camping trailer in the parking lot right next to the bay.
Gav and I have grown up in the Salt Lake valley, but like most who live around here, have not ever been in the Salt Lake... because it is disgusting and full of brine shrimp. But there is a first time for everything and I would definitely do it a second!

Admission

After my rec basketball team got smoked by some ex college players, Gav and I got some frozen yogurt at Menchies and went to the 10:00 showing of the above at the Dollar Theater. my choice. I think we came home clean but I don't know how the movie ended because the sound went out with a crucial 10 minutes left. This was probably one of the dumbest shows I've ever seen, which really makes it one of the best shows I have ever seen. 

Gotta love Tuesday night dates!

The Jasmine

We don't do sushi. Either we aren't trendy enough or rich enough and I can't fit a whole bite in my mouth. Or maybe it's just the fact that sushi is decorated raw fish. The shrimp something was good though and it is always fun to catch up with my high school girl friends to celebrate a birthday.

 

The Jasmine- A great place to eat, socialize, and see a bathroom stall with two toilets.

Snow Fun!

Yesterday while it was snowing, I hopped on Google to do some research. This is what I found:

http://www.parkgrades.com/blog/8-sledding-hills-parks-salt-lake-city-metro-area

So today, after a wonderful chocolate chip pancake breakfast made by the husband, we decided to try these places out. 

In case you're wondering...

Sugarhouse: Mid-afternoon there was still tons of snow. Lots of people were there but there was still room for everyone. Worth going!
Creekside: There was a mosquito bite in the middle of a field... we didn't even get out of our car.
Flat Iron Mesa: By the time we got here, there was no snow left. It looked like a big steep hill though and we agreed to give this place a try early next time it snows. It looked fun.
Eastridge: The hill here was pretty small but this is where we had the most fun because people had built little jumps that were easy to hit. The hill was small enough that it was an easy walk up but big enough to be a ride.

In all, we are still on a quest to find the best sledding hills near the Salt Lake Valley.

Any suggestions?

2nd Annual

#drinks #mormonpartyanimals #christmas # treats #friends #games #goodtimes