Wet and Wild....

Back around the 9th of July,
my cousins-Matt & Sara Staker, 

put together an awesome family swim party.

G & G Southwick were so

kind to take our 3 boys for the night 

while Matt and I went out to dinner to

celebrate our Wedding Anniversary.

As much as I really wanted to pass on

dinner and be at the swim party;

Matt & I needed some time alone.

We NEVER really see each other and

these days I feel like we barely know 

each other!

His new job is paying off, literally.

But the new hours that come with it

are taking a toll on everyone.

Thankfully this new schedule is temporary

and will get better over time.

For those who do not know what Matt is

now doing for work these days:
He is still driving with

FedEx Frieght but is no longer driving
in town doing  pick & delivery.
At the end of June he began driving
line-haul for FedEx Frieght.
You can now find him on the road
pulling 2-3 trailers usually heading North.
Seems that most runs he is driving to
Montana, Wyoming, Idaho or Denver.
99% of the time he drives through the night!

Okay, back to the swim party!
So, this pool  you are about to see
is actually in Matt & Sara's
neighbors backyard!
Can you even imagine?!?
WOW!!!!

A pool like this is what you find at a resort,
not in a backyard in Provo, Utah!

The boys and G& G had so much
fun swimming, sliding and jumping in the pool.
This summer our boys have turned
into little fish. They love going to the pool.

Landen loved aunt Peggy's homemade ice cream. When Matt & I arrived to pick up the boys, Landen was so excited to tell me, "the pool even has an ice cream stand and the ice cream is free!"  There really was no ice cream stand. Peggy had brought an ice cream maker and made her famous home made ice cream. But there was a HUGE outdoor kitchen that I believe he thought was "the ice cream stand." I love the inter workings of this little boy's mind! :)

Crew loves to play this game. He always starts against a wall or door. Then you say- ready, set, GO! and he takes off running to you then jumps into your arms for a big hug! We then repeat this over and over until he decides he is done. :)

Angels Landing...

Looking up at Angels Landing from the start of the West Rim Trail
near the Grotto Trailhead. 

          Angels Landing received its name in 1916 when a group passing through the canyon 

                           commented that only an angel could land on top of it.

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, Dan & I set out for 

Zion National Park.

Our destination of choice was the summit of Angels Landing.

Here one can find great peace & solitude form the world around them.

Peace & solitude is exactly what I was in serious need of!

I must first Thank my Mom for making this hike possible.

She stayed home with my three rug-rats so I could go.

I love you Mom and appreciate you and Dan so very much!

In Refrigerator Canyon; quick stop for a photo!

Behind me is the narrow spine of the mountain. Amazing to look back and see that I  just climbed across all that!

One wrong step and I would be cooling off in the river down below! :)

Looking down at Big Bend far below.

I am in LoVe with this picture of Dan & I.  Happy the guy passing by offered to take it!

Chains help ease the fears of intrepid hikers.

Dan never uses the chains and 

also makes a point of not using his hands,

whenever possible!

(I think Dan is part Mountain Goat)

I decided I would do the same. 

Not using the chains is easy. 

No hands got a little tricky at times

but doing this made the hike

much more fun and challenging to me.

I know many have a fear of heights,

and chose not to take this hike.

I on the other hand find it to be

very enjoyable.

It is strenuous at times but

overall I would say it's easy.

   I made it!  Final viewpoint of Angels Landing; Great White Throne at my back.  If you click on the pic you can see me. I really am in there! LOL

I made it to the summit!

Peak Elevation: 5,384 feet

Eventually you must come down.   :(

So hard to leave a place as breathtaking as Angels Landing. 

But....I was really missing my boys and I knew

my Mom would be ready for a break.

The wall you would be looking up at from Big Bend.  Angels landing at the top.

Beautiful view of Big Bend and the Organ with Echo Canyon weaving up in the distance.

The hike down is equally just as fun. 

Dan makes this whole experience amazing.

His knowledge of Zion is remarkable.  

Thanks Dan for taking the time to hike Angels with me.

I know it was a sacrifice! :)