October 1, 2025

Annual friend fall south getaway time! Driving down to Zion we saw beautiful fall in the Tushar mountains. Then a little Zion tourist playing riding the shuttle and seeing Weeping Rock and Emerald Pools. A delicious burger and sweet potato fries at Oscar’s in Springdale. Stopped by the grocery store to find the best pajama pants that Wendy convinced us all to get. They’re fabulous. 

September 28, 2025

President Nelson passed away last night. Oh how I loved this prophet. His constant reminder to be peacemakers and that Jesus is the answer is so needed in the world. I will miss his smile and encouragement. What a prophet. 

And what a horrible day. 

September 27, 2025

Today was a Plan C day. Plan A - reflection canyon had bad weather. Plan B - Tetons had no where decent to stay. Plan C was to use Darren’s parking pass and hike up the canyon while still being able to attend the kids’ Sonic party. We went to Emerald Lake. The lake was a bit underwhelming to me and I’m not sure why I’ve wanted to come back here for a few years. We saw a few goats from far away but the color on this hike made up for things. It was so pretty today. Yellows and some reds - fall beauty all around!

Sadie and Cam went all out for their Sonic party. It was awesome. We came home to all sorts of Sonic decorations (balloons, plushies, table cloth, plates and napkins, figurines, etc) and the kids laughing and excitedly playing the new Sonic Switch game. Good times. Sadie, Camrie, Rylie, Cole, Mason, and Rachael. 

September 26, 2025

The smell of pine on my hike smelled like summer and it made me a bit sad that summer backpacking is over. But the mountains were full of fall up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Such a lovely hike to Dog Lake. 

September 21, 2025

The great feelings from yesterday are still with me. What a gift of a day. Peace and love and God is good. 

September 20, 2025

Oh dad. I miss you like crazy. You’ve been especially close to my heart this whole week. Then this morning I woke up and just felt so thankful you’re my dad. 

Hiked wheeler and thought about all the good times. Met someone who when I mentioned being from Richfield she said she goes up Salina canyon to her parents cabin in accord lakes. What?!? Nobody knows Accord Lakes. A tender mercy to think of you and the cabin. I mean how many people even know about that place and I end up hiking for a minute with her in the middle of nowhere Nevada. 

Great Basin was bathed in fall beauty today. The aspens were peak and our hard hike was beautiful. We hiked through a cloud and it felt a little close to heaven. 

September 19, 2025

I rarely want to keep sleeping after my alarm, but today I did. But I got up anyway and took Baylie for a walk and was rewarded with a beautiful pink morning sky.