July 30, 2018

Got to read Mason's email right before heading to camp.  I love hearing from that boy.  And he misses his music.  "The highlight of my week was definitely on Saturday.  So in Memphis there's the Fed Ex Forum which is the stadium for the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA team) and every year, there's a giant service project that they hold there.  The service was where they had a bunch of tables and we packed meals for elderly people who are in poverty.  It was really good and we were able to pack 500,000 meals on Saturday.  The reason it was the highlight for me was 1.  Because I love service, 2. There were like 20 other missionaries there so I got to see Elder Andersen and Elder Seastrand, and 3.  Because they played music so it was a tender mercy to be able to hear actual music ha ha.  But it was good to see all the missionaries and I had a good time serving!"

(Elder Andersen with Elder Draper)

July 27, 2018

What a wonderful summer evening.  I seem to put pressure on myself to do stuff in the summer but tonight reminded me how nice it is to just relax and enjoy.  Ry, Sadie and I took Baylie to the park.  We threw the frisbee (which she actually caught once) and then I sat and watched the two girls swing and play the shoe game.  Sigh.

Also - when a Paula Abdul song comes on and it takes you back to the early 90s and you can sing every word.  "Do-do-you love me..."

July 26, 2018

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I love summer nights.  I love when it's dark and it's still warm.  I also love summer mornings - the skies and the light and the not cold. 

Also, my girls are so awesome.  They took turns driving with me to get my parents so I would have company. 

July 25, 2018

Happy my dad's birthday.  The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.  :)

It was a good temple day.  Cam and Grace came to do baptisms with Garrett and Parker.  It was awesome to see them there.

July 24, 2018

I really want to like camping.  And I want to be good at it.  But I don't really and I'm not.  But I do love the fresh air.  Also the slowed pace.  Also the campfire conversations.  So maybe I do like camping.  But it is not as glamorous as social media makes it look. 

We camped a night at Timpooneke.  5:30 wake up call from Baylie made for some not happy campers. 

July 20, 2018

2 good hikes today.  Morning hike with some ladies to Cecret Lake where we saw three moose and lots of flowers.  Then an evening hike with D, Sadie, and Baylie.  Baylie is a good dog when hiking.  Not hiking, not good.  Hiking - good.

July 19, 2018

Fabulous evening up with Clayton and Sandee at Redman Campground.  We joined them for dinner and it was so nice to be in the mountains.  Kenz and Tanner joined us.  Cool hawks screeching and diving to keep us away from their nest.  Add some hot dogs and fruit and mallows and an amazing sunset and it adds up to the fabulous evening.

July 18, 2018

It's wildflower season.  Wahoo!  Kenz and I went on a hike to Catherine Pass up LCC.  So pretty.  I love hiking with Kenz.

July 17, 2018

I wish every morning could be a summer morning.  The skies and the coolness - it's amazing around 6:30am.

July 16, 2018

Great email day!

July 15, 2018

Happy Mason's birthday!  19!  A member shared a great birthday pic of him tonight complete with streamers and cupcakes and birthday candles.  Warmed my heart.

July 14, 2018

I'm thankful for:
summer rain - wildflowers - sidewalk chalk - friendship bracelets - warm summer nights - birthdays - postcard pictures - the song "Tiny Dancer" (sung by Elton John or Tim McGraw) - missionaries

July 11, 2018

Wake up time that started with a 4 was worth it for our Lake Mary hike.  Beautiful yellow flowers, pretty lake, and 3 moose, two marmots, and a marten (I think - maybe a weasel) that grabbed his breakfast right in from of us and ran off to eat it.

July 7, 2018

Death Canyon was an awesome birthday hike!  What a workout hiking 10 miles but so worth it - mostly for the last mile and a half up the canyon.  The river was amazing!  It was raging and had rocks and pines by it.  So pretty!  And then the view from the top was so cool!  Lunch by the lazy river was a top lunch spot.  Also on this hike I saw my three favorite animals - pikas, lot of marmots, and a moose.  The marmot sunning on the rock at the top of our hike just sealed the birthday hike.

JACZ Drive Inn in Etna, WY was an awesome bday dinner with a yummy burger and fries.

Such a great time in the Tetons.  And the cabin we stayed at was so cute.  Happy happy my birthday!  Bring on 45.

July 6, 2018

Today's hike included:

A boat ride across the lake to the trailhead.  Forest and birds singing.  Two moose and a marmot family.  Rocky peaks and dark green pine.  Awesome lunch spot with a glassy river. 

It was all so pretty!  And I was secretly hoping for moose but didn't want to be disappointed if I didn't see one so happy birthday weekend to me because we saw two moose today.

Also, we met a kid from Bountiful who is probably the rock skipping champion of the universe.

Birthday hike #2 was Cascade Canyon with a side trip to Hidden Falls.  Hidden Falls was awesome but way crowded and pictures don't do it justice.  There was so much water coming down.  

July 5, 2018

I'm in the Tetons for my birthday!  Awesome birthday hike #1 to Taggart and Bradley Lakes.  Bridge to cross a raging river, yellow flowers, mountain lakes, deer, looming majestic mountains, rain, I double love all those things and they were on this hike.  And then a million mosquitoes wished me a happy birthday - didn't ask for that present but you can't refuse a gift.  :)  I named a part of the hike mosquito alley because there were soooo many mosquitoes and when you would walk and swing your arms they would bounce off you.

Then it was McPhail's burgers in Jackson Hole for a perfect after hike dinner.  The burger was good and the fries delicious!  Plus the World Cup was on and country music was playing.  Yeeha!  It was a perfect 2 days before my birthday dinner and atmosphere.

Our little cabin is so cute and cozy.  Watching the sun set off the balcony was a great ending to a great day.

Also, I'm old because I enjoyed the drive to the Tetons and the drive over Teton Pass to our cabin. 

July 3, 2018

Watching fireworks after the baseball game with my family and thinking how blessed I am and how we're all together except Mason and suddenly they play the song, "Walking in Memphis" which is where Mason is right now.  Oh the love.