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. 

September 18, 2025

Baylie’s excited bounding when she gets to the park and wants you to throw the frisbee is contagious. Then she catches it and crawls on her belly. 

Had a quick afternoon hike up AF Canyon and found a little fall. I already miss summer. 

September 14, 2025

Time passes. Circumstances change. Conditions vary. Unaltered is the divine command to succor the weak and lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. - Thomas S Monson - October 1971 GC. With Hand and Heart

September 11, 2025

Cam and I have been getting ice cream and watching movies for evening entertainment and I quite enjoy it. Today’s movie pick was Kung Fu Panda. We have also watched Cars, Monster’s Inc, Monster’s University, and Toy Story. Fun, I know.

September 6, 2025

Lovely quick morning hike. Looking into the amphitheater in the morning is magical. This gift of creation from God brings me gratitude every time. I also think of my parents whenever I am here. We had a great picnic here with them a few Octobers ago. I should have taken them here more often and been more flexible with things instead of being so strict in what I wanted to do. I sure miss them.

The real reason I came to Bryce Canyon country was to see my family. My first car show since Don and Cheryl had their car and trailer in the show. We enjoyed the day with all of us except Cris. Lots of playground hanging watching those cute kids of Lizzi and Kim and chatting with those two. We ended the afternoon eating at Cowboy Smokehouse. Will definitely be bringing Darren here next time we’re looking for food in Panguitch. Get the peach cobbler with ice cream. Delicious. 

September 5, 2025

Doing a little solo Bryce Canyon. I love Bryce Canyon, especially the Peekaboo Loop Trail. You’ve got the tall skinny green trees, you’ve got the Ponderosa Pines with the bushy pine needles and delicious butterscotch smell, you’ve got Manzanita bushes, you’ve got orange and kind of red and cream colored hoodoos and rocks, plus you have tunnels to walk-through.  Just ignore the occasional smell of horse poop. 

Dinner was a Crustable from my backpack and an ice cream come from Old Bryce Town. It was very enjoyable.  

September 3, 2025

I tested at Sego Lily today. Nostalgic to be in that school. Got to chat with two teachers who were so positive for my kids - Mrs Narvaez and Miss Pence for a minute. 

September 1, 2025

This weekend made me so happy and filled my soul. I absolutely loved camping in Arches with my fam and good friends. 

Somehow we managed to not get a picture of all of us at the same time.

The desert sunsets and sunrises were awesome.