July 30, 2021

Random things:

“Our role as brothers and sisters in the gospel is to recognize that there is always someone who needs a friend. Gestures of friendship and belonging help more than we sometimes realize. You don’t have to be lonely to appreciate friendship.” - Dieter F Uchtdorf. (Social media post 7/21)

Dinner at Asian Star. Fantastic Chinese food shared with Cam and Darren. 

Been a rough month wondering where I fit and where my strengths are.  Is it really just dog walking and house cleaning?

Maybe life doesn't get any better than this, or any worse, and what we get is just what we're willing to find: small wonders, where they grow. -Barbara Kingsolver, Small Wonder

July 29, 2021

What a good wedding day for Mason and Rachael. The temple was fantastic. It was fun to see so many people at the reception - good friends and good neighbors. My parents made it to the temple. Mason is giddy in love and him and Rachael are cute together.

As I was thinking how not one person from my family showed up to the luncheon or reception, I had the thought that the Lord has sent me friends and neighbors who will show up.

Deb, Sariah and Lorien, Tara and Mary Ellen, Pettingills, Wilcox Fam, Tami and Kelly, Brother Wainwright, Brenda and Alyson, John hall from across the country and more. 

July 27, 2021

“Believing that God loves us and that we are His children is comforting and assuring.” - M Russell Ballard. GC 4/21

July 23, 2021

Trying hard to be content here and not jealous or frustrated that I’m not in the Tetons backpacking. It’s partly working. Helping is playing Dr Mario and getting Froyo with the kids. Don’t forget the one Dr Mario game vs Rylie where it was the closest win ever (and I came out on top).

July 20, 2021

Darren scored some permits for backpacking in the Tetons.  I joined him a few days early and then sent the group on their way on Tuesday. 

We stayed in a cute little place in Daniel.  Sunday we visited Upper Green Lakes. It had the most beautiful view of Square Top mountain. We relaxed at the beach part and soaked feet, chatted, and kept gazing at the view.

Monday we visited Grand Teton to pick up the permit and see some sites.  Darren's foot was bugging him so we drove most of the day, stopping at some lookouts.  We did find a parking spot at String Lake so I took a small hike. 

Wildlife for Teton area: Lots of pronghorn including a mama and babies. A marmot on the golf course. Elk posing for all the tourists. A fish that jumped fully vertical out of the water. An osprey gliding. Some common ravens. 

Tuesday I drove Darren to the trailhead to meet up with everyone.  I hiked a bit with them up Paintbrush Canyon.  I got to see a Teton moose!  My favorite.  After about 4 miles I turned around for the long drive back to Lehi.

“It smells good. - it smells like Wyoming.”

“They’re not savages.”

Also - the random restaurant in Daniel that was hooked on to the gas station was really yummy. 

July 18, 2021

Girls got home from New York late last night with a successful trip. Good food and cool sights. Kenz said it best - she got through a vacation with no tears but Cam didn’t get through it without puking. Poor girl. But she’s amazing and handled it like a champ.

Favorite:

Kenz - Brooklyn Bridge, top of the Rock, Rylie's cocoon, Julianas Pizza, Subway poo poo, Rylie's farts, ice cream, "you're metro!", Shake Shack after a long plane ride.

Ry - Cam's toes in my face every morning, letting loose and waiting for everyone to smell, the child running right into Kenz, "pugget about it", most embarrassing fart of my life on the plane, Los Tacos No 1, Kenzie's reaction to Times Square, Camrie's dark impulses, trying to get the best smells at the library, hotel breakfast.

Cam - Library architecture, top of the Rock, Julianas Pizza, strawberry ice cream, pigeons, Mr. Ohare dog, foaming pee, "It's a metaphor for life."

Sadie also got home from girls camp yesterday. They stayed up Spanish Fork Canyon in sister Gifford’s cabin. She said she had a great time and especially enjoyed playing on Electric Lake. 

 

July 17, 2021

That time you convince your two friends to drive to Bryce and camp a night and then drive home the long way, stopping to do all the things you’ve wanted to do along the scenic byway but haven’t. Also - one of those friends (Tami) took care of all the food - both buying and cooking. Happy birthday celebration to me.

Camp at Ruby’s campground. Hike the Navajo Loop. Stoped at Tower Bridge, Fairview Point (which a walk to Piracy Point) and Inspiration Point. Mossy Cabe Waterfall, Hole in the Rock museum, lunch sitting in the Escalante River, and Bicknell pickle pie.