Take Cover & Cool Your Armpits

Isn't he the cutest little guy you've ever seen! Now 10 months old and this being his first summer the weather is really getting to him, he is soooo HOT! Notice how he is sitting, with his arms angled funny and out like that rather than underneath him. Guess he's just cooling his armpits, while taking cover under my lily's! He is so funny, b/c he'll just walk a couple steps, then flop belly down on the ground to cool himself. We love our kitty.

Capitol Reef National Park

Oh how we love the smell of campfire, being so dirty, and seeing natures beauties while challenging our bodies. During the first 15 minutes of each hike I find myself asking why ...why do I do this? It's hot, my legs are already tired, I'm sweaty and it's a desert out here! Then my endurance kicks and, well, this is the most simple reason.
I get to go over and around the 3rd ridge and see this: And I am on top of this huge cliff face looking down!We spent the first 1 1/2 days with this all over: But we get to eat yummy foods outdoors, with him: Happy Memorial Day weekend. Hope you had a good break.

The end is near

The Draper Temple Youth Celebration production rehearsals are coming to an end. The show is next week, and we can't wait! Our youth are doing so awesome and our production number is very exciting and entertaining. We are the "Train" Dance. Here we are at tonight's rehearsal. We've been teaching about 225 youth. This is our youth on the stage (top view)
My Girl's Waltz w/Umbrella's group

Last Year at this time...weeks 2&3

Days 9 - 11: Bruges, Belgium Relaxing, beautiful. One of our favorite places. We walked around town, took a boat canal ride, went on a 4 hour bike tour outside the city limits. Watched the chocolate demonstation, and learned how diamonds are made (no wonder they are so expensive!) It was a lovely and quaint town w/enough to do for days.Day 12: St. Andrews, Scottland Spencer fulfilled one of his dreams...playing at the coveted St. Andrews golf course. It was cold and windy, but he was able to pull out an 86. Day 13: Edinburgh, Scottland We rented a car here, kinda scary! We toured Edinburgh Castle, and that was enough of this busy town.Days 14 - 21: England Wow, we did a lot here in England. We met up w/our friends and awesome tourguides Josh & Hayley. Thank you a million. First we drove through the Lake District. Did a few little hikes, it was beautiful and perfect weather, then made our way to meet Josh.We visited the birthplace of Shakespeare.
In London, saw Platform 9 3/4. (we love Potter)
London, England. We took a Duck Tour (amphibious DUKWs) and saw WICKED. So great. Acting, singing & story was very entertaining. Meet Josh, Hayley and Chester. They took us to have some relaxing afternoons at the park. Also driving around we saw these Rape Fields, they were in bloom when we were there, lemon yellow, beautiful fields.While in London we visited the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge (LF) We really enjoyed this tour.
Also went to Nottingham, city of Robin Hood (ate delish Indian food) and parted w/Josh & Hayley at the University of Oxford (RT)To end our trip we went to the London Temple. The grounds were amazing and it was the perfect end of our 3 week journey. We learned a lot, had priceless experiences, and are ready for another big journey...

Goin' Campin

at Capitol Reef N.P. over Memorial Weekend. Let us know if you want to come and smell the campfire with us. (4.5 hrs away)

*family, friends, ward peeps, neighbors...we will be going throughout the summer, come along when you have free time and want to spend it in beauty! We have all the gear, just bring a tent.

Last Year at this Time...week 1

WE WERE ON A TRIP OF A LIFETIME. We put our slideshow up, but never explained exactly what we did, so here you go, obviously in the short, not detailed form.

Spencer and I had the opportunity to Backpack through Western Europe for 3 weeks. We visited 7 countries. It was adventurous and amazing. We had great experiences and learned a lot.

Day 1-2: Prauge, Czech Republic. This was one of our top 2 favorites. City of Prague and a statue on Charles BridgeDay 3: Salzburg, Austria. We took the Sound of Music tour, then ate authentic German food (don't recommend either!) Day 4: Munich, Germany. We went to a Nazi Concentration Camp. It was a very humbling experience. This is the large creamatorium. Sad.
Day 5: Rothenburg, Germany. Known for its well-preserved medieval old town. In the Middle Ages, it was an Imperial Free City. This city is encircled with a large brick wall w/a walkway. Very neat. Day 6: Train ride from Koblenz to Mainz, Germany. We LOVED the riding the trains and subways. Very organized, nice and relaxing.Day 7-9: Paris, France. We saw ALL of Paris here (it felt like). The first day we toured the Catacombs, then rode up the Eiffel tower. The next day we started at the Notre Dame, then over to the Sacre Coeur. From there we saw the Louvre, walked through the Champs-Élysées, then to the Arc de Triomphe. Of course we ended at the Eiffel Tower. (we liked the view from the Arc better than the Eiffel)Stay tuned for weeks 2 & 3 to come

(Click HERE to see more pictures and in full size)

Mr. Potato Head & Big Blue Eyes

We got to hang out with these little cuties!