Time to Run Again

After getting off the scale in disgust (I have been avoiding this torture for a few weeks now),  I threw my running clothes and shoes on and decided I needed help losing 10 pounds before swimsuit weather.  Time to start running again.  I haven't run in about 2 1/2 years because of various reasons...tired of getting up at 5:30 am every morning, my hip was bothering me and I was not maintaining my weight any more, in fact, I was gaining weight.  My body had gotten used to my 5 mile routine run and figured out how to store fat in spite of exercise.  I also ran out of running partners, and I am kind of a baby about running by myself.

So, I hoisted myself up by my running shoelaces and decided to try to crank out a 3 mile run.  I didn't do too bad actually.  I stopped and did a quick walk here and there when I thought I was going to die, but it felt so good to run again.  

Until the very end of my run....

...when I totally turfed it after catching my toe on the edge of the sidewalk. 

I have had my share of spills while running, but most of them happened while I was trail running.  I have had two on the sidewalk (oh, how embarrassing when cars are passing by).  I am learning though...this time I did a "tuck and roll" so I only injured my hand.  (Luckily, there were no cars at the time so I immediately picked myself up, after saying a few choice words, and ran the few minutes left to get home. Also luckily, my neighbor drove by AFTER I started running again!) 

Memorial Day...19 years later

Sometimes getting 2 adults and 4 kids (not to mention what to do with the dog) to go on vacation over a holiday weekend just doesn't work out.  We tried going to the cabin and the kids couldn't miss school friday.  It is just too long of a drive for 2 days and no one wanted to go if we couldn't leave thurs. night.  We stayed home and prayed for good weather, hoping to be able to take our boat out.  Well, of course Utah has beautiful weather all week and then the weekend comes and it is cold and rainy.  So to make the best of it, we decided to go on a hike.

The weather started out a little rainy, but it cheered up soon and we saw sun on the way back.  It was so beautiful.  We hiked to Stewart's Falls by Sundance.  I chose this hike because I thought it was one we went on while Cody and I were dating, but once we got to the falls, we realized it wasn't the same one.  

Here we are...still in love and together!

The kids had a great time.  We actually really enjoy hiking as a family and discovered it doesn't only have to be at Lake Powell.  Dylan, of course, had to run ahead and shake the trees so the water from the leaves would fall down on us...wasn't he sweet?

Stewart's Falls

The sun is coming out and it is starting to warm up.

Here we are trying to recreate the picture we took in 1990.  It wasn't the same hike, but it was Memorial weekend 19 years later.

We look a little different now, I think. (I can't believe I cut that picture into the shape of a heart...whose stupid idea was that, anyway?)

Pinewood Derby

Matthew had the pinewood derby this week and he was so excited about his Army car.  He just loves camouflage and guns so he and Cody made a camo truck with lego guys in the back.

Here's Matt waiting at the finish line for his car.

It turned out so cool.  Cody even did the awesome camo paint job!

He loved it!

A hiking we will go!

Yippee!  Lake Powell season is here again!  We look forward to going in the spring because, even though we can only get away for a long weekend, we can really explore the canyons in the cooler weather.  In the middle of the summer, a long hike is out of the question as we are usually trying to stay cool in the water most of the time.  

Smith Fork Canyon

Ready to hike!  We grab a water bottle for everyone, slather ourselves with sunscreen, slide into our Reefs, grab the Lake Powell hiking guide and take off.  Emily is very fashionable in her matching "do-rag" and shorts!

Matthew entertains us as we hike up through the mossy mud.  His first order of business is to grab a hiking stick.  He never wears his shoes, but mom makes him take them just in case.  Dylan came up with the idea for him to put them on the end of his stick.  Perfect!  He will then tell us all of his tales of what life was like when he was an indian boy who grew up to be the chief.  

The first hike took us to the "cool grotto".  It was so cool!  And provided a cool break from the sun...so either way, it was a "cool grotto".  We spent some time there playing in the soft sand and sitting in the shade.

Of course, Dylan had to explore through rock climbing (and Matthew followed him).  At the end of the grotto, there was a pool of water and Dylan hiked around it.

On the same hike up Smith Fork Canyon, after the grotto, we hiked further up the canyon to some narrows.  Cody takes a break while waiting for me.  I am a little slower because I actually like to look around while we are hiking (I gather while Cody hunts...my mom would get that!)

Really cool pictures up these narrows.

Seven Mile Canyon

A short hike to a cool rock formation.  We LOVE the beautiful Navajo tapestries.

So, even though the water was a butt-freezing cold  59 degrees, Dylan and Matthew couldn't pass up the chance to get some wake-bording and knee boarding in.  They loved it!

Matt was so excited to be able to cross the wake this year.

We had so much fun.  This is the first time in a long time that we went without other family and friends.  Lake Powell has so much beauty and incredible places to explore that every time we go down there we find something new.  There is just no better way to explore nature and we thank our Heavenly Father for His beautiful creations.