A Day at Daddy's Work

A day OFF, at Daddy's work, that is! Eric had the day off but we decided to head up the trail anyways. So Eric took us up the American Fork canyon to hike up to the Timpanogos Caves. It was a really fun day!! We hiked the mile and a half up the mountain and took the tour of the caves... and then back down. It's a fairly steep hike so we took our sweet time (about an hour) and then spent about an hour actually inside the caves. They were awesome!! And it was fun to see what Eric does and get all the "inside" info that nobody else hears about! Here are a few pictures of our adventure.

Just starting up the trail.

This is one the rock walls that Eric helps to build...isn't it pretty?

Sawyer really enjoyed being outside for so long and having so much to see.

This was our tour guide standing next to one the the cool formations inside the cave.

The "heart" of Timpanogos Cave (the picture doesn't do it justice) This thing weighs about 2 tons!! And most of the formations in the cave are millions of years old (older than the dinosaurs!) The very first ones that we saw were 70 years old- and they were only about 1/4 inch long.

The 3 of us inside the caves.

Our names on the visitor's log (Notice that there were a few other people from Burley that went through just before us!)

Me and Sawyer.

Check out this view of the valley!

Here we are again getting ready to head back down the trail.

Sawyer slept through most of the caves since it was so dark (and it was nap time)

Right after we came out Sawyer woke up and I had to take a picture!

Looking at some random something on the way back down.

Taking a break to take yet another picture! (I'm a little bit obsessed!)

About half way down Sawyer fell asleep again...

WE MADE IT!!!

By the sweat of their brow...

Well we finally did it! We planted our own garden! Can you believe it? All our lives we complained about planting and weeding the garden, and now... we have one of our own! And we couldn't be more excited! Between our neighbors next door and us we have corn (8 rows!), 2 kinds of onions, green beans, pumpkins, watermelon, cucumbers, squash, radishes, carrots, broccoli, peppers, 2 kinds of tomatoes, and SUNFLOWERS!! Hopefully ONE of them grows! Here are a few pictures! (there's not much to see yet).

Looking at all our hard work.

Sawyer sitting in front of the tomatoes.

The tomatoes and peppers.

Sawyer playing with the cherry tree in our backyard.

It's kind of hard to see but there are sticks marking the rows of corn in this one.

The 3 of us in front of the garden!

This rose bush in our backyard goes up a tree about 30 feet! It is just starting to bloom and I am so excited!


Well, there it is... it doesn't look like much yet, but we're hoping to put lots of pictures up as it progresses! And like we said, we will be happy if only one of them turns out! OH MY GOSH-- we are soooo nerdy!! :)

CRASH!

Today while Sawyer and I were playing on his little play mat- I got up to run and switch the laundry and when I came back this is what I found!

I live for this!

Here is a video of Sawyer having fun with Aunt Meghan! She saved my life and came to babysit at the last minute for me when Eric was sick and I had mutual (thanks again!!)- and we caught this just before I left. I think it's safe to say that he definitely had a great time!

Rain Rain Go Away!

For Memorial Day this year we decided to take Sawyer to the zoo!! It was a little bit overcast so we thought it would be a good day since Sawyer wouldn't get burned so we loaded up in the car with our friends Justin and Amanda (it was actually their idea! and headed to SLC. When we got there it was pouring rain... but we decided to stick it out anyway. We had a ton of fun even though we got wet! And Sawyer loved the animals we saw! (And of course as soon as we left and got dinner, the skies cleared up and the sun came out)... but I guess you can't win em all!
The 3 of us going to see the white alligator!

The elephants were the only animals that would come outside.

Luckily the giraffes were indoors anyway- so we got really close!

This baby giraffe and Sawyer are the same age!

Sawyer playing with a turtle!

This snake was HUGE!!

Looking at some random reptiles with Dad.

Sawyer loves monkeys-- they were his favorite!

Me, Sawyer, & Amanda in front of the zebras.

Sawyer was pretty impressed with the umbrella! He just stared at it whenever we were walking.

Just the 3 of us!

Sawyer chewing on his spoon at dinner.

All 3 of us at dinner.

I think Sawyer had a good time!

Good Times

The other night we had a BB-Q with a bunch of our neighbors! It ended up being so much fun. Eric ran the grill, and our neighbors right next door set up a dance floor and we had a dance (which was completely out of the norm for us- but it was a blast)!
They taught us some fun moves and since Sawyer had to gone to bed for the night (we were in our backyard so we didn't feel bad leaving him...) we danced the night away! Here are a few pictures- and I'll post some more when we get them.
Eric- the magnificent chef!

Our neighbor getting some corn-on-the-cob started!

Taking a break from dancing to take a quick picture!

Our dance floor!

Eric manning the grill!

10 things I am thankful for!

Eric and I on a picnic last year

My sweet baby boy

Well I was just sitting here today and Sawyer was upset at who knows what, and I was wishing that he would just go to sleep. Pretty soon he did (he must have just been tired--duh) and I started thinking about things that I am thankful for... and then I thought "Hey, I should write these down somewhere!" So here are just a few..

1. Eric- who loves me depsite my shortcomings and probably when he shouldn't.
2. Sawyer- no explanation needed.
3. Our little apartment- we have been here going on 3 years! It's GREAT!!
4. Our ward- and that is saying something! Never a dull moment...
5. My young women- even when I have to break up fights, chase them through the halls, and make them not like me (in order to like me)!
6. The friends that are so close and so amazing!- Amanda, Sheena, Linda, & Heather-(even though you aren't geographically close!) I couldn't do it without you girls!
7. Our 2 cars that we OWN!!-- even when they won't start.
8. The Gospel- that constantly reminds me of who I am and what I SHOULD BE doing.
9. My parents (both sets)- for all of EVERYTHING!! They taught me almost everything I know- and I keep on learning by their examples.
10. Independent Study!- I know that sounds nerdy- but it's the truth!! I'm loving it!

I know this was kind of random... but I guess that's what makes it so fun!