Zion Trip

Just coming down from my vacation high. We had the best time. It was my dream to wake up everyday and have nothing to do but hike, hike, swim, hike, eat, hike. Good Times!

Monica and I started the trip out by waking up at 5 am to wait in line for permits. Turns out we needed to be there at 3am. We missed getting Subway permits for Sat. but meet really interesting people (one wierdo bragged about taking a 3 month old canyoneering down 100 foot rapels and floating him across freezing water in a basket) and got permits to the Keyhole. We then spent the rest of the day doing mini hikes and meeting up with the rest of our group. Once everyone got there we hiked to a fun waterfall and jumped off the rocks into a swimming hole. (Ask Brandon about his jump) We ended the day with good food and a camp fire.

Saturday we had to get up earlier to beat the crowd. Monica and I tricked Audrey and Emily into coming with us (we promised entertaining people) We got the passes! We then spent the day getting lost trying to find the Keyhole canyon but having fun all the same. The Keyhole was cold, cold, cold, dark and slimy and absolutly wonderful. Thank goodness for dry sacks or I'm certain I would be at the bottom of a cold, frog filled pool.

Sunday we hiked the Subway. Beautiful. If you ever have the chance take it but do the whole thing from the top or you will miss some good stuff. More cold water (not as bad as the Keyhole) some short rapels, a few snakes, two giant spiders, and 10 miles later we made it out to the car where we were greeted by some hippies who cursed Shane with bad karma for not letting them fix his toe.

So much fun can't wait to do Mystery and Pine Creek canyons next time.

Will post pictures when I get some from the wonderful Cox family. (why take a camera when they are going to be there)

Luke

Is this really the same kid who hits, runs away, says very mean things, and refuses to eat anything but candy corn and french toast sticks?
I guess his cute moments are what saves both him and me.
Love him very much even though I have not figured out how to raise him.

Freckles

Freckles. I've always hated that word it sounds harsh. Not at all sexy or sultry and isn't that what we are supposed to be? Time to embrace what I have (I know a bit late at 32) for some reason I was not blessed with the golden skin of my little sis or the snow white complexion of my older sis, as much as I hoped those spots would fade with age they just seem to increase and blend in with the wrinkles.
I look at my pretty daughter Jada and see her freckles and realize hey they aren't bad she is cute as they come. We are beautiful and proud to be sport'n angel kisses!


pretty good self portrait

My beauty queen just lost her third tooth!
(She put up a good fight, didn't want the thing pulled even though it was hanging by a thread)


now if only I could embrace the spare tire look

10 K!

Completed my first 10k! Went something like this:
1) I decide after running a 5 k that 10 would be even better, Monica is game for anything Ali jumps on board and superstar Jenn says "why not I could use another medal."
2) Monica uses her internet skills to find a training program we train diligently for a month with only minor complications (see Monicas blog for details)
3) Night before we carb up on pasta. Then all go home nervous and unable to sleep.
4) Morning of we check out the competition; all those freaks with 0% body fat and muscles bulging in their legs, decide maybe we got in over our heads but too late to back out. After a few bathroom trips we are ready to roll.
5) The race is on! My awsome parents drove all the way out in the middle of the night to watch me do this so I have my own fan club on the sidelines pretty cool!
6) Jenn took off never to be seen again, Ali and I stayed side by side (minus one sunglasses drop) we thought we were hot stuff until a 71 year old man flew by.
7) Results Jenn placed (of course) Ali and I made our goal to be under an hour and Monica technically made her goal under an hour if you take out the time it took to tie her shoe. So good job to the hottie trotties (Monica's name for our future relay team)

side note: now I am sick sick sick with some sinus thingy. I felt it coming on last week and willed it away until after the race but it sure did hit hard. Hopefully I will get ride of it by this weekend maybe another race?