Balmorhea Springs on the Fourth {7.4.16}

When I came home from girls, Colby was still enjoying his weekend with his brother, Donny. On the fourth of July, Colby was climbing mountains and I went to Balmorhea Springs with some friends! It was a very HOT day, but the water was super refreshing! I have been to the springs twice now and I want to go again before the summer is over. I'm thankful my friends invited me come along! 

My friends son, Isaac, LOVES the water! :) 

Trying to enjoy the shade while it's blistering hot outside. 

Cloudcroft, Taos, New Mexico {6.17.16 - 7.4.16}

While I was in Vegas and at girls camp, Colby was able to go camping a few times. His first camp out took him to Cloudcroft, New Mexico. He went backpacking for a few miles and made camp and stayed one night. Then got up and hiked around the beautiful area! 

Colby's next adventure took him to Taos, New Mexico. He was able to meet up with his brother, Donny. The first two days they river rafted two different sections of the Rio Grande River. Then on the fourth of July they woke up at 2am, so they could hike to the top of Wheeler Peak in time for the sunrise. 

Rio Grande River

Hotsprings! 

They beat the Sunrise on Wheeler Peak {7.4.16}

Vegas and Girls Camp {6.12.16 - 7.2.16}

I need to catch up the blog, so when I am ready to announce some big news it will be on time! ;) We are really excited to announce it in the next coming weeks to family and friends! eeekkk! Basically the entire month of June was a blur. I was pratcially gone the whole time visiting my family in Vegas and then I went to girls camp with the stake! While in Vegas I sat around all day at the pool playing settlers and ticket to ride. My sisters and I LOVE playing games, so during the two weeks we played every day several times. Unfortunately, I lost. every. single. game. I am not joking. I was there for almost two weeks and didn't win once. Most people know I am a competitive person, so I was quite sad at the end of the two weeks. hahaha But I got over it- obviously, and I still don't regret playing games constantly because I would do it all over again just to be around my family. While in Vegas we also attended a baseball game, but honestly I didn't even watch. I just had fun trying to make my nephew laugh. We also went to the Children's museum which was amazing!! This place was definitely not for kids. The best kept secret is that they made it for adults. We had so much fun!! And we walked the strip for an evening.

Enjoying the gardens at the Bellagio

Oh look, I found Dory....

Clown  noses for everyone! 

I know it's blurry, but John is just to darn cute! 

We couldn't let him see our lollipops! His mom didn't want him to have one :) hahaha

Huh??

We were trying so hard not to laugh - but it didn't work. 

I'm glad my goofy face (while blowing my bubblegum) makes this kiddo laugh :) 

Some one likes the fountain

Nana and John

Fulfilling our dreams of working at Jamba Juice while on the BYU campus

Dress up at the Children's museum. Katie would had made a very dramatic queen...I guess she would have fit right in! 

Now on to girls camp! I was able to attend girls camp as a stake leader. I helped my ycl's with the second year girls. I had so much fun! The girls were amazing and I had such a spiritual week with them. It reminded me of my experiences when I was a young woman and attending girls camp. We played games, sang soooo many songs, went hiking up mountains, zip lining, and ate some really yummy food. I hope I can go again next year! 

The second years with my amazing ycl's! 

Skit night! We sang a Star is Born from the Disney movie Hercules. 

Zion National Park {5.27.16 - 6.5.16} Road Trip

Our next adventure on took us to Zion National Park. We spent two days {5.30.16 - 5.31.16} in the park and really tried to take advantage of the time we had. Some of our favorite hikes included Angel's Landing and hiking in the Virgin River up the Narrows canyon. The next day we went canyoneering through Keyhole canyon. We encountered 4 rappels and wadded through some pretty small crevices, but it was completely worth it! Zion National Park is huge and we didn't even get close to seeing half of it! It is definitely on our lists of places to visit again. 

View to the right from the top of  Angel's Landing

View to the left on top of Angel's Landing

Headed back down

We hiked all the way to the top of Angel's landing, which is at the top left on the ridge line! 

Looking down the canyon from Angel's Landing hiking trail

Rattler

Emerald Pools

Hiking through the Virgin River in Narrows Canyon 

The beginning of our canyoneering adventure

First time rappelling myself. 

The dread slanted corridor! I am smiling, but I was actually nervous inside. We had to wade through water to get through. 

We made it to the end! 

Celebratory selfie at the end of Keyhole Canyon! 

Baby Arch in Hidden Canyon

Leaving Hidden Canyon. This canyon is very high from the bottom of the valley where the Virgin River runs through. 

View of Angel's Landing from the other side of the canyon.