Angels Landing

These last two weeks have been party weeks all the way through. It started out with my mom, Emily, and grandma all coming into town for education week. Grandma took us all out to eat at the Old Spaghetti factory on our anniversary, and I went to half a day of education week with them. Later that weekend we decided to celebrate my birthday by going to Lagoon and invited Mckenzi and Garrett to come play with us. It was so fun! My favorite was rattlesnake rapids when we were all trampling each other to get away from the water haha. On Monday we decided to head up to Jordanelle to try some boating, and I attempted wake surfing again without much success. It was a great day to go and we almost had the water to ourselves because it was forecasted to storm. After working probably the most exhausting work week I've ever had, practically learning 3 months of nursing experience in 2 days of trial by fire, we made a last minute decision to do a day trip to Zion's National park to do the Angels landing hike. I've been begging to do that hike all summer. Well Ken and Kylie both wanted in much to our delight and we has a fantabulous adventure of a lifetime. Most of the hike is along a thin ridge with a 1,400 foot sheer cliff on both sides, with only occasional chains to hold on to. It's strenuous and we were on our hands and feet climbing straight up in some parts. What a thrill! The view was worth it.

   My goals at the beginning of this summer were to 1. See places I've never seen before, and 2. Become a local tourist and see my own state while I'm here. After all, I probably won't be here forever and what a shame it would be to live so close to so many amazing things and not take the time to go see it! I feel like I've got an A+ on both of those and I can go into the fall knowing I didn't let a single day of summer go to waste. Nous vivons le rêve!

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Anniversary backpacking trip

Our Anniversary is on Monday this year, so we celebrated the weekend before. Garrett asked me what I wanted to do, and I said "take me somewhere I've never seen before".  Garrett picked a trail in the Uintas, which was a perfect choice. The weather was wonderful.

We first went by Wall lake, and then kept on to twin lakes, and then to Ibantik.

We saw mountain goats! There was a big one with horns just 30 feet off the trail from us at one point, but by the time we got the camera out it was far away. So cool!

Garrett brought his nice DSLR camera and got some awesome shots, even with the cheap lense.

We camped out right on the riverside. It was a perfect little spot, and since the lake was farther out we didn't have too much company.

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Oregon Coast Reunion

I love the Oregon Coast, cold, wind, and all. Our family has done Oregon coast every other year for my whole life, so it holds a special place in my heart. The last few years I haven't been able to go because of school work, and the cost of airfare, but this year I decided nothing was going to stop me.

I decided it was time for some blackberry cobbler, my favorite, so I rounded up all the boys that would come and we went and found some bushes on the side of the road. We picked enough blackberries in a half hour to make cobbler twice a day all week!

The sandcastle contest was actually a big deal this year, as opposed to the past when nobody really took it seriously. This year grandma and grandpa actually chose a winner with and actual prize! We all got our competition on and after many odd and half baked plans, we ended up choosing the shark theme last minute. The original plan was to cover Emily and a kitchen chair with syrup and roll them both in the sand and pose.. Well anyways, the picture above doesn't even show the full production. We also made a tail coming our the back, and the whole area surrounding had shark fins, and if you can't tell that's a broken bogey board in his mouth. We even found a red jellyfish and put it in the mouth to make it gory. Around the bottom we wrote RIP UNCLE TY, which might explain why a certain judge didn't favor is in the rankings.. but even though we didn't win first place we knew in our hearts that ours was our favorite, and had the most teamwork and effort put into it. I know I'm biased but regardless I really think ours should have won. We decided to have a victory dinner at Moe's anyway

The cousin Olympics were so fun this year too. I can't think of a year when we've done anything like it. I have to say I  wasn't too keen on our team at first when I was the only one there to start, but once the rest came we really picked up! I was particularly impressed with my family's athletic ability. In the single race Ben won by a long shot, but in the family relays where the overall ability shines, we won first! Kenny and Kyle are super fast and I am impressed with Emily, who ran way faster than a girl who doesn't play sports should. I wasn't too shabby myself either. 

Garrett wasn't able to go tragically because he doesn't have my work schedule flexibility, so I went by myself, which ended up being ok cause Leisha was single for the week too. 

The lighthouse and tillamook were our standard every year experience of course. I still haven't seen any whales at the lookout. I don't think I ever will.

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Rotax Nationals 2014

After wringing our hands and watching the prequalifers anxiously all day, the final race for the seniors class seemed surreal.   Ken took the lead when his biggest competitors, including Falcone, wrecked in the last corner of the first lap when they tried to take it 3 cars wide. Ken led for the majority of the race from then on, only really challenged by one kart. What a victory! So many races were run for that moment. 

The boys got their action shots for their offices.

Garrett's final race was a little nerve wracking for several reasons. First of all, Garrett choked in his first prequalifer race, and had to start his pre main towards the back of the pack, which never is a safe place to be with the wild racing that happens back there. Despite it all he gained some spots and helped his placement for the main. Then right as the main was coming up, a huge lightning storm came through and it poured. We weren't sure if he was going to need is rain tires until the last minute when there was a break in the clouds. The storm threatened the whole race, but they avoided it miraculously. Garrett started in 15th place and made it all the way up to 11th. Woohoo! Next time he'll do even better and score top ten. It's so exciting to watch him regain his old skills. He says he's a has been now but I disagree. Just look at Ken at the top of his game!

The guys had to pack up the trailer in the pouring rain.

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