Last Squeeze!

We have been trying to squeeze out every last drop of summer. I am so glad we have too because it is getting real cold real fast! On Monday we went to Farm Country with Adrian and her little beauties. It was a lot of fun, we've never been before but I'm sure we will go again. They really had a lot of animals and it was so cute!

Then for F.H.E. we went with Jenn & Brandon to Donut Falls. It was getting dark when we started but it was still really fun! The leaves were so pretty, I wish you could see them in the pictures.

On Tuesday we had some errands to run but we drove up South Mountain to enjoy the scenery. I couldn't help take a few pics of GK while we were up there. I just love this green fence!

... And Then We'll Know Where We Are!

Patrick has been wanting to go to Twin Lakes all summer long. He had these big plans of going and staying all week. Well this summer has just flown by and before we knew it, it was the last week of September and too late to go to Twin Lakes. So we thought... But get Brandon and Patrick together and they'll make anything work. They found a Twin Lakes that is lower in elevation, shorter, and closer! So we sent G.K. with his Aunt Shell (Michelle) and we were off.

Now the drive was the prettiest thing I've ever seen. I couldn't believe all the fall colors. It was beautiful. We got there in good time (thanks Brandon!) and started on our way. There were a lot of people there which made us all feel a little safer. Mostly boy scout troops, which made us feel a little less safe! It took me a while to realize this is the same trail we would take on our 4th year hike in Girls Camp.

It took a while to get there. I think that the mileage is sketchy when it comes to hiking. I swear the elevation isn't accounted for! But we got there with plenty of daylight to set up camp and for Patrick and Brandon to even go fishing for a little while. (Yes Patrick was sitting IN the fire to start it, and yes he did almost set himself on fire!)

Jenn and I really stayed close to the fire. It was really warm. We had packed up some hobo dinners and they were oh so yummy in the mountains.. a little heavy though. We also had S'mores and hot chocolate. We had brought a ton of food and I thought the less I carried down the better.

That night we didn't sleep a wink. I wish I would have thought like Jenn to bring Tylenol PM, I thought about NyQuil because I have a cold but I usually sleep like a rock.. Not that night. There was an animal in our camp, and Brandon and Jenn's rain fly on their tent sounds like footsteps. I was also a little chilly, we had those hand warmers and they kept me good until just before sunrise and then I was really cold and I had to go to the bathroom (all that hot chocolate!)

But we had a yummy breakfast of banana muffins and oatmeal. Then it was fishing time. Jenn and I made way cute swivel bracelets. If you want one I think Jenn is going to start a business! We even made them for the guys. Fishing is fun! Patrick kept a couple of fish for lunch.

It was a little windy where we were fishing. Jenn and I kept trying to find warm spots in the sun. I think this may have been when we got sunburned.

We went back to our camp for lunch. We had only seen 1 other person before lunch, then after we had a ton of people coming through. We didn't realize but we had camped right off the trail.

So we packed up and headed home.

Top Of Utah

On Friday Afternoon Juli and I drove up to Logan to run the marathon. Wendi and Dennis are SO sweet to let us crash at their house. The hotels were booked months in advance, but it is so fun to spend time with Wendi. Their whole family is so busy we don't see them if we don't stay there. Patrick's cousin Will even came to stay and is was really nice to get to know him. I hope we get to run more marathons together.

Cache Valley is the best! Of course Top Of Utah is one of my favorite runs because it was my first marathon. Juli doesn't like it as much... there is a lot of running through little towns -which I think is charming, Juli would rather be in the mountains.

Our Mom and Dad were so sweet to come see us finish. They are always so supportive of everything we do.

Brett & Shaunti

Last Friday Shaunti & Brett got married in the Bountiful Temple. It was such a pretty day and Shanuti and Brett looked so good. The ceremony was really good, it was more like a lesson than the typical advice the sealer gives. It was really nice to hear but I bet Shaunti and Brett just wanted to get married.

Lisa was such a sweetie to watch G.K. for me during the ceremony. I still can't believe she is all grown up. We all took lots and lots of pictures.

Almost all the Robinsons, only Cheryl couldn't make it out. This family was so good to me all growing up. I think I really took advantage of them. Every Saturday we would go to the mall and to Dairy Queen. They really included me in everything: family reunions and home evenings, holiday celebrations, you name it I was tagging along.

Ophir

When Patrick went hunting this last spring he told me about this small town called Ophir. I had totally forgotten about it, but I'm glad Patrick didn't. We missed most of church yesterday so we decided to go for a drive and check out this small town. It is on the way to Tooele if you are going the back way, I don't know if that makes any sense. It is seriously a half hour away from our house and it was so pretty! It is all dessert out here then there is this hidden oasis with big trees and a gorgeous canyon.

 

We spent most of our time in this little historic center because we weren't sure what was public and what was private. I can't believe I've never heard of this old mining town before. They have tours on Saturdays and I think we are going to go one time to hear the whole history of this quaint little town.

GK was having so much fun running around. He really wanted to rip the lights out of the ground. There was a tiny bit of traffic but it is a small quiet little town. 

 

I just couldn't get over how beautiful it was here. The rocky cliffs of the canyon were so pretty. I think this would be the best place to have a cabin! Thanks Patrick for showing us this spot! 

On the way home we saw the biggest spider we have ever seen. I wanted to stop and take a picture but I think we ran over it. It was seriously like as big as my fist.

 

Wasatch & Topaz

On Friday night when Patrick got home from work we went up American Fork Canyon to Aunt Knolls where my Dad helps with the Wasatch 100. It is a foot race where people run 100 miles all up in the mountains. It goes from Farmington area to Midway. I love coming here. It is the roughest road I think I've ever driven on. But it is beautiful! The runners are so nice and inspiring. I wish we could have stayed up and helped but I need a lot of sleep and it's too tempting to stay up all night as the runners come in.

On Saturday we loaded up the car and drove down to Topaz Mountain! We have been there before and loved it. It is just outside of Delta, you can only use your hands and hand tools. I wish we could have used explosives because I think we needed them. Last time we went you could see the topaz all over, the ground shined in the sun with topaz. This time we got totally skunked. Not one full piece of topaz. Vickie is an expert and even she didn't find any. It was still a blast though! G.K. had a riot digging through the dirt and rocks. He was a big helper. We had packed hobo dinners and they were delicious. It was so quiet and pretty, we had so much fun.

 

 

Cecret Lake

On Labor Day I really wanted to go hiking and Patrick kinda did. We decided to hike to Cecret lake up little cottonwood canyon because it is so short. Well we got almost there and the parking lot was full so we decided to just walk around. We found ourselves on a trail and this sweet older couple started walking with us and before we knew it we were at the trail-head for Cecret Lake! So we decided since we were there, might as well see it!

 There were so many people there! We have both shocked. It was a lot of fun though. G.K. loved walking around on the rocks, he's a little mountain goat! We ate our snacks and headed down. Garrison fell asleep on the way down, he was such a trooper! He got a little sunburned but it went away thank heavens! So our little 1 mile hike each way turned out to be about a 6 mile hike roundtrip! I have to thank that older couple for distracting Patrick!

 

Cumplianos Feliz

Last Sunday was Brandon's big 32nd Birthday! On Saturday night after a long day of Fishing for Brandon and Patrick Jenn and Brandon came over for a Fiesta!! We had dinner and I ate all the caramel popcorn that Jenn made for the movie. Brandon broke his pinata filled with yummy candy (not the cheap stuff ). Even D'Ohgee and Yogi got a piece. I tried to get a picture of D'Ohgee with the sucker stick hanging out of he mouth but she ate it all up too fast! Then we watched Taken in the hot tub! It was so fun we totally have to do that again, but I had to get out after a while. G.K. just loves Brandon, he picked out the gold chain for him!It was really late when we were all done and we were SO tired, there were a list of other things we wanted to do still like roast marshmallows for S'mores and play dominoes but maybe next time! Jenn and Brandon camped out in the backyard in their pop-up trailer. That thing is so nice. It's fun to go camping especially in the back yard!

 On Sunday morning Patrick and Brandon made breakfast. It's a good thing they did because I always burn french toast. It was so yummy. There was so much food! We were so happy that Brandon and Jenn could let us join in on their birthday celebration!

 

Swiss Days

On Saturday morning I really wanted to go to Swiss Days. Patrick was fishing with Brandon which was perfect because I know Patrick would rather cut off another finger than go. My Mom was sweet enough to meet me at the mouth of Provo Canyon. I had to wait for just a minute for my Mom so I decided to check out the Story Telling Festival. Did you know it is $40 per person or $100 per family!! I thought it sounded like fun until I found out the price. Well my Mom and I enjoyed the beautiful scenery up the canyon and got to Midway. It was SO crowded. I wished I would have thought about bringing the child carrier because pushing that stroller was a joke.

Garrison was really good at first watching all the people and all the commotion, but then he really wanted to push the stroller (he LOVES to push anything and everything!) We let him where we could but he had a melt down when we stopped. We wanted to get a Swiss (Navajo) Taco but the lines were super long so we went to the Relief Society booth and got some really good Swiss bread. All the money is donated to the Missionary Fund. On our way out I got G.K. a sucker and he was in heaven!

 

On the way out I remembered I had my camera so I took just a few pics of Midway because I just love it there. 

The Zoo

Last Thursday Lyndsey and I went to the zoo. We were hoping we'd get to see the new baby elephant but she was still bonding with her Mommy. They had some really cute pictures of her though. But there were a ton of other baby animals there. We saw baby gophers, black footed cats, tigers, snow leopards, giraffe, and there were a lot more too. I did almost have a temper tantrum because I have been looking forward to one of those stupid ice cream cones. They have flavor bursts, I really want to try root beer and vanilla but they are always out of root beer, so I chose mint instead. While I was waiting in line the girl puts milk in the machine and doesn't say anything when I order. After I had paid and everything she says it isn't ready and all I can have is chocolate. It's pretty funny that that is my biggest problem in months!

Here is one of the 3 baby tigers

 

Look at this Baby Benton

 

Baby G.K., Baby Benton, and Dyllan is not a Baby... but he is kinda making a baby face!

 

Of course you have to see how well you measure up!

 

Time Flies!

We have been lovin' every minute of this summer and can't believe it is winding down all ready.  We finished up our Seven Peaks passes and got G.K. a sand box for the back yard since he like Bear Lake so much. Here are some more fun things we've been up to.

This was the last 7 Peaks trip... For sure want to this next summer too!!

G.K. is super independent.. which is really good and bad. He is getting really good at using a fork and spoon, here I fed him some yogurt. He started using a spoon, then his fingers in the other hand, then he was slurping up some right out of the bowl!

We love to go visit Daddy at work! He does so much for us and we are SO grateful! He is the best for taking such good care of us and working so hard while we go to the zoo and water-park.

(It's really hard work though I promise!)

We got to celebrate my Uncle Randal's birthday a week ago, it was so nice to see him! He knows so much about everything. He's always been our closest uncle. He is very hip and very cool. 

We've been going on a lot of walks and runs. Juli and I went up City creek on Friday and it felt like I was home! I know that sounds cheesey, but I just love it up there.  I hope I can go a few more times this year.