Birthday, Arches, Capitol Reef, Visit to SLC-yeah, I've been busy :-)

So the slideshow below was going to include a lot more photos from the last couple of weeks, but it took me maybe 2 hours just to get what I did. The wireless internet here is sooo slow and it makes it frustrating to upload photos. So the slideshow includes a few more photos from Goblin Valley, a couple from boating with John, and a couple from my birthday trip to Arches.

Anyway, since my last post, I have had a couple of cool trips for work. I spent my birthday hiking in Arches National Park. We hiked to Delicate Arch, which was so cool. I've hiked there before, but it's been about 12 or so years, so I had forgotten how beautiful it is. We also hiked around in the Windows section and saw the variety of arches out there. I had a yummy pizza dinner in Moab with my co-workers and it was a great way to spend my birthday.

That's me under the arch. :-)

I also got to go hiking in Capitol Reef. We did the Chimney Rock loop and it was long and hot. You don't actually have to hike anywhere to see Chimney Rock, but it was still a fun hike. We stopped at the Gifford House for a snack, which is an old Pioneer House within the park. They sell all sorts of preserves and salsas and ice cream, so it was a nice break in the day. We then hiked to Hickman Bridge, which is another natural bridge (although not quite as big as Rainbow Bridge). We ended the day by stopping at this market outside of the park and I got some fresh baked bread and freshly picked sugar snap peas. So good!

Me kind of covering Chimney Rock

Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef

I spent a great few days at home last weekend. I drove up with a couple of girls from work and got in late Friday night. Bekah, Izzy, Lucy (whom I finally met for the first time-she is beautiful), and I met up with Monika, Henri, and Linnea at Red Butte Gardens. Henri and Izzy used to get to play together a lot when I was Henri's nanny, but they still play really well together and they had a lot of fun playing in the Children's Garden while I got to catch up with Monika. Linnea is getting really big and cuter than ever. She is a really good baby and was content to hang out in the baby Bjorn most of the time. I miss Henri a lot, so I'm happy for the chances I do get to see him every so often.

Izzy and Henri at Red Butte Children's Garden

Henri and Izzy playing in the water

The rest of the weekend was split between hanging out with family and friends. I had dinner at Desert Edge on Saturday night with my friends and then we hung out on my favorite patio in Salt Lake at My Ex-Wife's Place. I think I forget how much I love Salt Lake until I go there. I miss restaurants and night life. Sigh.

Kristi, Andrea, Me, and Carlee

Me and that boy John

Sunday was Lucy's baby blessing, so most of the day was spent hanging out with my amazing and fun family. Leah, Izzy, and Heidi are all getting so big-they seem to change every time I see them, and I'm sure Lucy will be the same. We also celebrated my birthday with a yummy ice cream cake and I got to make my birthday wish and blow out candles (something I didn't get to do on my actually birthday). Sunday night I did make it out to the Salt Lake Art's Festival with John so we got to browse all the booths and listen to some cool bluegrass music.

Heidi (6 months) and Leah (3)-Heidi looks skeptical :-)

Leah and Izzy helping me blow out my birthday candles

Me and Lucy (almost 5 weeks) on her blessing day
6.29.08

I took a quick trip to Logan with John on Monday and was happy to get to visit my old office for a short visit. I actually miss Logan and the Admissions office more than I thought I would. I was sad I didn't get to eat some Aggie ice cream while I was there (I even had a coupon) but there is always next time.

It was a short visit, but I'm glad I was able to come home. As fun as my job is, it can be really stressful and tiring sometimes, so it's always nice to take a day off. This update seems rushed...so hopefully I will be able to update more often so I'm not trying to cram so much into one post. I promise I am reading all of your blogs too-I just can't always comment because of my silly slow internet.