Yankee Doodle at last

Saturday afternoon we finally did Yankee Doodle!  Supe, Beacher and Moss were the experts and me, Paul, Jasmine (Beacher's sister) and Bean got to come along and enjoy the fruits of their experience.  We started about 4:30 and it was perfect with no other people and just right weather conditions.  There was some water to wade through in several spots, but it wasn't freezing and was still fresh enough that it wasn't stinky.  It was good to go with people who could make the scary parts doable and fun!  So glad to finally get to do this nice little canyon!  I think there were 6 rappels with the longest one about 100 feet.  Some places that Supe, Moss and Bean just down climbed, the rest of us rappelled just to be safe.  Supe's guiding experience was invaluable for us less than comfortable in high places people.  And Paul's knees did great! We wanted a waterproof camera, so we used Paul's phone.  Not the best of pictures, but better than none. It was nice that Bean went with us since it was his birthday.  He seemed to have a good time.  

Willis Creek

  I have been wanting to do this hike for a long time.  We finally made it.  It is a long drive to get to the trail head, but it was worth it.  It was just right for Paul's first hike of much distance since his knee surgery.  We just did the Willis Creek part of a 3 part (Sheep Creek and Bull Valley) hike.  We will get the others done some other time.  

There were two little waterfalls.  Here they are with a top shot of one of them.  Wished I had my wading shoes on so I could have just waded pretty much the whole hike and gotten into these little beauties!

The trail head, an open section and "Shark Fin Rock" dubbed such in honor of shark week!  

There was plenty of variety with narrow and deep sections and wide open or not so deep sections.  A just right hike.  This section (to the junction with Sheep Creek) is only 5 miles round trip.  Great day!  

Last camp before school starts

Friday after noon we decided we had better get that last camp in before school starts on Monday and before the bow hunt gets going.  It was a great camp with perfect weather, very few other people out, good food and no bugs!  We even got our favorite camp spot in the Brian Head area.  We even did a little hike and Paul's knees did fine.  6-week check-up coming up this week and so far, so good!

Triple Great!

What a great week end line up we had!  First we went to Enoch for Ellie's baptism and Joel's blessing.  It was such a nice time with lots of people there to enjoy the wonderful event with Ellie, Joel and family. Afterwards Lou and Bryan had a really nice lunch gathering at the house where everyone could visit and the kids could play.  

After that we continued up the road to Lehi to enjoy Essie's blessing.  Moss and Christie and kids were there just finishing up her family's reunion.  Brynn "slaved in a hot kitchen" to make us a wonderful orange chicken dinner.  After the blessing Sunday we enjoyed a yummy brunch and time again for visiting and for the kids to play.  I don't see how it could have been any better weekend than it was!  Such wonderful events to celebrate with such wonderful people.  

Plein Air in PIne Valley

 Friday afternoon we decided to head to Pine Valley for a walk along and the trail (a good one for Paul in his current state of recovery) and a little Plein Air painting.  It was a beautiful day with the mountains full of rumbling thunder but no rain falling in the valley.  We walked up the trail from the lake to the end of the road where Paul found a nice scene to paint.  While he painted I walked back and got the car.  When I got back he needed a bit more time to get to a stopping point, so I hung out with my feet in the stream and enjoying the scenery.  It was such a nice break from the heat!  Have to get back up and finish that painting.  

Happy #8 Sweet Ellie!

It's hard to believe sweet Ellie is 8 already!  We had a fun evening eating the favorite birthday dinner and the amazing swimming pool birthday cake.  Thanks for letting us join the fun!  Happy birthday Ellie!  We love you!  We are looking forward to you upcoming baptism.

Family Camp 2014 - Red Cedar Lodge - Dairy Canyon

It was another great Family Camp this year with Weed and Derek hosting.  We had a turn out of 38 - missed Brynnli and Bean.  It was the perfect place for all of the new babies and Paul having had knee surgery recently.  It was comfortable, convenient and  beautiful!  Bedrooms and bathrooms aplenty, a great kitchen set up, a huge grass area and pond, and perfect weather made it just right!  Many thanks to Weed and Derek for all of their work putting it all together!  

Here's the group shot - missing Lou, Bryan, Afton and Joel unfortunately.  They somehow missed the camera call.  

 Lou and Joel

 Bryan and Afton

 JJ - our camera man

Pics of the younger set on site

We had lots of activities (besides cooking and eating great food) including a CPR class taught by Moss and rock pets by Christie, soccer games, a kids' soccer clinic by Supe and Beacher, badminton, Bocce, baseball batting, fishing, boating, taffy sculpting, a hike, a mini talent show and impromptu dance party, Nerf wars, Pobre Gatito, and from what I hear, mortuary lore by Bryan.  And we did plenty of relaxing and enjoying the cool weather and beautiful scenery.  I'm sure we all gained a few pounds from all of the great meals.  I think Eden's comment, "We should do a family camp every month: says it all!  Thanks again Smiths!  Heads up Weavers.  You are up for next years' Family Camp 2015!

Recovering

It's been a good week for Paul's knee recovery.  He is doing well and has graduated to just walking around the house unaided for the most part.  Doing the stairs and being away from home he still takes the crutches just to be safe.  He's doing well with his physical therapy exercises.  In one of them he uses a wheel chair to push against the wall until his knee will bend enough to touch the wall. It is painful and challenging, but he is getting it.  Probably the thing that is going to be the hardest for him is not pushing too hard too fast, but so far, so good!  Staples come out next week after the Family Camp!  

I have learned to give Paul a shot in the belly once a day - not a permanent thing - thank goodness!  And since we have been staying close to home, I got busy and finished a quilt project that I have wanted to do for quite a while.  I have always avoided doing a certain type of binding, but decided to take time to learn to do it.  I found a great how-to video on-line and it came out very well.  I even like it and will probably do more that way.  No hikes in this neck of the woods for a while, but I have enjoyed the time just relaxing and concentrating on getting Paul better.  Hopefully it will be a good fix and over time we will be able to get back out there.  

Paul's Cyber Knee

Paul got a partial knee replacement on June 26th.  It was a good thing since he had bone grating against bone on that side of his knee.  He got it done up in Park City by Dr. Charles Lind who came highly recommended.  Now he is starting on the long and painful road to recovery.  

Hopefully it will all go well and the "cyber knee" with be worth it!  

Walking with his new crutches, working out the knee in bed the with CMP,
the before and after pictures and just chilling in the bed.

Below - the view from our "IHC Hotel" room (I was able to stay there with Paul)
and views from my walk on the bike trail behind our room.

Happy Birthday Derek, Moss & Me!

Celebrated more June birthdays - Derek doing the windbag pose, Moss sharing his birthday pie and birthday with me, and a card to remember that great day a long, long time ago when Moss came as an early birthday present!  Thanks to everyone for all of the gift cards and Supe and Beacher for the cool trekking umbrella. It's been a great, long lasting birthday and I'm looking forward to another great year with all of you! Below - Grandpa and Trigg - happy guys!