MASSIVE UPDATE

Obviously the biggest or MOST exciting things have been going on since April 8th, but there were lots and lots of fun and not so fun things that happened inbetween, such as:

*Going out with my friend Kara to go kayak on Utah lake, only to turn around very quickly when we sprung a leak.

*Going to the Hot Springs with Jared, Emily, and her children.   It was super windy but as long as you stayed under water it was perfect.  We made Jared go get the lunch out of the car so we could eat it while staying as much in the water as possible.  Em's kids were a little nervous at first about jumping in, but they seemed to have a good time overall- except Andrew, that is.  He never could quite handle being left unattended even though he was wearing a life-jacket.

* Working at the temple on Thursday mornings.

*Jared making me a homemade dinner- yummy french bread pizza.

* A volleyball game with Jared. 

* My ward being split

* Filing taxes

* Going to the Oquirrah Mountain temple.

* Going to the Draper temple with Jared-  Funny lack of communication about where we'd meet afterwards.  The old men at the recommend desk were really worried about me when I was waiting and waiting for Jared- not knowing that he was waiting and waiting for me by the car.  

* Visiting with mission friends- Kiera and the Somerfeldts.

* Ring shopping

* Back issues, again.  But thankfully not nearly so serious as last year.

* First trip to a chiropractor.

* Fun work field trips to Thanksgiving point.

* Picked wedding colors.

* "Squatch" fest with Jared.  Included "big foot" racing, Sasquatch calling, digging for food, throwing rocks, and a unicorn pinata.  It was really fun.

* Bowling with Jared and my friend, Ben Smith.  I lost. 

* An attempt at gardening with Emily.

* Babysat 7 kids under the age of 6.  It went surprisingly well.  Thank you, "Rio!"

* Getting proposed to.

* House hunting

* Wedding planning

* Babysitting in Denver

* Helped Jared install a sprinkler system in his parent's yard.

* Took engagement pictures.

* Drowning my phone.

* Turned 27 years old.

* Had a fun short trip to St. George. Picked up my friend Alexandra and got to visit some people from my mission who moved to the states.  It was so fun!

* Hot Springs with Alexandra.

* Last day of work for the Lewis family. We got ice cream at Thanksgiving point.

* Packed up all my stuff.

* Drove to Denver...

which pretty much catches me up.  Now I'll fill in the details and pictures for some of the much bigger things.

Happy Beginnings

I was so happy to go to my friend Kim Stephenson's (now Kim Smith) wedding on Saturday.  It was a stunningly beautiful day and I'm so excited for them.

Rex Lee Run

It's a little out of order, but on March 17 I ran my first official 5k. My time was not spectacular, but I did it!

Moab

This past weekend I headed south with Jared to see Moab for the first time.  It's one of his favorite places in the world and was excited to share it with me.  It was indeed beautiful and I look forward to going again.

Jared and I at balanced rock--which you can't see because the cameraman cut it out of the picture.

Despite poor traction, a cadre of small children, and gravity, I finally stood triumphantly on top of Sand Dune Arch.

Quick. Guess how wide Landscape Arch is. Yeah, I didn't know either, but the sign said 290 feet.

Jared pooped out on me on the hike to Delicate Arch.

The view from Dead Horse Point was breathtaking, but the wind was ferocious so we stayed long enough to take two pictures and skedaddled because we were getting sand-blasted!

Sunset at Dead Horse Point with a beautiful girl--life doesn't get better!

DISCLAIMER: ONCE AGAIN, ALL CAPTIONS WERE WRITTEN BY JARED.

Visit from the Buffingtons

Rylee and I love to see the temple.

Hiking the Y... or crawling up the Y.

Picnic at the top.

The crew.

Visit with the cousins.  We missed Levin and Natalie because Ansley had pink eye.

Snowmobiling

My mission president has a cabin up in the mountains and invited everyone to come.  I had never been snowmobiling before but it was an absolute blast.  

Jared and I on top of the mountain. Jared's trying his hardest to look cool--with  marginal success.

The topic of much dispute between Jared and myself. I say this hill is 200 feet tall. Jared insists it's 100 ft tall. Eventually he'll have to admit I'm right.

Look how fast I"m going. . .to go when I actually start. 

DISCLAIMER:  While this is, in fact, me in the pictures. I did not write the comments for the pictures posted above.  This is the handiwork of Jared.

Hiking in Maple Canyon

The crew.

Eric living the high life.

Andrew and Jared

It's been nice to have a native Springvillian here to show us good places to hike.... and to help cart children around.