Waterfall Canyon

Sunday we hiked Waterfall Canyon, in Ogden, with some friends. It was Dave's idea and I had never done it so I wasn't sure what the hike was like. I asked some friends come along, one of which is 6 months pregnant. I asked Dave the intensity level of it and after trying to come up with a good answer, he answered with, "I'm not sure, I just run up it and don't pay attention." Of course. One of the couples had done it and gave us a heads up about the difficulty yet we all, including Clar (pregnant friend), trudged on up the trail. I was super impressed with Clar! It got pretty tiring, there was a lot of climbing and my legs were feeling it. She was a trooper! We all had a blast though! It was a beautiful hike, every part of it, especially the waterfall.

This was taken near the bottom at the end. It was a perfect night!

Dave, me, Tracy, Clar, Allie and Jake

The waterfall was gorgeous! I thought we were somewhere tropical.

Dave loves to pull the moves out!

Heading back down the trail

Dave loves scenery shots and I hardly do much with them so I wanted to post and dedicate this picture for and to him

a perfect saturday

slept in

went for a run

learned how to operate a lawn mower

made taco salads for lunch

Netflixed Wild Wild West

played tennis

made delicious calzones for dinner

Netflixed Man vs. Food & Prison Break

played with niece & nephews at the park

watched the West Haven fireworks

...all while being with my hubby

Summers Off

I have been away from my classroom for 3 weeks now. It has been a new experience for me for one main reason: no need to stress about if I'll have a job come August. I can't say how great it feels enough. I feel a big difference this summer compared to last summer. A big weight is lifted off my shoulders and I can just enjoy my summer. I am really loving the teaching thing. I enjoyed every moment during the school year, even the hard ones, and I am enjoying the time off. There have been a couple moments that I get a glimpse of cabin fever in the last 3 weeks and it makes me realize I am probably not a staying home type. I am a happier and more whole person when I am productive and out in the world among others.

This summer I have kept busy. I decided I wanted to teach tennis again. I did it back about 5 or 6 years ago and I've been wanting to do it again. So now that we are settled and I have my summers open I jumped on the idea. I am teaching all ages. It is a lot of fun so far. I have also been playing on my mom's tennis team. We have a match each week and I am really enjoying it. I've had a hard time finding people to play tennis with since being married and living out of Salt Lake County and I've only done a few tournaments since we've been married so it's nice to be finally playing some matches again. I was able to go to the library for the first time since last summer a couple of weeks ago. I love going to the library without any ideas of titles or of what I want. I go up and down aisles and just browse through all the books, reading the excerpt on the backs. I look for things that peak my interest at the moment. I've found some great books this way so I continue to do it each time I go to the library. I've found that I really enjoy historical fiction, LDS fiction and then sometimes I pick up the fun fictions where a lot of them are based in the New York life. It was nice to be able to get back to the library and find some books. One other project I am determined to finish is our wedding album.

With being out of school I have also been able to get in a lot of much needed but dreaded doctor appointments. Not my favorite thing to do, actually it's my least favorite, most hated is more like it. It has become a joke wondering what is going to be the next thing to go wrong with my body with Dave and I. We've had insurance for just over 2 years now and ever since my body has been finicky. I have learned a lot about health and a lot spiritually. Well the spell is not over because I am still dealing with things from past problems and my doctors keep finding new issues. I'll have to give more details in a later post but I now believe that I am destined to learn something from all of it. I am an idiot and didn't think of it before someone that I look up to very much in the health biz mentioned when she got a blessing. I asked Dave to and jumped right on it and even fasted before. Dave gave me a blessing and my eyes were water fountains through it. It taught me a lot and calmed my mind. It was truly a blessing.

I have been able to do a lot so far and am excited for the rest of the summer. I have noticed that I have been spending a little bit more money since being out of school and having more time on my hands...eeh! Hopefully that trend slows down!

A Summer Weekend

We spent Friday working on beautifying our yard...Except for the garden, I've kind of neglected the exterior of our house since we've been here so I finally decided it was time to start giving it some attention. Well, when I have a picture in my head about the way something should be and look I go on the hunt to find that exact thing I'm picturing. I go to each and every store, some stores more than once, scrounging to find what I pictured, and the best deal of course. I've been somewhat scared to tackle the planters thing but thanks to the help of my plant loving mother-in-law, Sunny, and my endless-giving husband we got it done.After hours of searching for some planters and plants, and then planting the plants, I can tell you that that is as far as I'm going to get this year on the exterior. I'm tired. Maybe next year I'll get to the back deck more. Now I just need people to share it with so that I don't feel like I did it for nothing. So here is your peek! Now remember, the plants just were planted so they might look funny now but in a month or so they will fit better...hopefully!

Saturday, we went to a barbecue for my childhood friend, Alli, and her cute family because they are packing their things and moving to Philadelphia for at least 5 years. Bon voyage and all the love Barton family! Hope to see you in the not to distant future!

Celebrating 4 Years Together

4 years ago (yesterday) we were married....

...and even after 4 years, he still makes me smile each and every day like this.

Yesterday, we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. If we didn't have a calendar, we'd know that yesterday was June 6th because of the finicky weather. Our plans had to be postponed because of the weather. Dave came home from work holding out bright orange flowers to brighten the days dirty wind outside.

We will be going to the driving range and having a picnic tonight but yesterday we made homemade pizza, watched our wedding video (I am so so happy we have one!) and went to X-Men: First Class.

School's out for...Summer

I completed my first full year of teaching yesterday. Not only did I survive it, I came away happy. I never thought in a million years that I could or would teach first grade, but I did it! I am in love with my job and I don't think this year could have gone better. I believe I really made a difference in each one of my students lives. Even though there were days I felt as if I had failed them, in the next few days they'd reassure me that I had done some good. Oh how I already miss those munchkins!

I also worked with the best staff in the world! I couldn't have asked for anything more. It was a complete 180 from last year. I have never felt so much love and support from co-workers as I had this last school year. If you know me then you know I don't usually go asking for help, I keep to myself because I know people have a lot to do themselves so I don't like to bug them. Some have I was stuck up because of my keeping to myself but that has always been the way I see it. Throughout my year at Lake View, I had co-workers coming to check on me in my room constantly as well as supporting me through all the hooplah that has been going on with my position. I worked with such great people that I'm going to miss so much! I will be at Willard Elementary next year teaching first grade. Yes, it is a plus I have a job and that it is the same grade and that it is even closer to my house but I honestly wouldn't trade that for great co-workers. They can make and break it all and so I hope I can find that at least somewhat!

We had a picnic at the park Thursday with the whole first grade. This is my team trying to be cute and getting ready to pose for a picture.

Heidi, Cathi, me and Bev