Summer 2012!

Well, so far it's been a very pleasant summer. We've gone down to Visit Corbin a couple of times. While we were there we went up to see the volcano. Who knew Utah had volcanoes? I always wondered where that lava rock came from.


Rick and I ran Snow Canyon with our friends Sarah and Dustin Adams and they asked if we wanted to start from above the volcano or below. So after we ran, I had to go see it. Then we took everyone else to see it.  We didn't get a picture of the volcano, but we did take this family picture with Snow Canyon in the background.  I think it's beautiful!

Chantel, Corbin, Rick and Tiffany 

On our next visit to see them we went to Zion's National Park. It was a beautiful day with a temperature of only 102. As you may know, you can't drive most of Zion's anymore...You must take a bus.....A very hot bus.

Rick, Tiffany, Chantel, Bethany, and Corbin

Everyone enjoyed the water on such a hot day. The red rock, green trees and blue water make for beautiful hikes.

The kids on a bridge. Lower Emerald Pools Hike.

There is a "waterfall", more like water mist, when you get to the lower pools, and I must say....It's the most refreshing thing ever!  One little boy asked his mom how it was raining when there were no clouds....So CUTE!

Corbin and Rick enjoying the view. Weeping Rock Trail.

Zion's really is a beautiful place. I hadn't been since I was a kid, and I was in AWWW! Pictures really don't do this National Park any justice at all.

Panoramic of Weeping Rock 

Bethany and Corbin on the River Walk Trail

Corbin and Bethany in the Virgin River in Zion's National Park

Corbin and Bethany did go all the way in the river up to their shoulders. The water was surprisingly warm until you got waist deep....Then I'm told it got a lot colder.

Chantel, Rick, and Corbin on Father's day 2012

It just so happens it was Father's Day the day were were at Zion's, and I think it was one of the better Father's day's Rick ever had.

Tiffany and Rick Court of the Patriarchs Zion's National Park

In the background are three towering cliffs. The early Mormon settlers that farmed the canyon named them after prophets in the old testament. Left is Abraham, center is Isaac, and  right is Jacob. I guess they gave several of the cliffs religious themed names such as Angel's Landing, where it is said only the angels could land because of the steep cliffs on all sides.  The next time I'm in Zion's I'd really like to hike the Narrow's ....and possibly Angel's Landing...if only I can find the courage.


Speaking of the Bible.  I read a book on this trip called The Red Tent and quite enjoyed it. It's a fictional story about Jacob's only daughter.

Big Horn Sheep in Zion's National Park

In this picture you see the bus in the center at the bottom.  You can see how small it is compared to the cliff walls.

Can you see Corbin on Checkerboard Mesa? He just had to climb on it.

Chantel cooling off by the river

Chantel at the water station

If you plan a trip to Zion's, our best advice is take advantage of the water bottle stations.


Sand Hallow State Park
We also enjoyed some time at Sand Hallow State Park when we visited.  What can I say, it's over 100 degrees every day there. You have to cool off somehow.

Here's Bethany Cooling off in the lake.  She didn't want me to take this picture, but I told her she'd thank me when she was old. :)

You can see all of the people on the rock, it's where you cliff jump.  Corbin, Rick and I jumped off. It was really fun.  It took me awhile to work up the courage, but I did it!

I have to say that the best part of the trip was when Corbin and Bethany made us breakfast.  It was Delicious! They've turned into really good cooks.  I'm so proud of them.

Enjoying Some Family Time

Well, January came and went without much to say. Not much goes on in January it seems. No Holidays, no big events, but we did slip in a visit to see Corbin and Bethany in St. George. We really Miss Corbin. He seems to be doing well, and is doing great in school. He is enjoying his English Class the most he says. He got a job working at Jiffy Lube in Washington, and that seems to be going well. He has done some cooking, and he sent me some pictures to insure me that he's eating "well balanced meals". We hope he continues to do well, so we can come visit the SUN....I'm mean our SON! :)


We had fun eating out and doing some bowling with Corbin and Bethany while we were there.

Nice Smile Corbin!

Rick and Channy

I'd just like to point out this may be my best game ever!  Woohoo 96!
Then Rick, Channy, and I enjoyed a hike in Snow Canyon. We did Hidden Pinyon Trail, and 3 Ponds Trail. I just loved how beautiful it was. I really need to hike more.

Hidden Pinyon Trail Lookout.

Chantel Hidden Pinyon Trail.

Rick on Hidden Pinyon Trail, Ut.

Hidden Pinyon Trail, St. George, Ut.

Channy and Rick on 3 Ponds Trail. Channy got worn out on this trail. It's super sandy, and a lot of hard work. She didn't make it to the end of this trail.

Challis Seems to be doing well also.  He's working hard, playing harder, and going to school at Weber.  He started dating Anna Warren.  Anna conveniently lives across the street from us, so Challis is back at home for the time being. We have gotten to spend a little time with them, and Anna's little girl Lori.  We are taken by Lori's sweet charm, and Challis seems to be smitten by them both. They make a cute pair and we're glad Challis is happy.

 I had a fun visit from my sister Kim yesterday. It was great to see her.  It's been almost 2 years since our last visit. I enjoyed hearing about her adventures around the globe.  It really made me want to go on vacation. It's always interesting to hear how she grew up and the different paths our lives have taken as we are only 7 days apart in age. I don't think we could have gone more opposite directions in life, but I think that makes me enjoy her all the more. I love her energy and adventurous spirit. She has a beautiful smile, twinkling blue eyes, and long skinny legs that I'm envious of. Yes we're quite different, but "sister's from another mother" all the same.  :)

She brought along my nephew Jory, his wife Maika and their daughter Onora. Onora is such a doll with all her crazy cute hair, and she's such a happy little one.  They seem to be wonderful parents. I enjoyed having them over for lunch.  Time just goes too quickly it seems, and I don't get to see everyone enough.

Happy 2012

Happy New Year to ya'll! We rang in the new year with our friends the Saddlers, as we do most years, playing games and stuffing our faces. We are so lucky to have Brenda and Steve as friends. Rick spent the New Years holiday day with Steve ice fishing.  He said he had fun, but how is freezing your booty off fun???  I'll never understand ice fishing.


The new year has already brought changes to our home.  This week Corbin heads off to college. We are sad, stressed, overwhelmed, worried, and happy all at the same time.  We went down the last week in Dec. to St. George and moved all his things down to his new apartment. Corbin and Bethany, Corbin's girlfriend, got a darling apartment together. I must say it's nicer than any apartment I had when I was young.

Here they are on their balcony. Did I mention it was the only apartment we looked at that didn't have cockroaches? So sick!

The Kitchen is SUPER HUGE for an apartment, and they have a washer and dryer....No laundromat! I sure didn't have it that nice in my first place.

I sure hope they get some homework done here.....after all, it is why they are there.

He may be going to Dixie, but I think his heart is in Oregon with the Ducks.  :)

I really think they like their new place, and I hope they'll be really happy there.  We wish them the best in school and love.

And with a view like this and the nice warm temperatures....it's a safe bet we we'll be seeing Corbin and Bethany sooner than they think. ;)

This is a picture of Bethany and Corbin at Christmas.

We hope all of our friends and family enjoyed their holidays.  We sure did.