Love this picture that Alex took of Dylan. What a fun kid!
7/2/13
6/30/13
Capitol Reef - Stand in Holy Places
A few months ago I decided I wasn't going to attend Youth Conference this year. It was scheduled at a terrible time for me to go. We had a family vacation scheduled for the day the conference ended and I knew it would be a lot of driving, for a pretty short trip.
Then, I started looking into the hike they were going on in Capitol Reef. I really wanted to go. I haven't really hiked much in that part of the state and it looked amazing. I decided I would attend so I could go on the hike.
Conference started on Thursday and we drove, and drove, and drove. The Boulder Mountains aren't exactly close to Salt Lake. Still, it was a fun trip and I got a kick out of listening the Deacons' conversations. These guys can really get going on all things soccer, school, and Taylor Swift.
On Friday we woke up early and set out for Sulphur Creek. It was a beautiful walk through the towering red rock. The hike was about 5 miles, but most of it was pretty flat and after the first mile you were inside the canyon walls. I had a great time walking and talking with the kids. You can really learn a lot about someone while on a hike. It was nice to hear about what's important to our YM/YW.
When we stopped for lunch the fun kicked in. One of the best parts of Sulphur Creek is some of the waterfalls you encounter along the trail. We had a great time sliding down the rock into a pool at the bottom. Of course I couldn't resist and went down a couple of times. It's what I love about hiking in canyons!
We went back to camp and everyone settled into to fun games and good competitions. There were some marathon games of Mafia and a few intense card games. The kids had a great time hanging out with one another.
I think the highlight of the trip was the evening devotional and testimony meeting. I've been to Youth Conference pretty much every year since I've been married and this testimony meeting took the cake. Every testimony meeting is special, but this was one of the five most spiritual meetings I've attended in my entire life. The kids really poured out their souls to one another and to our Heavenly Father. It was something I'll never forget.
After everything was over the hike was merely an afterthought. The conference was all about the kids and the great leaders I work with. I can't say enough about the incredible people in my ward. In the church we like to use the term ward family and that couldn't fit this group any better. I may have gone to Youth Conference for a hike in Capitol Reef, but I left with a deeper love for our Youth, our leaders, and the Lord.
Then, I started looking into the hike they were going on in Capitol Reef. I really wanted to go. I haven't really hiked much in that part of the state and it looked amazing. I decided I would attend so I could go on the hike.
Conference started on Thursday and we drove, and drove, and drove. The Boulder Mountains aren't exactly close to Salt Lake. Still, it was a fun trip and I got a kick out of listening the Deacons' conversations. These guys can really get going on all things soccer, school, and Taylor Swift.
On Friday we woke up early and set out for Sulphur Creek. It was a beautiful walk through the towering red rock. The hike was about 5 miles, but most of it was pretty flat and after the first mile you were inside the canyon walls. I had a great time walking and talking with the kids. You can really learn a lot about someone while on a hike. It was nice to hear about what's important to our YM/YW.
When we stopped for lunch the fun kicked in. One of the best parts of Sulphur Creek is some of the waterfalls you encounter along the trail. We had a great time sliding down the rock into a pool at the bottom. Of course I couldn't resist and went down a couple of times. It's what I love about hiking in canyons!
We went back to camp and everyone settled into to fun games and good competitions. There were some marathon games of Mafia and a few intense card games. The kids had a great time hanging out with one another.
I think the highlight of the trip was the evening devotional and testimony meeting. I've been to Youth Conference pretty much every year since I've been married and this testimony meeting took the cake. Every testimony meeting is special, but this was one of the five most spiritual meetings I've attended in my entire life. The kids really poured out their souls to one another and to our Heavenly Father. It was something I'll never forget.
After everything was over the hike was merely an afterthought. The conference was all about the kids and the great leaders I work with. I can't say enough about the incredible people in my ward. In the church we like to use the term ward family and that couldn't fit this group any better. I may have gone to Youth Conference for a hike in Capitol Reef, but I left with a deeper love for our Youth, our leaders, and the Lord.
6/16/13
Father's Day
Today was a great day.
At church the kids sang.
I got a treat.
We had presents (including a new tool set for the shed).
I took a nap.
Nothing beats Father's Day.
At church the kids sang.
I got a treat.
We had presents (including a new tool set for the shed).
I took a nap.
Nothing beats Father's Day.
6/15/13
Sidewalk Art and More
We needed to break out of the summer blues today. After a full morning of working in the yard, Tara and I decided it was time for a break. After a full morning of watching tv, Dylan needed a break as well. So, we grabbed Quinn and Coleton and headed downtown. Today was the Foster Care Foundation annual Chalk Art Festival. It was great. Cool artwork was everywhere. It was amazing to see the ground transformed into some incredible artwork - Toy Story, Oz, Minions, and more - oh my!
After seeing the artwork, we walked over to the plaza at the Gateway and the kids played in the splashpad til they dropped. A great break from a busy day!
After seeing the artwork, we walked over to the plaza at the Gateway and the kids played in the splashpad til they dropped. A great break from a busy day!
6/10/13
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