Mission Letters, Music and Torrey

YAY YAY YAY!

(and did I mention YAY?)

Tuesday is always the day I wait with anticipation for missionary email, and if I get really lucky, I get a short little email of my own... and then the MOTHER LODE comes the next day, the ACTUAL... "I get to hold it" letter!!! So Tuesday came and went, Wednesday I was gone, but by the time I got back on Thursday I just KNEW my letter would be waiting. 

No luck. Thursday afternoon mail... no letter. But today... YAY! YAY! YAY! 

I picked up Wade last night at the train... this time with no "suspicious characters" hunting him down after arriving.  Last time he had to make a connection and got approached by some of the local scaries... offering him "candy". He is currently asleep on the couch. 

City & Colour

Between last night and today, he is kinda worn out. We went to Avett Brothers last night, and... what can I say?.. I'm a fan. City & Colour opened for them, and they were a band I could totally see Brenden sitting in behind playing the drums for. Very much "Brenden style". 

Avett Brothers

After only 6 hours of sleep (and amazingly, for Wade, going to bed before midnight) we made it to 7 Peaks today, too. Because there are so many fires burning right now, the sky was horribly smoky.  There is a fire in Neola, Duchesne (close to a possible explosive situation), Delta, Fairview (2 fires), and one along I-15 south of Spanish Fork. Another was just announced about a half an hour ago with major evacuations from Herriman. The Colorado fire ended up wiping out neighborhoods and over 300 homes, so far, and is still burning. It's crazy. It is especially crazy when you consider that some are started by stupid people out shooting off fireworks, or target practicing in the horribly flammable conditions. Just dumb decisions. Hayden jokes about maybe pushing our house to the fire line and letting it "get devoured". It would be probably worth more burned than standing :)

The "cabin" with the swing

On Tuesday, Hayden was home and his worker guys were working on a floor, and we decided to take a drive. We headed south thinking we would stop in and say hello to Grandma and Grandpa Fraser, but about Provo, Hayden called Grandma and she had plans... so we just kept driving south. We stopped in Richfield and bought a couple changes of clothes, some bathroom supplies and a pair of shoes each, and just kept right on driving until we got to Torrey. We both love Capital Reef, and we both love the Lodge at Red River down there, so we checked in and decided to stay a couple days. We ate at Cafe Diablo... twice, drove to Boulder after a hike to explore and eat, and sat in the hot tub a couple times. Aspen found a dog at Cafe Diablo to play soccer with the first night, which she named Serena (seriously... everything gets names with crazy strange names... and they change all the time!). There was also a cat at the lodge, which received the name Pixie... or Sabela... depending on the day (and the minute).

This is Heaven... I'm sure of it

Morning Shadows

Writing Utensil = Happiness

We only did one hike while we were down there, but it was a big one. Hayden thought it wouldn't be that big of a deal to just do a two miler (to OVERLOOK POINT) a mile above Hickman Bridge... the same hike you and Wade did last October. Yeah... well, Aspen lasted about 1/2 mile, then she was whining, and begging for rests. Hayden and I took turns packing her on our shoulders, which is NO small incline. By the time I was done with one portion of my turn, I was sweating like crazy... and it was only 9am. We only had to hear "How much longer" 23,512,502 times... luckily. 

One of the 12,386 breaks she had to take

But the end result...

It was beautiful. 

It was worth it. 

It was TIRING! 

Barely Survived the Aspen Workout

We managed the full 4.6 miles in just over 3 hours... far from the lightning speed you guys did it in, but we survived. Even Aspen, who had a ride 80% of the time, and she thought SHE was going to die, but Hayden and I... survived. On the way down the stairs at the end she was riding on Hayden, and I kept calling her SELFISH. She finally asked what it meant and I said "It means you are being mean and making dad carry you the entire way... he is tired and needs a rest." This was met with silence for awhile, then she said, "No, he's great. He's doing just fine".

Happy Valentines Day... Hayden's version

For Valentine's Day this year Hayden gave me a "golden ticket".  Pick any concert you want to attend, and that will be your valentine's gift.  

So... I checked what was coming to town in the next few months.  

Nothing I was willing to cash in my "ticket" for, so I waited.

I knew a couple bands/groups that I wanted to see were slated to come to town in the fall, so I figured I would wait a bit, and see what the schedule looked like.

Middle of April rolls around and Hayden hands me his computer and says "Happy Valentines Day".  On the screen was a receipt for tickets to CHEYENNE DAYS to see his favorite band, Zac Brown Band.

Apparently, I waited too long (although no expiration date was ever written or implied on my gift).

So, the end of July found us flying into Denver, and driving to Cheyenne for the concert.

Cheyenne Days has a culture all of it's own.  I could people watch all day, and I've never so many pretend cowboys in my life.  (Pretend cowboy = someone sporting boots that look they have never seen a pile of cow crap... EVER... or wearing the cowboy shirt that still has the creases in it from the initial packaging)

We had GA tickets, and sat in line to get in an hour before the gates opened (which was an hour before the OPENING band of 3 went on).  We were at the front of our section with a great view!  

The opening gal, Sonia Leigh, was amazing (I need to find some of her stuff and download it).  Zac Brown, however, definitely was worth the trip, the drive, and the time spent in line!  He was a great performer, sounded good live, and sang the song that always makes me cry: Highway 20 Ride.

Lesson learned from the trip... next time, we stay in Cheyenne.  Even with sneaking out of the massive crowds before the encore, and getting out of the parking fiasco without a hitch, we didn't get back into Denver until 2am.  That was only after taking turns driving, rolling down windows, stopping for a little break to revive ourselves.

I was able to get my long run in while in Denver.  They have an amazing river front trail that runs for miles.  It was a warm morning, but I started early enough... ran past many many homeless people sleeping along the river.

We stayed at the Teatro, just a block away from the theater district.  We rented bikes and rode around town.  On the way to Cheyenne we stopped and had lunch with an old college buddy I hadn't seen for 20+ years.  The second night in Denver we had dinner at the Yard House with Hayden's cousin, Jenn, he hadn't seen in years, and we topped off the last evening by having dinner with an old co-worker at the Cheesecake Factory.

Lots of good food.
Great time together.
Good company... especially the crazy guy who planned this whole thing.

THAT is one SWEET hat, Hayden!!

before it started

first hour of the show

by the end... it was packed, from one end to the other

The Uintah's... from the air

the flight in to Denver

at the end of 16th street mall

A little bit of music... A little bit of Ed

Hayden introduced me to the musical group LIVE when we first met. I has heard some of their music before but since then have fallen in love with their sound. The group disbanded in the last couple years and the lead singer, Ed Kowalcyzk, was in town on saturday. The only thing better than an hour of listening to him, was being able to be standing in the right spot afterwards and being asked if we would like to meet Ed.
Ummmm...yeah.
Hello.
Too bad my good camera battery was dead and this the picture I came away with. Thanks for a fun night Hayden.

Mom's the KING!

I have resisted all attempts by Hayden to call him the "KING", even though he has repetitively tickled me til I can hardly breathe. Aspen is a pushover, however. If Hayden has something she wants, it is suddenly "Dad's the KING". This is especially effective when followed by "Mom's the pauper".

Lately, Hayden and I both get demoted to be "paupers" when her brother Brenden, or her Grandpa Frank is around.

"Grandpa's the KING!"
  (Brenden) "What about me?"
"Grandpa and Brenden are BOTH kings!"
  (Dad) "And what about me?"
"Dad's the pauper... (pause)... and MOM is the pauper".

Hayden has successfully been able to gain his title back by threatening to leave Aspen and not take her on the ship (cruise) with him. 
This is cheating.
I resort to no such tactics.
If I win my title of KING back, it is because I truly am the KING.

Playing princess with her friend

If she isn't naming us KINGS & PAUPERS, she is playing other little games.
This is her most recent favorite:
"Who wants my ball?  Mom, Dad... raise your hands"
We both raise our hands, excitedly, trying to get her to pick us.
She hands me the ball, looks at her dad and says "Ohhhh, sorry dad".

Happy #5 Haydy Baby

Seriously... I am married to the best man on the PLANET!  Ask my girl friends... they have all (at one time or another) asked if Hayden has a brother to share.  

It was our fifth anniversary this year (last Sunday) and I kept pretty quiet about it, trying to catch Hayden in the act of forgetting about it.  Did you know Facebook has ANNIVERSARY reminders??  So much for my sneaky plan.  

Friday's job for Hayden ended up getting canceled and by 10am, he had made plans for the weekend and our anniversary. Here is a blow by blow of our adventurous weekend. 


Day 1: Friday

• Hayden divulges "secret location"... tells me to pack
• Mad-dash to get someone to cover Sunday's lesson.
• Frantic packing job.
• Head to Lodge at Red River.
• Check location in GPS unit.
• Double check location on google.
• Triple check location on bing.
• All say same thing...drive to middle of nowhere... arrive at destination.
• Stop in Richfield for a few supplies.
• Walmart.
• Leave Walmart feeling VERY normal.
• Drive through awesomely beautiful country I didn't know Utah had.
• Arrive at a lodge amid a mass of cottonwoods.
• Check in at lodge.
• Room is amazing complete with 2 beds, log walls and a small balcony.
• Decide to explore the area... on foot.
• Check out game room.
• Embarrass myself trying to play Hayden in ping-pong. (I beat him one time... long ago).
• Push Aspen in massive swing hanging from a cottonwood tree.
• Go walking along Fremont river on a weeded path.
• Walk for 10 minutes.
• Rain begins.
• Run back to lodge in rain (Aspen on Hayden's shoulders)
• Drive around the area exploring.
• Watch rain storm move in.
• Dinner @ lodge.  
• Aspen on swing... again.
• Aspen to bed.
• Sit on balcony with Hayd and talk for an hour.
• Bedtime.

Day 2: Saturday

• Wake up with headache... no run for me.  Sad.
• Breakfast @ the lodge. 
• Push Aspen in tree swing.
• Decide to shower later... throw on a hat.
• Drive into Torrey & buy drinks for the road.
• Drive to Capitol Reef (9 miles away)
• Take 10 mile scenic loop.
• Drive 7 miles on scenic loop... road closed.
• Hike on closed area over washed out roads (very NON drivable conditions)
• Gather rocks for my sand-jars.
• Head to Hanksville.
• Compare parts of the drive to Price.
• Stop at HOLLOW MOUNTAIN in Hanksville.
• Buy Aspen her "diamond" (she wanted the PINK CAT she saw on our way to Lake Powell, but opted for the jewel).
• Drive to Goblin Valley.
• Pay $7 entrance fee.
• Hike down a few hills into "goblins".
• Rain starts.
• Wait out rain behind very large goblin.
• Wait some more... find bigger rock to cower behind.
• Give up and decide the rain isn't going to end... back to the truck we go.
• Sandy silt is now slippery mud... we slide all over with every step.
• Crawl uphill through mud to top.
• Wash off as much mud as possible is pools of standing water.
• Remove shoes and get into truck.
• Remove pants and drive back to Torrey in our underwear.
• Redress and eat a bite at Taco Time.
• Check into room #2 at lodge (since we booked at the last minute, we had to switch rooms after the first night to pull it off).
• SHOWER.
• Aspen on swing... complains about being cold.
• Drive into Torrey.
• Contemplate going to Women's Music Festival.
• Read sign that says $35 entrance per person.
• Skip music festival and go to dinner @ Cafe Diablo.
• Eat awesome creative food.
• Pay too much for dinner.
• Pick up Aspen a jacket at RV store.
• Get contact information from RV park for a return trip with the kids.
• Return to lodge.
• Push Aspen on swing... this time with a jacket on.
• Watch buffalo next to lodge
• Bribe Aspen with hot-tubbing to get her off the swing.
• Hot tub with Aspen and Hayd.
• Back to room.
• Aspen sleeping on floor in our room.
• Off to bed...

Day 3: Sunday

• 6:45am run along highway bordering Fremont River.
• Stop 2 miles into run to read historical marker.
• Continue run back to lodge.
• Stretch out on the patio.
• Shower.
• Pack up room.
• Push Aspen on Swing.
• Say goodbye to lodge.
• Breakfast @ brunch shop in Torrey.
• Drive on a country road looking for a mountain with pieces of red rock.
• Put truck in 4wd and drive up scary road leading to red rock.
• Load truck with beautiful red flagstone for my yard.
• Head to Ephraim.
• Pass Manti temple... sealed 2 years previous on same date.
• Aspen sees the "castle" and asks where the "princesses" are... have to take her and see them sometime.
• Dinner with Fraser's.
• Make dad jealous of all my cool flagstone rock.
• Tour of dad's rock projects.
• Drive home while Aspen naps.
• Arrive at home... unload truck.

It seems so much to do, as I was typing it all out... but I haven't had such a relaxing, non stress, chill weekend since I was on a beach last December.  This is a DEFINITE do-over.  Hayden... once again... you have out done yourself.  My friends will be jealous.  Love you Haydy Baby.

Not my doing

We have a new cat. well... a kitty. An non-litter-box trained kitty who whines and hisses at the other cat we already have.

WHY? Why do we have ANOTHER one, even though it is against all common sense? Look at this face... this is what her dad saw when we dropped the boys off, after she had found the kittens hiding under the tree outside. That is all it took. Hayden caved and let her pick a cat to take home.

The first 5 minutes in the car she was grinning from ear to ear saying "kitty go home? kitty go home?"

She was totally excited.
At 2:10 this morning, when I had to clean up a mess... I was NOT.

Happy Birthday Hayd!

I truly am one of the luckiest gals on the planet! I am married to my best friend and eternal partner. My heart still gets little butterflies when I get a text message from him, or a phone call. I just love him so much.

Today is his birthday. Aspen and I send birthday wishes your way Hayden. We also would like to share 10 AWESOME Hayden facts:

1. He is one of the hardest workers I have ever known. His new business in hardwood is going well because of this fact.
2. He is a great dad, and has patience on the days when mine has evaporated.
3. On the days when my patience has evaporated (or my sanity is in question) he is THE BEST at dealing with me, and bringing me a bit of perspective.
4. He inspires me to be a better person: whether it is pushing me to keep up with running, spending time with my kids, or reminding me what is important.
5. He spoils me. Rotten. Brings me drinks occasionally when he gets home from work. Buys me random treats from a quick trip to the store. Plans surprises that would amaze the best of planners.
6. He has an awesome family. They love me and my kids as though we are theirs. They make a point to show they care. They come to events that are totally out of the "grandparent" obligation. Love you guys! Alot.
7. There are so many things we "match" on... and thank heavens we do. We both are early to bed, early to rise people. We both like things clean. We both have the same financial goals, and spending habits. We communicate on the same wave-length.
   
8. He makes one mean batch of spaghetti with his special sauce.
9. On my down days... he is up, and picks up the slack. Whether bathing Aspen, cooking dinner, or just straightening up the kitchen.
10. He puts up with me... and the "reality" tv I make him sit through (Biggest Loser & So you think you can dance), the boxes of stuff that I SWEAR I will get through and get rid of half of it before I ever have to move again, and is an awesome co-parent.

I love you Hayden! Happy Birthday!!