One of the 7 Wonders of the World

The hike started early (well before dawn) as recommended by park publications. About 2 feet of snow near the Bright Angel trailhead. I was the first one (beside the bobcat which lift tracks) on the trail Jan. 21 2010!

Somewhat fuzzy picture due to low light and lack of tripod (even the light ones might be too much weight for a serious hike)

Descending the canyon wall the snow started giving way to slush and mud.

Less slush and more mud.

Nearing Indian Gardens.

It reminded me of a rainy morning in Southern AZ.

This picture overlooks Jacobs ladder on our way back out. It is a strenuous portion of the trail.

Another hour of hiking gave way to snow. This Oak is having a hard time figuring out what time of year it is.

Bishop had poked his hiking pole into the snow to see how deep it was, we estimate this at nearly 3 feet.

People die of heat exhaustion and dehydration every year in the Grand Canyon. That was a little hard to imagine on a day like this.

Spectacular!

I really like the new camera!

This might be my favorite photo of the day. I let Bishop walk out ahead and caught this picture of him from about 100 yards back.

He said he didn't want to wear either of the 2 beanies he had packed. We really were warm hiking back out. I had to shed a heavier outer layer towards the bottom of the hike.

The end of a wonderful hike and an unforgettable experience! All we had to do now was make it home!

This week...YES THIS WEEK with all the SNOWthat has been falling. My husband and our Bishop decided to go hiking in the Grand Canyon. I thought they were a little crazy. I also got a little stressed that he might get stuck in the Grand Canyon and have to build himself a snow cave and sleep in it. Winslow had no such worries. I said a lot of prayers (so did his mother I am sure!) and watched him leave on his crazy adventure!

I am going to let him narrate his pictures. He took a lot of Super Awesome pictures with our Camera I got for Christmas. (This is the camera we upgraded to when the 1st camera we bought on Black Friday turned out NOT to be in the BOX!)

The NEW Plan

So I really, really want to be able to have some more room in my house. It's definitely cozy. We have been planning to add on for quite some time. Of course, our plan is to pay for the addition in cash.
Step 1-pay off All extra debt (doesn't include student loan or house)
Stpe 2- save for addition
Step 3- Have room to BREATHE!

So, Step one is comming along rather nicely. And we have been discussing what and how we want to do our addition. Then we had the idea to sell of our neighboring lot that we have. Well, it gets a bit complicated because it's part of our mortgage, etc. But these thoughts led us to the NEW Plan.

If we are going to save a big chunk of money to do an addition, why not just save for a 20% down payment on a new house and build it on the lot we already have. It would allow us to get rid of our PDMI on our mortgage, and have almost double the size of house. Nothing to big. Less than 1700 sq ft. But that would be such a huge house to me right now. 4 bed, 2bath, big living room. I am loving the idea.

(READ THE TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER by Dave Ramsey...it is so like the One For the Money Pamphlet.)

I am excited. So excited. The big thing is though we will have to be very strict on what we buy and where our money goes. And I will have to survive (and enjoy) living in our current house a while longer. Especially since I plan to only work until we have achieved Step 1. But I will work at home again. So in the mean time I was so excited to read my friend Mary's blog and read her ideas on how to have MORE LIFE. (She is so awesome at this!) I'm gonna do it! You should too.
http://jeremynmary.blogspot.com/2010/01/more-life.html

Fun in the Snow

So the girls had fun making a snowman. Winslow had to teach us the proper way since I didn't grow up in snow. I've decided its silly that all of our kids have snow pants and boots, but Winslow and I do not. Especially since we aren't going to grow out of them like our kids will! But they definitely have a better time when they stay dry and warm. Superman and his little woodsprite getting ready for the plunge down the hill. Thoughtful in the snow. I think this is one of the only times Jacob slowed down. He had so much fun tearing down the slope. What an athletic kid! The girls were all about eating the snow! My sister Emily. I miss her. I loved having her live with us for a month last summer. I think she'd love to come back. She made lots of friends here. We sure miss her! My kids love to be read to. I loved watching my parents read to my girls. I amazed constantly at how much fun I have with my husband. He is such a good dad. Oh, we have our moments of strife...how can you not with two very stubborn people. But we compliment each other in so many ways. I Know I Love him more now than I did when we first got married. Ahh, the camera found me. I love her smile. Just like her mother!! My sister Stephanie, he he he. She'll kill me for putting up this photo. But I love it. I love spending time with her. She's just stinkin' CUTE!

Prayers for Ella and Sandy

Some of you may remember my childhood bestfriend Sandy. Recently she moved from AZ to Utah. She was 7 months pregnant. Sandy ended up in the hospital with Placenta Abruptia. After a few days she gave birth to a precious little girl. Ella is 3lbs 5oz and 7 weeks early. I would ask that you remember then in your prayers. I know many premmie babies who have done quite well as they grow, but I also know that the early stages can be hard. So if you would, for me, pray for Sandy and Ella.

The Measure of our Creation

"The Good Shephard said 'Feed my Lambs.' John 21:15
So a woman feeds her loved ones, providing succor and sustenance just as the Savior would do. Her divine gift is to nurture, to help the young, to care for the poor, to lift the brokenhearted.
In Partnership with God, her divine mission it to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the 'measure' of her creation. It Is ENOBLING, EDIFYING, and EXALTING." --Russell M. Nelson

My visiting teacher brought me this and I love it!

For the Love of A Woman

So this last year we have been dedicated to paying off debt and buying everything in Cash. We've done rather well. This has meant some sacrifice, including my going to work. But it is something we are trying very hard to achieve. Winslow's birthday is comming up and he has been saving to buy a flat screen tv for our bedroom. Twice, we almost bought one. And then this week. my dishwasher finally gave up the ghost. It makes the dishes dirtier than when you put them in. Yuck. We've been struggling with it for a couple of months. I've cleaned out all the parts, run CLR thru it. And it would get marginally better. But this last week it just wasnt' worth it. They would come out with grit and grime they didn't have going in. The dishwasher is 7 years old so it's about time to replace it anyway. So my loving husband gave up his Flat Screen $ to buy me a dishwasher. Now that's LOVE!
I have a large supply of paper goods on hand to get me thru the next 2 weeks until the dishwasher comes in.
Saturday night the DVD player died (our second one in a year...although we have had this one since we lived in Texas forever ago.)
Maybe I'll get a new one for valentines!