Timpanogos Cave

We decided last minute to do the hike to and tour of the Timpanogos Cave.  Justin had done it many years ago with his family, but this was my first time.  The trail is 1 1/2 miles to the top where the cave tour begins.  The tour of the cave is 1 hour.  We drove up the canyon and had lunch, then got ready for our hike.  We had both the kids in backpack carriers.  Here are Emme and Charlie all ready to go!

The hike was hard and hot.  I really had to push myself to keep going.  Justin was very patient and good at keeping me moving :)

The views were amazing!

We finally made it to the top just in time for our tour.  It felt so nice to get inside the cave, which stays at 45 degrees, after hiking in the hot sun.  Here are Justin and Emme making their way through the cave.

Charlie and Katie

The great heart of the Timpanogos Cave

Our guide and the tour were great!  It was fun to learn about how the caves were discovered, and how some of the formations are made.

Getting ready for the hike down.

This was the view Justin and I had as we hiked down the trail :)

Emme and Charlie were so exhausted by the time we started hiking down.  The hike and the tour were during their nap time.  They were troopers!

Attempt to Catch Up: Stitches and Four Corners

We took a trip to visit my dad WAY back in March.   We left the day after Charlie's birthday.  We packed almost everything that morning and were only a little bit behind schedule.  The car was packed, the kids were buckled in and we were just waiting for Justin to come down so we could go.  When he came down he calmly told me me sliced his hand open on a bracket for our big dry erase board.  

It looked bad enough for stitches, so we ran across the street to the urgent care.  Three stitches and a trip to the drugstore later we were finally on our way.  Justin was mostly upset because he wanted to swim with Emme at the hotel, but he wasn't supposed to submerge his hand for about a week.  I think he looks like Frankenstein.

We stayed the night in Monticello.  We planned to drive straight to Albuquerque the next day, but decided to take a detour to the four corners monument.  I have always wanted to go there.  We got some pictures, Emme played with rocks and we ate some amazing Navajo tacos.

 Thank you Justin for taking a detour so I could mark the four corners off my bucket list!

Trek

Justin got to go on trek this year with the youth.  Trek is where the youth get to pull handcarts on some of the original pioneer trails and experience what it might have been like coming across the plains.  Justin was really excited to go, and it was quite an experience.  I wish I could have gone.  Maybe someday I will be able to go.

Before: He even grew a little facial hair before he left

After: A little dirtier and sunburned from being outside all day!

Justin will have to post details about his trip if he finds the time :)

Father's Day 2012

These are a couple pictures from Father's Day this year.  We had a nice pancake breakfast at home before church, then we opened a few presents later that afternoon.

We were also lucky to have a visit from Grandpa King.

I am so grateful for the fathers in my life.  I couldn't ask for better.  I am most grateful for Justin and that he is such an amazing father and husband.  I can't imagine a better father for our children.  We love you!

Swimming on the Balcony

We don't have a yard to put a pool in since we live in an apartment.  Luckily we do have a balcony that barely fits a kiddie pool.  It's a great way to beat the heat of the summer.  These pictures were from our first swim of the season on our balcony.  They loved it!

Emme teaching Charlie how to blow bubbles in the water.

Sibling Love

One of the things I am most grateful for is that Emme and Charlie love each other.  They are best friends, and  sometimes even love each other too much!  Emme really watches out for Charlie, and tries to help him when he is sad.  Charlie follows Emme everywhere and loves to laugh with her.

Charlie after falling asleep in the car.  Emme pretending to sleep with him.

She sure loves him :)

Hanging out together in their new camping chairs.

Dinner and a show

I looked over at Charlie one night during dinner and saw this...

Emme couldn't be left out either!

Happy Kids!

Swimming Lessons

We signed Emme up for her first swimming lessons this summer.  She picked out her own swimming suit and was so excited!

She loved her teacher, Shell, but did not love her first day of lessons.  She cried after she realized that I left and didn't want to participate much.

We fixed that problem with a little bribery and a few stickers.  She received a sticker every day if she followed the rules, and got ice cream at the end.  She ended up really liking the lessons, but was still uncomfortable putting her face in the water.