Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

My best friend Cait and her husband stopped in Utah for a few days. We decided to spend a weekend camping in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument since we both hadn't been there yet and we could bring our dogs. The weather was great and everything was so green. It was such a fun trip.

Hiking above the canyon created by the Escalante River

Our whole group on the Escalante river trial

Hudson

As of right now, we only have two hobbies: remodeling our house and taking care of our puppy, Hudson. Our house has come along way from where it started in November, but there's still a lot to do before it's finished.We have learned so much from this intensely stressful process. We really look forward to the day when when we've finished our long remodeling to do list. Our goals is to have everything done in another month or so.

While we'd really like to fast forward to when we have finished our house, we also wish we could freeze time so Hudson doesn't grow any more. I wish he could stay a puppy forever. Below is a picture of the day we adopted him from Rescue Rovers.I highly recommend them to anyone looking to adopt a puppy or dog. All of their animals are placed in foster homes and well cared for by a foster family.As a result, Hudson was a well behaved and socialized dog even as a 10-week-old puppy.

Hudson was so small when he was 10 weeks. Back then, we only knew he was a Labrador Retriever mix and that he looked mostly like a lab. Since then, he's already tripled in size. He now weighs 45 pounds and is the size of a medium dog.

After seeing a picture of a Great Dane puppy on Facebook, we began to wonder if Hudson might be part Great Dane because he is growing so fast and has such large paws. We did a DNA test for him and should hear back shortly.

Hudson is the most photogenic by far

Photo credit: Lauren Laws

Bryce Canyon National Park

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was an entrance fee--free day for National Parks. On our way back from St. George we visited Bryce Canyon National Park. The red rocks, green pines, and white snow  combined with the blue sky was so lovely. 

Natural Bridge 

Nick wasn't cold even in shorts and a t-shirt.

The trail to the Queen's Garden was so pretty and fun. It wasn't too hard to hike in or out even with all the snow and the scenery was amazing.

Thor's Hammer

Weathering a Winter Wonderland

We spent Christmas this year with my family in Oregon. It was so much fun to have everyone together. It was the first time we've spent Christmas with my Grandma Hammond since we were in elementary school. 

Bonnie took our spur of the moment Christmas photo after opening presents on Christmas Day. It turned out quite well.

I discovered that I am allergic to cats over the break which was so sad because my parents have the cutest kitten. I'm also worried that I may be allergic to dogs and that it would prevent us from getting one this month.

Adam has been to Oregon so often that it's hard to come up with things he hasn't done yet. Due to traffic, we were taking the back roads home from Costco with my brother Jared and drove right by Mission Mill. As we toured the mill and the mission homes, we were filled with a sense of gratitude for our current work. None of us could imagine working in dangerous and hazardous condition day after day.

As we were driving back to Utah from Oregon, I was so remorseful to leave my family and the mild weather. I didn't help that we drove past 9 visible waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. As I was reflecting on how sad I was to be leaving, I decided that one of my goals for the New Year is to find ways to enjoy the winter and not just endure it. I  plan to do activities each week that will help me enjoy the winter weather. So far, I've noticed that getting a warmer winter coat for Christmas has really helped.

On New Year's Day we planned to snowshoe Big Springs with our friends the Cottrell's. I need to get a group picture from them.

Renovations, Renovations, Renovations

Most of the last two months we have been working on the house we purchased. We first made an offer to the bank last March. It's been a slow process, but we are so excited about it. We have spent so much of our time at Home Depot. It's our main hobby currently. They have been so helpful. I asked Adam about his goals for the New Year and he replied "finish the house." It's the number one goal on my list too.

Signing the papers in November

This is what our house currently looks like. I look forward to posting a before and after shot once we are done. 

There Goes October

October has flown by this year since I spent two weeks recovering from sinus surgery. The surgery went very well; the hardest part was resting like I was told since soon after the surgery I felt better than I have in quite some time. It was sad to miss the fall weather, but it is very nice not to get sinus infections any more. It's also nice to feel normal and have energy again.

I realized I haven't taken many photos this month. I took a selfie in the hospital right after surgery (I'll save everyone from having to see that) and these photos of my Halloween costume this year. It was the first time that Adam and I did not do a couple costume, though his cowardly lion costume from last only consisted of a lion t-shirt. The past two years we were Belle and Gaston and Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion.

 I thought about using the same dress to be Alice from Alice in Wonderland, but opted instead for Frida Kahlo based on photographs taken of her.

Cabin Weekend

We spent the weekend in a cabin in Jackson with my sister, her husband, and one of Adam's friend. It was so beautiful and relaxing. We could hear elk bugling in the morning and evening. They surprising sound like velociraptor noises from the Jurassic Park ride.

View from the cabin

Enjoying the view with my sister.

Jenny Lake is one of the prettiest lakes I have ever seen. I loved the turquoise water.

I call this one the face of a summer of sinus infections. In this picture, I have my 7th sinus infection in three months. I am looking forward to life after surgery when I shouldn't be getting them any more.

Carolyn and Daniel in the Rockefeller Nature Preserve. 

Adam said the Rockefeller Nature Preserve maybe the first natural landmark  he's been that his dad hasn't.