you've been together how long?

Showing posts with label adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adventure. Show all posts

July 7, 2013

Annual Summer Cabin Trip

Hi everybody!

Time for my once-in-a-blue-moon blog post. 

I thought I would share a few pictures from our recent family trip to the cabin (my mom's side of the family). It is absolutely beautiful up the Weber Canyon. It feels like stepping out of reality and into a dream.


Clint and I took a walk one evening to the "Big Spring" where you can drink fresh mountain water almost exactly where the water comes out of the mountain. BEST. WATER. IN. THE. WORLD. We took a picture on the bridge over the Weber River on our way to the spring:

We went on a hike up the ridge behind the cabin one day. Clint's a hiking fool and he sort of initiated the whole thing. Once you get up high enough, above the firebreaker roads, you run into this massive grove of aspen trees. It was amazing.

Clint with our "minions" (a bunch of my cute cousins who took to following us on the trail. My youngest sister included.)




This one is on the road next to the cabin. This was just another beautiful evening up in the canyon and Clint and I took a little walk down the road to scope out some of the other cabin dwellings.

It sounds like we did a lot of walking, which I guess we did, but the main event up at the cabin is...BADMINTON!!! I played all night, every night with my cousins, sisters, uncles, parents, and the entire clan. Badminton is like the most underrated sport ever. So fun.


July 19, 2012

2 sisters married

It is sooooo..... FUNNNNN.... to have 2 other sisters besides myself married. Seriously, it's been a blast.

What a blessing it is that they each found a great guy who jives well with the fam. They are fun, adventurous, kind, and a bit goofy. Which you have to be if you're gonna jive well with these wackies.

I've loved it. And Clint too. Since my brother left on the mish, Clint has been the only dude at family gatherings besides my pops. And now he's had 2 other dudes to be buddy bud with.

Needless to say, family four-square and badminton and basketball will never be the same again. It's at a whole new level, I'm telling you!!! But so fun. And I am happy to say that I did actually win a round of Lightning (Tornado, Tsunami, Spit, etc) against even all of the guys. So ha. Take that.

And I got to have some special sister moments too.

Don't have any of the pics ready right now due to the recent hard drive crash (GRRRRRR!!!! I won't be over THAT until I get my files BACK already), but here are some of my favorite moments:

  1. Posing with the cardboard cut-out of my missionary brother (in Paraguay) at the weddings
  2. Doing my sisters' hair and make-up (both sisters) for their bridals and their actual wedding day (both events)
  3. Posing in "all-sister" shots at the temple in cute, matchy outfits. Seriously, some of those pics of all of us (posted on facebook) are time. less.
  4. Hugging my sisters and their brand new husbands in the temple right after the marriage ceremony. Giving those guys a huge old hug and saying "Congratulations, I'm so happy for you" have been some of the sincerest moments of my life
  5. Noticing that my parents are a bit more... willing? aggressive? assertive?... about getting the family together now that there's more than just 1 daughter (ahem) not living at home
  6. Allie's husband Cameron taking to Clint like a puppy-dog to a frisbee thrower. Clint loves having a disciple of his same mind. Clint and Cameron are so similar -sports-loving, practical-minded, conservative with money, chick-flick-eschewing, etc - and any time my parents invite us to do something, they always say that Cameron asked whether Clint was coming. The side bonus for me is that I get to hang with my sister Allie more :)

As for least favorite moments... the 2nd sister to get married, Liz, moved to Nevada with her husband Mark right after the honeymoon and I miss my Bizzer (there's a long story behind that nickname somewhere but I don't remember it.) I miss both of them obviously, but Bizzer was always my willing toe-nail-painting-chick-flick-watching-girls-night-in buddy. Still happy for them to be starting their own cute little family in Nevada while Mark starts school. Of course.

It's so special to see my family change like this. It's just really... really.... REALLY...

FUN.

June 20, 2012

A recent letter to my missionary brother

Hey Elder!
Thanks for your email last week. It's always great to hear from you. I'll keep this email short since I know you don't have a lot of time.
Cam and Allie's wedding was really fun. It was a great day. Cam's family was really nice and his dad and brothers offered to help clean up after the reception, which was nice. Mom's cake bites were awesome! Me and Liz and Mark all helped gather presents from the guests and put them in one place. We also took care of decorating Cam and Allie's car. :) Mwah ha ha. Mark and Clint sprayed Cam's car with silly string and me and Liz wrote all over it and tied streamers to it everywhere. Dad wrote on the windshield "Cam loves Kobe" and "Kobe stinks" or something like that. We took a bunch of pictures by your cardboard cut-out, too. Haha.
Anyway, phew! They're married now. We all had dinner at Mom and Dad's last night and played badminton and it was fun to see how the family's growing. It'll be really fun when you get home Kenny. You'll love Cam and Mark - they're great and the family has gotten even funner with them in it. Cam and Allie actually left Mom and Dad's house before me and Clint, which was weird but kinda nice. Clint and I are used to being the only ones who have to drive there and then leave so it was kinda nice to feel like we're not the only ones who leave at the end of the night.
Now we're all getting excited for Liz and Mark. I'll probably do Liz's hair and makeup this Saturday for her bridals.
Clint and I babysat for Clint's brother Brian and wife Annie this last week. They went to Denver to get away for a couple days and we babysat their 3 kids from Friday night at about 6 pm until Saturday at 4 pm when their parents got back. We had Avie, 7, Eliza, 4, and Maxwell, 1. So it was kinda a handful to keep them happy and fed and get their nap times and diaper changes and what not. But I think the kids had fun. They love to play with Clint. And I think we handled them ok. :) I had fun coloring with Avie and holding Maxwell in the pool (we went swimming for a little bit).
Anyway, we're still working hard at our jobs and our callings and running and what not. Clint surprised me this morning by waking up early, almost at the same time as me. I still get up at 5 am on most days. We went for a 4-mile run together and I just tried to keep up with Clint even though I was tired. It was nice to have a running buddy. I've actually discovered that I really like being outside in the mornings and hearing the birds chirp and seeing the sun rise. I never thought I'd EVER be such an early morning person, but there ya go. I guess I am now!
Oh, by the way, I added another movie to your "must-see" list: Men In Black 3. Me and Clint really liked it. It had some good action and it was funny. I bet you'll like it. :)
Well, I WAS trying to keep the email short but I had one more thing to tell you about. On Sunday I helped teach a lesson to all the combined young women about keeping personal records. Mom gave me a bunch of records and stories, including Great Grandma Spencer, Claron Spencer, and a few more all the way back to Daniel Spencer, our ancestor who knew the prophet Joseph and trekked across the plains to good old SLC. I'm going to Trek in memory of him next week. NEXT WEEK! Gah, oh my gosh, Trek is NEXT WEEK ALREADY! We still have so much to do. But anyway, I shared some stories of my ancestors with the YW and encouraged them to find some inspirational stories and keep good personal records of themselves. I think it went pretty good. I found some cool stories of our ancestors so I was pretty thrilled that the lesson started me looking into it.
Phew! Sorry this email got so long! I hope you can print it out and read it.
We just really love you Kenny and keep you in our prayers. Take care. :)
Love,
Sam (and Clint)

April 30, 2012

Our latest run

We ran the Salt Lake City Half Marathon, and these were some of our best pics (trust me, I look like I'm dying in most of the others)(and yes, these photos are snatched from the website without paying ludicrous prices for "de-proofed" digital copies):


I barely beat my PR from last year coming in at about 1:54:30 and Clint came in somewhere around 1:42. That fasty pants.

Sometimes, I feel like a slob after a race and I totally forget about being a runner for weeks or even months, but this time... not so. I felt a little fired up about doing better and getting faster. It was a rough training season for me with several colds, knee pain and therapist visits, and some other emotional issues. I was a fighter, but... I'm ready to do better.

Meet me at the Halloween Half marathon in Provo on October 27th if you think it sounds KILLER to run down a beautiful canyon dressed in whatever crazy runner costume you've always wanted to run in. I'm thinking of turning a Disney princess into a runner or possibly Sally Skellington! Prices go up May 1 and then again in August, I think.

March 2, 2012

At last a snow day!

...and finally the pictures.

Wow, it has really been that long since I've posted pics on the good old bloggy blog! Time's been sort of speeding by in a blaze of driving to and from Provo.

I wanted to post some pictures of our snowshoeing/sledding adventure (a couple weeks ago now) just because it's such a novel occasion for this (until now) snowless year!

Shelly was recently in town (Hi Shell!) so Clint and I and Tyler went with her up to Dog Lake to play in the pretty, sparkly snowflakes. Mm-hm, it was GORGEOUS.

(Shelly - I think I still need to email or facebook the pictures to you!)

January 25, 2012

A trip to the Leonardo

...revealed the inner artists in both Clint and myself.

This self-exploration station was found on the 2nd floor of the Leonardo museum in downtown SLC. I had never been before but thanks to a nifty Groupon Clint found, now I can say I have.

I thought our self-portraits were honestly and legitimately 2 of the best. Can you pick us out?


Want to know how we did it? What you did was you sat at this table with a pen and scratch paper, but you couldn't look directly at your paper. You looked straight ahead into this device utilizing mirrors that showed your face overlaying the scratch paper. You then traced your face onto the scratch paper only looking straight ahead into the mirror device.

The result? A profoundly abstractish, subtley revealing self portrait!



I thought it was cool anyhow.

December 21, 2011

downtown days of christmas

Clint and I traveled downtown 3 days in a row last week.
And we feel like we don't need to do it again for a very, very long time.
Each time it took us at least twice as long as it normally would because of extra Christmas traffic, including accidents on the freeway each night. We were travelling in the evenings on days that I can only assume the rest of the valley was heading downtown for the same events that we were. I also decided that some people who were heading toward these Christmas-related activities are people who do not normally drive on the freeway, and during busy conditions.
How else can I possibly account for all of the accidents on the freeway between the south end of the valley and downtown? It wasn't as busy as rush hour, nor have we had any snow to serve as people's excuse for driving poorly.
Anyway. Once we made it downtown, we had a great time going to one performance of Pioneer Theater's "Annie", the Utah Symphony's surprising spectacular of "Cirque de la Symphonie", and Clint's office party.





Just in case you've been wondering what we're up to.

October 19, 2011

Autumn in Neff's Canyon

Neff's Canyon is, I think, one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done in the Fall. Clint thinks it's because of the wide variety of trees along the trail that all turn different colors at this time of year. It's true that you see a full spectrum of Autumn colors!



I was loving the backlighting and the glowing colors of the trees. Both great conditions for playing photographer! :)








September 27, 2011

First Day of Fall!!!

I adore Autumn.

Simply...

Adore.



The first day of Fall was last Saturday, September 24th.  And I was loving it. 

September 25, 2011

Our Top 5 Summer Adventures

Clint and I decided that we've done some very adventurous things this summer (and spring.)  We decided to list the top 5, and here they are:

5.  Cruise along Mexican Riviera
This one takes 5th place because, well, we both just felt like some of the other things were more cool.  But it still made the list!  It was a first for both of us. Cruising, that is.  One of our excursion stops was a revisit to honeymoon site: Nuevo Vallarta.
And I even got Clint to dance with me to some live music.  So you know, not an everyday miracle.

On the eve of Summer Solstice, we watched the sun set through the west-facing tunnel, slept under brilliant constellations, then watched the sun rise through the east-facing tunnel.  As a spiritual bonus we also: pondered our existence in this mysterious and incomprehensible universe.
And as an unexpected bonus: we were quoted in the SL Trib regarding our trip.
Who wouldn't want to experience that?
Pretty dang fun and adventurous and a lot a bit crazy.   Picked up some new buddies, too.
#3 alternate: Sam's SLC Half Marathon.

This one is 2nd, beating out Ragnar, because of the extra physical endurance as well as the extraordinary scenery. 
Can also use the same 2 adjectives, adventurous and crazy, with some near brushes with death.  Ok, so, not really.  But Clint did get dehydrated and I did river walk at least 8 miles with excruciating blisters. 
We decided it was worth it.

You may know that I am a U2 fanatic, but did you know that Clint also voted this event for the position of #1?  That's right, even with high expectations for the concert, Clint was blown away.  As was I. 
U2 dazzles.
People aren't kidding when they call U2's music a spiritual experience. 
What a spectacle!!!

There you have it!  We do enjoy our summers, don't we Clint?

August 19, 2011

a "narrow" escape... Zions Narrows, that is

Well, I know this post has been long delayed.  Clint and I had an adventurous time hiking Zions Narrows several weeks ago; we even thought we might have been rather lost or disoriented at one point even though that would have been pretty hard to do... I mean, all you do is follow the river, right? 

August 4, 2010

round, round, get around

Yes.  It is time.  Time... for an update.

This is the next round of Sam and Clint's Summer; part 2 if you will. I have prepared the 2nd round of our summer flash cards for you.  (The term "flash cards" being used here to illustrate my dilemma over selecting a few of the best pictures out of literally hundreds.)


Our first stop features a hike that Clint has been trying to orchestrate for a couple of years now.  Beginning at the Crystal Lake trailhead and ending at the Smith & Moorehouse trailhead, this hike was about 11 miles one way.  We got dropped off on one end and had a car waiting for us at the other end.  Beautiful scenery.  And conveniently, we did this hike the same weekend we were up at my family's cabin which is a mere 15-minute drive from Smith & Moorehouse, where we ended up.


There are many more pictures from the cabin.
But here is a personal favorite that demonstrates my hardcoreness: me and my mountain biking battle wound...

Sitting around the fire pit.

A back-packing trip to Duck Lake.


Lake Blanche hike

Hike up Mt. Raymond (a beast of a hike.  I am not posting pictures of me on this hike because I was cranky.  The last mile of this hike was bushwhacking up an incline of about a 40% grade.  I kid not.)

And here are the Karren outdoor enthusiasts triumphantly atop Mt. Timpanogos.  About 7 miles to the wind-swept summit and taking a little over 5 hours total.  My calves were very sore the day after.

And I should mention this honorary banquet hosted by my employer where I was honored as one of the Specialists of the Year in my department.  Pretty cool.  But the best part was a paid overnight stay at the Canyons resort which Clint joined me for.
Me and some co-workers.  Ya can't miss me.  Only of us is wearing a color other than black and white.

Part of my anniversary gift from Clint: 4 hours of shopping at the Outlets.  And he didn't even complain!  In fact, he bought me a new dress.  Awwww!

Part of Clint's gift: a new addition to the wardrobe.

A joint anniversary celebration:  Italian cuisine at Johnny Carrino's. Mmm.
Yep, that's 3 years for us!  And loving every second.

July 7, 2010

we get around

Wow!!! Summer flies.

Our time is filled with trips, barbecues, office parties, 4th of July parties, and visits from relatives who live out of town… and they are some of the best memories of our lives!

Sometimes I feel like summer -- and similarly, our lives -- whizzes by in a blur of activities and picture-taking. Every now and then, it’s good to set the camera down for a minute and bask in the party mood. I'm a basker. I love to bask. Instead of taking pictures like mad to remember the moment for later, I want to enjoy the moment now, while I'm in it. (Of course, this could also be viewed as my excuse for being a lackadaisical picture-taker and blogger.)

However, I do value my memories. I love having something to go back to, to look at and read and document. Plus, I also love getting comments and keeping tabs on who out there still reads about us!!! :)

Clint and I love to play. We've kept up with our summer goal of hiking once a week, we've played some tennis (though not nearly as much as we'd like), and we've had some awesome road trips. Here's our Part I of our summer...

Frary Peak on Memorial Day

Grandeur

 Peekaboo-Queens Garden Loop

Grand Canyon Hikes
North Kaibab Trail...

Cape Final Trail...

...and Cliff Springs

Mt Olympus

Red Pine on July 5th
(pic MIA but here is a substitute)

Road Trip to Midway

...We Get Around Part 2
coming to Blogger Summer 2010...