Our Epic Hike to the Meadow

You know when you have that idea that you think is a really good idea at first and would be "totally epic" to do and then the more you think about it- you realize it might not be such a good idea after all? No? (Does that only happen to me?!)

We had talked about hiking up past the Y to the famous/infamous meadow (which one it is depends on who you talk to in the Hyatt family!) to camp there and then go up to the top of Y mountain (to look one last time for my dad's time capsule and check on our time capsule we buried 3 years ago). Ben and Carly were going to come with us (which would have been nice to split up the gear a little more) but then they weren't able to come. It's also been pretty hot and was just going to get hotter...so we were having second thoughts. We thought, maybe we'd just hike up there without gear sometime before we leave and find somewhere else to drive up to and go camping. But then a lot of the campgrounds showed they had a $20 fee and were an hour or so away...

SO- kind of last minute Friday afternoon both Tyler and I texted each other with "let's do it!" If we put it off, we'd never go up to the meadow! So I got out the packs and filled the water bottles/camelbacks (we knew we'd need a lot of water if we'd make it in the heat and up the Y!) and with our twine (yeah- we didn't have the most high-tech gear!) we managed to attach everything to something on our packs! 

We stopped by Subway and got sandwiches for our way up. Tyler dropped us off at the trailhead and then he took the car down to park a little ways away and walked back up (he got extra hiking in because there is no overnight parking in the Y lot). We finished tying up stuff and then loaded up! It was about 6:45pm when we got started, but it was still in the high 90s - so plenty hot (with intense sun on us!) I made it up the first 2 switch-backs of the Y trail and was pretty sure I wasn't going to make it any higher! We were both already sweating like crazy and I was already tired. We had hoped to make it to what we call Pride Rock (past the Y) before stopping to eat, but we ended up eating half our sandwiches right then (Jordy got some easy-mac)! With some food and having made it up what I think are the hardest switch-backs, we decided to keep on going and see how we felt then. We were taking it nice and slow and stopped at each switch-back- and with some pats-on-the-back from Jordy, we made it up to the top of the Y in just over an hour and a half! 

Tyler the "pack-mule!" What a trooper!! (He had to have been carrying about 60 lbs at least!) Jordy was pretty happy to have access to the water in the camelback! 

We made it!!! 

After a quick picture we were on our way again (we didn't want to lose momentum and we were quickly losing our daylight!) We made it to Pride Rock and finished our sandwiches and gave ourselves another pep-talk to keep going!

The view from Pride Rock is always impressive! And with the sun setting over Utah Lake, it was especially neat! 

Jordy was happy to be free from his pack for a few minutes!

On our way again! Bye Provo! 

We were surprised how much longer it seemed this time around to get up to the Meadow! (We could have sworn it was closer the last time we hiked up there!) It was better that we weren't in the sun anymore, but we were still just climbing in elevation. We made it as long as we could without our flashlights, but then we needed to pull them out for the last hour or so. We passed a few of the landmarks I remembered (a giant tree. some rocky path, a mini-clearing...you know-- really good descriptive landmarks for up there!!! :) We were also surprised how over-grown the trail was...in some places there was hardly a visible path and plants/weeds were up to our waists. But once we passed the split in the path (one going up to the top of Y mountain and one leading to the meadow) I felt sure we were almost there. NOPE! The trail just kept going! My legs felt like jello at that point and I had to just say "one foot in front of the other" (I have NO idea how Tyler was still going! Jordy had been so good- giving Tyler pats on the back on the way up and not complaining at all. But at this point, it was dark and he was half-asleep in the pack!) I said to Tyler "I think the Meadow is gone- we missed it!" It just felt like we had been going forever. Then we saw a clearing through the trees and walked out into an "opening"-- yet the grass was still so high! But sure enough, it was the meadow!

There was a small group of guys that came into the meadow from the opposite way just a few minutes after us, and they actually set out their sleeping bags in one of the only "clear" spots up there by the fire pit. We weren't really interested in making a fire at that point (it was almost 10:30pm- we'd just make smores at home!) so we just tried stomping out a spot to set up the tent. (The tall grass actually helped with padding a little bit!) I was holding Jordy as Tyler set up the tent and then we laid out the sleeping bags and were ready to sleep! Luckily we brought warm pajamas for Jordy (it was pretty cool up there without the sun!) and snuggled up together- so we were plenty warm (We also luckily brought extra shirts because ours were soaked!) I think Jordy had fun looking up through our tent at the stars! We hadn't taken any extra padding, so Tyler and I were sleeping between lumps and bumps in the ground, but we were just grateful to have our packs off and a chance to rest our legs! We may not have had the best sleep of our lives, but Jordy seemed pretty comfortable! He was so good for his first time in a tent!

And then- (almost too early)- the sun was UP! One of my favorite things about camping is waking up with the cool air on my face and listening to birds chirping-- but it VERY QUICKLY got pretty warm!

Jordy stayed asleep until after 7 in the morning- and he seemed a little hesitant to wake-up until he opened his eyes to see the bag of food and then he was awake! :) 

Jordy: The BIG man of the tent! :)

Look what we found!!! It's still running! :) I climbed in and filled up 2 of our water bottles. The water was nice and cold and very refreshing! :) 

Although we had originally thought about going up to the top of Y mountain, we unfortunately just didn't have the "oomph" to go up anymore! If we were going to have to put on the packs again, we needed to be going down! SO- we'll have to come back up another time (without the gear!) to do that part. (Sorry, dad-- still no time capsule!: ) 

What we had to walk through in the dark to get to the meadow!! It was very pretty- just not so nice to our bare legs! 

Welcome back to the city!

Another view of Pride Rock.  (It was about 10:30 in the morning-- it was amazing how much  easier it was coming back than going up, but it was already getting HOT!) 

We rearranged our packs just a little, but after a few of the switch-backs coming down - Jordy had to get out and he walked a little but then Tyler carried him (apparently carrying him in front felt a lot better than on his back!) 

What a trooper! This kid has conquered the Y for sure now! (This was a good "parting ways with Y Mountain" hike-- we aren't going to miss hiking it for a little while!) 

We unloaded our stuff and Tyler hiked down to the car and got the A/C going to come pick us up and all our stuff! Jordy was anxious to get a snack! 

We stopped by Sonic and got shakes on the way home, showered and then took a 3-hour long nap! We were then meeting Carly and Brad, Jess, and Ben and Carly at Seven Peaks, but it was a good thing others were there to hold Jordy-- both Tyler and I were pretty tired and sore (we can't lift our arms up very high and let's not talk about the walking-issue!)

All-in-all we agreed it was a fun trip and we're glad we did it, but we also don't have plans to do that again any time soon! (Or maybe ever again packing a kid and stuff just with us 2--we'll wait till Jordy can carry us! :)
We sure are going to miss the beautiful mountains of Utah! Maybe when we can walk again (by next summer) we'll be ready just to go up to the Y again! :) 

Staying busy, busy, busy

This is what happens when I get behind on uploading my pictures- I feel like there's just a bunch of random pictures to try explaining! 

P.S. I know I'm supposed to be working on writing- but I "earned" these blog breaks- otherwise I'd really go crazy! As mentioned a little earlier, it's been stressful trying to get stuff done before I leave (even though my data has already been collected, I still have to go through the "formality" of having a prospectus meeting), but it's a little frustrating when I've met with my research committee along the way, so this just feels like an unnecessary step. I am having a hard time getting clear answers and direction from my thesis chair, and I don't think she likes my writing style/organization (even though she helped with the organization and I've incorporated a lot of her ideas into it) Grrrr. I have a hard time being motivated to write more when what I have written gets ripped up and re-arranged EACH time (including changes she's made!) I feel like I was really motivated and pushing to work hard on my thesis initially, but after it took almost a year-and-a-half to collect all my data (working with one kid a week, and having to organize and plan for each of those sessions)- I've just lost a lot of that initial "drive." Unfortunately, my thesis chair is just NOW ready to really work on it (where was she before when I was ready and asking to move forward?!) 

I've tried explaining that I just wasn't able to do more than one focus at a time with other things going on. (I heard a quote recently that balancing things doesn't always mean giving equal priority to everything all the time-whether it's true, that's been more of my philosophy). It was hard enough deciding to try to balance finishing the program with Jordy being so young, and I had tried doing what I could to still be making progress in the program the whole time - but unfortunately after factoring in clinic/client work and internships and classes, the writing took lowest priority. I also had decided with Tyler that although I would still be in school, I wasn't going to ignore him or Jordy and that if sacrifices needed to be made, school things were almost always second to choosing to spend time together (which I also needed for my sanity!) I am actually not finishing any later than a handful of others that started the program with me, so I've never viewed myself as really being behind, but my thesis chair seems to think otherwise. She also was telling me how it would be almost impossible to finish in WI- even though I am willing and PLANNING on flying back to defend this fall, she just seems to think I need to be physically in her office to watch her CONSTANTLY change things.

Sorry. I'm done ranting. For now! 

Back to the "random" June pictures! :) 

Good thing this little squirt is so cute! 

We helped Carly and Brad move into their new HOUSE the first weekend in June and then stopped by this little park for a quick rest. Jordy couldn't understand why the ducks kept running away from him! 

The next weekend in June was the 2-day Summerfest in Orem- when a carnival and food trucks come. We walked around for a bit and got a tasty funnel cake to share!

It is amazing to me how much Jordy imitates us these days. We'll do something one time, and before we know it, he's trying to do it himself. Jordy spends so much of the day throwing balls around the house (thanks to Tyler) but some of them go under the couch. We've used a long back-scratcher stick we have to get out-of-reach balls from under the couch, but the other day when a ball rolled under, the next thing I know Jordy was getting the back-scratcher to get the ball himself! 

He LOVES doing anything Tyler does, from laying on his back throwing balls in the air (Jordy tries it but he can't catch so they usually just hit him, but that doesn't stop him from doing it more!), to doing practice golf swings in the air-- Jordy LOVES his daddy and wants to do everything he does! 

Tyler had his tool set out to fix our closet rod and you better believe Jordy was right there "helping"!

"Which tool is next, dad!?"

With the NBA finals on- both Jordy and Tyler were in heaven! (Jordy seriously would start "yelling" and/or clapping when he saw there was a game on TV!) During one game Jordy climbed up on Tyler to get a more comfortable seat! 

Then it was time for a snack- so we brought out chips and salsa and Jordy's Veggie Straws...

...but Jordy saw Tyler dipping his chips into the salsa so Jordy wanted to do that too with his! 

Jordy doesn't like to see me working on my computer and has a hard time leaving the keys alone when I'm typing. I remembered we still had the old computer Tyler used in school so I dug it out and turned it on (it took like 20 min. to boot-up!) but then I told Jordy that was HIS computer to work at-- it kept him busy for a little bit-- until he kept restarting it or making it go to sleep. He also figured out (rather quickly) how to pull off some of the keys :( 

I've also tried keeping him busy building towers- but he doesn't think they are as much fun standing up when they could be DESTROYED! 

...or when he can put the pieces in his mouth! 

I am looking forward to the day (hopefully by the beginning of November!) when I'll be able to give this kiddo more of my attention! I know I've gotten frustrated with him and it's hard getting all my stuff done when he is demanding my attention too, but all-in-all, looking at all he's put up with in the last year-and-a-half...he's been really patient with me and a really good sport about it all. He really has spent a ton of time on campus, either with me or playing with others while I'm in class or with a client- and he's generally so happy! (Just SUPER energetic!) Remembering he's just a baby/toddler and he has a right to want to get down and play-- he's been so good!

I said it on facebook, but it deserves to be said again- in trying to count all those that have helped out- if even just once to watch Jordy for me- there are more than 25 people that I can name! I couldn't have done this without all the family and friends that have supported me, whether physically watching Jordy or encouraging me from a-far. THANK YOU! 

If for nothing else- I am finishing my thesis for ALL OF YOU! 

Also- of course this wouldn't be possible without Tyler. He has come home from work on multiple occasions and taken Jordy on errands or to the park so that I could have some "me-time" to either take a nap or write, etc. -- even though he doesn't really get those times for himself. He listens to me vent and rant about the same things MILLIONS of times without ever complaining and stays up with me late at night just to rub my back or keep me awake too! He is an incredible husband and father. 

This summer is going to be busy with a big move and settling in, my internship and finishing writing- but I'm looking forward to the day when I can look back and say, "WE DID IT!" 

Strawberry Days Rodeo

One of my favorite things about summertime in Utah are the RODEOS!!! After Tyler took me to my first rodeo 4 years ago, I fell in love with them! (And with him- coincidence?!) I think they are so much fun (and yes, I'll admit it, I still have my dreams of riding/owning horses one day!) 

My first rodeo: Lehi Round-up! Also the day we first held hands :) Rodeos just have a lot of good memories for me! :)

One of the Rodeos that we've been to for the last few years is the Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days Rodeo. A rodeo with yummy strawberries in cream-- yup, a great combination! 

Jordy was a hit last year with his rodeo shirt and hat, but it helped that he couldn't really get the hat off! This year, he wasn't such a fan of the cowboy hat- but he was still pretty popular and made lots of friends with the people we were sitting by! 

"Ok! You got your pictures, can the hat come off now?!"

Awww! I love my cowboys! :)

The famous Strawberries-Jordy really liked the cream! ("Not the hat again!") 

Perfect weather and awesome "cotton-candy" clouds in the sky set the mood for the rodeo! 

Sure enough- one of Jordy's "signature smiles" was sure to come out! 

This year it was also a nice way to celebrate finishing classes FOR GOOD! :)

Fun with Friends

As busy as we've been recently, and with painfully long classes twice a week (and a strong case of senior-itis) it's been helpful to have a few days of playing mixed in! During the first week in June Jordy and I met up with Rachel Bronson and Katie Witt and their boys for some fun at a playground and splash pad in Riverton (kind of a half-way point for all of us). It was fun for the boys to run around and play and for us to get to chat (in-between running after the boys!)

As much as Jordy loves climbing on the playground equipment, he can't go anywhere without a ball in hand!

Logan, Jordy, Dallin (Bennett in the background and Katie is holding her son Michael)

After grabbing a few bites to eat between running around and then drying off, it was back to the playground for the boys! (Where do they get all their energy?!) I was a little hesitant to let Jordy go free on the playground, but after one time of holding my hand to get up on stuff and be persuaded to go down the slide- he saw the other boys running around by themselves and he seemed to say "I got this mom!" (Ouch- that was quick of not being needed anymore!) He did really well climbing up the stairs and walking along all on his own!

He even goes down the slides by himself! 

Then, about a week later, Stephanie Johnson (another roommate/friend from Freshman year) was going to be in Salt Lake City- so Katie helped arrange a fun little get-together at a park in South Jordan. Holly and her kids were able to come too- so we were just missing Kendra :( I can't believe it's been almost 9 years since we were freshman in college--crazy to think about how much has happened between now and then! It was fun to catch-up a little and to let the kids run around together!

This picture makes me laugh so hard! (I shouldn't- I was the only there with 1 kid!) but trying to get all kids to stop playing for a picture was quite the task--and we're actually still missing Holly's baby and one of Katie's boys ran off right before...oh well- it was worth a try! 

This day I was also celebrating because I had just had my LAST DAY OF CLASSES. EVER!!!! I had taken a beastly written exam (2. 5 hours to write 3 essays citing all the readings we had had during the term), But that was over and I was still alive- so there was only 1 last group project to finish up and I was DONE with graduate course-work. Wahoo! 

My cohort had a little get-together at a park right after our last class finished! Tyler and Jordy came for some pizza before we headed up to South Jordan and Tyler went to a work soccer game. It's crazy to realize how much time was spent these last 2 years with these people! We made it!

Unfortunately, I still have a lot of writing to do for my thesis...and my thesis chair wasn't clear on the fact that once I left in the summer to do my internship, I would be finishing my thesis in WI. That brought about some stress and awkward conversations and trying to arrange to have my prospectus meeting before I leave. Things couldn't get too easy now, even with classes over, right?! Haha. (More on this drama later...)

But even with lots to do still, Jordy is just too energetic to be inside all the time! I don't get much work done when he's just begging me to go outside or to play with him- so we went to a park and then to the Riverwoods splash pad to hopefully wear him out a little! (It just wore me out!)

It's been so warm lately (and only getting hotter- with forecasts of staying in the 100s for several days)-- it just isn't pleasant being outside if you're not getting wet! 

Haha- talk about photo fail on my part!!! I didn't even think about it until I was looking at the pictures after- but don't worry- Jordy is NOT doing what this picture makes it look like! :) 

Poor Jordy- couldn't figure out why he kept getting splashed in the face/on his head! He kind of freezes when he gets splashed (whereas other kids run around or at least move away- maybe he'll figure it out before he hates splash pads all-together!)

We tried having a little picnic near-by, but Jordy wasn't up for eating much when he could be playing!

Later in June (this isn't in order, but it fit with the "splash pad" theme!) Jessica volunteered to watch Jordy so we could go to the Payson Temple. We were only able to do Initiatories, but it was still neat to be in that Temple- hopefully we can do an Endowment session before we leave. Jordy had fun taking over the place with Jess and Ryan while we were gone!

Doing his "work!"

We stopped by the splash pad in Spanish Fork. You'd think that Jordy would be a little more used to them by now- but he still acts a little "shocked" that something is getting him wet! And bringing a ball was just a temptation for the kids that do run around in the water to take it and run away with it-leaving Jordy confused and upset behind! But at times he seems to be having fun...

...he seemed to enjoy it the most when the water was off and he felt "safe" to run around...haha!

Our 7 Peaks passes are still valid through the beginning of July, which is nice to get to go a few more times before we leave. Even if we are just in the lazy-river, it's been nice to have somewhere to get wet and cool down a little from this heat! Jordy seems to like the pool more than the splash pads! Unfortunately, it's hard taking pictures while in the water, but he likes getting wrapped up in his towel when he's all done! 

If only he'd stay in the tube- I'd have a solution for keeping him in one place longer than 30 seconds!