hiking

Last weekend Jamey and I were lucky enough to have Friday and Saturday off together. We decided to check a few things off of our "things to do while we live in Page" list. It's quite a long list, but unfortunately due to our hectic work schedules and lack of days off together, we haven't checked many of the things off in the year we've been here.

On Friday, we went on a short 1 mile hike. The hike ends at a pretty cool Hanging Garden. It was a good trail to begin with to get Addy accustomed to hiking again. She did really well and only asked Jamey to carry her once. The trailhead is located near our home, so it was really convenient. "let's go up there daddy!"

view of the lake from the trail

the hanging garden. It was pretty cool to see all these plants in the desert landscape.

During our hike, we saw three Chuckwalla's. They are really cool!

On Saturday, we headed north out of town to the BLM Toadstools trailhead. It's about 1.6 miles roundtrip, and you can take the flat trial through a dry wash or you can get more creative hiking up and over rocks.

The toadstool rock formations were created when the softer sandstone eroded leaving the harder rock behind.

We, of course, opted not to stay in the wash and did a little climbing and scrambling. Addy loved it!

This little rock formation made a perfect resting spot for her.

It got really cloudy and dark about halfway through the hike.

Addy had to pee a couple of times on the trail because she drank so much water!

Getting outside the box

Last week, I was given the opportunity to get outside of my dispatch cube and explore this beautiful area that I live in.

On Wednesday, my coworker and I flew our park plane (a 6 seat cessna) to Hite. I did really well and didn't get airsick on my first flight! Our crazy 80+ year old pilot was surprised because apparently most first-timers get sick.... It might have something to do with his maneuvering and dipping to show the folks different sights on the lake. Hite is the northern-most developed area in our park. Neither of us had been up there, so the Hite Ranger spent the day showing us the sights. It was great. I absolutely LOVED Hite! It is a gorgeous area and reminded me a lot of home.

White Canyon in Hite, Utah A view of Lake Powell and surrounding area from the air.

The river up near Hite

Ancient Ruins in White Canyon

Castle Rock and the Cut near Wahweap Marina

Rainbow Bridge (the largest natural bridge) from the air

On Thursday, another coworker and I took the plane up to Bryce. I had been to Bryce a couple of times, but it was good to ride around with the rangers, to see things that normal tourists don't see.

Bryce Canyon I am so grateful to work in such a beautiful place and to be able to get out and explore!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all of the amazing mother's I know. Here are some of my favorite thoughts and quotes about motherhood.

Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors it's Holy calling and service next to the angels." - Messages from the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Jamey gave me a framed copy of this quote for my first Mother's Day. I absolutely love it.

“Our outward appearance is a reflection of what we are on the inside. Our lives reflect that for which we seek. …You can recognize women who are grateful to be a daughter of God by their attitude. They know that the errand of angels is given to women, and they desire to be on God’s errand to love His children and minister to them, to teach them the doctrines of salvation, to call them to repentance, to save them in perilous circumstances, to guide them in the performance of His work, to deliver His messages…You can recognize women who are grateful to be a daughter of God by their reverence for motherhood,… Daughters of God know that it is the nurturing nature of women that can bring everlasting blessings, and they live to cultivate this divine attribute. Surely when a woman reverences motherhood, her children will arise up and call her blessed (see Prov. 31:28) “The Joy of Womanhood,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 14–16

"Let every mother realize that she has no greater blessing than the children which have come to her as a gift from the Almighty; that she has no greater mission than to rear them in light and truth, and understanding and love; that she will have no greater happiness than to see them grow into young men and women who respect principles of virtue, who walk free from the stain of immorality and from the shame of delinquency. . . . I remind mothers everywhere of the sanctity of your calling. No other can adequately take your place. No responsibility is greater, no obligation more binding than that you rear in love and peace and integrity those whom you have brought into the world." Gordon B. Hinckley

"During my professional career as a doctor of medicine, I was occasionally asked why I chose to do that difficult work. I responded with my opinion that the highest and noblest work in this life is that of a mother. Since that option was not available to me, I thought that caring for the sick might come close. I tried to care for my patients as compassionately and competently as Mother cared for me.

Many years ago the First Presidency issued a statement that has had a profound and lasting influence upon me. “Motherhood,” they wrote, “is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.

Because mothers are essential to God’s great plan of happiness, their sacred work is opposed by Satan, who would destroy the family and demean the worth of women.” Russell M. Nelson, “Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women,” Ensign, May 1999, 38

There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part-or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." “Daughters of God,” Ensign, May 2008, 108–10

The First Presidency has said: “Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind” (in James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency, 6 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965–75, 6:178). The priesthood cannot work out its destiny, nor can God’s purposes be fulfilled, without our helpmates. Mothers perform a labor the priesthood cannot do. For this gift of life, the priesthood should have love unbounded for the mothers of their children.

Honor your wife’s unique and divinely appointed role as a mother in Israel and her special capacity to bear and nurture children. We are under divine commandment to multiply and replenish the earth and to bring up our children and grandchildren in light and truth (Moses 2:28; D&C 93:40). You share, as a loving partner, the care of the children. Help her to manage and keep up your home. Help teach, train, and discipline your children.


You should express regularly to your wife and children your reverence and respect for her. Indeed, one of the greatest things a father can do for his children is to love their mother.


A man who holds the priesthood regards the family as ordained of God. Your leadership of the family is your most important and sacred responsibility. The family is the most important unit in time and in eternity and, as such, transcends every other interest in life.

We reiterate what was stated by President David O. McKay: “No other success [in life] can compensate for failure in the home” (David O. McKay quoting J. E. McCulloch, “Home: the Savior of Civilization,” in Conference Report, Apr. 1935, p. 116) and President Harold B. Lee:

“The most important of the Lord’s work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes” (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, p. 255). Effective family leadership, brethren, requires both quantity and quality time. The teaching and governance of the family must not be left to your wife alone, to society, to school, or even the Church. Howard W. Hunter, “Being a Righteous Husband and Father,” Ensign, Nov 1994, 49

3rd Birthday Party and Easter

Addy recently celebrated her 3rd birthday. Because Jamey was out of town on her actual birthday, we had her birthday party on the 23rd. My parents, sister, and Addy's "Matt" came from Colorado for her party. We invited several of Addy's friends, went to the park to play, and (at Addy's request) had an Easter Egg hunt. The kiddos had a great time, and Addy was spoiled rotten.

Posing with some of her loot.
Opening presents. Everytime we asked what she wanted for her birthday, she told us she wanted a yo-yo, so Uncle Tyty bought her one.
We bought her a new Princess bike.
Addy and her best friend Lucy.
Matt loaded Addy up with princess dress up stuff. She LOVED having him here!