The mountains called, and we answered.

In mid-August we went backpacking with Dad Treasure and Jordan in the Tetons. The timing was a little crazy because we closed on our home literally hours before we left on the trip. It was odd spending those few days with just the barest essentials, all the while thinking we had our first home waiting for us in Draper! It was unreal. We hiked into this incredible alpine area called the Alaska Basin. We stayed for three days and two nights. We expected a lot of rain on the trip from the forecast we got before we left. Every afternoon and evening there would be a big thunderhead on the horizon and we would all think today we are going to get soaked. Then at the last minute the storm seemed to shift and pass us by. We never really saw any big game wildlife but everywhere we looked we saw marmots and pikas. These little mascots of the alpine kept us entertained the entire time with their calls and antics. One brave marmot sneaked into camp and was caught dragging a day pack full of trail mix to its den.

From base camp we day-hiked up to Hurricane Pass at about 10,000 ft elevation. From the pass you got an entirely different view of the Grand Teton peaks. Even at 10,000 feet the peaks towered above us. Below the pass was schoolroom glacier and a small glacial lake. It was an amazing sight to take in. It was also the only place on our trip with cell phone service. We set up our utilities for our new home from the top of the pass!

On day three we broke camp and hit the trail. Eight miles later we were at the trail head and a few minutes after that we were eating monster hamburgers at O'Rourkes in Driggs, ID. The transition back to modern living was so fast it almost made or trip seem dream like. It was great to spend time with my dad and little brother in the back country. I wouldn't trade these memories for anything.

Pioneer Day in Heber

This year we were able to join Trav's family celebration in Heber for Pioneer Day. The Christensen family have some really fun family traditions. Every year all the tractors in Grandpa Christensen's antique collection get started up. Each of the tractors is then lined up along the ditch bank for the whole community to see. They have a big spread of food for everyone and desserts too. The Christensen's made sure we felt at home and Chad gave little Ryan the ride of his life on the rope swing. We spent the night there and early the next morning we went out to Trav's fly fishing river. On our way back home we stopped in Francis to see Great Grandma Lemons old house and where Josh's mom grew up.

Jackson Hole

It has been a long standing tradition to go to the Signal Mtn Campground near Jackson Hole with Grandma and Gene. We have been out of state for the past few summers and have only been able to go on the family outing once while we have been married. We were so excited to be able to join the family this year. We had a good time recounting memories from past trips to this beautiful area.

We always try to mix in a few Jackson Hole favorites into the trip. Some of these include: swimming at String Lake, a trip to Yellowstone, hiking, grandma's super breakfast, ranger talks at the campground, and a trip to Jackson Hole for pizza at Mountain High Pizza Pie.






This year our Yellowstone day trip was a real highlight. We saw a total of eight bear (four cubs), many many elk and bison, and a few gysers too. Trav brought his spotting scope so we could all catch a closer glimpse of the wildlife. We looked for wolves but never found them. I suppose we had to save something for next time.

We are so thankful for Grandma and Gene Summers. They are amazing! They set up camp with the trailer before anyone arrived, cooked for an army, and went with us on a hike to Hidden Falls at the foot of the Tetons! We are so grateful for Grandparents!

Bastian Family vacation

Since the whole family made it to Glendale, AZ for Josh's Graduation, we thought why stop there? So we headed for San Diego, and the coast, to make a family vacation of it! Katie Jan and Spencer had never seen the ocean before so we made seeing the beach our top priority! We stopped and played at Coronado, La Jolla and Mission Bay Beachs. Everyone spent lots of time in the water and had a great time. The water was a bit cold for me, but really what natural nature water isn't?

Seaworld of course never disappoints! We saw lots of shows and sea creatures. Some of our favorites were the dolphins, shamu and the sea lion & otter show!



Some of our other stops included the grounds of the San Diego Temple, awesome homemade date shakes at an equally awesome rest stop in Dateland, AZ on I-8( if you get the chance, be sure and stop). We got some good information from a gas station attendant in CA regarding the US/ Mexico border: "You can stop at the border fence and you will probably encounter border patrol, but you shouldn't have a problem... as long as there isn't a problem." We did make our way to the giant fence and met several border patrol agents, and had no problems.
We figure we drove over 2,000 miles in 5 days so we saw lots of sights and made lots of memories. We missed not having mom along as she had to fly back to Utah, but we kept her in the loop with plenty pictures and txt messages!

We have a Dr. in the family!

After many years of hard work, Josh got his Doctorate of Pharmacy from Midwestern University, Glendale. I couldn't be more proud of him!!

Congrats Katie!

Congratulations Katie! We can't believe the baby of the family just graduated high school. We are proud of your accomplishment and we are so excited about your future!

Backpacking Capitol Reef

Over memorial day weekend we went to Capital Reef in Southern Utah to go backpacking. Lindsey and her boyfriend JP came along, so we had good company. We were a little worried about the weather, but figured what the heck we getting out of the city! It was Capitol Reef or bust after that! It did rain rain on us, but we made due and the constant rain clouds over the red desert rock made for spectacular views. Our first night we did some hiking and set up camp off a dirt (mud, clay, etc) road, in which we were glad we drove in JP's all-will drive Subaru, it rocked! We were also inspired by Lindsey and JP to build a "tent patio". The better to keep our tent clean right?!


The next day we hit the trail with our packs. It was fun to have Lindsey along so we could reminisce about the old days. We sang songs, quoted movies and laughed about what we used to get in trouble for. About 5 miles into the hike, we made a last steep climb to the top of the ridge overlooking the waterpocket fold and figured it was the perfect view and the perfect place to camp. Luckily we got on top just in time to realize a huge storm was quickly approaching. We set up our tents as quickly as possible but gale force winds and pounding hail didn't help the situation. For a moment we thought our tent was going to get blown right off the ridge so we piled rocks on top of our tent stakes. We finally got her good and secure and were ready to face the storm when it passed as quickly as it had come. We watched the storm track across the valley and swallow the mountains on the horizon. Our only words, wow that was an EPIC storm! We spent the rest of the day hiking along the ridge and watching smaller storms systems pass through the valley.

On our hike out we got in a fight with the largest lizard we have seen in Utah. He stood his ground, hissed at us and launched himself at the camera when Josh went in for a closer shot. What a lil' bully!


When we finally made it back to the car, we were muddy and tired, but it wasn't anything riptide rush Gatorade couldn't cure.