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.

Happy Birthday Lindsey!!

I can't believe my little sister is turning 21! It is really unbelievable! You are such a wonderful part of our family and we are so proud of all you have accomplished. You are a beautiful, ultra-talented young woman and we hope you have a great 21st birthday!

Spring Time and Easter

From Spring and Easter

We really had fun being with family this Easter. We may have even got a little carried away with the Easter eggs. Between the two of us we dyed at least a dozen eggs and had a good time doing it. Lil' Katie brought a kit that even had sporty little shrink wrap sleeves.

We saw lil' Katie off to her senior prom, and attended Cathryn Hutchings wedding at the SLC temple. We were surprised when Elder Perry arrived to perform the sealing! The sealing was perfect and the reception was a blast.

Earlier this spring we got to see Grandpa and Grandma Treasure. Grandpa continues to battle cancer. We were able to see him after a recent surgery at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. It has been nice to be close and be with family in both good and hard times

Real Season Opener

Uncle Ben and Jodi have season tickets to Real Soccer in the new Rio Tinto stadium. Spencer and Diana were also able to join us. Although the weather did not cooperate, we really didn't get soaked until the end of the game. It was fun! Real took this one 4 to 1. Thanks Ben and Jodi!

Sister Fun!

Since moving back to Utah I have been able to enjoy lots of good sister bonding time. We've been 80's dancing, where getting ready for the dance is half the fun. 

The Real Salt Lake soccer team had a free exibition game. We went early, got great seats and have a sun burn to prove it. It has been fun to be close to family again. 

A New Job! And Looking Back...

We have been blessed and our circumstances have been very fortunate. One week after moving back to Utah I was able to get a job as the dietitian for Jordan School District. We moved on a Saturday and I interviewed that Monday! A week later I was working! It was a quick turn around, but it was just what we needed. We are so grateful. It's confirmation to us that we are in the right place at the right time. So while I am enjoying my new job and learning a lot, I miss all of my friends from good old Glendale Elementary School District. So here is a shout out to them. I miss you guys! 

We Moved!

Josh was able to get the last portion of his internship in Utah! So now we are back in the motherland! The move was a little stressful at times. I don't know how we would have done it without the help of friends and family. 

We made the drive here in great time, thanks to our good old rental truck. Unfortunately it took us two trucks to get here! Truck number one died shortly after we picked it up! Once we got here, we had so much help that we unloaded the truck in just over an hour! It was like a human conveyor belt. 

Jess and Trav are also our neighbors, they are practically next door in the complex! A week after we arrived in town we came home to find a washer and dryer in our kitchen! Jess and Trav, through some miracle, had a friend that was upgrading to a new set. We had been washing cloths in the comfort of our own home ever since. 

Organ Pipe Natl' Monument

From Organ Pipe Natl Monument

We had a three day weekend with MLK day and decided to spend a night camping by the USA / Mexico border. The Organ Pipe Natl Monument was created to preserve the Sonoran desert. The park is full of saguaro and organ pipe cactus. Pretty much every plant, tree and shrub in the park has thorns or is poisonous.  

So of course we both got stuck a couple of times. With so much cacti, it's just a matter of time before you become a human pin cushion. I got up close and personal with a cholla (ie jumping cactus) while josh got tangled up in some catclaw. 

Some don't really care for desert landscape but we have grown to love it. We went on a 21 mile scenic loop that took us the foothills of the Ajo mountains. While on the loop we took in a classic sunset with silhouetted cactus all around us.

Most of the park can only be accessed now by day hikes. They had to close the backcounty camping because of the drug smugglers and banditos that make border crossings there. We stayed the campground and even though we could see the border fence from camp we felt pretty safe. 

While there we went to a ranger fireside chat. We were the youngest couple there by far. Any one of the other campers could have passed for our grandparents (mostly RV campers). It was fun, kind of like being invited to a traveling senior citizens meeting. 

We are very excited about moving back to Utah in February but as it turns out moving can be pretty stressful.  Josh has been working / interning 55 hour weeks for a few months now. I have started the job hunt and tried to get things set up for us to move. So it was nice to leave all that behind for a couple of days and just relax and enjoy the scenery.

A White Christmas

For Christmas we traveled back to the motherland where we could enjoy the snow and time with our families. We went through Vegas to avoid winter storms and were glad that we did. Vegas is quite a place during Christmas, not to mention the stellar room rates. This year we did Christmas with the Treasure's. We wrapped presents while watching Christmas movies and had our traditional reading from Luke and Christmas Eve drive to look at Christmas lights. With 9 of us all packed in the Honda Pilot it's sure to be a good time! We had a wonderful white Christmas morning with everyone in PJ's, opening presents around the tree. Later we went up to WJ to celebrate with the Bastian's. It was fun to spend time with everyone but we missed not having Russ in town. 

The rest of our break was filled with family time and Winter festivities. We went ice skating at the Galliven's Center down town and sledding up by Ben and Jodi's house on the East side. Josh's cousin Jenna had her mission farewell so we got to see a lot of the Bastian clan.

We are very grateful for our families and we were glad we could spend the holidays with them.