Every family has that vacation spot.

You know, the place you go every year... year after year. The one reliable place where your family can go and have a good time, no matter what.

Well, my family was going to Moab before it became "The Moab" that everyone knows today. We knew it before the City Market was there. Or even before Maverick came into town. When you didn't need a permit or have to pay to hike the furnace. It has grown a lot over the years, but I guess we have grown as well.

Both sides of the family joined us for a fun weekend in the Red Rock. We hiked, swam, played, ate, and frolicked for five days. In contrast to the weather in Sandy, we enjoyed sunny skies and 70 degree temperatures. It was great. Moab never disappoints.



We spent most of the time hiking. We covered many of our favorite trails throughout Arches, and we've included some pics of our adventures and sights along the way. Moab will always hold a special place and being our favorite local destination location. It is, and will always be, the "Spot".

4 years ago, we herded the family into the car and went to Thanksgiving Point for a much heralded Easter Egg Hunt. When we arrived, there was hardly a parking spot to be found. There were a million kids and not nearly enough candy.

The kids lined up with eager anticipation, the bell sounded, and the quest for fun began. The hunt lasted all but five seconds. The kids returned with tears in their eyes, four pieces of candy in their basket, and the mass exodus lasted about an hour. Awful... Too many kids, too little fun.

So we took matters into our own hands...

The next year we invited some close friends and family to join us in our yard where every parent brought a bag of candy per child and we scattered the candy all over the yard. It was a raging success! Not a lot of kids, tons of candy, and fun was had by all.

This year our Hunt has grown bigger and better. Lots of kids, even more candy, prizes for certain eggs, it is fantastic! So next year, if you are looking for a hunt, come on over! Just bring a few bags of candy with you!

There are so many milestones in a child's life: first tooth, first step, first day of school... As a mom, each of these are precious. I am usually more excited than my kid.

Today Isaac hit a major milestone. He learned how to ride a bicycle without the training wheels! He was so ready. I only had to run with him a couple of times before I could let go and just run along side him. I loved the triumphant look on his little face. He was so excited! He couldn't wait until Daddy got home so he could show off his new skills.

I could think of quite a few parallels with our experience today. Holding on, letting go... but for now Isaac is still my little Isaac, he's only five and the only letting go I'm ready to do today still involves running along side him.
Does it get any better than this?

I would have done more, but I got a cramp in my pinky.

75 words

Speed test

I would like to think I am just big boned...

For those of you know me, you are aware that I am a big dude. I am 6'4" and have been as large as 350lbs. Fortunately, I am at a much lower weight now, but weight control has always been a struggle.

Alex and I are reading the Harry Potter series, and in book 4, Mad Eye Moody tells Harry that he must always be on guard against Voldemort, or he must practice "Constant Vigilance" lest he be overcome by the Dark Lord. Well, being overweight is my own personal Lord Voldemort, and unless I practice "Constant Vigilance" 350 lbs is only a few months away. I have to eat right and exercise regularly.

So, in order to combat being large, I started running three months ago. Some say that a guy my size shouldn't be running, but whatever... Nothing makes me feel better. I run at least 2-3 miles a day, 5 days a week. On Saturday, I reached a major benchmark. I ran 5 miles. I ran slow. It wasn't pretty. But I ran 5 miles and I didn't stop.

Mission Accomplished.

I have run one 10k and that was two summers ago. I will run my next in July. Anyone want to come along?

...for richer or for poorer
in sickness and in health...

These words took on a whole new meaning at the Bakers this week.

I got sick.

No, really, really sick.

Want to die sick.

I started feeling a little out of sorts on Sunday night. By Monday morning, my unknown assailant was full-blown. I drove myself up to the Instacare with all the skill of a drunk 14-year-old behind the wheel telling myself how to drive straight. There I waited while resting my head on the wall behind me because my head was way too heavy to hold up.

The nurse came and took my vitals and scraped something off the back of my throat to check for strep. I was certain it wasn't strep, no, I was way too sick for strep. It was something deadly and ominous with a name I couldn't pronounce, it had to be.

The doctor came in. Strep was negative (I told you). He diagnosed me with influenza. That sounds deadly and ominous. Had to be right. Oh, wait... influenza is just the flu. Everyone has the flu right now. I was seriously on my death bed with... the flu?

Well, Dr. Matt stepped right in. After I returned home from the doctor he put me straight to bed. He went up to Wal-Mart and filled my prescriptions. He took care of the kids. He brought me food (Costa Vita for lunch and Chick-fil-A for dinner). He let me sleep for 8 hours in one day. The next day was pretty much a repeat. I slept. Matt took care of EVERYTHING else. He still didn't panic when day 3 hit and I still wasn't well.

In ending, it is now Saturday night. I am on the mend, but I will never again underestimate the power of influenza- you know it sounds way better than "the flu". I will also never underestimate the power of a husband taking care of his wife, and consequently everything she takes care of, just because he loves me in sickness and in health.

I don't know why we EVER set the clocks ahead in the Fall. It is so much nicer to have more daylight and more outside frolic time. Spring is much more a reality after daylight savings sets in.

The kids haven't been in the house at all over the last 48 hours. Football throwing, hoops shooting, tramp jumping have all been reintroduced overnight. This is all SO much better for them then being cooped up in the house all the time. Not to mention it is also nice for me and Jenny to not have them constantly under foot all the time... We just send them outside and let nature be the babysitter.

CHURCH, however, is a different story.

Jenny and I shot six wedding over the last two days. All of them went wonderfully, but we were beat by the time Saturday night rolled around. We made it through one American Idol and then, what is usually a 12:30/1:00 am bedtime, quickly morphed into an 11:00 bed time collapse. When the alarm went off at 7:00 AM (now 8) to get up for church, I might have cursed the daylight savings adjustment a time or two, but now, with the warm temperature and longer, sunnier day, I am recovering nicely.













One more thing: Shane and I were walking to our cars after church and his little one, after gnawing on a granola bar, had a sneezing attack. The pic below is the result. Some kids have great aim!

For those of you who don't know us, our summers are very busy. We average about 30 weddings a month during the crazy May, June, and August months. Needless to say, it isn't very fun, but, it is how we pay the bills.

So much of my work is determined by my personal state-of-mind. If I am grumpy, the day drags on. But if I am determined to have a good shoot and be happy, I really enjoy my job. There is nothing that I would rather be doing. There is however, one thing that I must do in order to be successful and happy on the job: I must have a vacation planned in the immediate future.

Vacations are what keep me going.

Alex is 8 and Isaac is 5. Both kids have been to several different countries, along with many of the 50 states. Some of our favorite vacations have been Europe (Alex was 1 when we went to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), Hawaii (2 trips and to all the islands), Mexico (both east and west including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, etc.), and many other states including Alaska, Florida, New York, and more.

There must ALWAYS be something to which we can look forward.

Otherwise, we are just working.

I don't know what the next vacation will be. We did a cruise in the Fall, the Snake River run is planned for July, but nothing is really planned for the immediate future. We are going to Moab at the end of the month, but I don't know if that counts.

I guess I better get planning!

When you are a member of my church (and most other churches as well), you are usually given a calling, or an assignment. I have had quite a few callings over the years. Some I have LOVED, others not so much. I've definitely learned something from each of them.
My friends and I have discussed callings as we all rotate from one to another, so I thought an interesting blog would be favorite and least favorite callings.
Favorite Calling
My favorite calling would definitely be Primary presidency. I am currently serving in my 4th presidency and man do I love it. We keep the gospel simple and the kids are so great. No standing in front of a room of adults wishing someone would say something, the kids have lots of great comments. "Yes, that is so fun your grandma got a new cat", "oh, I love going to get new shoes too", "I wish I could play with my cousins all day on Saturday"... The comments don't always go with the topic, but hey, I know plenty of adults who have a hard time with that.
Least Favorite Calling
I would have to say my least favorite calling would have to be Enrichment Leader. I was the Enrichment leader back in the day when we had it every month. Seriously, planning a party that all of the women in my ward would find enlightening and uplifting every month only to have five sisters show up (usually the same five every month), no thanks. By the way, I do make a concentrated effort to go every month now.
I have never had a calling in the Young Women, but I dread the day. I know plenty of you love it, but man, the hormones... the crying... the boy troubles... I don't know if I could handle that. Which is why, by the way, I won't be surprised when the Bishop calls someday to whisk me away from my beloved Primary to a "new growing experience" in the Young Womens. Sigh.
What is your favorite/least favorite "service opportunity"?