Cancer

I guess I better document this too, I was diagnosed with breast cancer on August 20th. I had a mammogram that didn't look right so they called me back in and did a biopsy and found out it was cancer.

Luckily for me they caught it early and I had to have a lumpectomy. They got all of it out and it had not spread to my lymph nodes so it was the best case for a bad diagnosis.

Going in to surgery 

I made it out alive! I was so happy that they were able to remove the cancer.

Taking it easy after I got home in the blanket Jean and Jane gave me.

I felt so loved after my surgery. Megan Door Dashed me a dirty Dr Pepper and cookies from Swig, Tricia sent over Crumble cookies, my mom sent flowers and ordered us Brick Oven pizza for dinner one night, Edy and Joleen and Layne both brought over dinners, Jen sent over some freezer meals from the Crust Club, my friends, Joleen, Jen, Edy, Shannon, Janell, got my new pjs and and Amazon gift card. I got lots of sweet cards and texts. Russell bought me flowers and took care of things while I recovered. 

I am now doing 16 rounds of radiation to make sure it won't come back. I feel so grateful that is was not worse.

 

Homecoming

Eliza got asked to homecoming!

She was so happy to find this on the porch. She was asked by Sam Ward a boy she lifeguarded with this summer at the pool.

"I am going to try not to stick you!"

They went to do Archery for their day date.

Then went and took these cute pictures.

Eliza looked darling in her dress.

They had a fun time going to dinner at PF Changs and the dance.

 

The Last Day

We made it to our destination at the end of the river and it was heaven!

 

Eliza hanging by one of the pools

Another cannon ball by Jack

Stunning

The perfect place to swim and explore

The end of the road. Lower Calf Creek Falls

Jack 

He is so cute!

Now to get back up the waterfall

Quick smile!

Eliza knows how to enjoy herself. A nice relaxing float.

Lunch time. Duck lips!

The perfect place for nap

Lizards soaking up the sun.

The rock is trying to eat Eliza and me!

It really was heaven.

A little cold!

We all made it to the edge

Russell knows how to capture a moment.

The perfect place to camp.

Getting ready to hike the steep hike out. The best relaxing backpacking place on earth. We all needed it this Labor Day weekend.

See ya next time Mid Calf!

Mid Calf

After going to Capitol Reef we headed over to our new favorite spot...Mid Calf for a couple of nights of backpacking.

I love that my kids love to backpack with me!

I caught a little frog. It made me so happy!

It was a short but steep hike down to our destination and by the time we had dinner it was dark. The dinner however was awesome, steak and potatoes!

After dinner it was time for popcorn and a movie. The movie was the Big Year, we have to watch it once a year while we backpack and this was the trip.

What a view to wake up to.

The next morning we rolled out of bed really early, 11am, and decided to hike down the river the opposite way we did the last time we were here.

Jack in the lush vegetation with his fishing pole

Eliza took a turn and caught a big one

Jack caught one too. He actually caught quite a few fish on our trip.

We had to navigate some logs

And go under some logs. Those flash floods must wild.

We didn't see anybody on our hike down but Jack found evidence of a raccoon!

We made it to Quick Calf our destination for the day and it was amazing.

 

Labor Day

I have been dying to take the kids to hike Sulphur Creek in Capitol Reef ever since Russell and I did it a couple of years ago and it finally happened! Aiden was at school so he didn't join us so that was sad. We did however have such a fun time on our hike.

 

The kids first time to Capitol Reef. We had to get a picture by the sign.

Me and my girl.

It was gorgeous

Jack was ready to go in his Aloha shirt

Jack doing push ups on the rocks.

We hike for a while down a sandy wash and then we hit the creek. The rest of the hike was in the water.

Russell, Eliza and Jack

Every rock is a photo opportunity

These guys know how to explore for sure.

We got to navigate around waterfalls

Jack doing a cannon ball into the pool below.

Jack showing Eliza the best place to land

Another waterfall,  another place to swim

Love these two!

It got pretty deep in some spots.

This is such an amazing place!

Jack

We made it to the end! We had to go down the waterfall behind us as our last obstacle.

I love going on adventures with Russell. After we got off off the trail, he had to hitchhike back to our car. Some nice people picked him up so we wasn't murdered while we waited for him :)