Colorado and Utah

 Gavin was headed to Colorado to run the Tough Mudder with his family and he invited me to come along! This was my first time staying with his family in Colorado. I was looking forward to seeing his hometown with him. The day before the Tough Mudder we went down to Colorado Springs so I could visit my mission. I sure get homesick for the mission days some days. It was so fun showing Gavin my old apartments, the streets I walked on, and the members I met. He was a trooper while I talked a million miles a minute about all the special places I remembered in the Springs. He was also a trooper and hiked the incline with me! I remember this hike being way harder on the mission. Maybe I was just super out of shape back then. But I remember dying every time I did it and could hardly do it without stopping. This time it was nothing. I was able to visit with Sister Senkoff and Sister Sowa. She helped me so much on the mission. I was so glad to catch up with her. I love Colorado Springs! 

While in Colorado we went and floated the river near Gavin's house. This is a popular summer activity. Before we went we stood at the bottom watching people float over the last rapid. Some skimmed by others were dunked. We probably down the river 5 or 6 times. I also tried Gavin's favorite pizza place Woodys. He talks about this place all the time. 

The Tough Mudder was also a lot of fun later that week. We got down and dirty real quick in the mud. We went through a variety of obstacle courses. On some of the obstacles we had to rely on our group and others were independent. My favorite was the funky Monkey. I almost made it across the Monkey bars! I didn't enjoy the ice water or electric eel. Dart and Acacia held hands the whole time during the 10-mile course. I think they deserve an award for that! 

After Colorado, I flew to Utah to see my family for a couple of days and go to my family reunion. I was fortunate enough to hike Timpanogos this summer with Grayson, Callie, and their friends. The mothers came as well but they were not going to the top. This was Callie's first time attempting the Mountain. We saw a Moose and tons of wildflowers. It was so beautiful! We ate our sandwiches on the saddle before heading back down. I am glad Callie enjoys hiking as much as do! The way down always feels like it's never going to end, especially in the dark. I think Callie got elevation sickness because she was not having it on the way. I think she slept the whole next day. I couldn't believe that the Krull's dog Andy walked up the whole mountain. He probably walked up it twice because he was running back and forth between the moms and us. He has his own little waterpack on his back. But the poor dog looked really tired at the end of the hike. 

My family reunion was at Minors in Midway. We played games, had an outdoor movie, skit night, dancing, and hiked up to the boulders. The Taylor crowd is still as rowdy as ever but I love it. This was the last time I would Grayson before his mission. He will be heading the MTC in a few weeks and I won't be flying back out for his farewell. Can't wait to hear how he does on a mission. Summer on the mainland was fun but I am looking forward to getting back on the island. I miss all my friends there!