to Zion and Beyond

- Saturday, May 14, 2011

<3


Another getaway weekend for the Grahams!  I am very lucky to get to spend a weekend with just me and my husband. Of course this wasn't spontaneous- I'm way too much of a planner for that.  We had a hotel in Saint George and also tried to see the Grand Canyon, but spent most of our time in Zion National Park.

our first stop was a hike down the road and into the river off a scenic overlook
 not a real trail

the end of "watchman" hike



my hot husband


celebratory jump on completing the hike

obedient as always


a real town just outside of Zion's Park

Zion's was very different from what I remembered of my last visit 15+ years ago. They have become very eco-friendly.  Which I guess, is a good thing.  They don't allow bottled water to be sold in the park, they have free "water bottle filling stations" the water of which has been naturally purified by 400 feet of sandstone (*read* a little bit of grit in the water).  They also don't allow cars into the upper half of the park during the spring/summer and instead have a system of busses that run on propane to take tourists around.
the waterfalls of emerald pools

I loved the waterfalls on this trip!  The maps couldn't promise us any, but the visitors guide says waterfalls can just appear out of nowhere.  Stopping and starting due to flash floods miles away.  I was HOPING to get to see at least one, and we saw quite a few!  We even saw one stop via the wind blowing the water up and over another direction.  Very cool. 




the vibrant green of this algae caught my attention

Bjorn was very sad to not be able to hike the narrows.  It's pretty obvious why the trail was closed.

this is the rock where a waterfall WAS moments before we took the picture

tired feet.... happy to have a sandal tan!! 

A weekend of inspiration

- Tuesday, May 10, 2011

I love General Conference for two reasons.  A)  getting to hear from our wonderful prophet and the great counsel and stories and advice and ideas and inspiration from many many general authorities. B) getting to eat crepes with my hubby and hang out with my family (well, those in Utah) all weekend long.

For the past 2 General Conferences we've had my sister come play in SLC with us, attend a session, and have a sleepover. This year I even got a girls only shopping trip to the Park city outlets during Priesthood session!  it was amazing.  

Showing off the necklace I made at the children's section of the church history museum

 "Women by divine nature have the greater gift and responsibility for home and children and nurturing there and in other settings....Sisters have key roles in the Church, in family life, and as individuals that are essential in Heavenly Father’s plan. Many of these responsibilities do not provide economic compensation but do provide satisfaction and are eternally significant."  -Elder Cook 


i love these new sandals:)


 my husband just likes to take pictures of me...
 "The most important attribute of Heavenly Father and of His Beloved Son that we should desire and seek to possess within our lives is the gift of charity, “the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). From this gift springs our capacity to love and to serve others as the Savior did."  -Elder Ballard 
Many of us create to do lists to remind us of things we want to accomplish. But people rarely have to be lists. Why? To do’s are activities or events that can be checked off the list when done. To be, however, is never done." -Lynn G. Robbins

Since Bjorn and I are living in SLC, but don't plan to be here forever, we make a point to at least go to Temple Square, if not one of the sessions, every April and October.  It is wonderful to see so many LDS people all together in one place, and just bask in the spirit of conference. I also love watching it in PJ's from the comfort of our own home.   Good thing there are several sessions- we generally watch it somewhere different for each one!

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