Fletcher Canyon

Last, last weekend we hiked up Fletcher Canyon on Mt. Charleston. It is about 4 miles round-trip.

We started out strong! Sadie threw her first in the air and declared, "I'm never giving up!"



The same can't be said of Megan who faded quickly. The girl seems to have some sort of mental block when it comes to hiking. Check out her face:



No matter that she can swim for a solid hour without stopping, when it comes to hiking she looks like she is going to take her last breath 10 minutes in. She recovered and managed to smile soon after we entered the shaded, somewhat jungle looking area:



Eventually we made it to the rocky, walled canyon portion of the hike:



We stopped to check out some rocks:



And take some sp's:



We finally made it to the top! During the spring, summer and winter, water runs out of this rock:




On the way down we stopped to walk along this fallen log:



The hike took us quite a while (4 hours!!). For reference the sign when we started said it was a one and half hour hike. Granted, we did stop to play and certainly took our time. But still!

Adventure Angels Activity #2

Our Adventure Angels activity for July was indoor rock climbing!

The climbing crew:



Although I had never been rock climbing I wasn't particularly nervous about this activity, UNTIL we got there and I started to worry I wouldn't be able to make it to the top. Especially since I was the last to go, and everyone before me had made it.

Luckily, I did too!





 After mastering the easiest course up, we moved on to one slightly more difficult:



Happily we were all successful once again. Not surprisingly since we are all incredibly tough to begin with.

We eventually made our way upstairs to the area that required us to climb rope free. It was much more difficult up there, and required a whole lot of upper body and grip strength we didn't really have. Nevertheless, we did our best.

My best on this inverted wall was to hoist myself up and then not be able to move:



We tried out this wall which required a very specific course up which stretched our legs to uncomfortable lengths (especially those of us on the shorter side):




From this point, us shorter climbers, had to jump to get to the top.



 On my first try I fell. But because I wouldn't let the wall get the best of me, I tried again.



This time making it! Although the above picture doesn't document the success, believe me when I tell you it was impressive. No matter that everyone else made it on their first try!

In conclusion, indoor rock climbing was great! I particularly enjoyed coming home with fewer injuries than paint ball cursed me with.

Four For Friday - All About Megs

Although I know practically nothing about Scouting, I do know a little somethin' somethin' about Young Women's.

 Just a few items about Meg's first month:

1. Upon turning 12, Megan completed her Faith In God requirements (Woot-Woot!), and graduated from Primary.



2. She was lucky enough that her first activity ended up being a Stake Dance, which she attended with Ashlyn (her first Las Vegas friend!).



Just for fun, here they are as 3 year olds, attending dance class together:



3. Her next activity consisted of dressing up in 80's fashions to play volleyball. I found an awesome 80's leotard at the D.I. that Megan was reluctant to wear it until I proved to her (thank you Internet!) that women did actually wear them at one time:



4. Speaking of volleyball, Megan arrived in Young Women's just in time for volleyball season to start. She had never played before, but being fearless of new situations, she was willing to jump right in.



After the first game they made these awesome shirts to wear (Thanks Rachael!):

We are off to a great start!

Three For Thursday - Jackson Edition

1. Jackson attended Scouts for the very first time last night. The cuteness almost overtook me.

I didn't quite anticipate the excitement Scouting would bring. To Eric! He spent yesterday evening thoroughly reading Jacksons new Wolf Handbook. I happened to casually mention to him that I was pretty sure he never even perused Megan's Faith In God book, which I will have you know he had no good retort to.

Anyway, Jackson loved it, and I am glad Eric does too, since I know absolutely NOTHING about the world of Scouts.

2. Yesterday evening (after Scouts) while Eric and Jackson were playing basketball outside:



I happened to notice Jackson's hair. Or rather the totally awesome mullet he now sports when his hair gets sweaty in the back and starts to curl up.




Isn't it the coolest thing you have ever seen?!

3. Truthfully I am just happy his hair has recovered since I gave him the most unfortunate haircut back in May.



Look familiar:



It's a good thing his big blue eyes overcompensate for any hair mistakes I may make in the future.



Or so I tell myself.