My "hiking club" explored the area around Alta yesterday. We don't know the name of this lake, the hike, or anything else, really. Mainly we just like to walk around and talk. So here's Mike, Jenny, yours truly, and Amanda.

Yesterday was our church's first birthday. "K2" alludes to the parent church, Kensington Community Church, in Troy, Michigan. (We went there once).

The group of 35 that left Troy to start this church has now become a group of over 800. (They store them in this warehouse.)

Here's the narthex, complete with climbing wall, pool table, and coffee bar.

These people think that you can love God and have fun at the same time...go figure...

We call these people "Crazies." The Crazies like to ride their bikes up the steep, steep canyons. Notice that I am taking these pictures from the comfort of my passenger seat in this lovely white Garff.

"Stop" is not in the Crazies' vocabulary. They just blow right by. Has anyone ever told them what they look like from the back with those funny pants on?

I'm trying to help you grasp what a plethora of Crazies we have out here. Hey there, fancy pants! Race ya!

Joel was feeling a bit shy on the day I took this picture, I guess. As you can see, LDS hospital (on the left) is up on one of the mountain "shelves" and overlooks the valley.

I had a day off today (my last one for the month). We went on a hike up little cottonwood canyon. There was an avalanche that came through here, but I still thought it was pretty. (there were a lot more trees down just out of the picture).

A view to the other side of Little Cottonwood canyon. We just bought our ski passes for snowbird which is in this canyon before going on this hike.

I love birch and aspen trees. It was a great day if you like chartreuse.

When in Utah...

Me again.

That's a lot of ants!!!

Today we drove the Alpine Loop and the colors were starting to change higher in the mountains. It was really pretty.

Then we went to Sundance, which is a place that Robert Redford put together in this valley. They do a film festival in January and there is a ski area and pricey restaurants and shops...everything you could ever want in a valley, really.

See, it's got Robert Redford written all over it.

Bobby, when is it time to quit? I mean a few cabins is one thing, but a whole stream and mountains to boot!? Take 'er easy....

Positively glowing....

Stewart Falls (a short hike from the base of Sundance). See Shontel at the bottom?

I don't know what to say and we've gotta be done by 10.

Here are the falls from a distance on our way back out.

Shontel liked these little purple guys.

Looks kinda like home (a rarity around here).

Since Joel is very busy these days bringing home the bacon, I am going to pick up where he left off regarding the recent visit of his parents. Here they are....and we didn't climb up here by the way.

One thing we did was visit the Kennecott Utah Copper mine. It's a huge place! It is one of few things on earth that can be identified from the moon.

Were you wondering how big the truck tires are at this mine? Well, here's the answer just in case you were wondering.

Joel and his dad went "swimming" in the Great Salt Lake. Mom and I wisely avoided the stink and flies and just cheered from the sidelines while we sipped our sodas and worked on our tan.

On one of our walks up City Creek Canyon.

While Joel worked, the three of us went to a cute place called Gardner Village.

At the Utah State Fair we cheered on the racing pigs. We also had the opportunity to brush up on our pig trivia. Did you know that pigs have 44 teeth and 16 toes?

For those of our faithful viewers, you know that Joel previously has named himself the "Master of the sphere of fire". We can now extend his title to "Master of the art of roping air". Please note too his blue ribbon which he proudly wore all day.

Yes, Joel proudly wore this ribbon all day following his pig's victory. Even at the Mexican restaurant where he had pork for dinner.

Well, my (Joel's) parents were out here for a couple days around Labor Day and then swung back through on their way from southern Utah, Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas and visited us some more. I've been busier than I was in the past and it was delegated my duty to post the pictures of their visit. Here's us at the top of the Snowbird tram. Sure you don't want to come skiing with us?

Of course we toured all the SLC sites.

We went from Park City to SLC via a mountain pass. It rained as we were coming down and then we got a great view of possibly the brightest rainbow I've ever seen--the picture doesn't do it justice.

Joel and I are working more lately so I'm resorting to the house pictures since we're not doing much exciting. (Actually, junior high kids and trauma rotations have their moments of excitement, but it isn't exactly kosher to catch it on camera)

I'm standing in our backyard and this is the left side of the house. If you come visit soon you might just get to sit in that tub. (Although I don't promise it will be hot. It seems to be a bit temperamental)

Our kitchen and "dining room" which is to the right of this picture... pretty much it is just a table that you don't see.

Our living room and my reading chair.

I don't really have to explain this picture, do I?

Really, I don't know what to say here. Pretty much I just avoid this room and those crazy creatures that are on the wall. If this was a baby's room, I'm sure he or she is not mentally stable right now.

My sisters recently came for a week-short visit to see what our new life is like out here. I wish I could have convinced them to stay because somehow, life is just plain more fun with sisters. Here's a glimpse of some of our adventures....

Soon after they arrived, we took them backpacking in the Uintas. We had the most beautiful weather (we should take them with us more often since they bring sunshine rather than our usual of hail and rain.)

We hiked up to Bear Lake and stayed for one night. In the morning, Joel and I got up and saw the girl's feet sticking out of their tent about a foot. They have not perfected the art of "scootching up" while mountain camping.

The sunset was breathtaking that evening with the reflection on the lake.

In spite of the cold, we are still smiling.

The next morning we climbed up to Flat Top Mountain-- which wasn't exactly flat. I don't know who the people are that named the places around here but I think they could have used my input. I would have called it, "The mountain that looks like you're almost to the top but you can never really get there unless you are Superman or Joel". (This is an example of why I don't get to name things.)

At the toppest of Flat Top that we want to be!