Gettin' Out at Neff's

On our way to the gym last night, we changed our minds and decided to hike instead of lift weights and work out indoors. Turned out great! 

 We bee-lined for Neff's canyon- a small canyon tucked into the Olympus Cove. While driving to the trail we always check out all the homes in that area. We love it up there, lots of trees with homes tucked in, great valley views, and Mount Olympus views you can't beat... one day.

 The Neff's trail is no joke.... well either that or we are super out of shape... I'm leaning more towards the out of shape part. The trail is steep and rocky e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. Sort of to the point where it gets annoying since we were slipping and sliding all over the place. 

We only did a short 3 miles, but we sure felt the burn walking up the steep path.

 Plus I love how green and cool Neff's was.

 And you can't beat this valley view!

Happy things

Waking up early on a summer morning with the sun up bright and shining.

Diet Coke. 

A clean house.

A car with AC.

Summer holidays. 

Sprinklers that work.

Good friends. 

Summertime in Utah. 

Aaaand of course shooting the tube with Mad. 

Kolob 2k16

Each year, Aaron's parents have a little get together with all the kids up at their Kolob Cabin. We go each June when the weather is perfect, the sky is blue and the hills are green. 

Aaron and I usually only make it for the weekend. I am always blown away by the beauty of the area... especially since we drive in when it's dark at night, it's a whole new world when we wake up in the morning. I have definitely turned into a nature girl in the past year and I love it. 

We spent the weekend hanging out, playing with the kiddos, visiting the resevoir and playing games. Aaaand there's nothing like sitting around the fire late into the night, especially when you have Reese's smores to chomp away with. 

Even though we were in Southern Utah, we luckily were up in the mountains high enough that the weather was perfect and the nights were a little chilly.

 PEACE.

 I literally couldn't believe my eyes, the whole mountain was unbelievably beautiful! The tall white and green aspens, not a cloud in the sky, and cows grazing in emerald fields... it was a feast for my eyes.

Thanks Kolob!

Blanchin' it UP

Life lately has consisted of...

watering our lawn... woke up this morning to find out we left our hose on alllllll night long #firsttimehomeowners

Rio Rio RIO!

Swimming

Lunch breaks at Sugarhouse Park... it's all about balance right? 

And cooling off in the mountains!

I took to the tram up at Snowbird while I was up there for a work event. 

It was fffffreezin' cold. 45 degrees and windy at the top with plenty of snow still sitting there. 

We also went to Lake Blanche up Big Cottonwood Canyon finally. 

It was GORGEOUS! I could have stared at the sun dial all day long. 

We made a quick day trip up there. 

And by quick I mean not really quick. The hike is a little rough, but sooooo worth it.

 About 6 miles round trip a lotta up hill but so much fun.

Tried a few casts but no fishies. They loved the pretzels we threw in though... 

 Blue skies, snowy mountains, green lakes and blooming bushes... nothing better.

Finally tried to carve our names into a tree... harder then it looks. Note to self- bring a pocket knife next time and don't do it in a hurry. 

#jacksinjune

Man I forget how draining weddings are. I haven't been fully involved in one since my wedding, and I basically slept 4 days straight after mine.

I feel like life has been super busy ever since our trip to Peru. Since then I have had a work trip to Denver, went to the Cabin, had some big pitches at work, my parents came in town for Spencer's wedding, hosted Lexi's bridal shower, went to Lexi's bachelorette party, went to a wedding, and currently have Aaron's parents in town. And that's just June. We still have the Pugh Family Reunion, Bryce Canyon, another Kamas Kabin trip, California trip, Sun Valley and countless more trips to Denver.

Sure maybe that's just normal for some people, but I'm beat! I can tell by the fact that one morning I woke up to run, and I barely made it .8 miles.... yep pretty pathetic! But... busy is always better than being bored!

Back to the wedding.... Spence and Lexi had a perfect ceremony and got sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

The weather was perfect and sunny. 

The reception was at Le Jardin, the exact place Aar and I had our reception. Although it was 10x's prettier then when we got married. The flowers were in full bloom and the roses were gorgeous. 

 I loved the photo booth bus they hired to come. It was the cutest thing.

 We even fit eight of us in there!

Caught on snap!

 We danced the night away to the Nae Nae, Macarena and a little Jason Derulo.

^^Hands down favorite pic of the night hahahahahahahaha

Aaaand capped the night off at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Happy Wedding Spence and Lexi!

#jacksinjune 

Catchin' UP

Since getting back from Peru I feel like life has been a constant catch up. 

I was back for 1 day before I had to hop on yet another plane for a 2 day biz trip to Denver. 
Best part about the trip.... discovering the smoothie bowls at Jamba. 

Our late night flight got delayed even more and we didn't get back til 1:30 am..... 

After a short workday we jetted off to the Kamas Kabin(aka Aaron's favorite place ever)for Memorial weekend with Jake, Mary, Madi, Gavin, Owen, Spence and Lexi. 

We spent the weekend shopping, drinking way too much diet coke, eating way too much junk, playing Uno, fishing and playing shuffleboard. 

 .....Aaaaand of course had to get some medicine.

I am so glad it's finally summer summer summertime! I have decided since my office is so close to Sugarhouse Park, I need to take a lunch to the park at least weekly for two reasons: 1- to give my legs a fighting chance at getting some color 2- to give myself some sanity and get out of the office. 

 Last weekend we went to the Draper temple for Lexi's temple endowment. Nothing like being at the temple with family, and can't beat this Utah sunset!

 3 years ago today Aaron and I went on our first date!

Time flies! So occasionally I make him come with me to go visit Bruge's for some waffles like we did on our first date. 

The Amazon

The Amazon was one of my favorite parts of Peru.... just because it was so unique! Cause really, who goes that deep into the jungle? It only took two planes. A two hour van ride and a one hour boat ride to get to our treehouses in the Amazon rainforest.... no big deal.

We stayed at The Treehouse Lodge. Once we arrived the staff was waiting for us with drinks and bag carriers. 

We settled into our gorgeous treehouses.

 We had running water, a cool shower, toilet, dresser and king size bed.. it was glamping to the extreme!

The nights were hot and stuffy, but so relaxing sleeping in the heart of the jungle with nature noises all around us. 

The trail to our treehouse involved a swinging bridge and plenty of steps. 

Our days were spent exploring the forest and eating the best food. Where we stayed, a boat is the main source of transportation, so we spend many hours riding the boat on the glassy river waters. 

One of our first stops was a tiny little village about a half hour boat ride from us. We learned the village had about 70 people living there. No electricity, they drank river water, only a pair or two of clothes... but just the HAPPIEST people! We pulled up to the banks one night and the cute kids just poured out one by one to greet us. 

We played soccer with the kiddos while our guide scheduled a time for us to come back and bring all our donations. Never before did I wish I could speak Spanish more than those few couple days. We were all definitely jealous of David and Aaron talking up a storm with all the kids. 

We passed out glow sticks that night and the kids and adults were mesmerized. I wished so badly that I had brought more because there wasn't enough for everyone. 

We waited to leave for a while cause cute Aar was concerned about a little baby that got ignored and didn't get a glow stick. He sorted it out and we left with plans to come back in the morning. 

Morning came and the community literally dug out stairs for us so it was easier to get out of the boat. Probably the sweetest thing ever. They cleared out the community center and while my mom set up the supplies she had collected and bought, we taught the kids duck-duck-goose. 

My mom bought lots of toothbrushes, medical supplies, and school items and toys for the kids, and we all brought clothes to donate. Although the locals were overwhelmed by all we brought, I wish we would have brought more. Seriously in that moment, I wished I would have packed up my whole house to give to these people. 

It was so impressive that none of the kids were greedy to get their gifts, cried or got carried away. And the adults were so happy to get a pair of shoes or a new dress. It really was one of the coolest things and definitely a big wake up call. So grateful that we got to go visit. 

The rest of the days were spent exploring. We boated over to Monkey Island where our guides literally called wild monkeys down from a tree a half mile away and fed them right off the boat!

 We took a night-time caymin hunting trip and the guide stuck his hand into the water and pulled this little fella out.

Got to hold the cutest little sloths ever. 

Held the baby and the 10 year old.

They were so chill and content with just hanging out.

Got to kayak and the smooth river waters. 

Seriously, I think Peru was the best trip ever. So adventurous and such good company. #Perujacks2016