Fourth of July

I have always loved the fourth of July celebrations with the fireworks, BBQ's, time spent with family, etc. But I think from here on out it will take on a new meaning for me. With Spencer joining the Army this past winter, every time I think about anything involving the military it just makes me cry! I have grown such a deep appreciation for the men and women that are all over the world fighting for our country. I really does take a lot of courage to give up your own life for a greater cause. And it also has a tremendous effect on the families of those individuals.

I can't help but think about when Spencer will be deployed in a few years and how difficult it will be without him here. But there are people that do it everyday so it gives me the extra strength to know that when that day comes, I will be able to do it too. Never in a million years did I think I would have a husband that would be in the military, but things happen and I am proud of him for going this route, although it probably scares him to death.

It will be an adventurous experience for us in the next ten years, that's for sure. But as long as we have faith in the Lord and continue to do what he asks of us, we can have peace that everything will work out as planned. Thank goodness we have the gospel.

I know it's late... but happy Independence Day!

Park City

Spencer's aunt and uncle, Mary and Bruce, invited us to go to Park City with them last weekend. There's always a party going on with their family and we don't get to see them all too often so we took them up on it. We went up Friday night and stayed the night there and then went on a few adventures the next day at Olympic Park. :)

It started out with a short little show from the skiers that were practicing. Since there is no snow in the summer, they have a few slopes that they can run down and land in the water for a softer landing. It's pretty amazing to see the things that they do knowing that they are going to land pretty hard in that water. I guess if I was more of a water person, I wouldn't think it was so crazy!

Next stop... the ski lift.

We made our way up the lift to get to the very top! It was a beautiful day and we took advantage of it and took a few pics.

And by the very top I mean up by those itty bitty flags at the top of this hill...

Well we did ride the lift for a reason. The X-treme Zip-line baby! It went all the way from the top of the hill back down to the bottom. I love zip-lines! It was the first one that we had been on since our honeymoon and it sure didn't disappoint.

Quicksilver Alpine Slide

Here's most of the group all lined up in a row...

Spencer and I took a little trip to the outlets while the rest of the group stayed to watch a show and we got back just in time to take a picture in the bobsled......

..... But really, we were planning for the real bobsled ride in the next few minutes!!!! Here's Spencer and his cousin Mike getting ready to push the bobsled down the track for the riders in front of us.

Let me just explain. It was THE CRAZIEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!!! In the summer time, they use the real Olympic track for the bobsled and visitors can take a ride down the track on a "Summer Bobsled." They add wheels, roll bars, seat belts and extra padding to the summer bobsleds for safety and boy I am so glad that they do. From what I have heard, Park City is the only place, at least in the states, where you can ride the entire track. They have the same kind of thing in Lake Placid, but they only run the bottom half of the track.

I LOVE roller coasters, but this far surpasses anything like that. I honestly can't believe that there are professionals that choose to do this everyday. I have no idea how the driver can see anything because you are going so fast that everything is blurry. I guess they have had a lot of practice. There are no words to explain the speed and force that you are feeling on these things. All I can say is...

-4 G's

-Bruises

-Back Pain

-Soreness everywhere

-but FUN!

It was an awesome experience and I am so glad that we had the opportunity to do it! But I don't think that I would ever do that again. One time is enough for me. ;) Here are the boys pushing the bobsled down the track for a running start.

We had a blast in Park City and made it back just in time for Stadium of Fire (which I forgot to take my camera for). We had such a fun filled fourth of July weekend! Thank you Mary and Bruce!!!

It's Ours!

Well here they are... our closing documents! The docs were officially signed on the 26th of June and we were able to finally close on June 29th! We have a house of our own!!!!

It feels soooo good to be done and now it is just making me more anxious to get down there! Were excited to make our first house a home. :)

I Know You Think I'm Crazy...

Spencer's brother Brandon and his wife Holly are in Arkansas selling for the summer, but had to make an unexpected trip back to Utah last weekend. They were able to be here for a few days, so of course we took advantage of that! We all drove up American Fork Canyon to stop at campground to eat dinner and roast marshmallows for smores. We hung out there for a few hours and in the meantime, we each got to ride THIS......

I know it's a little blurry and I know some of you might think that I am crazy to jump back on one of these beauties... but it was fun. :) Spencer's parents have a rhino and let us each drive it up a short trail for a few minutes.

The whole time I kept telling Spence to slow down haha! And then he let me drive...

... and I was going just as fast, if not faster than he was. (Really, it wasn't very fast at all) I have a good sport for a husband, that's for sure. :)

Then it was time to head back to camp for some smores. Mmm... delicious. We sure had a blast! Thanks Mom and Dad Hill!

Oh p.s. Check out this giveaway here. And become a follower!!!

The End Is Finally Here

Ok... I think we are coming to the end of a LONG, LONG whirlwind of purchasing our first home! We just signed the closing documents and we will close before June 30th!!!!! Thank goodness. :) It's been a long, challenging journey... but it will be so worth it.

Oh Dear...

Well I'm reading the syllabus for one of my last classes at BYU and can I just tell you that I am tired of professors that treat you like you are irresponsible, immature and that this is your first college course ever.... without even meeting you!!!!! Not to mention that their course is the most important class that you will ever take in the span of your life. I don't want to sound rude but wow... sometimes I think that some (there are many that are wonderful) professors have a little too much going on in their head. I think it would be nice to be treated as a respectable human being sometimes. I'm just saying.

Wish me luck.

He Has Finally Become A Man

One of the chore's in the Hill household while Spencer was growing up was to till the garden. Somehow... in all those years of having chores... Spencer flew under the radar and his brothers always had to till the garden instead! Well, a few months ago, his brothers found out. And it was hilarious! It was quite the conversation. Now that we're living his parents basement for the summer, I guess Spencer has time to catch up on all the chores that he never had to do. ;)

So for all of you Hill boys... this post is for you. :) Here is proof that Spencer has FINALLY tilled the garden:

p.s. watch his faces in these pics... where did this boy come from?! haha he's hilarious. And I love it.