Jack Danger Sparling

We got our first nephew today.  His name is Jack Danger Sparling. He was born at 2:35 today, 6 lbs. 10 oz., 20.5 inches.

An unplanned trip to the Canyonlands...yes please.

Last week we finally made it to Moab to mountain bike.  We had tried multiple times during the winter, but turns out that central and southern Utah stole all the snow this year.  Every time we tried to go, we would call Poison Spider Bikes and ask if the trails were clear to ride.  Our answer was almost guaranteed to be that they got 6 inches of snow overnight. Boo. While we were driving there this time we almost turned around due to snow.  Just before Price, there was at least 6 inches of snow on the ground. We put in a few calls and decided to press on.  We  were happy to find that the Amasa Back Trail was clear and ready to ride...minus the river (or maybe just a creek) we had to ride through and the puddles of water/mud that took away our super sticky traction on the slickrock. Still, it was as amazing as ever.

This picture was at the beginning of the trail. I love peace signs lately I guess.  The next picture we got is pretty awesome though. So much anger.

After the ride, we thought about doing another one.  However, we decided to take our annual national parks pass and go to Canyonlands National Park.  We figured that there is nothing better than an unplanned trip to a national park on a Thursday afternoon. And turns out that there isn't.  Canyonlands is beautiful.  We didn't know what to expect, but just as expected, there are a lot of canyons.  Here are some highlights.

There was a lady that almost had a heart attack when she saw Brent jump on top of this arch, Mesa Arch.  There is a couple hundred feet drop on the other side, but the arch was also very thick.  This same lady's husband made fun of me and my hiccups.  I can't help it. 

In case you were wondering, Brent is not biting my backside. I can see why you might think that though by the look on my face. We were much more successful the second time.

I would have preferred for this picture not to be included but Brent would have been disappointed. Never mind the helmet hair, the double chin, and the zipped up baselayer that looks like a turtle neck.  I had to stay warm.  He couldn't get enough of the turtleneck.

 

Just like every other trip to Moab this one was great. That place never lets us down. We shall return soon.

Old Spice Commercial

We went to Valentines Day for FHE yesterday and this was a commercial that was playing on the previews before the previews. I thought you might enjoy!!

University of Arizona

This was our first night apart. I left to Tucson on Friday as Ashley left to Boise to see his brother return from his mission in London. I went to Tucson for an interview with the U of A's nursing department. It is a fourteen month program. I was one of about 200 to be interviewed. I believe I did well. I was expecting a one on one interview but it turned out to be a group interview. Their was three of us being interviewed by three interviewers. I am not for sure exactly what they are looking for but I believe may chances are good due to the fact that 91 students are going to be picked for this years nursing program. So wish me luck. Here are a few pictures I took of the hotel and such.

This pictures are of my rental car, the Mexican restaurant that I eat at all by my self, a cool Catholic church that I passed by, and some art on the church grounds.

Island Park '10

The much anticipated Island Park Adventure has come and gone. It was a little lonelier than last year with out Becca , and sadly to say less salsa was consumed.

The weather was wonderful. It was sunny and in the upper twenties to thirties every day. Our adventures took us first to Lava Hot Springs, and than to Jace's brothers house to eat Chinese food, which later Ashley regretted the Chinese food, and to watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. While we were there we were also introduced to the biggest ice sickle to be dropped from a house by a snowball and a massive spill of butterscotch chips which made Ashley and I unsure of the reason to have kids. (Just Joking Mom)

We arrived late Friday at the Cabin and all prepared for snacking and eating and snowshoeing for the next few days.

We then hiked around moose lake for a short afternoon hike and here are some of our pictures from this adventure.

On Sunday we were going to do a longer snowshoe but just ended up going on another short hike after hours of playing hand and foot.

Then on Monday we went snowmobiling. There was not as much snow as last year but it was still great fun and we all had a blast.

Please come Spring

I wish I had one of these.

...And not so wisely (Laughing in the face of danger that is)

On Sunday we set out for a snowshoeing stroll up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Donut Falls.
It was kind of a monumental day for us because we did something with other married people.  We quite enjoyed it, just as suspected.  Hopefully it is the start of a new trend.

Anyway, we were surprised how untouched the snow was.  People must have been a little weary of venturing away from the trail.  Not us however.  The boys decided that they would carefully find their way up to the falls. Just a few steps into their journey, Billy fell through the snow into the river.  I felt a little bad, but since I knew he was fine, I couldn't stop laughing.

Despite Jana's concerns, they pressed on.  I reassured all the ladies that Brent was smart enough to know when the slope wasn't safe.  They had to stop before they reached the top because they didn't really know where the hole of the donut was and they didn't really want to find out by falling through the snow and then the hole into the falls.  They were slightly less careful on the way down.  Brent's careless maneuvers caused an avalanche.

Just a little one, but big enough to make some decent noise and look pretty cool.  Can't wait for next Sunday.