It's a TEN

A blog worthy milestone: The Bradlee Duncan's celebrated 10 years of marriage this month. Here's the thing about marriage (mawage...). You can never predict what problems you will face as newly wedded and blissed out on love. And the problems you do inevitably face as a couple, as a family, and as a deeply flawed human being, are never what you think they will be. At our ten year mark I'm not going to write that I'm grateful for the challenges we have faced, even though I might admit that sentiment in an honest conversation with a friend. That particular colloquialism has the tendency to sound trite. Because those challenges are real, are hard, it hurts, and we are equally human. I will say that marriage continues to be a refining process for both of us and if there is one thing I know for certain, it is we are yoked in this partnership equally together. I'm often amazed at where his strengths pick up where I'm lacking and vice versa. Ultimately I'm grateful for his easy temperament and passion for life. He's thoughtful and the true romantic in our relationship. He's my confidant and sounding board. My #1 fan. He sticks his long bony cold freezing feet on me. every. single. night. But you know what? He's still the one.

With two young babies and newly house poor it wasn't in the cards for extravagant gift giving or vacationing this year. Brad took the day off of work which was absolute heaven for me. We had lunch at our favorite little cafe in the avenues just like we did after our temple ceremony and just like we do every year on our anniversary. We hiked Ensign Peak. We had take-out pizza for dinner. We played with our kids with the purpose of really enjoying them. It was a right perfect day indeed.

Happy Anniversary my love. I love us.

Pssst: Cecret Lake!

Seems it is always a giant undertaking to get out the door with these two babes in tow, which is why I've felt particularly cooped up this summer. By the time we are ready to finally go, someone is tired or hungry or poopy again. This hike was much needed and I never regret being up in the mountains once I'm there. Saturday morning we rushed quick as a cricket to get packed and up to the trail head before it was too hot and crowded. Turned out to be a gorgeous morning in the Albion Basin. On the way down the mountain both kids fell asleep in their carriers and Brad and I looked at each other with the biggest of big grins. I'll never forget it. We live in such a beautiful place! What a treat to get some mountain fresh air with the whole family.

This girl. This face. My heart!

Round. Tortoise shell. < $10. I never stray you guys.

'Sploring with mom

SIMBA!

Waving "hi" from her perch on dad's back

Aaaaaaand ZONK.

The end.

Lake Blanche Hike

Lake Blanche, Twin Peaks Wilderness Area, Big Cottonwood Canyon
Elevation gain: 2720 vertical feet
Distance: 2.8 miles {don't be fooled, it is STRAIGHT up}

Through the winter months, BD and I had been earmarking corners of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles {'member?} and making a list of trails we'd love to hike this summer. Utah is such a playground, BD kept saying over and over. And it's true, you know. Saturday's hike was beyond amazing. The canyon walls are green and lush, so very alive. I wish I could have bottled up the energy to snack on this coming week. The mountain streams are bursting at their very banks trying to keep up with the rapid snow melt. It was chilly and windy at the top, so I was very grateful that I had snuck a sweatshirt into BD's pack. But despite the chill, the views on top were breathtaking. Beautiful waterfalls were cascading off of Sundial Peak. I can hardly think of a more powerful sound than that of rushing water.I give this hike 4****'s! Beautiful, challenging, yet rewarding. Be sure to reward yourself with a cupcake at the top: I'm not sure I would have made it otherwise. Goodness. My freckles are back with vengeance this year. My mom always says she knows it's summer when my freckles come out of hibernating. And boy, they are awake.

Zion in the Fall

Zion in the fall is spectacular. We are so fortunate to have some of the greatest National Parks in the country literally in our backyard. In a last attempt effort to squeeze some remaining warm sunny days out of the year we met the Anderson's in St. George last weekend for a quickie getaway and some hiking at Zion.Saturday was only blue skies and sunshine in the Dixie Land. The park was surprisingly green and lush for mid October. The contrast between red rocks and green foliage was stunning. We hiked the Angels Landing trail, otherwise known as the "anyone care to die today?" trail. As someone who is...er, challenged-with-heights, Angels Landing was a tough one. I white-knuckled those chains all the way up and all the way down. Although it was beautiful, the trail was super crowded and the constant stream of bodies passing me on the trail only added to my anxiety. Alas, I made it and lived to blog about it, which is the real measure of achievement in my world. The last day we chose a milder trail along the Virgin River to slowly work out our sore muscles before the car ride home. I wish I could visit every National Park in Utah all in one sweeping road trip. Who's with me?And look! Check out our modern slash trendy engagement shot standing far apart in front of a wall, not looking at the camera, all hip like. Just one more way of wowing you with my awesomeness. You're welcome.

Love Me Some Mountains

Over the weekend BD and I took a little time to enjoy the fall beauty in the Uinta Mountains. This is the perfect time of year for backpacking, and we couldn't let the summer slip away without getting a little nature on us. Plus, we really lucked out with terrific weather. I love that we are so close to such breathtaking landscape.
We hiked to Twin Lakes and found a perfect campsite on the upper rim - fit for a queen - with views of both lakes.
After we settled into camp, we were off for some exploring. Wielding his camera, BD was in heaven playing around with the landscapes.
We found ourselves perched on a mountain cliff overlooking Wall Lake. BD took a little nap. He was in such a deep relaxation I had to shake him awake. It was incredibly peaceful.
A master fire builder at work. I love a good campfire. We sat around the fire for hours into the night watching the flames die and the coals burn way down. The moon was full and bright, perfectly round. Everything was picture perfect...until I tried to sleep. It's a rule when we're camping that BD has to stay awake until I'm asleep. He tried so hard, bless his heart. But he eventually gave in while I concentrated on every snap, crackle, and pop in the forest, convinced that a herd of moose was walking through our camp. Next time, BD won't forget the Tylenol PM to drug me with. Isn't our tent cozy?

Enjoying the early morning sun over the lake. Not wanting to pack up and pack out.We took a different route on the way out so that we could find some hidden lakes. It was much longer and harder than the hike in. We rewarded ourselves with milkshakes from Dick's in Kamas.Love the mountains for the...
wisper of the trees
calm of the lake
light of the moon
warmth of the fire
twinkle of the stars
still of the night
beauty of the earth

Independence Day

Family, hiking, swimming, BBQ, fireworks. Perfect.I took my family hiking-they thought I was trying to kill them. I wasn't. We almost had to helicopter my mom off the hill (her wishes, not mine) because she literally thought she was going to die. She didn't.

They forgave me once they had cooled off in the pool. BD grilled us some delicious burgers (80/20 ground chuck) like only he can, and we ended the evening watching fireworks all over the valley from the deck. Almost forgot, Brook made her delicious white balsamic tart...isn't it beautiful?

God bless the USA!

I Heart Mount'n

Bald Mountain

Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Elevation: 11,943 feet at summitI absolutely love being in the mount'ns (or moun-tains, for those of you who don't know how to say it properly). On Saturday we took advantage of a beautiful summer day for some great outdoors. From the top of Bald Mountain you can see for a million miles, or so it seemed to me.

This picture is perfectly staged to look like I am giving a thumbs up at the awesome view, when really I just needed to stop because my lungs were about to burst right out of my heaving chest. It wouldn't have been such an awesome view then.

"I thought the Rocky Mountains would be a little more rockier than this. That John Denver's full of..."

What you can't see is me freaking out that he's so close to the edge. He's not only close to the edge, part of him is off the edge, which makes part of me very... shall we say, uncomfortable. Deep breaths Gina, deep deep breaths.