Hiking - a short trip up a long hill

 Hiking, seems simple enough right? Should be a long trip, up a longer hill...Short, easy for the kids, shouldn't take very long are all relative terms when associated with Risenmays and 'hiking'. A two mile hike usually ends up being 5-6, much longer and quite the adventure. Never a dull moment is the term I would use. Here we are at mile marker 2 of a 2 mile hike.......huh, not exactly the ski lift we were looking for. On we go.

Annie, Steven, Eric, Jeff

this little girl rocks. she kept up with the big kids and never complained. (can't say that even for myself.... ;) )

 oh look, a map. I wonder where we are - here? no, over here? no, right where we're standing that's where we are.....haha, I have no idea what they're talking about, but that sounds about right. We just have to go straight up and then over there to get to the ski lift....another 2 miles. bahahaha!

 looking out over the Heber Valley - absolutely beautiful

 we finally made it to the top and found some hiking sticks along the way. 

 a man in his element

 a little creature came out looking for snacks

 and then here comes my favorite part of the hike......I lie, this is torture for me and apparently for Abbey too - she looks a little too white.

 we rode with these 2 jokers. I tried not to drop my phone, hold on tight to abbey and breathe through the downward gauntlet. ;)

Jeff has a really great picture of me leaning back so we don't tip over......I was a bit paranoid and almost threw up before we got on the seat. (a bit, more like A LOT)

Park City swimming

 After all that horse back riding, walks, ice cream and playing in the grass - it's time to swim! The weather was beautiful and the kids had a great time - most of the time. ;)

one of those moments where the kids were not so happy.

 there's the happy kid

 a pool party is not a pool party unless kids are being thrown

 Paisley and Eric even joined in the fun.

 others preferred to enjoy the BRIGHT sunshine

 Uncle Jeff is hilarious and likes to tickle little feet 

 synchronized 'dad-watch-me' jumping

 Love summer!

A door was opened

A little update on our 'hallway' situation. Jeff was looking into a new job because he was unhappy with his current job situation. Just wasn't feeling like he was getting the help he needed and respect he deserved for giving his life to them. :)

Another company was in the process of re-doing some positions and one was going to open up for Jeff. It would have been 15 minutes from home! He interviewed, they said don't quit yet it will be a couple of months. So he left the interview and we carried on - we discussed often and then the 'hallway' discussion came up. He called this other company (they were concerned with his 2-year job hopping plan and only being at his current job since March) and well they said 'we thought you had moved on and am no longer considering you.....' (wow, that was a blow to the game plan of working closer to home). Jeff went to work and told his boss, 'I can't do everything you need me to do.' 

'I know.' came the response. (hold back the shock and celebration!!! yes!)

I need help.

again 'I know'. (can you hear the hallelujah chorus?!)

Since that day, it's been a complete turn around. Jeff has been happy with work and happy with staying at this job to learn and grow in his career and even missionary work.

What a difference a day makes?!

Just to push us way out of our comfort zones, I was released from working in Primary with Jeff and Activity Day girls (ages 8-11) and called to be Young Women's President. (ages 12-18 - yikes!)

I'm humbled and scared, happy and excited, terrified and filled with joy. Yep all that - my brain hurts. :)

The answer came. Definitely not what we wanted, but it was definitely what we needed. 

Behind that door at the end of a very short hallway was more blessings that I could count. It's His promise to us. We are to be blessed more than we can comprehend for obedience and asking.

I only hope I can be like the Young Women's leaders I had. I love them dearly.

Shake Shack

 We stopped for ice cream at this little train ice cream place....not sure what it was called, but memories were made, re-told, and awkward moments had because Jeff has a poor memory. 

everyone must sit at the same table...even if we don't fit. 

Awkward moment: (Nathan and Jeff remembering)

We've been here before. We came on a double date - remember?

Yeah, I remember that. It was fun, right Alison?

Huh? I've never been here before - (jokingly) must have been some other girl. (knowing Jeff's memory I figure he hadn't even been there before either)

Oh that's right.....it was.....(crickets chirping, strange silence, eye rolling, slight laughter)

Nathan and Jeff had taken sisters on a double date to Heber - hahahaha that worked out well.

A little bit country

 Mandy's aunt and uncle live in Heber and own these beautiful horses - we drove out for an afternoon to ride and conquer our fears, relive old memories of farm life, friends, and riding horses as kids.

Some of my kids are more brave than others. Ammon stayed with Grandma for nap time. Be prepared for horse picture overload - the kids had such a great time and it's really a once in a lifetime opportunity at this point in our lives. We don't know anyone who lives near us with horses.

 be brave Lea!

 there we go

 some of us (well most of us) are severely allergic to nature/animals/all things outdoors.

 We're not quite dressed for riding.....except Anna. :)

 Here we go!

 Real cowboys wear pink.

 conquering our fears.....fun right?!

 right.

 Jase was even more nervous than Lea...

 She didn't want to touch the horse with her bare legs......that's why she was supposed to wear pants.

 Gotta be brave now - riding with Kaibrey.

 Lucas loved! the horse trotting.

 Steven became our photographer while Jeff and I rode

 lots of pictures leads Jeff to start posing....silly

 FUN!

 the pink hat just cracks me up....

 she's 5.

 

 a perfect way to end the day at the ranch - a drink from the hose. :)