Donut Falls Hike

Zach and I drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon yesterday morning to find the hike to Donut Falls. We didn't want to go on too long of a hike so we could be back for the morning session. This is a super quick hike that would be perfect for any little family. It might be good for a little trail run too. The leaves were beautiful, but we didn't stick around too long because we were downright freezing. There wasn't a rigorous part of the hike to warm us up.

As we drove out, I told Zach, "Back up, back up, back up!" just like on Jurassic Park.

We saw a moose!

A Weekend at the Heiner Household

September 23, 24, 25

Ben and Anth finishing up their work on the roof.

After my grueling run where I got chased by dogs, I got back to what I had been busy with all weekend: kittens!

Kittens inspired by kittens!

The three stripey ones in the shadows are so wild, and one was cross-eyed. I threw beef jerky right in front of Lil Googly Eyes, but he couldn't find it. I had so much fun playing with them. It was so different to have cats that actually purr and don't sink their belly to the ground when you try to pet them.

My favorite.

Denver!

Ben, Ben's brother Anth, and I went to Denver for Ben's second yellow ribbon ceremony. We had so much fun, and I only took two pictures.

Things to remember:

• Peruvian restaurant that wasn't really Peruvian. Waiting an hour and a half when there was only a table of four in front of us. Having our waitress admit they were closing down the next day. "The craziest thing just happened ..."
• Dinner with Ben's sister Mariann and her family. XXX bowling was a bad idea. Mariann's girls were way too pushy/flattering when we were in Claire's.
• Jake flirting with the clerk right in front of Ali. The clerk writing her number on a card for Jake.
• Catching a shuttle from the airport to our hotel, "Sorry, it's like an hour wait," but when I walked out I got right on a shuttle.
• Feeling like a celebrity when I walked down the aisle to find my seat on the airplane. Feeling like a celebrity when we got to watch tv for free. Feeling incredibly sick on the airplane, looking out the window for my parent's house, breaking out in a cold sweat, convincing myself, "I am not going to throw up in front of all of these people!" panicking and grabbing Ben's barf bag, barely making it without getting sick, Ben was completely unaware of all of this.

I loved this, and I dedicate this picture to Dra.

The gaggle.

Left to right: Ali, Jake, Ben, Anth, Jeff

Mona Rope Swing

Ben waiting for the rope.

A larger boy went off of this one, but didn't have the strength to hold on once the rope caught. He basically just fell into the water, luckily he was okay, and then we all had a hearty laugh. Later he did the same thing again, but came out with rope burns on his hands.

Checkout Em's blog for an amazing video of our fun at Mona. Below are some ridiculous clips that make me laugh for different reasons. To avoid landing on Ben, I butt-flopped. Can't wait until it's warm again.

Climbing at the Slips up Big Cottonwood