The One with Justin and Payton

Payton is the son of our friends Brock and Carrie.  He is so darn cute!!  I absolutely love his laugh.  Since I'm still playing catch up on the blog I don't think I've mentioned that Justin and I watched him overnight for B&C for their anniversary back in May.  I told them to not do anything (change Payton's diaper, give him a bath, etc.) before they left because it would be good training for Justin.  Unfortunately I went over early and Justin got to their house a little later then planned so all that really happened is I look capable of motherhood because by the time Justin arrived I had fed, changed and played with Payton and barbecued dinner.  That's right.  Not just cooked, barbecued.  That was actually our payment for babysitting.  Brock is an excellent cook/marinader.  And Carrie's not bad herself :)

Anyway, back to babysitting.  It is so funny to me the little things watching a child requires that Justin is not aware of.  Like how much (or little) water is required for a bath and how "easy" it is to watch a baby.  Easy because literally all you're doing is watching them.  Not so easy because all you can do is watch them, you can't let them out of your sight!  The night went very well.  Payton is so easy to put down for bed and B&C were home by 10 the next morning.  So Justin passed the "Future Dad" test.

His grade was raised to an A this past Sunday however when we went to B&C's house for dinner.  Payton has apparently learned to feed other people and thinks it is absolutely hilarious.  I have to admit, I do too.  Justin was laying on the floor and Payton really wanted to feed him some yogurt covered raisins.  I wish I had a picture of this!!  He is very determined once this process starts and when Justin tried to just clamp his lips shut Payton forced his tiny little finger in!!  Soooo funny!  There's nothing tastier than candy fed by a baby :)  I laughed so hard my stomach still hurts.  There's just something about watching my husband with children that makes my heart melt.

**This post is in no way making any sort of announcement.  Simply sharing a very adorable experience :)  I'll get back to camping posts soon!

The One where Justin went to Canyonlands

Catching up a little...

Back in March Justin informed me he was going on a long camping trip with a buddy from work- without me.  With.  Out.  Me!!!  How rude.  Haha!!  Really, I'm ok with (and even encourage) this happening every once in a while.  I think you need your own interests, space, time etc. even (or especially) when you're married.  Plus, I got a lot of spring cleaning done that weekend :)

The work buddy is a guy named Pete.  He's actually a former student from Justin's research group and is a professor up in Oregon.  He really loved Utah when he lived here during grad school though and comes back every summer.  He and Justin have a lot of similar interests (hiking and basketball) and get along really well so Pete invited Justin on this 5 day trip to Canyonlands National Park.  I'll admit, I did want to go but I really don't think there would have been room for me.  Not to mention they were really getting into some remote areas.  Read- 4 hours on what could barely be considered a "dirt road" that was just over 30 miles long.  I'm good, thanks!

Justin is actually much better at remembering to take pictures than myself so you can see the rest of his trip through  those.  Not to mention he is actually a really good photographer.  If this whole chemistry PhD thing doesn't work out, I think we'll be ok :)

 Do you see the cut on the side of the mountain in this picture?  That's the "road."

That's why I was totally ok not going :)

Hello photography skills!  Not to mention our camera captures blue skies really well.

 

Gorgeous!!

The first night they camped at the base of Chimney Rock.

And Pete caught a mouse!!

Pete suggested that Justin bring a hat on the trip.  Justin doesn't actually own a hat (he thinks he looks funny in them) but picked this one up at REI.  He was so glad he did!!

Although I'm not sure if Justin liked the hat's ability to keep the sun off his neck or the cool Darth Vader shadow it gave him better :)

Colorado River

 

Chimney Rock

Boys are funny.  They thought it was hilarious that there was this gigantic cairn to mark the trail when it was so obvious where to go.

Ancient Indian artifacts.  The cool thing about these drawings is Justin and Pete knew they were in one of the canyons but not exactly where and they just happened to find them on one of their day hikes.

 

Justin and Pete actually climbed almost to the top of this rock formation.  Justin said he chickened out at the end because it's a pretty difficult last climb to the top.  As in one of those rock climbing moves where you use your hands and feet to climb a crack in the rock and then had to pull yourself up through almost a donut hole.  After I saw the picture below and how far he would have fallen if he hadn't quite made it I'm kinda glad he chickened out!

 

Justin is silly :)

So is Pete!