Backpacking with Bugs

This weekend we went Backpacking with our friends the Morley's. We left the kiddos at home and went off for our little adventure into the Backcountry. The scenery was beautiful, the hiking was fun and the company was awesome. We hiked into Naturalist Basin and set-up camp near Jordan Lake. We took a nap and did some fishing. After that...it was attack of the mosquito's- LITERALLY we were attacked. Hence the first picture of the trip...the Morley's hanging out in their tent. You might notice that Becca is holding a Diet Coke, yep that's right readers- she packed three of those puppies up! Impressive! Despite the swarms of blood thirsty mosquito's the trip was great. It was so fun to get out into nature and do something challenging. I also learned that when it comes to Backpacking Rob and I are minimalists- take only the bare essentials so your pack isn't too heavy. The Morley's on the other hand Backpack in style, Diet Coke and all. We had planned on staying two nights, but when we couldn't leave our tents due to the swarms of bugs, we decided to cut the camping to one night. We spent the rest of our weekend in Park City, bug free! I know, not very hardcore, but seriously I came away with enough bites to last me the entire summer.

Becca and Barrett hanging out in their tent.
Rob making dinner.
Trying to keep the bugs out of my ears and off my face.

Another Catch-Up for July

I know this is an ENORMOUS post, but I needed to get these pictures blogged. Here are some of the little fun-moments we've had for the past couple weeks. I never got our pictures from Jackson Hole, WY posted, so there's a couple of those, some fun over Pioneer Day and just some other random pics.

Bountiful Parade- never been before, but I sure will be going next year!
Jack was given this flag at the beginning of the Parade...he wouldn't let it go all night!
Fun floats at the Bountiful Parade.
Hiking up at Snowbird...it was a little snowy!
Handcart days with the ladies! Kezia and Emmie were Jack's dates for the festivities.
Chillin' at the Parade with Paige.

Hidden Falls in Jackson Hole.
I have to write a little blurb about this picture. A few years ago my mom and I went to visit my sister Abby in Washington DC while she was doing an internship there. One Saturday morning she took us to this little market, Eastside Market I think it's called. Anyhow, we waited in the rain for about an hour to eat this AMAZING breakfast. I had Blue-Buck pancakes, which are whole-wheat blueberry pancakes. Ever since eating those delicious pancakes I've tried to make them. Mine are good, but not as good as Eastside Market. So, I made them for Jack a couple weeks ago. After each bite he would say "MMM", I think he liked them too!
On top of the tram in Snowbird...Jackson loved the hike down. He is such a great little hiker- he LOVES his backpack and is so darling with anyone that is carrying him. Jack likes to give you pats on your head and encouraging little rubs on your back. What a joy he is to hike with!

4th of July Parade in Jackson Hole.
Felt Family in Jackson.
Jack on yet another hike! Aren't those boys lookers!

Welcome Baby Jillian!

Congrats to my brother Josh and his wife Cheryl for the new addition to their family! Jillian you are BEAUTIFUL!

A NEW TWIST TO AN OLD FRIEND

I tried a new chicken recipe last night- it was DELICIOUS! I saw this recipe on the food network and I thought it sounded good. I'll share the recipe in case anyone is tired of having chicken the same old way.

Mahogany Broiled Chicken with Smoky Lime Sweet Potatoes and Cilantro Chimichurri

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut in 1-inch cubes
1 cup chopped cilantro leaves
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
5 tablespoons dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons bottled hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice, divided
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut in 1/2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon chopped canned chipotle pepper
1 teaspoon adobo sauce (from canned chipotle)
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon lime zest
cilantro sprigs

In a small bowl, mix together chopped cilantro, olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper; set aside. In medium bowl, mix together brown sugar, mustard, hoisin sauce and vinegar. Reserve 2/3 of this mixture. To remainder, add 1/2 cup lime juice and stir in chicken; cover and refrigerate. In heavy saucepan, place sweet potatoes and cover with boiling water. Cook, covered, over medium high heat until tender, about 15 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking liquid, then drain potatoes in colander. Return potatoes to reserved cooking water and add butter, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice, cumin, lime zest, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

Mash potatoes. Thread chicken on 8 bamboo skewers that have been soaked in water. Broil about 6 inches from heat, basting with reserved mahogany sauce until done, about 8 minutes. To serve, divide potatoes among 4 plates; top each with 2 skewers of chicken and drizzle with cilantro chimichurri sauce. Garnish with cilantro sprigs. Serves 4.

Camilla Saulsbury, Bloomington, IN

FIRSTS FRUITS

So this garden is really Rob's baby, but I am LOVING the First Fruits of the season. We just picked some Zucchini, Summer Squash and Cucumber, YUM! Can't wait until the tomatoes are ready for pickin'.

Rob made these great super-strength tomato cages- hopefully this year our tomatoes will stay upright.

Happy Gardening!

TAG YOU'RE IT!

This is a pretty fun tag, thanks Brooke!

4 Places I go over and over- TJ Maxx (gotta see what's new and what great finds I can't pass up), Jackson Hole, WY (family vacation time), Lake Blanche (this is because I love the scenery, but also Rob makes me do that hike at least once a year), REI (I have to see all the cool new camping stuff).

4 Favorite places to eat- Cinegrill (Oh gotta love great Italian food with a geriatric atmosphere, Ruth's Diner, Royal India (Chicken Tiki Masala ROCKS!), Belissimo Gellato (can't live without my Gellato).

4 Places I'd rather be- On a beach in Maui, Sleeping-in with nothing to wake up to, Backpacking in the Uintas, Playing cards with ALL of my family

4 TV shows I watch all the time- The Office, LOST, American Idol, Good Things Utah

I pass the love along to; Jane, Julie, Andrea & Cheryl

What Have We Been Up To?

PLAYING in the Summer is SO HARD!! We've had a fun-filled last week and weekend. We spent some time with our cousins from AZ and Uncle Josh. Aunt Cheryl is ready to deliver little Jillian any day now, so she wasn't able to come- I hope she read a bunch of books and caught-up on sleep while her boys were gone.
Here's a list of all the fun times we had (we cashed a lot of FUN TICKETS- quoted by Grandpa Gary Felt)
- Spending time at the Zoo with Luke and Tommy
- Going to the Aquarium
- Eating LOTS of Ice cream
- Having a fun BBQ with the Staker family- Baby Jane you are SO precious!
- Playing at the Park and running through the fountains
- Having a great time with our Rogers cousins in Idaho
- Sending another cousin off on a mission- Frankfurt Germany will be blessed to have you there Spencer!
We really did have a fun week and weekend. We are just catching up quick before we head up to Jackson Hole for the week. We hope you all are enjoying your summer.
The pictures to document our fun tickets!

Roger's Family Reunion
2nd Cousins
Cousins Afton and Anna with Anna'a new baby!
Rob and Jackson in the Lake cooling off.
Ryan deciding if he wants to get in.
Alex giving Jack a WET KISS
Josh has a great talent of pushing both boys at the same time
Hanging out in the Bat Tent!

The Aquarium