Grand Canyon
Day 3: Thursday 11

This was the biggest day for waves. We hit some class 8 and up to class 10 waves which were nuts! I was able to jump up front for the biggest one called Hermit. It rocked us! The waves were 15-20 foot waves that just pounded you but you couldn’t get that kind of thrill anywhere else! We were basically cold and wet from 7:30 a.m-4:30 p.m. Everyone was shivering but it was worth it! Dan rode the biggest of the day called Crystal rapid. It was a pretty dangerous wave and they got slammed! I for sure thought we would lose someone. There were a few times we all came close! Later that day I rode a pretty big wave on the very front and almost got ripped of the boat but my dad caught me with enough time to grab the handle. Dan rode another huge one that hit them from the side, he was completely covered and I couldn’t believe he was able to hold on!

Ready to go! Apparently I look like an Asian tourist

 

 The rain rolls in...dun dun dun

 We almost lost them

 It was very cold

Taking another bath in the river. Freezing

Grand Canyon
Day 2: Wednesday 10

We came to a really cool slot canyon, where we were able to hike through it and our guided Wiley and Joel played the guitar and told us stores.

Kelsi and Aubrey doing some Ninja moves

 

Walking through the slot canyon

We came to a spot where the Little Colorado River met with the Colorado River, though there was a big difference! The Little Colorado River was bright blue and really warm. We were able to go down what they call the gauntlet which basically felt like an amazing water park. We all made a huge train which didn’t really turn out to great but it was hilarious. Dan lost his hat but was able to find it which was impressive! I was floating by when Kelsi said, “wait for me”. She belly flopped into the water and got high centered on a rock, I couldn’t stop laughing.

 We lost half the train, Dan lost his hat but was able to find it!

 You would sink into the mud and felt like the matrix

River Rafting the Grand Canyon: July 9-14
Day 1: Tuesday 9

We had a great scenic drive from St. George to Marble Canyon Arizona. We stopped at some Indian dwellings in the rocks which were pretty cool, especially since we were the only ones there. We all stayed in the Marble Canyon Lodge that night which was a little ghetto and part of it had burned down but it was an adventure.

Exploring the rock dwellings

The burned down restaurant at the lodge

We got up early and met at the beginning point. We organized all our things and got our instructions then we headed out on the river. It was awesome because they allowed the whole Bishop clan to share one boat and the other travelers to take the second boat. I wasn’t ready for the freezing water but it was awesome! We hit some pretty good waves and had a blast getting to know each other better. We went to a place called Redwall cavern, it was a vast chamber carved by the river with awesome sand. Dan even tried a little bit of bouldering.

Let the adventure begin!

 

 

Redwall Cavern, pretty impressive we got almost everyone in it

First War Wound, Aubrey got kicked by Papa Brent

The view everyday 

We stopped for the night and made camp. It was hot so we didn’t need anything to sleep with. The best was watching everyone take a bath in the freezing 50 degree water though it definitely did help. I just didn’t brush my hair all week and kept it in braids every day. Nights were some of my favorite times, we had delicious meals, everyone gathered around, people playing the guitar, sleeping under the amazing stars in the Grand Canyon. That can’t be beat!

Dan eating some delicious food before dinner

 

One of many nights sleeping on the beach

A good start to July

July 1

We wanted start out July right and to get some good use out of our bikes so Dan and I went to the bottom of Tony Grove and rode our bikes up. It’s about 7 miles one way, though it is extremely steep and it took us about 50 minutes to get to the top, sore and dripping in sweat but it was so rewarding, and going down was beautiful (not to mention super-fast!) We have really loved our bikes!

July 2

The next day we went boating with the family. Dan has been cursed and every time we have tried boating the boat breaks (including in Lake Powell). This time was a success! The weather was amazing and we had plenty of time to wakeboard, ski, knee board and of course….banana! Which is definitely the best part! I have missed boating so much! Sadly our truck’s fan belt broke and it took about 4 hours to get back to Logan (normally a 30 minute drive) since it kept over-heating and we didn’t get back until past midnight, but it was well worth it.

July 3

We couldn’t stop there and on Wednesday we went to the Oakley Rode to celebrate the 4^th of July! I have been a few times and it has always been such a blast. The best part is we get to go to the cabin after.

St. George: 4th of July

The night of the 4^th of July we drove to St. George, we went to watch fireworks then we did fireworks at the house. Bruce bought a huge firework and it was probably the best one I have ever seen! It was so nice having so much time in St. George.We were able to spend all of Friday-Monday. We went biking and hiking along with swimming for hours a day, I was even able to get little Olivia to like swimming.We also took the kids to Despicable Me 2. Dan went shooting while I hung out with the girls. Monday we didn't have to leave for the Grand Canyon until 6 p.m. that night so we did a good bike ride, then hiked a canyon called Yankee-Doodle. Afterwards we swam again before we headed out.

Taislee in her adorable 4th of July outfit, ready for fireworks!

Playing with Fireworks that night

Playing at the Pool! McCoy and Angela

Rique showing off his moves

Canyoneering Yankee Doodle

Having fun in June

Back in April at the Make-A-Wish Gala my mom won some registrations into the Color Me Rad race at the auction. Granted, it's not much actually running though it turned out to be a lot of fun. Anything to stay active!

The big weekend of June! Every summer the whole family gets together and we do what is called "The Bishop Birthday Bash". We rotate through names and get that person a birthday present. This year my parents rented out the pool for it. We even recently started the “no thank you” gifts where you bring something weird or funny and we do a white elephant exchange. Before the bash we all went to Brent and Jamie's to sleep over so we could hike Timpanogos Cave the next morning. I haven't been there in years and Dan has never been so it was a really fun adventure, though it was steeper than I remember.

Navy loved Smokey

Brent and Jill opening presents

Ty pulling Eva in a little wagon