Pictures from the Narrows and keyhole canyon

These pictures were taken with a waterproof, disposable camera so the quality is lacking but they're still fun to look at. We had a fantastic time enjoying the majesty and beauty of the narrows in Zions National Park, these pictures don't do it justice. Some of the more fun times were taking our packs off and jumping into the river when we found deep pools of water...I'm still amazed that I jumped into the FREEZING cold water and will always remember dad slipping as he jumped in, the struggle of Sam and I to get Trent to the top of the rock and Brad having no problem climbing whatever was in his way. Keyhole canyon was a quick climb through a beautiful slot canyon. We wanted a longer trail but the good climbs require permits and fill up fast. Nonetheless, keyhole had a couple of fun 30ft and 20 ft repels along with some narrow hallways we had to shimmy through. It ended with a bone chilling cold water swim that was about thirty feet long...my guess is the water temp was around 40 degrees! I was the only one with a wet suit and boy was I grateful I had it!

Our State Fair is a Great State Fair

I got a wake up call this week with my first exam in Nutrition class on friday. It was one of the most challenging exams i've had in med school thus far! I've had classes in Biochemistry, NeuroAnatomy, Cell Biology, and Pathology but this Nutrition exam was almost more challenging then any of the exams in any of those classes. The info is quite interesting, and just so you all stay safe...don't eat the polar bear's liver the next time you go polar bear hunting...it is loaded with Vitamin A such that it would be so toxic to your body it could kill you! Ok, now that I have that little rant out of the way here is the real reason for this post: I went to the Iowa State Fair this weekend! I had a wonderful surprise when Brad and Dad came and visited me for a day on friday as they were passing through to move Brad to Wisconsin to start med school at the Medical College of Wisconsin on Monday. Of course I had to take them to the greatest fair in the nation! Besides the field of dreams, what else is there in Iowa anyway? I laugh when I think that the musical we did my senior year of high school was based on this fair and its kind of ironic that I ended up here in Iowa. Everybody should go to this fair once in their lifetime, its quite the extravaganza. We saw the life size cow statue completely made out of butter along with the life size butter statue of Shawn Johnson, the olympic gymnast from Iowa. We witnessed the first full view escape out of a water torture cell by a woman that was made famous by houdini. We sampled the famous deep fried twinkie and snickers on a stick...they were delicious but I could feel my arteries clogging later that night! You can find anything on a stick deep fried at the fair. We were wowed at the sheer size of the 1259 lbs pig that took first place and saw more lifestock than most see in a lifetime. We sampled heavenly flavors of homeade jam, honey and cheese. My Dad pointed out how important Iowa is to our country because its one of the few states that focuses on agriculture, and plays such a big role in picking the presidential nominees. Thanks Brad and Dad for enjoying a day with me and being the first to come visit me since being in Iowa! Thanks for allowing me to show off my school and take you to my favorite places in Des Moines. I'd love to host anyone else interested in visiting the heartland of America and spending time with me. I would probably turn on the A.C. for you if you came...if I was feeling generous that day! :)

Summer...blink...Iowa?

Summer came and went so fast I can hardly believe that I am already back in Iowa. I had 6 weeks of bliss and serenity and now its gone forever. Here is a recap of how I did with my top ten. See my previous post for the top ten list.
1) I only picked up one for about twenty min...it was USMLE first aid but I got bored really fast and moved on to something else

2)I went three times in six weeks so about once every other week. Even with loans the gas prices were too much to overcome to stomaching going more than that.

3)This I did do and it was absolutely amazing. I have pictures to post as soon as I can figure out how to transer picts from my Zune player to my Laptop. Sam did pretty well but would have done better if only he would have taken the ski pole we offered him for stability!:)

4)This one didn't go so well. No classes were being offered while I was home. I did spend one day with Emily learning some signs on our own but for some reason we never got back to it.

5)I actually did great with this until we took our trip to the narrows. I never got back into the habit after that. But I did learn how to play Canon in D, Come follow me, Just can't wait to be king and the Prayer. Eventually it'll all come together:)

6)see #1

7) I did a great job with this one. I don't have any exciting news to report but I certainly didn't shirk my manly duty and asked out lots of chicka's, Elder Oaks would be proud! :) I rekindled lots of old friendships and met alot of new, wonderful people!

8)Did great with this one too! We had a wonderful family reunion around July fourth with all the Burtenshaw family and had a great time waterskiing, roller blading and spending time catching up. I visited with my Grandma Lula in Logan and Papa Claude in Layton which I loved...they are both 90 and I hope they'll be around for a long time but you never know so i'm glad I got to see them. I Spent lots of time playing games, watching movies, chatting and golfing with Brad, Jami and Sam, Emily, Taylee and Mom and Dad. They still are the coolest family ever! How many of your Mom's can score higher than you in bowling, eh? Thanks for putting up with me and helping my summer be as relaxing and meaningful as possible!

9)I got to do this alot also, but can you ever really get tired of spoiling and playing with such fun, creative and downright almost scary smart nieces and nephews? Lichelle and Trent were also fun. We enjoyed a great day at the Dinosaur Park in Ogden and on another day swimming in their backyard. It's always hard to leave them. And they are still the coolest kids! Trent...I will own you in basketball someday! LOL

10)We didn't play hardly at all, mostly because Brad was worried his reign of ping pong champ would soon be over. He is coming to Des Moines on friday to visit on his way out to wisconsin so we will surely have a match!

Now I am back in Des Moines trying to convince myself school has started and I need to study. I've already taken a trip to Nauvoo and gone to a YSA conference at Camp Dodge. I'm avoiding the humidity as much as possible. Its hard to be in school during July and wrong also. But such is life!