Summers Adventures Part 2

Lake Powell 2011

Well summer is coming to an end, which means all the fun is about to end as well. School starts August 29 and I am enrolled! Even though the fun of summer ends, I am looking forward to having a schedule again. I also think this will help me feel more "normal." Whenever I see people they ask if I'm planning on playing basketball again, and the answer is YES! I'm feeling better than ever and am planning on playing during this 2011-2012 season. I'm so excited. We have an awesome preseason schedule and I'm looking forward to being in the WCC.

Well with summer wrapping up I've had some more fun adventures. Over the weekend of the 24th of July it has been a tradition since the beginning of time, well at least for as far back as I can remember, that my family would camp in my Aunt Lisa's backyard. We started the night eating diner at my Uncle Masa's restaurant. Its officially my favorite. Its called Mokis and its in Taylorsville on Redwood Road. Its the best Hawaiian BBQ around! After we went to Lisa's where the activities of this sleepover consists of a movie that night, night swimming, waking up early for a hike up at Brighton, a huge brunch with omelets and waffles, then spend the rest of the day swimming. It was such a fun 24th! For those of you who aren't from Utah, the 24th is a holiday because its the day the pioneers settled in Salt Lake Valley. So we watched the movie Rango, swam, met my new "cousin" Rio (Mitch and Tiff's new baby bird), hiked up to Twin Lakes, and finally swam. It was such a fun 24th.

That Monday was the Salt Lake City Marathon. Steve's (my father) friend Johnny Oh ran the marathon in honor of me. He started last and for every person he passed he got people to donate $2 per person. He is such a great guy. Johnny has been a family friend of ours for such a long time and it was so fun to watch him finish the race. My Gypsy runs marathons and I never could run one! My max is 2 miles, not 26.2. Such a great accomplishment though! While we were there I saw one of my second mothers Ann Tempest and her daughters Callie and Sara at the finish line waiting for Callie's husband who was running the race. It was nice to catch up with them. I enjoyed their company but really missed Diane, who has been my best friend since 1st grade. She was in Chicago so she missed out on the fun.

The shirt Johnny Oh wore during the SLC Marathon

Tempest Girls

The most recent adventure has been my trip to Lake Powell with the Fisher Family. Since I was in 8th grade, my bestest Ashley Fisher has been inviting me to go to Lake Powell with her family. I've never been able to because of basketball so I have never been able to. This year she invited me and I really wanted to go. After discussing things with the Gypsy we thought it would be safe trip. My doctor said I can only do trips if its a clean and sanitary environment and I'm not clear out in the middle of nowhere in case of any kind of an emergency. Well things worked out perfect. The house boat was equipped with air conditioning (which was AMAZING), showers, beds, and was a very clean place. We also stayed at the slip which made town a short drive away and the Marina a 5 minute walk. All the pieces fell together and I spent the week in Powell. It was so fun! There were 3 other families with us down there so there were a lot of people but that made the trip even more fun. It was fun to get to know the Rutter, Orum, and Brown families. We spent the day wake boarding, surfing, napping, eating, and of course tubing. Steve and Gypsy were very pleased that I came back in one piece. Eva and Todd Fisher did a great job at containing and babysitting me. Although, I did come back many shades darker, and blonde! Yes, I now have blonde hair and personally, I love it.

Lake Powell was my final adventure for the rest of summer. Its now time to buckle down, finish my epidemiology class, and keep working out because basketball starts August 29. I'm so thankful that my body is staying heathy so I can have fun with my friends and family, and do the thing I love most which is play basketball. My doctors appointment is in 2 weeks to decide if I'm still on my break from cancer. I'm expecting the break I have way too much going on these next few months! There's school, basketball, Rascal Flatts concert, my 22nd Birthday, the Greek festival up in Salt Lake, and a final trip to Canada for the year. So much to do in the next two months! I'm feeling good though. Long as I get my naps in, lots of sleep, and good food I'm healthy and ready to move onto the next phase of life. Thanks everyone for all the support and prayers. They're working!

Love, Alexis