Salt Lake Adventure

I had the opportunity to visit my Jessi and family in SLC/Ogden area. Thanks to Craig & Ariana we had a wedding too. There are lots of photo's here, but I missed lots and lots of photo opportunities because I got so busy visiting I forgot I had my camera.
Doesn't Jessi look wonderful? She picked me up on Thursday night then Friday we started our adventure. WE went shopping of course. Just as we came out of a store- look who was coming in. My brother David and David & Kim & baby Logan. They were killing time before heading to the airport. How often do you meet your brother from California when you are visiting in UT?
Friday evening we went to the Bountiful Temple and then up to Ogden for the family dinner.
I love my family, and you will just have to imagine how wonderful and precious they are- in other words- fun time, no photos. Saturday morning we drove to Ogden (twice) to go to the sealing of Craig and Ariana. She is beautiful. He is handsome. My photos do not do the occasion justice.

Notice the pepper plants and kale in the landscaping. These are some candid snapshots. Mom, Barbara and Trevor- See the cute GP grand kids playing in the back-ground.

It was so fun to have Landon here. He got permission to end his mission in SLC so he could participate in the festivities. Dave, Teresa, Lexie, Landon, David & Kim Price
I met Brett's wife Tammy and Chad's wife Kelly for the first time. This is Brett and Tammy. Please don't be offended if I didn't get your photo - I intended to.
Jessi, Glen, Cody, Keri, David & Kim. Babies are Scott's Maddox and Logan
By the way, Cody is engaged. He left after this to go take engagement photo's. His sweetheart says it's ok to be fuzzy for the photo's. We'll see if he really keeps the beard.

My little sis Lynnette and Chelsey. :) above, below JB, Erin Jessi & James

This is one of my favorite moments. Scott and Dad holding Mom's hand as they left the temple heading for the parking lot.
In the afternoon we went to the "stump" artesian well for Jessi and James to fill up their drinking water jugs. It tastes so much better than city water. No reception photo's either. See Erin's blog for some great photo's. We had a wonderful Sunday. Went to church and helped in the nursery with Jessi. Then drove to Doug & Barbara's for dinner. So yummy. Sorry, no photo. Monday Jessi & I puttered around SLC. We went to the Joseph Smith movie, the museum, shopping, lunch and wound up at the SL Library. James found us there. This is from the roof ramp looking up to the University of Utah.

And then, we had dinner, went to the craft stores and to the airport - where serindippity I sat next to a family in our ward who were returning to Eagle from N.Carolina and another couple from our ward - I must not be a good blogger, I didn't take photo's again.
And Gil met me at the airport so another good trip was completed. Thanks Jessi & James & family = I love you.

Pumpkin Pumpkin Would You Like a Pumpkin?

This year, Gil and I decided to plant a couple of pumpkin plants for the kids to have this fall. What we didn't know is that we would have volunteer pumpkins all over our back deck. That mass of pumpkin vine behind Jake grew up to our sliding glass door.
This beauty that Ellie is checking out was green when it's momma plant died. (In August) Gil put it up by our front door and it ripened to this gorgeous orange. Carter chose it for his jack-0-lantern.


In September we started harvesting. By the wheel barrow full! Stella was helping with these that we picked after the first frost blackened the vines.
We used pumpkins as a back-drop to take birthday photo's. Ellie is checking Bree's pony tails as they played in the pumpkins. In all, we had over a hundred (from big to small) We gave them away, we took them to the office, we insisted all the grandchildren have at least 3 apiece. I started cooking the little ones- we've had pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin stew, pumpkin dessert, pumpkin dip, pumpkin in the freezer...On the day before Halloween- we carved pumpkins- big and little - happy and sad, scary too. Visiting friends got to carve pumpkins too. (and take them home)

Emma and Aspen helped show off the pumpkins - they lined both sides of the sidewalk.
McKayla chose to be a chef for Halloween. We told her she could cook pumpkin pie!
and now Halloween is over, Bree wouldn't get any closer to the pumpkins than this. Would anyone like a pumpkin?

A Song in My Heart

So my latest favorite hymn in a long list of favorite hymns is How Firm a Foundation. It must be because I have come in contact with it a lot recently. At the Relief Society broadcast when they sang it with the congregation- I teared up especially on the 4th verse. If I knew how to put in links I would link you to the song. For the conference music menu, go to: http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,8261-1-4988-1,00.html
Then we also sang it in conference and the kids have been learning it for their primary programs. It is so fun to have 7 and 5 year olds sing it with gusto. And of course, in our ward, they had the 11 year old boys and their fathers sing the song. It was tender to see these young men on the verge of becoming deacons singing with their dads. Maybe I just haven't paid attention before - It's written as though the Savior is talking to us. (to me)

In case you were wondering, some of my other favorite hymns include: Master The Tempest is Raging (we learned it in Sunday School when I was young-) The Lord's Prayer, The Lord is My Shepherd, O Devine Redeemer, How Great Thou Art, There Is Sunshine in My Soul, etc. etc. Now you know what songs to pick for my funeral.

Getting back to normal?

So- for the last year, any project that I have done has been either necessary or because I committed to do it. The neurapathy in my fingers has made using them in the past few months not at all fun. For the first time in ages, I saw an idea in a catalog and thought- that's cute- I can do that- AND I DID IT! (and finished it) really simple- sticks, ribbon, photo's and string. Carter & McKayla decorated the jack-o-lanterns for me. The fun part was going through photos to find pictures of the grands in costume and fall scenes. Now we have a cute fall decoration.

September snapshots

Here are some random photo's just showing what a good time we are having at our house...
On any given day you will find a grandchild or two or three or more over here. Occasionally they all come at the same time. -And it is fun. This event was Carter's birthday party. All the kids are in the photo and NO ONE IS CRYING! Tucker (12) is a great sport and participated in the Super Hero theme and games. Then he got cleaned up and went to Stake Priesthood meeting with his dad (Uncles and Opa went too).
It's a big treat when Opa gives a ride around the yard and pasture. The more kids, the bigger the trailer.
Bree and Ellie teasing Opa and eating fruit. They were both sitting on the same stool. Ellie ate two plums while sitting there. She just reached out and started eating. Opa quickly took the pits away!
Playing in the ditch. Water - Mud - Dry. It doesn't matter. The ditch is always fascinating. Today it's Tyler and Aspen.
This photo is for Jessi - Zoe in her finery. She was very lady-like and lifted her skirts as she went in and out of the door.
Two very tired girls asleep in Oma-great's bed. We moved Aspen to the middle so Emma wouldn't fall out of bed.

And last but not least the two youngest. Jake and Ellie were sharing food and toys. I didn't have the camera out when Ellie offered her cracker to Jake and he reached out and took it. It reminded me of when their parents Kurt and Kim were that age. Sharing. Kim even managed to crawl into Kurt's high chair with him. (he had food left on his tray) Not possible with these chairs, but it does make a fond memory.

Greater Simpson Family Reunion

The greater Simpson reunion is always in Star Valley Wyo. and this year our family (Jim & Thelma decendants) were in charge. Marlynn did an incredible job on the food. We just got to help cook and clean up. Gordon was the entertainment, auctioneer and bingo master. Neil did kids activities, Gil set up the zip line and I got to visit and enjoy every minute.
Look who arrived late on Friday night- James feet were longer than the bed, but we were happy just to see Jessi and James smiling faces (when they got up).

Everyone pitches in to help.
even me. I didn't get any shells in the eggs either.
and the hugs and smiles were worth it! (Stacy)

Intermittant Springs

In Star Valley, close to where we were having a family reunion, Jessi and James heard of an easy hike (stroll) to a spring that turns it's self on and off on a regular basis- so we went to check it out. This is the trail head.
And the water tumbling down from the spring
And Gil and I checking out the source. Man made cover- they have pipes in the cave and use it as a source for some of the Afton water supply. This was when the flow had almost stopped. A few minuets later, the water was flowing over the rocks where Gil's feet are - and only the larger rocks were out of the water to use as stepping stones.
Jessi at the bottom where the two creeks join. My first and only hike this summer and I am thankful that I got to go!