Up and back and a better knee!

Thursday evening we drove up to Park City to spend the night and be there the next day for Paul's knee scope/meniscus surgery.  We got to visit with Jay and Brynn and drop off some baby stuff in route.  In the morning we had some time to walk around different areas of Park City until time to check in at the hospital.

We enjoyed a lot of beautiful stuff despite many places being closed down for the off season/construction going on.  We still found several art galleries open and some nice walking paths with fun sculptures along the way.  Had a very nice time.  

This is the the before and after shot. I drove home and Paul sat in the back seat with his leg resting between the seats on the console in the front after the surgery.  Haven't really seen the two little holes they made to do the surgery yet since it is wrapped up with such a huge bandage that won't come off until Monday afternoon. Seems to be very minimal as far as pain or debilitation go and the doc said it all went well and should be lots better with pain gone.  

Pine Valley evening

Decided to take a last hike for a little while by spending Monday evening picnicking and enjoying a little hike in Pine Valley.  We are never disappointed.  It was a beautiful evening with a very tasty picnic, including slices of Veyo Pie's coconut cream and pecan pie to share, and wonderful scenery.  

Walked a little way up the Old Mill Trail and picked some watercress to take home for salad and sandwiches.  Saw lots of deer and some pretty birds along with the beautiful scenery.  

Our picnic spot and the new bridge - an Eagle Scout project that a couple of scouts took on despite all that the gov't. could do to make it hard.  Took them two years to finally make it happen between the sequester and gov't. shut down, red tape and naysayers.  Glad they stuck to it!

Lots of beautiful stuff and good thoughts.  I was so excited to see that little bit of green starting at the top of the Aspens!  

She's here! Esther "Essie" Mary Lillywhite - #22!

So excited to have sweet Essie here at last!  Esther "Essie" Mary Lillywhite born April 27 at 12:45 am, Salt Lake City, Utah, 8 lbs 4 oz.,  20 in.long.  Jared reported that she has a little bit of lung stuff going on and is on some oxygen, but is otherwise just fine.  Brynn is also fine other than wanting to take Essie home when she goes that might not happen if she needs a little bit more time to get everything worked out.  She's looking a lot like Tahlia.  Can't wait for more pictures until we meet this little one, #22!  Mary is for Brynn's grandma, my mom and my grandma - a very nice use of a family name from both sides and all of them wonderful ladies!  

Easter media posts from the Church - Because of Him

The past few weeks I have been getting wedding announcements addressed and have hand delivered the ones in our neighborhood.  As I went through the list from our last wedding it made me sad to see how many of our wonderful friends I had to take off the list because they aren't with us anymore.  Some have passed away and some are in such declining health that they aren't living here and don't "know" us anymore. These are people who have been part of our "village" that helped us raise our children; people we love and would have liked to have had share this special event with us.  As I walked past their homes delivering the announcements I was sad, but also so happy to know that we will enjoy association with them again in another time, in a better place, and they will "know" us there just as they did here.  So thankful that it isn't just over at the grave.  So thankful "Because of Him".

Cove Wash, Art Festival, Red Hill & Easter Fun

Went out to explore Cove Wash in Santa Clara one evening this week.  It is a pretty neat little place other than all of the party trash left behind.  I wish a flash flood would come and wash all of that trash away.  There a lots of beautifully carved rocks to enjoy and a narrow section that is pretty cool.  There's probably more to see, but we ran out of daylight and had to call it good.

The red tailed hawk in these pictures was very protective of its' area and flew out and around and then lit on a ledge and screeched at us.  We also had an owl flying down the wash in front of us that kept popping out.  It was very silent though.  

Later in the week we made our annual visit to the Art Festival.  There were lots of beautiful things there as always.  It's hard to take pictures with so many people there, but I did get a few of some things I thought were very nice.  

We enjoyed a very nice walk on the Red Hill early on Saturday morning.  There are lots of desert plants in bloom right now which really add to the already beautiful place that it is.  

(Tavin, Trigg, Weed, Derek, Eliza, Tasia and Kennis)

Zade, Gaige, Afton, Brenden, Kaebri, Eden, Eliza, Tasia, Koen, Ellie, Sarai, Kennis, Tavin, Brynnli, Trigg, Noah, Brady

Tasia, Eden, Ellie, Zade, Sarai, Afton

Friday evening we went up to Christie's folks little cabin in Pine Valley for a BBQ and Easter egg hunt.  It was a really fun evening.  It was perfect other than we were missing Jay/Brynn Supe/Beacher and Bean. I just love getting to spend time with all of these people that I love.  

I feel so blessed to have so many of our family right here close by where we can enjoy spending time with them.  As I have tried to remember and think about the real reason for Easter this year I have been so grateful that these wonderful family (and friends) that we have to association with here will not just end someday.  Saturday afternoon Paul and I actually went to two movies.  We saw Heaven Is For Real and then went to Son of God.  Both movies added to my Easter celebration.  I'm thankful for people who are willing to share there talents and testimony with others in this way.  

The views from the top, etc.

We have been feeling antsy to get out for our first camp out of the year and finally made the time.  Had a beauty filled Friday and Saturday.  We had tried to hike East Mesa Trail to Observation point another time, but the road was closed, so we started our Friday morning with that. We wanted something not too strenuous for Paul's knees and this trail was a good one for not too much up and down.  We did about 7 miles round trip and saw just a few people along the trail.  Of course there were quite a few at the point.  We ate lunch there and enjoyed the amazing scenery from way up high.  If you want to get to Observation point without such a climb, this is the way to go.  

Scenery at from the park entrance and Mystery Canyon  which takes off from along East Mesa Trail.  

We had quite a bit of day light left after that hike and discussed several options and decided to head for Jacob's Lake for lunch and then found a great camp spot at Timp Viewpoint overlooking the Grand Canyon.  This point has the distinction of being "the only known, easily accessible point on the Kaibab Plateau where it is possible, with binoculars, to see Thunder River as it emerges from the north wall of Tapeats Canyon."  We couldn't find it until the morning since it was getting dark after we got camp set up and started looking for it.

The strange looking photo was taken through our binos and Thunder Falls is emerging through the cliff in that furthest back shadowed area.  We could see it, but just couldn't get a photo of it with our point and shoot zoom capability.  Below are some borrowed pictures of it.  

Here's what we were looking at from way far across the canyon.  The hike to this place sounds brutal.  Oh to be younger or at least in better shape!

We checked out a few of the other viewpoints until we came to a road blocked by a very big tree that we couldn't drive around.  Then it was back to Jacob's Lake where we ate our lunch and wasted our diet by chowing down on cookies...they were worth it!  Then we drove home via Duck Creek, Mammoth Creek, Parowan, etc.  We spotted some antelope and stopped by Mammoth Springs which was beautiful with its' white snow and green moss combination.  Wished I had another night to camp out there!

Mammoth Creek and Mammoth Springs

The snow along the highway near Cedar Breaks turn off, Smokey the Bear at Kaibab Ranger Station, and the antelope.  

 It was a great trip.  We loved it all and can't wait to get back out there for more of the same as soon as we can!  We really need to hike or bike the Rainbow Rim Trail.

FHE with more Lillywhites

L toR Ellie, Kaebri and Eden, Sarai and Afton, Juge, Kirt and Lou with Zion, Mason and Joel, Emily, Haley, Kirt w/Mason, Sam and Jackson, Brenden and Sam, Haley and Ellie.  

Had a fun family gathering for FHE with all of our gang that could make it and the Kirt and Emily Lillywhite gang.  They were down for a little sunshine and R&R and we had a BBQ and visit session.  It was fun to see the little cousins be shy at first and then get friendly and play together.  Love getting to see these kids grow up to be amazing people and then have families of their own!

I really like this from Mother Teresa

A trip up north and back

Wednesday evening we headed north for Paul's next morning doctor's appointment in Park City.  En-route we stopped to see a job just finished in New Harmony.  I love the colors in this combination of rock.  The fireplace has not been washed in this picture, so it will look even better after that.  John chose rounded rocks to make the corners under the hearth instead of cutting them which is a little hard to see in the picture, but is really cool in person.

We left Jay and Brynn's early in the morning to make the appointment and afterwards visited some neat places in SLC and had lunch with Jay.

The sun coming up was a beautiful sight on our way to the doctor.  Afterwards we went to the Church History museum and enjoyed the exhibits there.

After lunch with Jay we walked around a bit and saw his office and the view from the top of the beautiful library.  Seeing even a little of Salt Lake with Jay makes you love it - you just catch it from him!

The "staircase to no where" at the top has this interesting inscription.

I was excited to take a short walk through the new City Creek Center.  It is beautiful.  You need a lot more time than we had to see it all.! Afterwards we were able to stop back by to see Brynn and the girls since we got there too late to see them the night before.  Madi knows us well enough that she's not really shy anymore, but Tahlia takes a little warming up.  After a few stories she was ready to give us a kiss and even show us her funny face  -Madi joined her!  

We came home to some great company - Mark and Charlene Brooks and family (and cousin).  It was fun to visit with them.  It has been a long time.  L to R - Lauren (cousin), Emily, Charlene, Josh and Mark.  I was about 8 when Mark was born.  I remember going with my mom to stay with Janet when she had him. I also remember bringing her some flowers...from the grave yard across the street from their house!

When everything had settled back down we enjoyed a walk on the Red Hill and following Bean's excellent directions we saw something new!  There's always something new to see in that amazing place...sometimes man made and sometimes nature made.  I love our back yard paradise!

I also love our amazing Pine Valley Mountain lacolith!

The final and wonderful treat of the week was General Conference.  It was inspiring and prayer answering. The last verse of the closing song was a perfect benediction and expression of the hope we have:

Oh, that each in the day of His coming may say,

 "I have fought my way thru; 

I have finished the work thou didst give me to do," 

Oh, that each from his Lord may receive the glad word: 

 "Well and faithfully done; 

Enter into my joy and sit down on my throne;

Enter into my joy and sit down on my throne."