October birthdays

Jared's birthday was kind of non-existent because he was out of the country on vacation.  I don't even know if he's home yet...but he turned 48 and we sent him a card and a gift card we hope he will enjoy.  Next came Koen's #16 birthday.  It was kind of a bust.  He has moved in almost exclusively with  his dad now and isn't too available.  We were able to set up a time to take him to dinner and what he ordered wasn't good to him so it was pretty crappy for him.  We got to visit some with him at least and then took him to DQ for ice cream that was more to his liking. He opened his present in the car. Tasia's #20 birthday was this week and she came down from school at BYU for the weekend.  She and Kaebri came over for a couple of hours of visiting.  It was so nice to see both of them.  They are both on good life paths and I'm so grateful for that.  She seemed to like her presents and I'm glad we got to see them for a bit.  The grand kids are so busy with their lives as they get older that it's pretty hard to stay connected it feels like.  We are trying.  

Fall Break - Kings Canyon, Sequoia, Pinnacles and Lassen

 Fall Break was a wonderful dash to four National Parks - Kings Canyon/Sequoia, Pinnacles and Lassen Volcanic.  We had been to all of these places before, but wanted to see some parts we hadn't seen or wanted to see again this time.  We had been to and seen pretty much all of Sequoia before.  Kings Canyon we had barely seen any of.  We had been to the west side of Pinnacles when it was actually closed and we had never been to the north side of Lassen because the road had always been closed due to snow.  It was a wonderful, quick trip.  

We left on Thursday morning and arrived at Sequoia late afternoon. We came in at the south entrance - Foothills Visitor's Center. We had time to enjoy several stops and almost the whole Generals Highway drive that day. We saw Tunnel Rock, Hospital Rock, the Big Trees Trail and General Sherman Tree which we hiked to in a small rainstorm.  We couldn't hike to Moro Rock because it completely shrouded in rain clouds.  We stayed at the John Muir Lodge in Kings Canyon/Grant Grove Village that night.  I was quite disappointed in the lodge.  It wasn't very much of a lodge and certainly not a very quaint lodge type room.  But it was very expensive and inside the park. Being in the park made it easy to access the area early in the morning before the crowds arrived.  Overall, it wasn't really very crowded anyway.  

On Friday we went early to see the General Grant Tree and it was a great hike among the giant trees.  Then we drove the rest of the Generals Highway and then the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway road.  We stopped at many overlooks along the way.  The forest and canyon were beautiful where fire hadn't burned them up.  We stopped by and hiked to Roaring River Falls which was beautiful.  On the way back we stopped off at Knapps Cabin, Grizzly Falls and went on a tour of Boyden Cave.  They were all really great.  Unfortunately Crystal Cave in Sequoia was closed for some work.  Another time!  Then we headed on to the illusive town of Firebaugh for the night.  Google took us to the town, but our hotel was actually another 20 or so miles away.  It was still the "city of Firebaugh", but no where near it with nothing of the city in between.  Crazy and quite frustrating.  It was a good room though, thank goodness.  We were ready for it!  

We got up early Saturday morning to drive to Pinnacles.  It has very limited parking and we did find a spot because we got there early.  It was cold, but warmed up nicely while we were there.  Our main thing to see there was to hike the Balconies Cave Trail to the Talus Cave.  It was a nice hike up to it and through it.  Really interesting.  We also saw lots of work by the CCC at the Bear Gulch Resevoir.  We saw the amazing Pinnacles formations all around as well.  Then it was time to head to Red Bluff for the night.  It was the longest drive to the next destination of the trip.  We made it in time for dinner and a hotel that was good, but too close to the Freeway unfortunately.  We did some shopping for our next day's Sunday dinner that we would cook ourselves.  It was a nice enough town and the church was close to our motel and the ward was nice the next morning.  

Sunday after attending 9 am sacrament meeting we drove on to Lassen Volcanic NP.  It was a couple of hours.  We got there early enough to enjoy most of the day there.  We finally made it to some of the geothermal features of the park on the north side and also the Visitor's Center there.  We saw Sulpher Springs and then hiked the 3 miles to Bumpass Hell hot pots and steam vents.  It was a beautiful and sometimes steep hike and the hot stuff was really interesting.  We drove the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway and stopped off at lots of overlooks.  We ate our picnic snack at Helen Lake at the base of Mt. Lassen.  We hiked the 3 steep miles to King Creek Falls and Cascades.  It was worth the hike.  We had downloaded the park narration for the highway and enjoyed learning about the many things along the way and stopped to see them.  Then it was on to Sparks, Nevada for the night.  This turned out to be a great extended stay hotel.  It had a kitchen with a big microwave, full sized fridge/freezer and a countertop stove.  It worked out to be the perfect place to cook our microwave Sunday dinners!  It was in a nice location with a beautiful park loop walk around a lake for in the morning.  It was certainly a case of saving the best for last and it was the cheapest place we stayed as well!  

Monday we hit the road and drove the long trip home on the backroads of Nevada.  We didn't stop except for gas and pit stops.  We had a great book we were listening to that kept us awake.  The road wasn't crowded like the freeways, so it was nice.  We got home in time for dinner.  We drove around 2,000 miles and it was worth the trip!  We have pretty much seen all of the western national parks now, so next trip we may be starting on some in the Midwest.  

Halloween Fun with Jem and Kaia

 Had a fun time with Jem and Kaia this morning going to the Scarecrow Walk at the Desert Garden.  There were lots of creepy and cute things to see there.  After that we had a little donut picnic and played Halloween Bingo and decorated little pumpkins.  Then we took a little hike over to the Scout Cave.  After that we came back to our house and read the Halloween books and played with toys until Supe came to pic them up.  It was a fun time with these littles.  

Here they are all dressed up to go Trick-or-Treating!  

President Nelson's 100th Birthday gift

 Russell M. Nelson 

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I am soon approaching my 100th birthday. One of the places where the Savior used the number 100 in the scriptures was the parable of the lost sheep. Though 99 of his flock were safely by his side, the shepherd went in search of the 1 who was lost.

At age 99, I have no need of physical gifts. But one spiritual offering that would brighten my life is for each of us to reach out to “the one” in our lives who may be feeling lost or alone.

Over the coming months I invite you to consider prayerfully: who do you know who may be discouraged? Who might you need to reconcile with or ask for forgiveness? Has one name been on your mind lately, though you haven’t quite known why? As you bring these questions to the Lord, He will inspire you to know how you can reach out and lift one who needs help.

What a beautiful example the Savior has shown us – that through each of us ministering to just one within our reach, we can spread the love of Jesus Christ throughout the world. #99plus1

Today in between general conference sessions they had a segment about President Nelson. It reminded me of something I wanted to record. He invited us to reach out to "the one" in our lives who may be feeling lost or alone. I remember thinking about how I could do that and not immediately thinking of anyone in particular that I could do this for. Later, however, I found someone. A lady who has been doing an amazing job on pedicures for me was basically put out of business when the place she rented in a mall was closed for renovations of the whole mall. She couldn't find a new place to locate her business. They closed down and her brother, her transportation, and son and parents moved back to CA. She didn't want to move because her daughter loves her school here. She moved a couple of her pedicure chairs into her apartment and is trying to make a go of it there for now. She texted me to let me know she was doing business at home again. I went to her and got the great pedicure I always get. I wondered how she was going to make it. Then after a bit I decided I could post about her on my FB page and also just text friends about her and how great a job she does for a great price. I had people message me if they wanted her contact info. It has turned out very well with lots of people asking me for her info and then going to her. I just had another friend tell me she had gone to her and loved her great work. Anna texted to to tell me thank you for sending so many people to her! I am so happy to hear that she got some new, hopefully returning, customers this way. I'm so glad I could help her just a little. It wasn't much effort on my part, but it's making some difference for her.

Leaf Looking 2024

I can love it over and over every year!  I never get tired of looking at the glorious colors of Fall leaves!  We even go to the same place to look at them.  Tradition!  Today was especially nice because of the clouds and even some sprinkles.  We stopped in and picked up Bean in Cedar City and then headed up the mountain.  We went through Cedar Breaks first and then turned right and went down that road.  We stopped and walked by a little stream we love, and then continued on and stopped off by the big lava beds for a little snack.  After that we went back via Duck Creek and stopped off for a walk at Aspen Mirror Lake.  It's always a favorite spot.  We saw a cool eagle nest along the way.  After that we went back via Navajo Lake road and then over to Brian Head and down to Parowan where we stopped in at the Dairy Freeze for great shakes and onion rings.  Really good!  Then we headed back down to Cedar City to drop Bean off and head home.  It was a really nice day with him and he seemed to be doing very well. Happy Fall!  

Paul and I went to Pine Valley yesterday and found a few leaves changing there.  It was just a little early for that elevation, but still so peaceful with the campgrounds closed for the year and the gates locked.  We just walked the paved to trail to the end and then walked part of the old Canal Trail back to the car.   Then we went to a beautiful reception with a sit down dinner and then to the Banff film festival for an evening of adventure films.  It was a wonderful day!

A little more leaf looking included a Friday walk and Picnic in Pine Valley.  The gate is closed because they are doing some paving so we walked clear up the trail to the end and had a little picnic at that top campsite.  Along the way there is an old apple tree.  We saw an apple way up high on it and were able to harvest it with a stick.  After we cut out the bird peck, it turned out to be a really good apple to add to our picnic.  On Saturday we went up on Cedar Mountain again to a Single Adult dinner at Wood's Ranch.  Paul cooked up some great DO potatoes to go with the bishop's sloppy joes.  It was cool and nice up there and the leaves were so pretty.  Didn't get many pics in either place.  

 More Fall fun.  Hiked the little Brookside Trail to Baker Lake.  The leaves haven't changed much yet, but it was still so pretty.  We stopped at Veyo Pie on the way there and got chicken pot pies and pie slices and took them to Pine Valley.  We had a nice picnic of the chicken pot pies there and decided to take the pie slices home to eat with ice cream.  It was good to get out and see the pretty stuff.  Someone put tape on the open range cattle signs to make them into Oreo Cows like the ones at Pine Valley are. Funny!

We got our bikes out and went to Pine Valley for a Fall ride today.  We also added in a little hike.  The leaves had finally turned up there and it was beautiful.  The uphill part of the ride was a huffing and puffing event since it's been forever since we've ridden.  We did the return ride on the Santa Clara River paved trail and it was a downhill ride and so very nice!  It was cool and peaceful and beautiful.  

Beaver Campout

We had a great campout!  It's later than we probably would go camping up at Beaver because it's getting pretty cold now with Fall in the air.  But, since we have our little camp trailer and can be inside if we need to and stay warm, we went.  It was wonderful because almost no one was up there camping, except in our favorite spot, at Round Flat.  We went just a little down the road to another favorite spot which was great.  There were no 4-wheelers screaming around.  It was in the low 50's during the day.  We got there and got set up just in time to make a delicious dinner and ate it inside because it was getting pretty cold.  It's so nice to have the option of cooking inside.  We had clam chowder and grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit.  Later we had hot chocolate and a cherry turnover for dessert.  We played some games, listened to a book and hit the sack.  

In the morning we lazed in bed some until the sun was full up and then we drove up the mountain to see if we could see any of the mountain goats.  We hiked around a little and then a lot to look for them.  We saw some picas in the rocks.  It was a sunny but windy day, but with coats on we did just fine and had a great hike...but saw no goats.  We hiked to within a mile of Delano peak looking.  We had no water with us, so decided not to go all the way to the peak this time.  By that time it was time to head back and get the stew cooking.  It turned out really well and it was early enough that we ate dinner outside with the sun shining on our backs.  It felt so good and was so peaceful and quiet and beautiful.  

After dinner went down and took a walk to the dam and around LeBaron Lake.  That day we had seen a crew clearing the edges of the road with a cool remote controlled wood chipper machine.  We had seen lots of evidence of their work all along the road up.  They left lots of great wood all cut to size for people to pick up.  We saw people loading it up along our drive back to camp and put several pieces in to take home for firewood this winter.  Our dinner was again, so delicious.  We had the stew and yummy bread and fruit and then hot chocolate and the rest of the cherry turnovers for dessert.  We played games and went to bed.  

In the morning stayed in bed until the sun was up and then went for a walk and saw some deer.  In the night we had heard some coyotes yipping and early in the morning heard some elk bugling.  We didn't see any unfortunately.  We came back and got things packed up.  Then we drove down to Cedar and took Bean to lunch and then we went up and saw the new Visitor's Center at Cedar Breaks.  It's very nice.  Then it was time to head home and put it away.  At least it was only 96 at home.  Pretty hot after our mid 50's respite.  There were leaves just starting to turn up in the mountains.  Fall is on it's way and we are looking forward to the cooler weather coming.  

A date with Torin

We had a fun date with Torin last week.  Ferf had some things to do and asked if he could spend the evening with us.  Glad she did.  We started out with dinner at The Crackerbarrel.  They have a little peg game at the tables that you can play while waiting for dinner.  Paul played first to remind Torin how it was done.  It's really hard to play until you can get rid of any more of the pegs than three.  Torin tired several times and got three and then one time six, which was very frustrating to  him.  Then he really put his mind to it and got it down to two and thought more and got it down to one a couple of times.  I've certainly never gotten it down to one.  We were so impressed with the way he really put his mind to it.  He was pretty excited to think that he had done it.  Dinner came and was really good.  Then we decided to go miniature golfing.  It was lots of fun as well.  Just a little night, but one that helped build some good relations with Torin.  He's going through a lot, just like all of Ferf's kids are right now.  Anything that we can do to help out is a blessing for us to be able to do.  

Clara Baptism & Bean bday trip

 We combined two things to make for a great weekend up north.  Bean had wanted to go on a trip for his birthday and go someplace fun, so we decided to combine it with the trip up for Clara's baptism.  It worked out great.  We left Thursday after school, stopped in Fillmore for dinner and got to Jay and Brynn's  in good time for some visiting that evening.  It was so fun to see all of them.  Friday morning we took Bean and went to Hogle Zoo for the morning.  We pretty well saw everything by about 1:30.  It's not a big zoo, but it was fun to see what there was there.  Then we went to Macaroni Grill for a delicious lunch.  And then we drove down and went to the Aquarium. It was so great.  We really enjoyed all of the amazing things to see there.  We got done in time to get back to Jay and Brynn's for dinner and helping get ready for the baptism on Saturday morning.  Clara was so excited and the girls were all being so attentive to her.  She was the only one being baptized from her ward and it went pretty quickly.  Lots of Brynn's family have moved away and her folks are on a mission, so the numbers weren't to big.  Some people watched it on Zoom.  It was nice that Bean felt good to stand in the confirmation circle.  We came back for a delicious lunch afterwards and then drove down to Lehi for an amazing violin concert that Clara and Madi were participating in.  It was really great.  Then we said our goodbyes and headed home.  We got home at a decent time and were back to the hot country again.  It was a great little trip and so nice to visit with Jay, Brynn and the girls!  Congratulations Clara!  We are so happy for you!

We gave Clara scriptures for her baptism.  Also included some really cool scripture/picture cards for her to use to look up scriptures on what we can do to prepare for baptism and becoming a member of the church.  Brynn sent a text/picture of her enjoying looking them up during church.  So glad she liked them.  I thought they were a great way to get her into her new scriptures and it worked!

Labor Day Pine Valley picnic

 We were few in number, but it was still a good time in the beautiful, cool and peaceful Pine Valley.  We reserved a picnic area and it was away from the crowd and so nice.  4 of the Randalls, 4 of the Smiths and Ferf and Torin joined us.  We enjoyed a great picnic and played games and visited.  It was just a relaxing day in cooler weather.  The little boys had a great time playing in the stream.  Everyone brought something for the meal and we had s'mores for dessert.  Now it feels like Fall is on the way.  

Back to School 2024-25

 We got started on Monday, August 12th, and are going for half days all of this week.  We have 18 kids to begin the year and they look pretty cute.  Evelyn is full of ideas for fun.  At the end of the first day she did not want to leave.  She thought she would be eating lunch at school and was not happy to leave without having eaten the lunch her mom had packed for her.  Finally her mom got her headed out the door, but she still didn't have a happy face about it.  (Her mom was late picking her up too.)  On day two Lyla didn't like the fact that she had to share blocks with other people even though she wanted to use them all to build a high tower.  She finally ended up sulking under a table.  Evelyn went over and kindly said that she sometimes went under a table when she was sad too.  She invited Lyla to come and sit by her and that did the trick and brought her out from under the table and back to the rug.  Way to be nice, Evelyn!  So we are back at it for another year.  We are going to have some extra help for a while on Tuesdays and Thursdays with some college students coming in to help for several weeks I think.  That will be nice.  Happy back to school!

Here's my school picture for the 2024-25 school year.   And below is a picture of our Staheli Farm field trip and our Kindergarten Alphabet Fashion Show program.

Another Halloween!