Red carpeting of Autmn

Natalie had a big conference that she was in charge of in Park City.  Dave was invited to participate in the concluding dinner and so they asked up to watch Tanner.  It was in the early fall and the colors were beginning to erupt in brilliance.

Tanner was a blast to run and play with and he enjoyed playing hide and seek very much,  He nearly wore me out.



Although the pictures really don't do the color justice the mountains seemed to be covered in a carpet of red with wonderful yellow highlights. I think that fall is my favorite season here in the state of Utah followed closely by the pastel colors of spring. 

We took the long way home from Park City to try and capture more of the color. It was a beautiful day.

 

Arrgh! Slippin' Away!!!

Ol' Norrington's guards still be takin' me out fer ta taunt me with the progress they be a makin'.



She be a purty sight fer these eyes. I still be workin' on that mutt. Hope be a fadin' now though as seems they be done afor this week be up.

Arrrgh! Imprisoned!

Arrgh! I be welterin' in Admiral Norrington's brig fer the past fortnigh'! I nearly were in control o' the Pearl, but alas, ol' Norrington was a crafty bloke and he had too many guards an' one of em nabbed me afor I could make my git away!

Now I sits in the brig all day and watches as the blokes finsih fittin' up my Pearl.

Once a day, they lets me out in chains and drags me poor carcase up where I can see 'er better. I 'spect it be ta taunt me, I do.



But I got me a trick up me sleeve! I be slowly makin' friends with this wee mutt. I figure I can git 'im to brings me the keys. . . .

End of an Era

We have been in this house for seventeen years now and they have been our neighbors all of that time. Tonight we said goodbye over the fence for the last time. They are going to be in new York as Mission President over the Rochester Mission, lucky missionaries and what an appropriate place for them to serve! I had cried as I listened to them talk and as the closing song in sacrament was "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." It is weird to think that this era is over. I hadn't been emotional about selling the house until this last week. Of course it isn't sold and I have so much to do but I have been emotional none the less.

It felt strange to say Goodbye knowing we may never see them again. It feels weird that we are in such a different phase of life than when we first met them. At the same time it feels good to be moving forward into that next phase.

Bye Jack and Melanie we love you guys.

Ugly Face Contest

A few years ago our neighbor and good friend Jack Christianson taught some of our girls a game he liked to play called the "Ugly Face Contest." It even took place at girls camp. As adults some of my girls continue to play this game. When Tanner was blessed our family stayed around Dave and Natalie's house to be together, before long I noticed that Cydney and Rebecca had my camera playing with it and laughing hysterically. It didn't take very long for me to realize what they were doing and about 50 pictures later some of the evidence was found. These are the times that I absolutely love because they create such fun memories. We were all laughing pretty hard and wishing that others had stuck around to join in the fun.

And so it begins.
It didn't take very long for Caleb to catch on to the game and he laughed as hard as the rest of us.
Who's behind the camera, I don't think it was me.

He liked this game a lot...

What have we created?

...........

I can't believe they even got me involved!

Self portraits?!!!!!!

Okay so I guess that you had to be there to fully appreciate it but it was really fun to watch and a great memory of time together.

Love the normal smiley faces as well!

Ok love the silly ones too!

No More Teens!

I have MANY blessings in my life but one that I am grateful for is Rebecca! I knew she was meant to be in our family long before I even knew she was really on her way. When she was born she was this quiet shy little thing that was glued to my hip. One year (I think when she was about 14) for Christmas all she wanted was a guitar, what we didn't know was the girl that was about to emerge as a result of that guitar. For some reason the guitar brought out the entertainer in her and our life has been filled with such laughter and fun as a result of that. She is a riot to be around, never a dull moment! I love her sensitivity and caring way, watch out if you are picking on the underdog!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday Reb!

(My only complaint about her is that I can't get a decent picture of her because she is always pulling a face at me when I point the camera at her!)

She couldn't wait for me to round the corner and she her hanging over the edge of a cliff in Zion"s National Park and see my reaction. Love that smile!

See what I mean about the faces!

She loves to be with her sisters and together as a family. And the teasing has definitely been extended to the brothers-in-law believe me.

We all love you!

Farewell Mates!

There she be mates! Me thought fer a moment the scurvy rogues 'ad sailed her away.

She be all fitted out and ready fer the masts ta be set, she is.



She be mighty fine quarters fer this Cap'n. Come first light in the marnin' I be a takin' her. If'n you don' see me within a two days, then this be Farewell fer I be in Davy Jone's Locker!