Trip to New Hampshire, Connecticut, Washington DC--Aug 2011

Hi All,

On Friday August 6, 2011 we left for our trip back East with Kaelynn. Kaelynn wanted to go back there to see her old areas and friends. The first part of the trip we were in New Hampshire. We arrived in Manchester, stayed one night at a motel and then drove to Hampton/Portsmouth New Hampshire where we saw the sea coast. There were amazing, wealthy homes along the coast. We ate a lobster roll, which we weren’t too excited about. We saw the Joseph Smith birthplace in Sharon Vermont. It was a beautiful monument and visitors center. They also had pictures from the Hubble telescope which were very beautiful.

We then drove to visit Bruce and Connie. They are very kind and gracious. They live in a beautiful area on a semi-farm. They have a horse, chickens and lots of acres of room. We went to their church on Sunday and it was great to be in a small branch where everyone is needed. Bruce also commented that 39 years ago he accepted the Gospel.

Bruce and Connie took us to see some beautiful sites in New Hampshire and then on the day we left Bruce and Connie went with us to parts of lower New Hampshire that were very beautiful.

Oh Glorious Day, We Saw a GARTER SNAKE! Aug 3, 2011

Hi All,

Today we went to the Great Salt Lake Nature Center with Spencer and Preston and oh joy of joys, we saw a garter snake. Spencer says he will do all his work and any other work if only he could have a garter snake as a pet (doesn't he already have a puppy??)

Spencer is looking for more snakes

Backpacking in the Wind Rivers, July 2011

Hi All,

Me, Nate, Brian and Nate’s cousin, John went on a terrific backpacking trip to the Wind Rivers this week. Here's a chronology:

Driving up to the Wind Rivers a hawk flew into our windshield so we had feathers and blood stuck to the windshield. We also saw a Porcupine waddling along the road.

We hiked six miles through some of the most beautiful country in the world and camped at Little Divide Lake. The fishing wasn’t as good as last year, though we caught enough for dinners and to take some home. However, we had wonderful joking and kidding around. We teased about new fishing innovations and had random funny events. I gave my fishing pole to Nate and told him it wasn’t working and asked him to look at it while I filtered some water. He took it and in five minutes caught a fish.

Another incident, we were fishing for the last time before packing out. I put a bubble and a fly on. I threw it out there and was walking back to camp to pack up with the bubble and fly trailing me. I’ll be darned but I reeled it in and there was a fish on the line!

We had good talks around the fire at night.

It was a great trip which we plan on making a tradition.

Little Divide Lake


Cool Mosquito netting hats

Great Salt Lake Nature Center, July 2011

Hi All,

We had a fun trip to the Great Salt Lake Nature Center in Farmington. We took Matthew, Allysa, Emma and Conner; Jaimee and Brandon joined us because Mindi had an appointment and asked us to watch the kids. The staff made a little presentation for all the children on birds and bugs. The kids loved it. In fact, it was so well done I’m going to see if we can take Spencer, Preston and Lauryn some time. Jaimee and Brandon stole the show with Jaimee telling about how much she knows of birds and other animals and Brandon telling everyone he is a “Rescue Ranger”. Staff there let everyone borrow some binoculars to see the birds which, of course, the kids loved. We also saw a garter snake which was the highlight of the day. We finished off with a picnic lunch at the Lagoon Trail.

July 4 2011 Get together

Hi All,

We had a fourth of July get together at the house. We got a slip and slide and played running games. We gave each person a “medal” (a picture of a star pasted on a cardboard backing in a canning ring). The grandchildren had a great time.

Bird Pictures, June 2011

Hi All,

On our bike rides to Farmington, Mom and I saw a yellow-headed blackbird and a heron. You can see them too with our new camera! Thanks

Andrea and Mike Visit, June 2011

Hello All,

We had a wonderful visit with Andrea and Mike. We enjoyed a dinner at the house when Mike and Andrea first got here. We had a pork dinner and lots of lively discussion. Jaimee Joy told us the main course was the best chicken she ever ate. She asked Grandma to make it next time. Andrea and Mike then went up to Logan. Andrea returned later and stayed with us after Mike flew back to Rochester. We went to Farmington Bay Bird Refuge and Red Butte Gardens. Nate and Beth kindly invited us to their house for a barbeque. Afterwards we played Taboo.
Spencer asked me how old I was. When I told him 59 he told me I was going to die soon. I told him I hoped it wasn’t on my way home that night.