My little day trip to St George

I have to be careful what I say to my son, Brian. When I tell him there is something I need help with, or would like, he is Johnny on the spot to make it happen for me. I mentioned that it would be so fun to go to St George and drive up to Pine Valley to cook a foil dinner, and just come right back home. He called me a few days ago and said he had Monday free, and would I like to go. He listed us on the flights, and we left the house at 8:00 AM, caught our 9:45 flight into St. George and arrived there at 10:45. He has a car there because of his work, and needing it in So. Utah when he lived there. We went to Smith's, bought the supplies we needed, and were off for the mountains. The area where my parents used to take the kids camping was closed for the season, but we found another picnic spot that we remembered going to with them.
Brian made the fire and got the coals just right while I made the foil dinners. We had a nice talk, and took a few photos while we waited for the dinner to cook. I'm telling you....there is just nothing like a good foil dinner in the mountains. The only problem we encountered was after opening them up, and we saw a swarm of wasps headed right for us. Brian had a great idea. We dumped out our dinners onto a paper plate and he took the foil a few feet away to another table, where the wasps and flies were very contented with their feast.
When we finished our dinner, we stopped on the way out at the little lake there. It looked beautiful, and I got some nice photos there. On the way back to the airport, we stopped to gather some sandstone for Heidi's girls, who are rock hounds, and we climbed up on a clif for some pictures of the city. We caught our flight home and came in as the sun was going down. On the way home we saw eight temples from the air! St George, Provo, Timpanogus, Jordan River, the almost finished Draper and Oquirrh temples, then Salt lake, and Bountiful. It was a perfect ending for a perfect day. Once again, I am so grateful and feel so blessed to live here in Utah where there is beauty all around us. The beautiful mountains that I love so much, and the amazing red cliffs in the Southern part of the state. I love the seasons, especially Fall that we are experiencing now.

My Trip to Idaho

My Daughter, Heidi, celebrated her birthday on September 26th. I was lucky enough to be able to fly down there to celebrate with her and her family. The 27th was a fun day as well. Ken goes to Singapore once in awhile with his work, and he had brought home beautiful silk dresses for Heidi and the girls. The kids also had some play clothes that were fun. We had such a riot taking pictures. I think it is the most fun I have ever had with Kylie, Ashley, and Lizzie. We laughed so much and did some real silly things too. In the end we had 339 photos!!! Here is a handful for you to see these gorgeous girls!









Saturday afternoon, Heidi and I escaped for a little while to my favorite scrapbook store, Archivers. I am more into tools than stuff to stick on my pages. In fact, I have not really spent much time this year on scrapping. But,,,I love to make cards and we found some fun tools to create cute flowers for cards or pages. Fun! Thanks Heidi ,,,,,,I had a great time!
Saturday night, Heidi and I went to her stake Center, where we enjoyed a delicious meal of salad and burritos with about 300 plus women in her stake. Everyone brought things to donate to a women's shelter there in Boise. There was a "gynormous" amount of things that will bring a little relief and some happiness to others who are suffering through some hard times. This is the purpose of Relief Society.
After dinner, we went to the chapel for the world wide broadcast of the General Relief Society Conference. We heard from the General Relief Society presidency, and also enjoyed a wonderful talk from Brother Uchdorf, 2nd counselor in the First Presidency of the church. We saw his funny side, and felt encouraged and uplifted by his remarks.
We didn't stay for dessert at the church, because Heidi still had half of her birthday ice cream cake from Cold Stone, at home in the freezer. YUM! It was the best ever.
Early on Sunday morning I started out for home as a stand-by
passenger. I missed that first flight and the loads did not look in my favor all day, so Brian listed me on a United flight to Denver, and from there, on a Delta flight into SLC. I could never have gone into that HUGE Airport, and found my way around without my clever son, Brian, on the phone with me. He told me every step to take up and down escalators, onto an underground train that took me to another terminal, and finally to my gate where I did make the Salt Lake flight and arrived safely at home. Those of you who know me well, know that this adventure was a bit out of my comfort zone, being alone, with a very sore foot, and miles from home. It was a good experience and gave me some confidence to try something else when an opportunity comes along.

Sleepover with Grandma

Early Last month, Dan and Becca celebrated their wedding anniversary with a little over night trip. I had the fun opportunity to watch the children at their house.

This is Cameron playing with a little train that I took with me. He had a good time playing with it. Notice the colorful spots on his nose and around his mouth from his scented markers. Just like his daddy used to do with his markers!



This is Livvy all ready for school and feeling pretty in her red uniform shirt, and cute things in her hair.



Livvy and Cam together before Livvy left for school.
Notice the pretty shoes which she is very excited about.

Gracie and her friend Spencer

Ryan's mother (Becky's mother in law), is visiting from Washington State and they have a darling little Chocolate/tan Dachshund, Spencer. He and Gracie were so happy to see each other again. They ran so hard chasing around outside that they were both exhausted after a few minutes. Inside, they did some neighborhood watch out the window, and Gracie shared her toys and treats with him. He stayed for a few fun-filled hours and she looks so sad now that he has gone.

Stake Conference - Sept 20,21

I never thought that I would be writing about my Stake Conference on this blog. This past weekend, we had a re-organization of our stake. Apostle, Jeffrey R. Holland, and one of the Seventy, John Huntsman, came out here to conduct that business. In the Saturday night meeting, we heard from the two counselors in the Stake Presidency who were to be released Sunday. Our past Stake President spoke to us on Sunday. These are such great men whom we have grown to love over the past ten years that they have served us. Brother Holland was the last speaker. We had a theme for the conference, taken from a quote from our past Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley. It was about being a happy people. When Brother Holland arose to speak, we fully expected him to address that subject. He said that he felt inspired to talk about a different subject. He said he felt impressed that there were those in the congregation who had come there hoping for inspiration for their problems, and some words to ease their sorrows. He said his subject would be that of , "Hard times". He first told us some unknown facts about the Huntsman family. Brother Huntsman and his wife, had just spoken to us. All any of us know is that they are extremely wealthy, they founded the Huntsman Cancer Center, and do tremendous good throughout the world with their generous donations and good works. Brother Holland told us of the unfortunate problems they had just experienced, where billions of dollars were lost in this recent financial crisis in the country. They had both also suffered accidents recently, and came to us Sat night with battle wounds, involving black eyes, bandages, and sister Huntsman with a broken wrist. They obviously had their physical and emotional pain to deal with, and Brother Holland had given them the opportunity to back out of the assignment to come out here for the reorganization of the stake. Brother Huntsman would not hear of that! Doing the Lord’s work always comes first for him. They have had their trials in life and have raised 7 grandchildren in their home, two of whom are still with them, one who is handicapped, and will always be with them.
We were given such a powerful message from Elder Holland Sat night. He spoke of the sorrows of parents who weep and pray all night for wayward children, and/or loved ones. Some of the trials he mentioned were marriage problems, divorce, addictions, and financial struggles. He offered us hope and encouragement, assuring us of the Lord’s love for all of his children and the promise of better days ahead. One thing that stands out in my mind is his statement that by our own suffering over loved ones, we get a small understanding of the tremendous love that our Lord and Savior has for us. The meeting ran over, and the spirit was so strong that almost everyone there was in tears. It reminded me of the Saviors appearance on this continent after his crucifixion. ( 3 Nephi 17) No one wanted this beloved apostle to leave. He had been prompted through the spirit about what we needed to hear, and he gave us such comfort and hope. As the closing prayer was offered, we could hear how many were crying. It was such a beautiful experience, and my testimony was strengthened. I am so grateful for the gospel and for a living prophet, his counselors, and the 12 apostles. I am counting the days until General Conference. Nothing could be sweeter than the witness that comes through the Holy Ghost when truth is spoken from the mouth of his servants here on the earth.

Gracie and Rory

I have a sweet little Dachshund puppy who is 11 months old. My little Granddaughter, Rory Anne Shober (Becky and Ryan's daughter) is 10 months old. Rory is crazy about Gracie, and our other Dachshund, Oscar. She can say "dog" and she tries to bark. She say's, "woo--f" So cute! Today, she wanted Gracies stuffed horsie. They were playing tug of war with it. I hurried and grabbed the video camera, and got a little footage of the horsie changing hands a few times. Enjoy!

Gracie and Rory playing