Quick lets talk about fall before winter's over

We organized a picnic up South Fork before it got too cold. It was a little nippy but fun. It included Jack leaping across streams, Cara sunning herself and Wesley standing around looking grownup. Also Wade was trying to teach Sarah about motorcycles

Harvest Time

We are enjoying the bounty of harvest crops. We went gleaning in the neighbors yard where the chickens are and came back with this basketful. We have tomatoes, beans, zucchini, squash, walnuts, fresh eggs and Asian pears. Doesn't that basket look good? Anna got another load just as big to make salsa.
We took off a couple of weeks ago to climb Timp but it was raining so we drove a dirt road around the front of Timp and went hiking a little later when it dried off. We hiked for a couple of hours then Peggy & I walked back to the car to drive back around and pick up Cara, Wesley and Nathan at the bottom of Battle Creek canyon in Pleasant Grove. It was a beautiful day.
Yesterday we were working on the stucco prep (thanks, Jeff) and had a little driveway lunch while Wesley showed off his "mad skilzz"

The living room is finally livable

The carpet came in and we got the final details pulled together. We are ready for Curtis and company to come and inspect.

A few more baby steps on the house

After a few weeks hiatus, we got the patio room insulated, sheetrocked and mudded. I got the door installed and tightened so we tore out the sliding door and opened the room up to the house. So far it is keeping cool. With a little more mudding and sanding we will be ready to paint. Peggy is trying to get carpet ordered and we are getting closer to a real sunken living room. The outside is covered with plywood and the goal is to get it stuccoed before winter, funds permitting.

A frantic run for home

After a fun 3 days we headed for home with a few stops along the way. We got to Palmyra and enjoyed the Church historical sites, especially the sacred grove and the print shop. We sprinted for Niagara Falls and got there about 11:00pm. It was a spectacular sight and we spent the night in Buffalo. The next day we toured the Kirtland temple, spent the night in Des Moines, then straight for home.

A bite of the Big Apple

After two days in DC we headed for New York. I find it a grimy expensive place but worth a day. Half the day was taking the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty then we spent the rest of the day seeing the sights in Manhattan. FAO Schwartz and the Apple store, Central Park (incredible), apple cinnamon donuts off a street vendor, subway rides and Times Square.

Cara and Wesley go to Washington

On the occasion of Anderson's blessing, everyone but Anna was able to get to Raleigh NC. Peggy and the kids drove out over a week and I met them in Raleigh. It was awesome to be part of Curtis and Lindsey's life for the weekend and to play with grandkids.

After the festivities we took the opportunity to show Cara and Wesley the East Coast. We drove to Washington DC and spent two days enjoying our Capital. Thanks Becca for the place to stay and thanks Syd and Chad for meeting us there. We were just a few minutes ahead of the crazy man who shot the security guard at the Holocaust museum so we feel blessed to be safe. I even ended up live on Fox 13 in Birmingham with a "report on the scene"

The museums were spectacular and being in DC gives you such a reverence for this great country.

Enjoying the Jensens

We have been so glad to have Ryan and Amber here with the little ones. They are so much fun and we miss them already. We got together Sunday before Memorial Day and went to Orem cemetery to put flowers on Grandma's grave. It was a beautiful day.

It all seems so slow

It's been a while since I posted and we have made some progress. I will include pictures of the kitchen and dining area. We have also ripped out the walls of the patio and installed new windows. There is still a lot to do to put on new siding, insulate and sheetrock.

Garden of Eden or of Carl and Peggy

As PW says, "this is the cast of characters for the garden. Seeds planted in peat pellets ready for the real thing. We planted them outside last week and they are not sure they like the brisk outdoors. They liked the warm house better.

Not another project

Somehow I picked up an old Kawasaki KZ400 for $200 (just because it didn't run...go figure)and just as soon as the house is finished ;-)I'll get it running. Meanwhile it's the perfect vehicle for Wesley's fantasies.

Wesley hoops it up

Wesley started basketball with a travel league. He is working with a good coach and has picked up a lot of skills he hadn't been exposed to. He is still just a beginner but he is pretty quick and is having a lot of fun.