Family Pics

My family has never had a "real" family pictures taken. I finally decided to do it before Collin left for college and the snow fell. I asked Andrea Norman to do them. She is wonderful and she said she would make me look skinny. I highly doubt that can happen but I'll take whatever she can do. We had a great time. We even took our crazy glasses. Andrea loved that. I've decided that I have very handsome and beautiful kids. Not boasting - just stating facts. I love these people!

Life is Good - and family makes me complete.

Amethyst Lake Hike

We had a great week attending the Grant Reunion near Christmas Meadows, Utah. Everyone was there - which may be the last time ever considering the older grandkids are moving on to college and preparing for missions. I'll blog about that fun time later. This entry is about my hike, with Kendall and Susan, to Amethyst Lake. As Collin would say, "I'm not gonna lie" it was hard. But, not being an avid hiker and getting out much, I thought it was the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. The book said it was a "moderate difficulty" hike. WHATEVER!!!!


The first three miles were quite pleasant. Considering that the water was still running from the melting snow, we had to cross several little creeks and streams. There was a lot of standing water and tons of mud. But the trail was quite rocky which allowed us to step rock to rock and keep our feet dry. We saw seven moose along the trail. They saw us too but didn't care. I assume they didn't take pictures of us. Quickly we made it to the fork where we headed off on the second phase of the hike. The HARD stuff lay ahead.

The wildflowers were amazing. These are monument plants and monkey heads, I think.

The muddy rocky trail.

One of the MANY creeks and steams we crossed.

A fork in the road and our trail sign.

The second half did not go as quickly as the first half. We literally climbed a mountain - straight up. No switch backs on this trail. The path was a a dried up creak bed, which was probably running with water two weeks ago. It was very difficult. I felt sorry for the two little girls climbing up with their dad as we were headed back. But, along the edge was a gorgeous "river" that we followed all the way. It tumbled down the mountain while we climbed up. You could hear it rumbling no matter where you were. Once at the top we discovered a beaultiful meadow with a cute meandering stream and a very beautiful turquoise lake called BR 24. It really does deserve a name. Because there was so much water we lost track of the trail. We could see it on the other side but couldn't cross to it. So, we had to go around the lake. The marsh prevented us from going all the way around and we began forging our own trail, hoping to find a lake somewhere up ahead. We climbed over and through a boulder field (and nearly eaten by a "snow snake" hahaha) and then finally reached our destination. Amethyst is a beautiful glacial lake that is FREEZING!!! It was a a delight to eat lunch on its banks.

The roaring river along the trail

Just one of the beautiful waterfalls we viewed alongside the trail

BR 24 - Such a sorry name for a beautiful place

The banks of Amethyst Lake where we ate lunch

The mountains we kept in sight just in case we never found the trail back

The boulder field we climbed over and where Kendall and I got scared by a "snow snake." hahahaha

Amethyst Lake

The hike back was just slightly better - minus the fact that I will probably lose my big toenail and my pinky toenails because of the pressure on them while climbing back down. We had some great laughs and a great time. Thanks Ken and Sus for letting tag along.

Sometimes I think that when the earth was created, God used his sense of humor on animals like moose, platypus, and blue footed boobies. But, his artistic period came when he created the Rocky Mountains. What a blessing it is to be able to live in them and to be able to explore them.


Life is Good - and the hidden treasures in the mountains are refreshing.

Sharing the Joys of Summer

Thank goodness, a few years ago, my good friends shared their summer joys with me. A couple different friends DRAGGED me out to kayak down the river with them. I fell in love with it - like I've mentioned before. What I enjoy now, probably even more than the whitewater, is sharing my love for kayaking with others. My good friend, Karen, wanted to get a kayak for her birthday so that she could paddle around a couple lakes. I took her down the river and now she is HOOKED. She goes nearly every day. And, she now has two kayaks. (One just doesn't do it.) Another friend of ours, Shaunna, was very nervous about kayaking, but being the good sport that she is, tried it anyway. She fell out within the first 10 seconds. She got right back in, like a trooper, and now she is HOOKED. We have a big trip planned in a few weeks with all our families. Betcha she gets a couple for herself before then.

If you'd like to go, give me a call. I'm willing to share it with you, too.

Collin and his buddies. Ignore that they don't have life jackets on. The rule "No life jacket - No kayak" is now in full force.

Collin and buddies about to go under the Del Rio Bridge.

Shaunna - still smiling even after being tipped over.

Cook - He is so cool. His first time too.

Karen - Loving her new kayaks.

 Life is Good - especially in a kayak.

Cave Falls

A couple weeks ago we took a drive up to Cave Falls to see how high the water is because our swimming spot, lower down the river, is still so high that we can't swim yet (and may never this year). The falls are beautiful and the water is HIGH and FAST. Last year Kenna and I went for an afternoon. We walked out into the water and a father and son were fishing out in the center. I doubt anyone has ventured to the center this year. You won't catch me out there. But, the views are wonderful and the sound of the river is so relaxing! I could have stayed forever if it weren't for the GIANT mosquitoes that tried to eat us.

This is what it looks like this year.

Here is almost that same spot last year when Kenna and I visited.

Cave Falls. Wish you could hear it. It is AWESOME!

Looking up the Falls River. One of my very favorite places to be.

Churning water just above the main falls.

 Life is Good - and have I ever mentioned how much I love this place I live?

The Pinch Hitter

Don't ask. I have no clue who is who.

If you were to spend a couple days in our home you would be "privileged" to hear the sounds of sibling squabbles. Okay, it is no privilege. The older brother participates in a lot of teasing his younger sisters. I've been told this is fairly normal. I didn't have a brother so I have no knowledge of this. For the most part, I think that my sisters and I got along quite well. Sure, we argued occasionally but I don't think that I, being the eldest, was a big tormentor. (Sisters, you may not leave comments here.) But, there is one rivalry, in this house, that would be heard even above the brother/sisters thing. That is the somewhat constant banter between the twins. Aren't twins supposed to be best friends? Some say yes. Others say no - they spend way too much time together to be best friends. I've just been crossing my fingers in the hope that someday they will realize that they each have value and will love one another for their differences. Sometimes, if you could listen, you would wonder if that will ever happen. Seriously!

But today, something happened that instilled in me a brighter flame of this hope. Katy had been asked, about 6 weeks ago, to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting today. Two important things here - Katy can't say no very easily and Katy can't (doesn't like to) speak in front of people. She prepared a good talk on gratitude. She practiced and practiced. But, when she came to Sacrament Meeting she was terrified - crying and shaking. She couldn't go up. The counselor in the Bishopric said that he would wait until after the Sacrament and then I could nod my head for a yes she is doing it or a shake of the head for a no. It was apparent to all of us in the family that it was definitely a "NO". But, suddenly, that Adri, twin, fighting companion of Katy, and decliner of all previous talk inviations, took the talk. She read it over and said that she would do it for Katy. I nodded to the counselor and Adri went up. At first I thought she'd do it and no one (except close friends) would know that it was Adri and not Katy. But, sweet Adri explained the situation and how nervous Katy was. She said, "Katy got a bit of stage fright and so I will give her talk for her". She did a great job. But, the best moment of all was when we were home and Katy, with her swollen eyes from crying, hugged Adri and told her "Thanks!"

They may fight but really when it comes down to it, I think they love each other like crazy. I think they are going to be okay.

Life is Good - and full of sweet moments .

Oops! Did I Need That?

Sometimes, once stupidity has been admitted, you can move on. I am hoping this is the case.

A few weeks ago, while cleaning up my files on my computer, I deleted, what seemed like an unnecessary and unused file. (Problem #1 - I don't have a clue what is necessary or used.) There was this cute icon that looked similar to a program that kept popping up on my start-up screen. It had been driving me crazy and I wanted to get rid of it. (Problem #2 - I shouldn't be looking at cute little icons at 6:00, while in bed, without my glasses. They all look cute.) Feeling very smart, and confident, in my adding and deleting program skills, I deleted it only to realize, seconds later and seconds too late, that I had just deleted the sound for my computer. I tried to reverse this process but it wouldn't let me stop it. Darn! Did you know that without that driver there is absolutely NO sound at all. Like, you can't hear the sounds to YouTube videos, home videos, or the webinars you are supposed to be watching NOW.

Immediately, I began trying to install a new one. How hard could that be? After many search helps I have discovered that it is very difficult. (Problem #3 - I know nothing about choosing a program.) I asked several questions online and got many answers back, some were even good, I suppose. But, I understand none of them. I might as well be trying to rebuild a nuclear power plant. But, I want to do it on my own. I don't want to take it to someone, who will charge me boku bucks to do the same thing I'm doing, just right. (Problem #4 - I'm a bit stubborn that way.) So, I'm trying a new approach. I'm admitting that I shouldn't have done that and that if I know NOTHING about computers then I shouldn't be messing around with them. Now let's get on with it!  I just want a audio driver!!!!

Life is Good - just quiet.

I Don't Believe in Global Warming

Spring visited a week ago. We only saw it for a couple days, but it was here. We are anxiously awaiting it's arrival again. Our garden is quite behind because of the cold. If I were a seed I'd stay in the ground because it is too cold to pop up. Tonight it is supposed to snow in Jackson Hole. Doesn't Mother Nature know that Summer is scheduled to be here in 6 days?

  Just so I remember, I took a few pictures of the flowers and blossoms in our yard before they freeze. That could easily be tomorrow. Good luck little flowers.

Life is Good - but pretty chilly.