Cabin Get-A-Way

Annie needed a weekend get-a-way from Ray and all the responsibilities of taking care of Ray and Russell, paying all of Ray's bills for both homes, providing dinners, taking them to the store, etc. etc.  So she found a cute little cabin up in Sundance, rented it and invited Mallory and me to come along.  I would never turn down a chance for an outing or trip with Annie!  

We left Salt Lake about 11:15 and headed to Heber to have lunch with Susan.  Mallory met us there and had Brinkley with her so we found a place that was dog friendly - but you had to sit outside.  It was called Cafe Bristo.  Nice little place and they served breakfast all day.  Poor Susan showed up and can barely walk these days.  She was using a cane.  Her knees are, I'm sure, bone on bone.  Very painful for her to walk.  That aside we did have a nice lunch and a fun visit before heading up Provo Canyon.  

We were able to check in a little early so we parked Mallory's car at the cabin and she and Brinkley got in the suburban and off we went to explore a new canyon called Kyhv that leads to Buffalo Peak.  It was beautiful.

We figured out that this was the back side of the Y mountain.  Absolutely unbelievable and beautiful.  Look at the rock formation on this mountain!

We were right on the tail end of the Fall colors, but it was still beautiful and colorful.

We didn't see any wild life except for one deer.  Annie spotted the deer off the side of the road but it disappeared before we could get a picture.  We made it back to the cabin about 5.  Annie certainly knows to to pick places to stay.

Mallory noticed the squirrel on the beam of the cabin. 

We got settled in and pieced on chips and salsa, veggies and dip and crackers and bacon spread.  So delicious.  Annie had also made s'mores for dessert.  We played a game of Rummykub that Annie found in the cupboard.  It has been so many years since we played it that it took a couple rounds to remember how to do it.  Annie ended up beating me by 2 points!  Fun game.

Love these two so very much!!  Had a fun evening and turned in about 10:00.  

 

General Conference

As always conference was amazing.  Every speaker has something to share that can touch your very soul.  There is a primary song that says:  "The Spirit whispers this to me and I know that it is true."  I testify to that statement.  It was interesting that after the Sunday afternoon session was over Lynda Ann's family chat started buzzing.  Emmi, Mallory, Abby, Annie, and me all chimed in.  The first text came from Abby. "Anyone have any favorite talks or parts of conference??? I haven't had a chance to watch Saturday sessions but I just finished the Sunday ones."

Lynda Ann wrote:  "I had to sleep today but the one I heard when I was awake for a minute was the Sunday School Presidency guy from Samoa.  Spoke about teaching and loving like Christ.  Loved it.  He was so genuine and from the heart."

Abby:  "He was really good."

Emmi:  "Almost done with Sunday sessions but I liked Elder Cooks talk."

Gam:  "My favorite was Rasband."  I'll add here that he is my favorite Apostle!

Abby:  "I really liked Gilbert and Neil Anderson."

Mallory:  "I really liked Elder Gong and Elder Kearon from Saturday morning."

From there the chat went on to pumpkin cookies and how to make them and the fact that Crumbl has a pumpkin cookie out now and Emmi should go and buy one!  

I LOVE the family chat and am so happy that I'm included in it.  I was happy that the Gertsons were all tuned in to conference and that we each one had our favorite speaker.  I suspect our favorite comes from what we need to hear.  However, whatever Rasband choses to talk on, he will always end up at the top of my favorites.  :-).   Just saying.  I just want to hug him or maybe shake his hand :-)

Picking up Stitching

 It seem for a while that I wasn't interested in stitching and actually thought that maybe my stitching days were over but not so.  I love it so much.  Annie and Mallory got be into the stitching mode again.  Both of them had a project they wanted me to do.  I was happy to do them and now I have the "bug" again.  What will happen to all of these things I have no idea nor do I care.  The point is that I love doing them and seeing them finished and framed.  Who knows, maybe they will bring someone else joy to see one of them on their wall.  I'm thinking of giving one or two to Casey (Mallory's mission companion) but Mallory will have to help me decide.  This is my new project.

I accomplished this much during Saturday and Sunday conference.  Kind of gives you an idea of how long it takes to do such a small part.  This is almost 8 hours worth of work.  But every little bit that gets done makes me anxious to do the next part.  Very addicting and relaxing and most satisfying!

Christmas Exchange

 Four of us got a post from Abby asking if we would like to do a gift exchange kinda thing between the dogs this year?  It would be Brinkley, Sprout, Blue, Truman and Eddie.  Everyone of us responded with an absolute yes.  I think that is such a cute idea.  I did confer with the Sprout and he resounded with an enthusiastic bark (which meant yes).  

Sprout spends a lot of his day hours doing this.  After all a 3 year old needs lots of sleep, right?  Some times (actually quite often) we nap at the same time.  I'll be stitching or reading a book and the next thing I know is Sprout telling me nap time is over and he needs to go out!  And yes, Abby, he probably is a little chubby - but so cute!

And this is his usual pose in the morning when I tell him it is time to get up.  He immediately turn over on his side or back and waits for a tummy rub.  He won't move until Neal or I take care of that routine of his.  Just call him Mr. Spoiled.  Which I firmly attest that he is!

Coined!

Emmi got coined by her CO the other day.  I don't know the details because she didn't tell any.  But getting coined by your CO is a pretty big deal and Emmi would certainly deserve to be acknowledged for all the work she has been doing.  I'll have to add more as I hear more.  But, for now, this is all I have.

Here is a picture of the coin, front and back:

 So proud of this granddaughter!

Fall is in the Air

 Neal talked to Maren about having Brock and Boston come and put the Christmas light on the tree during the nice weather rather than waiting until November when it is usually cold and miserable.  So Maren and Brock showed up Saturday and they had the lights on the tree in less than 2 hours.  So nice to have them do this for Neal.  It makes him so happy to have the tree lit up during the holidays and he just can't do it himself anymore.  Thanks Maren and Brock!

Neal also bought some pumpkins for the front porch.  Sprout had just been groomed so I decided this was a perfect time to take a picture of him by the pumpkin.  He had a hard time staying still but we finally got one.  

Perfect shirt for Lynda Ann!!

Peyton Graduates

 We are so proud of Peyton.  She just graduated from the National Technical College of Cosmetology.  These are the pictures Tucker sent to us.

Funny thing.  I was driving the other day and notice the license plate of the car in front of me.  I smiled and had to snap a quick picture.  I had been thinking about Peyton and how excited I was for her and there was this license right in front of me.  

Walker's Baptism

 Neal had the opportunity to go back to Hawaii to be a part of the baptism of Walker Maxfield.  Jeff was in Hawaii at the same time so he baptized Walker and Neal confirmed him.  There were lots of people at the baptism - mostly from the YSA ward.  Walker has made lots of friends there and they all came out to support him.  

Walker with the Sister Missionaries

The big day!  All ready to go.

An official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!  So happy for you Walker.  

Great picture of all the people who came out and supported Walker.  Baptized September 13,, 2026

Back to Stitching

 I had a request for a Fall project.  The pattern was even provided for me.  All I had to do was get material and thread.  This project worked up really fast and I love it!  It will be even more incredible when it is framed and ready to hang or sit on a stand.

Love my little hedge hog that is magnetic and I can put my sewing needle on it.  I can't tell you how many needles I have set on my lap and then accidentally dropped and had to find on the floor.  Now they are always safe :-)

Just have the eyes and his collar to put on.  Funny thing, I thought I was finished until I posted this picture!  I need to go look at it and make sure I actually put the finishing touches on Snoopy.

Yup just found the final picture.  Goodness!  I thought I was really slipping!!