Ugh...our first snow already!!!

I woke up yesterday to snow on the ground. It was to cold to get out of my cozy warm bed and go out and take a picture to show you but the weather man said we will have more this week so you'll get a picture. It seemed so weird, the leaves haven't even fallen off the trees yet. In Salt Lake the snow was so heavy it broke branchs off the trees. I guess it's time to gear up for winter. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and then...CHRISTMAS! YIKES!!!

Meeting up with old acquaintances

I was on face book the other day sending a message to an old friend, fellow ward member, and classmate, Linda Hutchings Wilson. I recognized in her friends and acquaintances...some other ladies we had gone to school with and also marched together with in the Americanettes...Tana John Pulley, Jill Peterson Clinton, and Leann Conder Powell. So Linda contacted everyone and Jill decided on where we would all meet and within a week we were all together at Chuck O rama. Jill called Patsy Edwards Callahan and she came too. It was so fun to see everyone again. We decided that we are going to meet together every couple of months. This may be the start of something great! Leann is in charge of where we go the next time and she wants to meet at the same place. Ugh. Were going to see if we can get more people to come. Should be fun. (Picture from left to right...Tana John Pulley, Patsy Edwards Callahan, Leann Conder Powell, Jill Peterson Clinton, me, and Linda Hutchings Wilson.)

You'll Never Guess

Last Thursday Les and I made a quick trip to Vegas to visit his family. It was fun seeing everyone and we celebrated Les's Dad's 83rd birthday on Sunday. Les's niece Sarah and her husband Sean had us all over to their house for a wonderful dinner.

Les, Owen and Les Sr.

Les's Mom, Doris, Les's niece Sarah, Les's sister Suzanne and Sarah's son Owen.

We had such a good time after dinner sitting around talking and hearing stories of Les Sr's and Doris's childhood and younger days. They say laughter is the best medicine and I believe it. Les's nephew's wife put on her facebook page today that laughter is the shock obsorbers that ease the blows in life and that is so true. Monday we loaded up the car to leave and come back home. Good-bye's are always bitter sweet. It's good to come back home but it's sad to leave our loved ones. We stopped in St. George to see our grand daughter Teresa and our great grand babies Armani and Adee.

Teresa is about as big as a minute. She probably weight 90 lb if even that and she's only about 4' 10" tall. Her husband isn't a big guy either so her kids don't stand a chance of being tall. We visited for a while and then decided to go and get lunch before we headed back on the road. I had been craving Mexican food so we stopped at Cafe Rio. We just got in line when a man that I thought a recognized walked right passed us. I turned to look again and said, "Les did you see who that is?!?!"

It was Elder Jeffrey R Holland of the General Authorities and his wife Patricia. My FAVORITE!!! I said, "I'm going to go over and shake their hand." Les said, "I'm not, I'm afraid to." I walked or should I say RAN up to them and said, "Elder Holland can I shake your hand?" He graciously said hello and held out his hand as did his wife. I said, "My husband is to afraid to come and shake hands." Elder Holland said, "Don't ever be afraid to come up and shake hands!" Les came over and said, "I was afraid to come over but I decided that I had better because I'm more afraid of my wife's wrath then yours." Elder and sister Holland laughed and said, "Smart Man." Then Elder Holland looked at me and said, "I can't believe any wrath could come from this little women." They made my day!!! Elder Holland is one of my favorites. I love elder and sister Hollands book, On Earth as it is in Heaven a book that they both co-authored. These men that are at the head of our church are so intelligent and spiritual and they dedicate their whole life in the service of our Heavenly Father and his church. They make me want to be a better person. As they walked out to get in their car they got into a Toyota Avalon. When I told Ashlyn she said, "so does Les now say he is driving a celestial car?" :-)

Autumn Days

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. I love Autumn time along with spring it is my very most favorite time of the year. I love the cool nights and crisp mornings. Nothing is more invigorating then waking up and going for an early morning walk. I love the way the flowers respond to the cooler weather, their colors seem to become more vibrant just like the leaves. Although this year we have had a much warmer start of the fall season. The weather man says we are on the average 17 degrees hotter then normal for this time of the year. A week or so ago I told Les I'd really like to take a drive up in the canyon and take some pictures of the fall colors. Years ago I wouldn't think twice about going by myself but I guess I'm not as daring in the older stage of life. I told him I didn't feel good about going by myself so he took half a day off and we started up the American Fork side of the loop. The colors weren't quite as bright as they have been in recent years. Maybe because we have had a drier summer then usual, or, maybe because we got a little cold spell a little earlier. The leaves may have hit their peek a few days before our drive.

This picture was taken up by the Mutual Dell and the colors there were at their brightest. We also drove to Cascade Springs which is always such a beautiful place. I caught a glimpse of this little couple on the trail. I got my camera out and managed to snap this photo just before they rounded the bend and out of my sight.


It reminds me of a verse from a James Taylor song, "Wake up Suzie, put your shoes on walk with me into this life." I thought, what a cute little couple, still walking hand and hand just like when they first meet. And I'm sure they have a greater love now then they did back then. Not as straight and tall, walking a little slower then they use to but still hand and hand. It did my heart good:-)
How can you not know that there is a higher being when you see the wonderful beauties of nature. It is almost as if God took his paint brush and painted this beautiful fall painting for all to enjoy. It makes me think of the scripture, "Be still and know that I am God."