Conference Weekend

I look forward to Conference and being able to hear from our Prophet and Apostles. Just hearing them brings so much peace and comfort to me. The weather was perfect Conference Weekend and we were able to spend it up at the cabin. I couldn't ask for a better weekend. Okay it would have been nice if all the kids were able to be with us. Luckily Taryn was able to come out for the weekend.

During the Saturday break we took a four-wheeler ride up Rhodes Canyon. The leaves were almost gone. I wouldn't say that this year was a spectacular year up there for the colors. But it is still a beautiful drive.

Steve was getting artsy and took these pictures of the leaves on the ground.

Sunday between sessions we decided to hike up the mountain. Me and Steve were huffing and puffing getting up it and Taryn just breezed up it. We will blame it on the altitude and not the fact that we are out of shape.

When we used to hike with Taylor he would always push over the dead trees. Sometimes our hikes took along time. In honor of Taylor Steve decided he would push this tree over.
He got it swaying pretty good, but the top part of the tree was swaying in a different direction then the bottom. I thought I hope this doesn't snap and fall on him. Just after the thought, Taryn screamed at Steve to move because a big part of the top snapped off and just grazed his shoulder. Maybe he should leave the tree pushing to the younger kids. In Taylor's e-mail when he heard we went out to the cabin for Conference said that he will have an easier time being away from home for Christmas then he does being away from the cabin. Loved every session of Conference and can't wait to watch the talks again on the DVR. I've often wished we could have it every 3 months. What a great weekend.

Missionaries and Moms

When Greg left on his mission it was really hard on me. I missed being able to talk to him when I wanted and his easy going personality around the house. He also always emptied the dishwasher for me and that's a chore I hate. But what surprised me was that I missed his friends also. While he was serving I thought it would be great when he came home to have all his friends and Mom's up to the cabin for a night so we could hear about their missions. I'm thankful that both of my boys had such good friends. All of Greg's friends served faithful missions and I grateful for their influence in his life.

When Greg got engaged and planned to get married in July I figured that the night at the cabin wouldn't happen. His friend Landon didn't get home from his mission until August so we couldn't do it before the wedding. Luckily Greg still wanted to and I have a wonderful daughter-in-law that didn't mind Greg leaving for a night.

A couple of the moms weren't able to make it and I appreciate Rebecca, Deb and Elaine for coming up. I didn't know Deb or Elaine and it was fun getting to know them. We had dinner and then sat around while the boys talked about their missions.
It's amazing to think that they each spent two-years of their lives serving their Heavenly Father and that they are still goofy.
Around 10:30 they decided they needed to do a night-time loop run. I just had to take this shot of Dave in my coat. I think he looks better in it then me. Greg and Taylor lead the way up the road in the ranger and told us that up on the mountain, Taylor jumped out of the ranger and hid on the side of the road to scare the other two four-wheelers. Dave and Alex were the next ones by and Taylor got them good. Landon and Jacob were on the second four-wheeler and didn't even get scared. Taylor said it sounded like a good idea to scare them until he was left by the side of the road in the dark. Jacob had to get to his job early on Saturday so they left around 7:30. Me and Landon's mom woke the boys up at 9:00 for breakfast and then they had to leave. Greg and the rest went four-wheeling, shot my gun and then packed up and went home.

This is the moon coming up over the mountain on Thursday night. Steve thought it was appropriate to take a picture of the moon coming up over Moon Ranch.
The weather was beautiful and the fall colors are out. The quakes are very bright and yellow this year. Good times at the cabin.

A bear are you kidding!

I'm sure many of you have heard about our bear sighting at the cabin this weekend. Here are the details. Me and Steve went out to the cabin Thursday afternoon. Friday night our friends the Krugers came out. Saturday morning I ran back to Cedar Hills to attend the wedding luncheon of our friends the Bates. Their daughter Jessica got married. In the meantime the Hudgins and Greg and Lauren went out to the cabin. I got back around 3:00 and soon after the Hudgins and Steve, Greg and Lauren came back from a four-wheeler ride. We were sitting out on the deck eating some yummy homemade salsa and visiting. After about an hour the men left and it was just us women talking. We got up and headed back inside the cabin when I happened to glance out in the field. Between our two pines trees I thought I saw a bear walking. I said to Ali "what animal is that" She replied "A Bear". I ran into the cabin to get the binoculars the whole time screaming "A Bear, A Bear". Everyone came running out to the deck to see it. When we couldn't see it from the deck we decided to head down to the river and look. Yes I know it wasn't smart and to top it off me and Lauren had our flip flops on. My thought in all of this is I just have to run faster then Larry who was leading the pack. I hung towards the back worrying about running in flip-flops. We searched all over and couldn't find it. We then had the brighter idea to get on the four-wheelers and search up the canyon for it. While I was getting my shoes on (yes I do have a brain), Larry had taken off on his four-wheeler. Steve figured that the noise would scare the bear off and we would diminish our chance of seeing it again, so he stayed home and Greg and Lauren joined me in the ranger and Talithia rode her four-wheeler. We crossed the river and just up a the hill Larry had stopped and was pointing towards the river. We stopped and immediately Greg and Lauren saw the bear. I had a harder time finding him with the camera. Luckily I did get that shot of it. Talithia said while we were pointing and screaming the bear turned and looked right at us. I wish I could have got a shot of that. He just kept heading along the river and up the valley. We followed on the four-wheelers but didn't get another chance at a picture. Lauren and Greg spotted it again, but I couldn't find it in the camera. Larry guessed it to weigh about 350 lbs. It was a full grown bear. We named him Fred in honor of Greg's friend. I never thought I would see a bear that close to the cabin right in the middle of the day. I hope it's the last time I do. The scary part is he was right by the head gate that Steve is always opening and closing.

With all the excitement we didn't get dinner going until late that night. The Hudgins left that night. Steve got up early Sunday to fulfill his new calling as High Priest Group Leader back in Cedar Hills. The rest of us stayed and attended Church in Tabionia. That afternoon we laid around talking and reading. It was nice to be able to relax and do nothing.

Greg and Lauren had to go home that night. Greg had to work on Labor Day and Lauren needed to get things ready for teaching.

That night we drove up the switch backs to check the troughs for my mom. We alway like an excuse to use the four-wheelers. The ranger was perfect for Ali with her hurt foot.
I think the Krugers should use this as there Christmas card. The view is beautiful.
I don't think me and Steve will be using this one. The view is great but not so much the outfit.

The next day Chris and Bubba helped Steve move some of the old pipes that were sitting by the river. It looks much better. It was a busy but fun weekend and made more enjoyable spending time with friends and family. It never matters how long we are up there we always hate coming home.

Lake Powell

We haven't been to Lake Powell for a few years and it's a place we would love to go every year if we could. Now that the kids are older and have jobs and school it is really hard to find a time to go. Taryn told Steve that she could go in August so he booked the hotel and told her the date and she said she could go every weekend but that one. Luckily Greg and Lauren were able to go with us.

A few years back we decided to try staying in a hotel instead of camping on the beach. I loved that option and we have been doing it ever since. It is so refreshing to come back and shower and sleep in an air conditioned room. And the biggest perk is I don't have to cook dinner. All I have to pack is food for lunch and a few clothes. It's great! We got there late Wednesday night and hit the lake early Thursday morning. Thursday was a perfect Lake Powell day. The sun was out, the water was smooth and with school starting that week the lake was not busy at all. We hit Navajo Canyon and did some skiing and then drove to Rainbow Bridge.

We found this little cove off Rainbow Bridge were it was nice and shady and had lunch and cooled off.
Before his mission Greg mostly wake-boarded but since his return the ski is his favorite.

This was Greg and Lauren's favorite spot on the boat. They did spend a fair amount of time sleeping here.

We had to have one picture with all of us. This is as creative as we get.
We found a canyon marked Labryinth Canyon and decided to explore it. It was narrow and twisty. We saw a boat ahead of us and would have turned around sooner, but knowing they made it we plunged ahead.

It was a cool canyon. I'm glad Steve drives them, it would make me to nervous.
We were only able to stay for three days. We decided to play around Lone Rock on Saturday and realized that nobody had used the wake-boards. Greg wanted to double on them and talked Lauren into going with him.

When they were done he asked me if I wanted to go. I haven't been on a wake-board for years. I really can't take the pain when you crash on one so I've stayed off it. Of course I had to take the challenge and got up. I feel really un-coordinated once I get up and can hardly get out of the wake. Luckily I got out but never attempted to get back in. I did surf the wake abit but that is all I can do on a wake-board.

Can you believe how talented I am and the muscle control I have to be able to do this in the middle of the Lake. I can't either and the rock that was out there helped.

We played around on this rock and it took us a few minutes to figure out what the big long scrapes on the rock were. Quite a few props have been destroyed when the lake is deeper. It's right in the middle of a huge canyon. It was a fun and relaxing few days. Can't wait to go next year.

All about the Granddaughters

We were lucky enough to get to spend a month with our Granddaughters. Having them across the country in Georgia is hard and with them being so young and changing daily we were excited to have them in our lives for that long. Some of our adventures for the month included. Going to the zoo and getting to go behind the bars and feed the momma and baby elephant. Braelyn had a piece of bread to give to Crystal the mother and see reached out her trunk and blew the bread out of Braelyn's hand and scared both of us. Berkley was having nothing to do with touching the elephants. Then we got to go feed the giraffe some crackers. Braelyn was okay feeding it. It was fun to have connections and be able to do that. We went to the Lindon Pool and it's awesome for kids. Braelyn would go in the lazy river and stick her head under and float. Berkley loved going down the slide. Love that pool and can't wait to go next year. Our McDonalds opened up in Cedar Hills so we visited it weekly. Went to my friend Karen's pool a few times. Braelyn hung out with my scouts and even went swimming with them. Found a racoon in our garden. Went to the new pizza place in Draper and played miniture golf, bowling, bumper cars and Heather and Braelyn won first place in the go-carts. Saw a movie, went to the park and played in the creek, had a family reunion, tried out Highlands splash park. Enjoyed Greg's wedding and reception and also Ben and Charlee's reception. We took the girls and hiked up to the Grand Daddies in the Uintah's. We did all that and went to the cabin and boating. It was a busy month.

A couple of months before they came out we saw this inflatable ball at costco. You blow it up and the kids can climb inside and roll down the hill. Braelyn loved it, but Berkley wasn't to fond of being rolled all over. It quickly became a neighborhood hit and Braelyn had plenty of friends to play with in it.

They love going to the cabin and Braelyn loves the four-wheeler rides. Berkley would sit by me in the ranger, but I couldn't tell if she loved it or not. She was quiet and not screaming so we went on plenty of them. Braelyn likes the other four-wheelers and even asked if she could ride with Grandma Moon on hers.

Taryn had the great idea of going up American Fork Canyon to have a picnic lunch for Steve's 50th birthday. The girls were so excited to preform on the stage up there. I had a video of them performing their version of "I'm a single lady" but after 4 hours of trying to get it to download I'm giving up on it.

Of course we took them boating a few times. Starvation has the best beaches and the girls love playing in the sand. We had to invite Kellee and her girls and Braelyn and Kiley pick up right where they left off. Berkley was funny and loved to go walking along the beach. She didn't love the boat or I should say wearing a life jacket so she spent most of the time on the beach. The first time she was on the boat, after I parked the truck as I'm headed down to get on the boat I hear this blood curdling screaming and it's from Berkley because of the life jacket. I had to wonder if I even wanted to get on the boat. We quickly ran over to the big sandy beach and she was fine. Braelyn even got on the tube with her Dad and had fun.


In the midst of our crazy July Heather and Kevin moved from Georgia to Kentucky. I know that is where they are supposed to be, but my heart and arms still ache to have them closer. I have the cutest granddaughters in the world.

We are looking forward to the next visit. Thank goodness for skype and cell phones and blogs so I can see them weekly and hear about their adventures.

Greg and Lauren's Wedding

Greg and Lauren chose July 29th to be married in the Mount Timpangos Temple. The sealer was Max Caldwell and I've never been to a ceremony that was so beautiful and inspired all of us to work on our marriages to make them celestial worthy. Lauren couldn't keep a smile off her face, while Greg was a little more serious during the ceremony. They chose the biggest room and we only had two empty seats right by Greg's Grandma's. Steve pointed out that they were saved for Greg's Grandpa's who I'm sure were in attendence that day.

I'm sure you are wondering why we have a picture of feet. Taylor loves to take pictures of his feet and if anyone left their cell phone laying around they would soon have a picture of his feet. He sent us this picture from his mission. We wanted to include him so we blew up the picture and got a couple of shots of it. So here is a shot of all my children.

We are so excited to have Lauren as part of our family.

I was in charge of the wedding luncheon and after calling around I was so excited to discover that Texas Roadhouse does luncheons. They don't open until 4:00pm so we had the resturant to ourselves. Everybody got to order what they wanted and they food was so delicious. It wasn't formal or fancy but I was told by a few that it was the best luncheon they had been to and I happen to agree.

We had the reception in Lauren's backyard and it was so nice. Her parents worked so hard this summer getting it ready and it was perfect. Towards the end Greg was so tired of all the wedding planning but it was worth all the planning and everything looked wonderful.

My Mom and granddaughters.
My Mom wasn't able to stay for the whole reception so she let Braelyn have her flowers and Braelyn was thrilled. Like most of her pictures she strikes the princess pose.

Lauren's sister Kate has two little boys. The oldest one loves Greg and they asked him the day of the wedding who was getting married and he said "Lauren and Greg and Greg and Sam". Hopefully he will be content with Greg as his uncle.
Greg had his high school friends play during the wedding. Over the years they had formed a couple of different bands. Here Steve is pretending he is a member of a band. It's been fun having them over to the house since their missions and I'm really going to miss having them come over.

I just had to throw in a picture of my good-looking husband. He really cleans up well.


While they were taking Lauren's families pictures we hear them all scream to Kevin to catch the cake. It was so warm outside that the top part of the cake started slipping off. Kevin grabbed it and stopped it from slipping but the frosting had cracked so we took that layer off and arranged the flowers on top of the next one. It still looked beautiful.

The weather held out and the whole day was perfect. They make a darling couple and I wish them an eternity of happiness. Thanks to all our family and friends that came out and supported them on their wedding day.