Monday, July 9, 2012

 James and Alex went fishing this morning at Chocolate Lake.  (I think the real name for this place is "The Oaks" but the kids called it chocolate lake the first time they went there because of Willie Wonka and the name has just stuck).  Alex caught four fish but James didn't catch any.  They saw a mamma duck with six baby ducks.  She ran off into the woods when they came.  And of course there is the dead cow becoming more bloated everyday.  Alex also caught a small snake.  They boy is at one with nature. 
This afternoon I went with Trina to Fool's Hollow Lake in Show Low.  It cost us $7 to get in.  It's become quite a big tourist attraction since James proposed to me back in 1967.  The kids swam, well they didn't really swim, but they got in and played in the water.  I took a hike around part of the lake.  There is a place to rent canoes and we want to come back and spend the day and rent a canoe.  We asked the older boys to come with us but they didn't want to.

When we first arrived we had to check out where the best place to get in the water was.  

Looking cute.

Addy and Rowan.

Ruby sniffing a pine tree because it smells so good!

One the way home we stopped at Dairy Queen.

Back at home I went down to Chocolate Lake with Alex, Joe, and Michael so Alex could fish.  It got dark before he caught anything so we had to come home.

Trina and I watched an episode of Downton Abbey this evening.  Darrel and James joined us.

Thanks Terry for fixing the waterline in Chandler.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

I got up at 5 and worked on my lesson for an hour, then I got ready and left for ward council which was at 7am.  It was long.  It wasn't over until almost 8:30 and I just had time to go home run off my lesson, pick up the guys and drive back to the church.  The Howard's spoke in church on having the Spirit in our lives and some of the tools that Satan uses.  The kids will remember Brother Howard's talk because he used the example of Krispy Kreme donuts.  They lure you in to their shop by giving you a free donut.  You aren't going to buy anything but when you taste the donut and smell the donuts baking you end up buying two dozen.  That's how Satan tempts us.
Alex and Michael sat with us.  Joe and Brian chose to sit in the back.  As soon as the meeting was over Alex and Michael were speed walking out of the chapel and gone with Brian before we could even leave the chapel.  I texted Brian and told him I was not happy with the boys choice.  He felt bad and was going to bring them back.  I said no.  This evening after Brian had gone home we had a FHE about being converted and truly committed to the gospel, even in a ward other than their own.

My young women's lesson went fine. I need to get to know the girls better though.  I got to meet the Young Women's secretary Tina Allen.  She contributed quite a bit to the lesson.

Today is Jared Ammon's 20th birthday.  I texted him and told him his card was at his Mom and Dad's house.
Stacy called this evening saying she had a broken waterline.  Terry came over and turned off the water for them and said he would come over in the morning and fix it.  Thank goodness for James's brothers.

Some random pictures of clouds.  One of my most favorite things to do up here is to look at the clouds.

 

Saturday, July 7, 2012

James left early this morning to get a new fuel pump for the Ranger.  Polaris wanted to install it for him but that would cost an extra $200 so he said no and came home and installed it himself.  We took the trial run.  It is still missing but now it doesn't lose speed.  Kim, Brian and Joe went on a ride and said it ran good.  I am grateful for a husband that can fix things. 
While James was gone into town I made a big breakfast for everyone.  There was bacon and turkey bacon, fried potatoes, biscuits, and eggs. 
All of the guys help grandpa work outside except Dallin.  Instead he had to go home with Kim.  He has been talking about going home but when it came right down to it he wanted to stay.  James told him he needed to go home. 
I went to Walmart and got a roast for dinner tomorrow.  I just can't seem to stay away from this place.
So far Alex has caught 7 fish in Chocolate Lake.  He is one smart fisherman!

I read to James from our latest Victoria Holt book "Menfreya in the Morning" and prepared the YW lesson on resisting sin.
We sat out on the porch and watched the rain come in, one of my favorite things to do here.

Alex fishing at Chocolate Lake.

Friday, July 6, 2012

James is still trying to decide what to do about the Ranger.  There is a test that can be done to determine if it needs a new fuel pump but the test itself costs $75. Should he spend the money and have the test done and know for sure if that's what it needs or should he just buy a new fuel pump for $433 and take a chance that's not the problem.  Decisions, decisions.
As I was going into town to mail some bills I got a call from the Young Women's president, Natalie Soderquist.  She has decided not to come back from her vacation until Sunday afternoon and would like me to go to Ward Council Sunday morning at7am and to teach the Young Women their Sunday lesson.  I told her I would be glad to. 
James and I did some errands in Show Low today.  I love looking at the clouds on these drive into town.  The weather has been beautiful since the monsoon started with cloudy skies everyday and rain some days. 
When we got back from town Trina had a meatloaf in the oven for dinner.  I put in some potatoes, made and salad and heated up some green beans.  After dinner Darrel and Trina did the dishes while I drove Alex down to Chocolate Lake to do some fishing.  Who would have thought there would be fish in such an unlikely place but if anyone can find fish, Alex can.  Driving the Ranger back to the cabin I didn't think I was going to make it. 
Brian arrived this evening and brought a surprise for Kim....an iphone.  Joe was very jealous. 
Kim and I watched the first two episodes of Downton Abbey.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

The day started out with steak, gravy and biscuits courtesy of James.  It's Alex's favorite breakfast.  James also went in to town to get the tire for the Ranger fixed.  Trina and I and her kids started out to go to Scott's Reservoir to take a hike.  Darrel took Rowan fishing there yesterday but it was too cold so they didn't stay long.  Trina and I didn't get too far when we had a flat tire.  James was already in town and we called him to come to our rescue.  While we were waiting for him two young guys stopped to help us.  Their names were Trinity and Aiden.  Aiden is from Alpine.  Right now he is on summer break from West Point military academy in New York.  Trinity is from Eager.  He is a taxidermist and buys antlers.  Thanks so much guys!

Doesn't Trina look skinny?  

The kids had fun doing one of their favorite thngs to do up here, looking for sticks.

After our "rescuers" left Trina drove into Show Low going 50 mph as Trinity and Aiden had recommended.  We met James at the Polaris place where he was getting a new tire.  The kids and I drove home with him while Trina went to get her tire fixed.  While we were there Addy, Rowan and I found the ATV of our dreams.  It is a Rhino and is not for sale because it belongs to a customer.  We absolutely fell in love with it and to top it off, it's Purple!

Can you tell that Rowan really wants this buggy.  He is thinking about how to ask Grandpa.

I am calling this "The Day of Rescues".  The boys took a drive down to Chocolate Lake and found a cow stuck in the mud.  Grandpa took his tractor down and pulled her out.  She is just lying there but at least she is alive.  The boys took her something to eat.

Kim and I took a drive to Christmas Tree Trail on the Ranger.  There were some times when it would only go 10 mph and others when we got up to 35.  The people at Polaris think it needs a new fuel pump but James is hesitant because it costs over $400 and he already spent $160 on the new tire.

Rowan was so excited because he caught a lizard today and was holding it up by the tail.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy 4th of July everyone!  Today was an absolutely gorgeous day.  I don't think we ever saw the sun.  The clouds provided protection and shade.  I got the idea that it would be fun to go to the park and play kickball today.  I also wanted James to make steak and gravy either today or tomorrow so yes, you guessed it, I made another trip to Walmart.  I bought a soccer ball, steak, and biscuits and somehow ended up spending over $100.  I thought for sure everyone would want to join me in my game of kickball but Trina, Darrel, Addy, Rowan and Ruby were the only takers.  The big boys would rather play video games or just watch TV.  We went to the park and had alot of fun.  It was a little chilly but I loved it!  Addy was a little concerned that we were using a soccer ball to play kick ball so we had to play a little soccer too. 

The kids also had fun playing in the park.

Look at the sky.

 

Kim arrived in time this evening to have dinner with us.  We had hamburgers, Busch beans, corn, chicken and salad.  Darrel and Trina's kids were so excited to see Kim they gave her a royal welcome.  It rained pretty hard this evening so we opted to stay home instead of going out to see fireworks.  

I have Trina hooked on Downton Abbey and we watched another episode this evening while the kids watched The Wizard of Oz.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

James, Alex, and Joe left around 3:15am for the lower Black River.  Alex says he wants to catch more fish than he did last year but we all know he really wants to catch more fish than grandpa.  Joe is excited for a new adventure.  Joe's only problem was he had two ingrown toenails which made it hard to hike and have a good time.  He did catch 8 fish though.  Not bad for a first timer.  Alex caught 79 and Grandpa 101.  Of course they threw all of them back except for 5.

Trina took her kids to play at Show Low Park today.  Darrel met them there during his lunch hour.

I took Dallin and Michael into town with me.  We had lunch at Pizza Factory and then did some shopping at Walmart.  Grandpa was sad they didn't want to go with him to the Black River.  Mostly they want to play video games or watch TV.  Dallin did want to play basketball so I bought him a ball at the store. 

 

It was cool and overcast today but still we didn't get much rain.