Thursday, July 12, 2012

Today we went to Fools Hollow Lake.  We stopped at Kmart to get some rafts and then at Circle K to get drinks.  Everyone came except James, Kim and Joe.  When we were in Show Low it was raining but we were hopeful that it wouldn't be raining at the lake.  When we got there we had lunch and then Trina went over to rent a canoe.  They said they would rent her one but if it rained she wouldn't get a refund and it looked like it was going to rain.  So no boat today. 

That's Michael and Max out in the lake.

Addy venturing out on her pink raft.

Alex said the water was too cold. 

Ben is testing the waters.

Ruby with one of her favorite things, a stick.

This afternoon when we got home Alex found a rattlesnake over by the air conditioning unit by the back of the house.  I told them they had to kill it so they did.  Not sure what Michael is trying to tell us.

Alex with the dead snake.  He carried it off somewhere. Notice the bare feet.

Earlier Evan and Rowan were having a shooting contest in the backyard with the bows and arrows Trina bought.

I am amazed how these kids can go barefoot on the rocks and cinders.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Well it's official, Jared and Tricia and their family are residents of El Paso, Texas.  They moved last week with help from the Barney's and the Wallen's with a few mishaps, such as a blowout on the van tire and no air conditioning when they arrived.  The kids and Tricia are enjoying going on hikes and then taking a swim afterwards.

 

I love this picture of Molly and Emmy

Kim brought some games with her when she came up and the kids especially loved the Headbands game.

 

I went to Young Women's this evening.  We worked on making a Personal Progress chart for all the Young Women and the leaders.  Afterwards we had a presidency meeting and I finally got to meet the other counselor, Joell Miller.  I am definitely the oldest in the group except for Brother Smith.  We discussed all the girls and a couple of them have some major issues.  This is going to be a challenge for me.

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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Alex and Michael went down to Chocolate Lake early this morning.  They brought back a baby duck.  The mother duck and her other ducklings had all disappeared leaving this duckling to fend for himself.  The boys put him in one of the upstairs bathtubs and tried to feed him corn and cereal.  The duck stayed for about an hour and then the novelty wore off and the boys took him back to the water.  James said he would be fine because the minute baby ducks are born they can take care of themselves.  He is going to be lonely if his family doesn't return.

I took Alex, Michael, and Joe to town around noon with the intention of dropping them off at the theater to see Spiderman but on the way in to town they decided they would rather go get something to eat at El Rancho.  At least that's what Alex decided and the other guys went along with him.  After lunch we stopped at Home Depot to get a part for James but I got frustrated because I couldn't find the right part and the boys were stressing me out so I left.  Sorry James.

When we arrived back at the cabin Sheri, Ian, Ben, Ian Wanlass, Max and Evan were there.  I sat on the front porch and visited with Sheri and Trina and then we decided we needed to go shopping so we left Ian and James in charge of the kids.  While at Walmart we played "the people of Walmart".  I got the best pictures.  I also took pictures of the bare shelves.  The store was so shopped out it looked like they were going out of business, especially in the grocery department.

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.