Hangin' with Grandma

We decided to get out of the house today and go explore Cache Valley.  It was the first day we have seen sun for awhile and decided to head up into the mountains to see if there were any elk at Hardware Ranch.  We headed out mid-morning so we could stop at Quent's favorite restaurant in Logan for breakfast/lunch before heading up the canyon. 

We made it up to Hardware Ranch about 1:30 p.m.  There were close to 150 elk already in the winter feeding area with many more expected.  Unfortunately it wasn't open for the season yet so we were only to see the elk from the road. It was a great day for wildlife viewing, we saw some deer, elk, wild turkeys, a bald eagle, tundra swans, a dead mountain lion (recently hunted I might ad), not to mention our resident squirrel feeding in our bird feeder.

Fun Fun Weekend

Morgan and TJ have been hanging out with Aunt Cindy and Uncle Quent this weekend.  We've had so much fun coloring, playing ponies and kicking teddy bears that I don't know where to start. Yesterday we made birthday cards for Uncle Quent, Rice Krispy treats for the party and homemade pizza, visited the "rein"deer, saw cows and played red-light-green-light.  Morgan was so worn out by the time we got everything finished she fell asleep at 6:45 p.m. and didn't wake up until 6:30 a.m.

Today we wrapped Quent's birthday presents for the birthday party, went sledding, made dinner, watched the Utes beat BYU (TJ yelled at the TV just like Joe would have done had he been watching it with us, it was pretty cute!), watched Cars and had Uncle Quent's birthday party.  It was a fun crazy day.  Here are a few of the pictures taken today.  (I was too tired yesterday to take any pictures)

Black Friday ...

Joy and I went Black Friday shopping at Walmart ... wow what an experience.  We went together last year and this is the fourth year I've actually gone Black Friday shopping.  This year we went to the Brigham City Walmart and got in line about 9 p.m. for a sale that started at 12:01 a.m.  It was a success as we did get everything we went after (even if some of it was bought online at 1:15 a.m.). 

We hit Shopko at 5:00 a.m. with her sister-in-law Kami and picked up a few more things.  We capped off the morning at Joann's at 6:00 a.m. however once we got inside and pulled a number we were number 93 to have our fabric cut, they were currently serving number 7 and that was at 6:15 a.m.  We decided it wasn't worth the wait. 

Thanksgiving 2010

We have now been in Mantua for two full years, it's amazing how time flies.  We are thankful that we will be able to spend Thanksgiving with family near and far.  Quent is working this weekend and we will be staying in Mantua this year but have family scheduled to visit throughout the weekend.  The weekend will end on Sunday as we travel to Salt Lake to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, due to different work schedules Sunday turned out to be the best day to spend together.

Joyce and Kerry came up for Thanksgiving dinner and Joe and Joy are coming up to spend the night.  Joy and I are going black Friday shopping, the plan to be formulated when she gets here but due to Walmarts change in black Friday we may be able to get everything online at 10 pm MT tonight and still get some sleep before heading out to Joanns or Target in the morning.

Morgan and TJ are going to spend the weekend with us as it is Joe and Joy's 11th wedding anniversary and they are looking forward to some alone time to Christmas shop and the BYU/Utah game.  We will return the kids on Sunday before our family's Thanksgiving dinner and then return to Mantua Sunday night with my grandma who will be spending the week with us.  (Believe me we have a schedule to keep track of all the comings and goings over the next few days)

We hope everyone has a fun and safe Thanksgiving and that were ever you are you were able to spend the day with family and friends and enjoy the day!

It's Snowing!!! -- The Blizzard has hit.

For the first time in state history there is a blizzard warning across the entire state, issued for this afternoon through about noon Wednesday. I went to the grocery store this morning ahead of the crazy weather to finish getting everything we needed for Thanksgiving.  The storm is supposed to be over by mid-day tomorrow and our high for the next couple of days isn't supposed to get much over 20 degrees. 

Prior to the storm we had crazy winds gusting as high as 67 mph and blowing 20-30 mph most of the day.  The snow we received over the weekend was neatly redistributed all over the place.  

It started snowing here about 3:45 p.m. and hasn't stopped, it's only getting worse.  The mountains are expected to get 24-48 inches while the valley floors are expected to get 4-8 inches.  We fall somewhere in the middle of that, probably more around the 18-20 inches.  Here is a video we took about 5:30 p.m. and a few pictures.  The lighting isn't great as it was dark but it gives you an idea of how much snow we're really getting.

The neighbors are back

The neighbors have returned to their winter grazing grounds.  They seem to venture to the hatchery every night and sleep under out pine trees.  They have not yet ventured into the yard, strike that, they have been in the yard, however they have left our vegetation alone. We haven't had much snow and what we have had has melted so the deer have plenty to eat without eating my rose bushes, hollyhock plants or grass.  Although I'm sure this winter they will find my plants.

And a few of the night sky ...

Erie Weather

Crazy winds and a black black storm rolled through just north of us this morning.  We were hit with wind gusts of up to 50 mph at the UDOT station just north of town and light rain.  It's supposed to be raining/snowing but at the current time the sun is out and it's a pretty nice day (sands the wind).

I happened to look out the window this morning just as the sun was popping over the mountain peak and was able to capture these pictures.  

Stylin' Clothes

TJ picked out his fancy clothes for Morgan's birthday dinner last night.  I figured he deserved his own special post with his houndstooth pants and stripped shirt paired with a red jacket.  Of course he comes by his fashion sense naturally, Papa Wilf would be proud!  

Little Miss Lu turns 5

My niece Morgan, who has more nicknames than one can count, turned five today.  For the last year or so I've called her Little Miss Lu or Little Lu for short, as of today she has requested that we call her Big Lu she is now five and is not little any longer. In fact, she told me today she feels much taller than when she was four.

Quent and I were invited to go to dinner with Morgan and her family for her birthday.  Morgan requested a fancy dinner at the Training Table.  For my out of state friends and family the Training Table restaurant is a step or two above fast food where you order via telephone from your table and then go pick it up when your table is buzzed.  In order for the dinner to be fancy, we had to wear fancy clothes.  Morgan dressed in a party dress, and she told us that the girls must wear pretty clothes and the boys must wear handsome clothes. Quent pulled out a fancy sweater, one I have never seen before and I actually put on full makeup and dressed up in pretty clothes.  Pretty fancy if you ask me.

We had a fun time with the kids at dinner and had fun with Morgan as she opened her presents.  TJ gave her a dog pillow pet which was by far her favorite present. She got a bunch of art supplies and a new artist easel.  She practiced writing our names and even added a few hearts.  The cupcakes were frosted with love and TJ added his touch with green and blue sprinkles.  Morgan is excited for her first friends birthday party on Saturday, her birthday celebration has only just begun.

Here are a few pictures of the night.

Thank You Veterans

Today is a day to remember those who have fallen, a day to be proud of all those who have served. Today is a day to thank all who have served and will serve.

My grandfather who passed away this past August fought in World War II as part of the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theatre. He told us stories about the war and his service in Australia, he talked about the good, the bad and when he was honorably discharged when his tour was up.  He recalled walking home from the train station to his home in Ashland, Wisconsin.  No one knew he would be home that day, the letters had not reached home yet.  He walked through the streets with out any fanfare, he returned home found a job and went on with his life. He married my grandmother when I was just three.

My mother's father, also my grandfather and a man I never met.  He passed away a year before I was born.  He too went to fight in World War II, also part of the Army Air Corps, he fought in European Theatre and was honorably discharged following the end of the War.  Although I never met my grandfather, heard the stories of the war he fought, our family has a history of his service with the letters he sent home to my great aunt.  Those letters have been passed down to my mother who now holds the stories of his time serving our country.

So today I thank my grandfathers, one I spent countless hours with and one I never met, for their service and my freedoms.  For without them we would not enjoy the basic freedoms we have today. 

And to all the veterans, young and old, near and far, we take a moment today to thank you for your service, for your sacrifice, and for your honor as you fought, as you fight or as you will fight to keep our country free.