October Adventures and changes

October has brought some more changes.  Derek and Kay and boys have now joined us here at the house.  People ask me where we are putting them, and I tell them I have a few more nails that weren't being used.  But really it has worked out pretty good considering.  Sean and Kim made a couple more trips back to Salt Lake to pick up everything from his old bedroom, and anything that they didn't take got put on KSL free listing, or to DI.  The room was empty maybe 5 seconds, before Kay started moving things in.  She decided to do that the week Doug and I took off on our much needed week vacation.  The original trip was to go to the Black Hills and Mt Rushmore--something I have always wanted to see, but that was not suppose to be--as the Federal Gov. did it's shutdown right then and all the national parks closed.  We opted to go south anyway to warmer climes and went to Moab.  We borrowed the Leaches pop up trailer and headed out.  The Brittons heard that we were going to make a trip down there and decided to join us, which was totally awesome, because Earl has a Polaris Ranger 4x4 and became our tour guide for a couple of days to remote places around Moab that didn't include Canyonlands or Arches.

hiking in Negro Bill Canyon

Dead Horse Point--Colo River below

It was beautiful and so enjoyable and appreciated Earl's knowledge of the whole area.  Really--exposed us to the Moab we never knew existed.  It was great and we were so thankful for their generosity.

             Chicken Corner overlooks the Colorado River below-- a very sheer drop off, and narrow road.  Earl Britton with his Ranger.  (sorry the picture is so poor)

 They left on Wednesday morning and Doug and I did a hike and some more car touring at Dead Horse point before we left the next day for the San Rafael.  We found a place where we could park and have our own little out of the way campsite, bought some fire wood to have some campfires, and settled in to be by ourselves.  (We had camped at an RV park in Moab). Friday we drove around the San Rafael, most of which we had never seen--it really is spectacular

Family Butte in the San Rafael Swell

What was also inspiring was seeing all the stars at night.  They were so spectacular.  I think I enjoyed that and sitting around our campfire the most.  Friday afternoon we did the hike into Little Wild Horse Canyon.  Of course, us and the rest of the world as the state parks were hit pretty heavy with people who wanted to get out.  Still it was pretty amazing.  We had never hiked that before and we didn't get to finish it, (an 8 mi hike) but still it was enjoyable.  

 

these were taken in Little Wild Horse Canyon

 

So Saturday morning, we packed up and headed home to reality.  Found that Kay and Derek and done quite a bit for moving in.  Kay was pretty organized and had things in ship shape really.  By the following week they were more or less in to the 2 rooms upstairs.  We have moved things around some more and I have gotten to dejunk some more--which is really ok.  (It's stuff that needed to go)  And the boys have gotten themselves adjusted to a new school, new ward and new friends.  They are doing awesome.  Derek seems to be doing well, and Kay is too.  Bruce and Holly have been great in helping with the transition.  Doug and I are doing fine.  Lots of blessings with them here.  And yes, it can be challenging at times. The saving thing for me is prayer and scripture reading to bring the Spirit.  That has kept me grounded and at peace and seeing the great blessing of having children here.   Satan seems to want to poke and make you think that things aren't good, that you are being picked on and you are entitled to whatever, but by turning to God more, he helps you keep things in the right place.  Anyway its all working.  We all have dinner together every night, my house is cleaner and organized, and we always have someone to visit with and grandchildren playing, (and lots of neighbor kids too), we have a yard that is being used and enjoyed. It doesn't have to be a perfect situation for things to work out, but its working with God's help. 

Doug has done many wonderful adventures this last month too.  First he went on a deer hunt with Randy Stewart down by Antimony.  Got to ride Kiss, the new horse, all over for 3 days.  He had just got back from that, and then headed for the Buffalo Roundup on Antelope Island with another neighbor.  Camped out 1 night and then herded buffalo for the full day on Dolli. She did admirably.  He had taken her on another cattle drive earlier in the month where she had her first exposure to cattle.  She figured it out and did well.  We have another adventure this week when we go Elk hunting down by Salina.  Will report on that later.  The Halloween party was fun and hopefully everyone enjoyed themselves.  It makes me smile as I see everyone dressed up in costume.  Just missing Tim and Lena's picture here.  (thanks Lena for taking all these pictures). Thanks everyone for coming. 

pretty scary to look at this witch!