red canyon storm

While in Southern UT, we took a drive up Red Canyon, which is outside of Bryce.  As we drove up, we could see a dark storm ahead, and as we drove into the darkened skies and the rain, we noticed the fierce rushing waters in which is usually a completely dry riverbed.  In a few minutes time the desert had turned into a river.  The water was so muddy red, and the campers on the opposite side of the riverbed were trapped.  It was a really cool storm, but amazing how scary things can turn in only a few moments. 





We had to wait in a long line of cars for awhile, and then as we got  further up the canyon, we realized why.

  



a mudslide! Half the road was filled with mud and rocks, so each lane had to take turns either going up or down.  I was surprised that an HP was already there to direct traffic. 

About 4 hours later, we drove back down that same canyon, and there was hardly evidence of the earlier storm.  

...mother nature at her best...

last time

Our annual camping trip to Cedar Mountain.  Although this was the 5th roughin' it outdoor experience, we are pretty resolved that it was our final.  At least in those neck of the woods.  Thank the Lord you can't see the bees or sense their intense presence in the photos, but they were swarming everywhere, making what should have been a relaxing getaway a very intense buzzing commotion the whole time. 

But, we made the best of it. 

Here are my comforts from home that we brought with us:

my shower

our bed

my bathroom

kitchen counters

stove and grill

our refrigerators

my pantry

bathroom sink

dryer

and my reading nook. 

Farewell Cedar Mountain.

At least we have photos of you.

what if

My family played a game together called "what if".

Everyone gets a small piece of paper and a pencil.

Each person writes "what if" followed by a statement.

For example: "what if my teeth turn green?"

Then one person in charge gathers all the papers and puts them into a bowl.

The bowl is passed around, and each person takes one of the papers,

making sure that they don't take their own.

On the flip side, they answer the question...however they choose. 

Silly or Serious.

The one in charge collects the papers again.

The bowl is passed for the final time.

All playing take a paper. 

One person starts by reading the "what if" question.

The person sitting to that persons right answers with the answer on their paper.

One time while we played I wrote the question: 

"What if Susan lost her voice permanently and could never talk again?"

The person to my right responded by reading their answer:

"All the choirs in heaven would sing praises"

It is a pretty funny game.

Those who don't know Suz wouldn't know what a jabber jaw she is.  She can talk about anything, and for hours.  So, even if the "what if " came true, she would find a way to talk.  Just look at her hair!  It will talk for her!   ;) It will be a different color each month that my bro is in Afghanistan.  Red represents the first month.

jwf 2011 reunion

I have been lacking motivation/inspiration to blog lately.  But, today, I have decided that I have to put these photos somewhere and unload my memory card... so what better place?  ;)

I don't have that many photos from our JWF 2011 family reunion, but here are the ones I was able to take before my battery died, and the realization that I had left my charger at home came to me...

Thanks to Rocko, aka, little sis Raenie, a CD should arrive in the mail shortly with the whole weeks adventures captivated in still photo... so stay tuned, but until then, here's a few: 

morning time family Olympics, which consisted of challenges as seen on "minute to win it"

Bogey trying to stay sane, and hide from the commotion

a few of the spectators at the grand competitions

Gid

Alayna Rae

Rubix (it's Ruby, but she has finally stopped yelling at me when I call her Rubix)

sissies Rocko and Carmie with Laynie Rae

my 2 favorite aunties, Vickie and Jean (dad's sisters)

cousin Joe 

(... and you can see uncle Jim in the background)

.... funny side note, he is the same age as my husband, but all growing up I was nervous to hang around him and talk to him because he was my OLDER cousin who couldn't be bothered with all the annoying younger cousins at family get togethers.. getting older seems to close those gaps.  

cousin Holly (Joe's wife)

Ryan showing how it's done

part of a ghost town, right above the chipmunk feeding area.. it was weird how tame they were.

Carmen feeding an already well nourished fatty :)

my whole family

A photo from our recent tri-annual family reunion in Buena Vista, CO.