US Virgin Islands

Over the years friends have asked me when I was going to cross the pond and go see other countries.  My response has been that I've haven't been too sure about crossing the pond!  Our trip to the Virgin Islands was to get my feet wet in crossing ponds.  I've also looked at pictures with the white sandy beaches and turquoise water and thought that it would be nice to see the places in person.  This is Josiah's last year of highschool, so for all of the above reasons, a trip was in order! (click on the pictures to see the full screen)

It was everything I expected and more and we had a great time!

The Fruits of Labor

 We have really enjoyed our flower gardens this year.  I have a spot where I planted wild flowers with mums and it is very pretty

 Our apple tree is loaded to the ground.  I have bottled sliced apples and have made applesauce.  With the amount of apples still on the tree, I'm in for quite a canning season.  We also got almost a full bushel of peaches off one tree.  First time ever.

 We have enjoyed a nice garden.  I go to the store (garden) every night and pick a fresh vegetable for supper.  We have enjoyed corn (so has JayDee as seen above), crookneck squash, zuchinni, carrots, aspargus, tomatoes, radishes and potatoes.  Our strawberries have also produced very well!

 The highlight of August was Tiffany going into labor and bringing sweet little Autumn into the world.  She was born on August 28.  She was 7 lbs 7 oz and 18 1/2" long.

 Proud Dad spreading the word!

Grandpa and the girls

Leaving the hospital

 

 9 days old

Summer activities

 Chandra and the Hansen family served icecream Friday night, cooked breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and manned the bake sale on Sunday morning for the Great Basin Water Festival.  This is John cooking french toast and sausage.

 We decided to try out a new ranger station for our yearly family get-together.  It was a great cabin but the trails were a little rough for riding.  If we go again, it will be to just sight see and visit.

 Setting up the tents!

This is Kaylee and Vanessa at a reservoir we went to check out near Malad. 

Amber getting a hot bath in the kitchen sink in the ranger cabin.

 I went on a familiarization tour of Millard County with the Great Basin National Heritage Area.  This is Cove Fort.

 The mud/straw wall is of Fort Deseret.  We joked that Fort Deseret had a mote.

The mote is an irrigation canal that you have to cross over.

This is Abby and Noah's wedding cake.  I thought it was a very beautiful cake.  Crystal, you did a fine job!

Summer...Ready or not here I come

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Jesse and Vanessa were married up Spanish Fork Canyon at Diamond Fork.  It was a beautiful day and as I was told by a friend, the wedding went off with a hitch!  John was worried about having too long of a ceremony, but one of Vanessa's sisters video taped it and it was only 5 mintues and 45 seconds.  Not too long eh?

 We had the privilege of attending Mark Weeks and Laura Weight's wedding the week before Jesse and Vanessas.  I love this picture of Mom and Son.  The grounds of the place where they were married are gorgeous!  We took some pictures by an old wooden gate.

Josiah ready to go to the prom.

Amber had her 1st birthday on May 2.  We celebrated with her out here.  She loves opening presents, but she wasn't quite sure of me taking a picture.

A glimpse of the West in Omaha and San Francisco

 This is Mr. Chef Boyardee.  Omaha is the headquarters for ConAgri foods.

 I loved this little alley way.

 Many of the old buildings have signs written on the old brick...charming!

 Also downtown, are large bronze statues of covered wagons, buffalo, geese, cattle and people.

They were amazingly detailed.  It was raining very hard when we visited these, so I didn't get good close up pictures.

 Jumping to the fast paced world of San Francisco.  This city is a charming city also, even though it is totally different from Omaha.  We had a great time riding the trolley car!

 one of the many streets with houses joined together.  The only difference between each house is the color of paint.

 This picture was taken at 10:00 p.m. from my bedroom window.

A nice place to visit.