Keeping the Small Town Spirit Alive

A few years ago, in an effort to keep the small town spirit going inspite of it's growing population, the local sheepherders started a heritage festival plus parade where they were able to herd their sheep off the mountain for the winter right down mainstreet. Now, it's a well attended parade full of old fashioned vehicles and huge modern tractors.  This year our kids were able to pull a handcart in the parade filled with their younger siblings and cousins and a few of grandpas crazy chickens.  One of the hens got so worked up she laid an egg.

Our kids are the 2 in the middle, flanked by their cousins.

Grandpa was so nice to set the whole thing up and help keep the kids in order!

Way to go Grandpapa!

The Ants Go Marching...

While Grandma Grace was visiting we also did one of our favorite things:

HIKING!!!

 

We went to Hendrickson lake, accsessed up Parowan canyon. Earlier in the summer Coulson and Seth had backpacked in and made a lean-to to sleep in that night.  We all wanted to go and see the amazing shelter they built, and the pretty lake they kept talking about.  So, here is the awesome lean-to:

And here is the lake:

(yes, that is snow on the far side)

Of course, after we get to our destination the kids are not ready to quit hiking, so they find the highest, most dangerous rocks they can find and climb to the top. 

My mom said they get that from me.

 On the way down Coulson was such a good helper with Adi, he held her hand through the steep spots.

I love being in the mountains, and the good feeling you get from accomplishing a hike while being surrounded by our Heavenly Father's creations.  It helps me to feel more fully my place in this life and my purpose here.  It is therapy for me.  And trust me when you have a house full of kids

and lots of responsibilities, I need that therapy.

Pictures in the Leaves

First, We have one REALLY pretty maple tree in our yard that has amazing red leaves in the fall.  Coulson wanted his picture taken with this tree and a kitten. 

 So, here he is with Kitty Witty and our beautiful maple.

Next, Grandma Grace came to visit us over the UEA, harvest holiday.  Everyone was so excited for her visit and she was nice enough to help us take some pictures in a grove of trees just down the road from our house.  We enjoy visiting Hunter's pond.  It has such wonderful trees and the pond is so peaceful.  It is also a haven for wildlife, deer, birds, racoons, and yes, stinky skunks. 

Grandma Grace and Mama (me)

One of our attempts at a family picture.  There were lots of others. 

 Hopefully one of them turns out!

Coulson

 Adi

 

 Quinn

 Ellyn

 On our walk up to the pond.

 Hunters pond road

 Cottonwood grove

Animal Identification and Pioneers

This morning Ellyn had a great experience.  She took part in a wagon train that was celebrating 150 years of the Dixie Cotton Mission.  Pioneer trek  They went with their school class and even got to dress up like they did back then.  She was shy about going to school dressed like a pioneer, but I think she got into the spirit when her friends were dressed the same way.

The first picture was taken before they got started and the second one was taken just as they were passing in front of our house.

On Saturday our kids were in need of
an adventure so we headed out to
Three Peaks,  a recreation area out by
our house, to join some other kids and the
BLM in a animal scavenger hunt.  Sorry, I
forgot to bring the camera, but everyone
thoroughly enjoyed finding clues and figuring out what animal the clues were leading us to.  Afterwards we spent time hiking around on the "bubble" rocks, and looking for arrowheads.  Coulson, our Mountain goat, was everywhere, literally, Quinn kept up with him, Ellyn stuck with me, and Adi, she took some convincing that she didn't need to be carried, Daddy was her big helper.  How boring life would be if all of our kids had the same personality.

Corn, Potatoes, Pumpkins, and Conference

You'll think we are weird but, we don't have television at our house.  The only time of year that we miss it is during General Conference.  Since we can't watch it,  we listen to it on the radio while we work hard harvesting our garden.  It has become a fun family tradition.  This year we got a good potato crop and grew a big pumpkin that the kids all wanted to take their picture with individually.  From the look of the pictures they are all IN LOVE with the great pumpkin!