Annual Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

About 6 years ago, Jack started taking the grandkids to pick out their own pumpkins. He's taken them to fields in Tremonton, Far West and North Ogden. Last year, we took the kids in two groups because everyone was not available at the same time. This year, all but one of the grandkids was there! (Audrey had gone early to Bear Lake with her other grandparents.) We came back to our place for breakfast in the back yard - sausages, hash-browns, chocolate milk, OJ and Grandpa Jack's pancakes - cooked on the Camp Chef! Yum!

Success at Tuacahn! (Last man standing!)

We almost canceled our trip to St. George when we found out both of the shows we wanted to see were sold out for the last week. We wanted to get away anyhow, so we went on down and put our name on the "wait list." (At 5:30 PM, people can come and sign a wait list. At 7:15 PM, they start calling out names and continue until all the extra seats are sold. Since it was the last weekend, they also set up at least 100 folding chairs and sold those seats for $15 each.)

Thursday night was Les Miserables. We had run into traffic on the way to St. George and didn't even arrive at Tuacahn until 6:30! But Jack put his name on the list anyway. Just after the show began, they finally called his name and his was the last one called! Over 20 people were turned away! There was only ONE folding chair seat left, but since there were two of us, they agreed to find another chair. Wahoo! We sat on a wooden riser, right behind the last row of seats on the east side. We could see and hear everything perfectly! And...sitting on the back row has an advantage! I was second in the door to the ladies' room at intermission! Ahhhh!

Friday night we also got in to see Big River - seats in the center of the back row! Both Les Mis and Big River were amazing productions and the beauty of the venue is magnificent! If you've never been to Tuacahn - put it on your "Bucket List!"

Sister Pennerman

We stopped at the Visitor's Center and visited with Sister Tia Pennerman, a friend we met through the Barbers. Tia went on a river trip with us two summers ago and, since she'll be released from her mission in just 6 weeks, she's planning to come with us in the summer of '09! Tia is from the Bahamas where Phil and Sally Barber served their 2nd mission.

Pecans and Pomegranates

Another thing I wanted to do while we were in St. George was to purchase some pecans and pomegranates. We didn't find any pecans, but we drove over through Santa Clara and found some kids selling locally grown pomegranates from a wagon at the side of the road. I've never tasted fresh pomegranates. I think they're lots better than the ones you buy in stores!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Who has a better, cuter, cooler dad than us? Nobody! Almost 2/3 of his posterity met him at His Kitchen for dinner October 14th to wish him a happy 86th birthday. He was happy! He also loved the special edition of the family newsletter that Dena put together in his honor. On the way out to His Kitchen, he said to me, "I guess I have a lot of people who love me." You're right about that, Dad! We all love you!

Mmmmmm Sunday General Conference!

 

Lisa started a tradition a while back. On Sunday morning of General Conference,she cooks breakfast! She's made crepes, fruit pizza and now...Belgian Waffles with raspberry/peach syrup and whipped cream. Yum! Thanks, Lis! (Today, her friends, Lisa, Mary and Amber joined us for breakfast and conference.)

An answer to my prayer...

I don't usually post stuff like this, but I thought I would share something that happened to me today. Between conference sessions, I showered and was busy doing things around the house. The TV was on channel 5, and I knew that there was a documentary about the new Panama Temple today, but I didn't know what was on after that. Shortly after it started, I heard a bit of a story that caught my interest and I ended up going into the family room and watching the documentary on the life of President Monson. I learned a lot about the prophet that I had never known before and I gained a greater appreciation for him and closeness to him. About 45 minutes into the presentation, I remembered something I had prayed for a few weeks ago - that I would be able to get to know President Monson better - that I would grow to love him as much as I had loved President Hinckley. I realized then that I was prompted to watch the documentary and that this was a direct answer to my request in prayer.

A special Sunday!

We were lucky enough to be able to go to two Primary Presentations last Sunday. We saw Amberly, Dean and Duncan in the Plain City 2nd Ward. Boy can those kids sing! All three of them had their parts memorized, which I love, because you can actually see their beautiful faces when they speak. We also went to the Huckleberry Ward in Syracuse and saw little Marianne in her first Presentation. She too had her part memorized and she was right on the front row, singing her guts out the whole time. She knew every word to every song.

After Sacrament Meeting, Marianne got a special recognition for memorizing all 13 Articles of Faith. She's been working toward this goal for over six months. For reaching it, Marianne got to cut off her Bishop's tie. It took a few minutes because the scissors were dull and the tie was thick,(Yes, Danny, it was a slow and painful death.) but she got the job done. She and Bishop Watson posed for a photo in the hallway following the little "ceremony."

He lives for football!

This has to be Jack's favorite season of the year! Football season. He loves the game. He loves to watch and he loves to officiate. He's been officiating football for over 43 years but he's not ready to hang it up yet!