Halloween Spooks

Addison, takes after his grandpa, not so with little Miss
Ada Unicorn or Sir Avery Dragon. It was such fun to have
some of our own grandkids drop in for a change for
Halloween, though we didn't have many others. We are
kind of isolated up here.

Ada and Avery enjoying Halloween 2008.

This was a pleasant surprise for us. One of our Montpelier

friends, who now lives in Logan brought their little boy

trick or treating. He is Annette Barnson's grandson.

Annette, Molly, and her husband were here too. It was

so good to see them. We will always love our Bear Lake

friends. It's like another big family and we miss them.

Guy Fox and Pocahontas. Now that is a combination of

true-to-life figures from history. Or? I say Pocahontas

wins hands down.

Batman Michah and the wicked witch, (not really)

the true to life mother was just masquerading.

Fairy, princess???? Whatever she was, she sure was cute.

Kate having a good time at Grandma and Grandpa's,

Halloween 2008.

A demasked Batman Ethan shooting off his blow gun.

What a cool kid.

Transformer Hayden, He looked so cute, but he wouldn't

leave his Halloween candy with Grandpa. Still love him

though.

Hayden, Kate and Ethan, the Justin and Chalisa Crew.

It was such fun for us to have you drop by for a treat

on Halloween.

We hope all of you had a fun and safe Halloween and that

you find a place for all that candy without eating it. The

dentists don't need any more money. It just goes for

taxes anyway, at least until Obama takes over, HA????

We love you all and always will.

Colorado Trip

Mason playing in the autumn leaves outside the
Pueblo Stake Center after the Relief Society program
on Saturday. He is always in discovery mode.


The Kids' Room at the church while the sisters were in a
special Relief Society program. Stephen was in charge.
That's what you call courage.

This is a "cabin" Stephen got donated to his camp. It was
then moved up the mountain to San Isabel Scout Ranch,
where it was set up, fixed up and is becoming a great
addition to the camp, which is located at about 9000 feet
above sea level in the Southern Colorado Rockies.



This is a photo of a photo given to us by Candice
and Stephen. Are they good looking or what?

Little Sophie is growing up so fast. She is full of life and
love. During the Sacrament on Sunday, she said loud
enough for most to hear: "I love you, Mason." I doubt
anyone could be annoyed at that from a one (soon
to be two) year old. She's such a cute little blondie.


Gabrielle has such beautiful, big brown eyes. She also
taught me a powerful lesson while we were putting a
puzzle together one night. I'd like to share it with you
all and am trying to think of a good way to do it. "Out
of the mouth of babes......"


Halle was fun for us, as always. She has a twinkle in her
eye that no one can resist, as if they'd want to. This is
Halle in the kids room which Stephen volunteered to take
while the women held a special Relief Society program on
Saturday. I got to help out. It was fun.

At San Isabel Scout Ranch the fishing was great for me,

while Stephen assisted some volunteers building a new

firebowl. It's going to look and be great next summer.

The fish made a good supper.

Stephen starting a new Scout Troop at the Methodist

Church in Ordway, CO. There has been no scouting here

for years. This was their very first meeting. Some of the

boys had a conflict with football practice, but they will

work that out. Stephen is very good with people. One

lady said to me: "He is so patient." That's not a bad trait

for any of us.

Stephen demonstrating a Scout activity at the first meeting

of a brand new Cub Pack. The boys were so excited to

have him there helping them get started.

Thanks to Stephen, Candice and family. We had a great

time and are very proud of all of you and what you are

doing. The trip was long for a couple of oldies but at least

it didn't take us five hours to get from Rawlins to Laramie

this time around. We stayed the night at Estes Park on the

way down. I'd like to spend a little more time there. It is

beautiful.

I've been tagged so here goes. SEVEN THINGS

7 things I can do.

1. See the beauty in almost everything around me.
2. Feel the Spirit at work.
3. Love others.
4. Appreciate people of exceptional talent and ability.
5. Appreciate people who may not have exceptional
talent or ability, but who do their best.
6. Forgive others. I benefit more than they do anyway.
7. See the hand of God in everything, from the
sunrise to a decaying leaf etc.

7 things I cannot do.

1. Be happy when I've made someone sad.
2. Learn as quickly as I should or would like to.
3. Make music, though I love so much of the good
music made by others.
4. Keep from getting tired, and the older I get
the worse it gets.
5. Insist on perfection in others, because I am so
imperfect myself.
6. Show enough gratitude to those who have
influenced my life for the better.
7. Feel comfortable in the presence of evil.

Seven things I always say.

1. I love you.
2. What does it really matter in the eternal scheme
of things?
3. Why?
4. Why not?
5. Whatever you'd like.
6. I will.
7. I can, with God's help.


Seven things that attract me to my wife.

1. Her testimony.
2. Her love for her kids and grandkids
3. Her ability to speak to anybody.
4. Her habits of cleanliness.
5. Her generosity.
6. Her dependability.
7. Her tolerance, especially of me, which is not always easy.

Seven things I like to eat.

1. Dutch Oven chicken, potatoes and onions.
2. Huckleberries.
3. Bread and milk with sharp Cheddar cheese and
raw onions.
4. Radish sandwiches.
5. Watercress sandwiches.
6. Nearly any kind of soup.
7. Black licorice.

Reflections and Gratitude

Many years ago I received my patriarchal blessing. In it
their was no specific mention of me someday marrying or
having a family of my own, as I had seen in some other
people's blessings. I was somewhat confused, because
that was among the most important things in the world
to me. I thought about it often. I wondered if it somehow
implied, that I would die young, or that no young woman
would ever consider marrying me, or that for some
reason I would not be blessed with a posterity. Yet there
were many other great and important blessing mentioned.
I received a mission call a while after I had received my
blessing and many of the promised blessings were, to one
degree or another, fulfilled as a missionary or at least in
some of my church callings throughout the years. There
was one small, rather obscure phrase which did not, at the
time, reach the depth of my understanding. It said something
to this affect:
"You go forth from a small kingdom presided over by your
father to build a kingdom which will not diminishes his, but will
greatly add to it." Since our marriage and life together, I
have come to a greater understanding of that phrase. The
above photo, which was taken at our Family Reunion this
summer, was given to us yesterday by Philip and Megan
as a "home warming gift" for our new place here in Logan.
In it I see the fulfillment of the prophecy given in my
patriarchal blessing beginning to take shape. Thank you,
Philip and Megan, and all of the family. Nothing in the world
gives me more satisfaction than to know I have a family and
that we will have that family relationship in the eternities,
if we can but love one another and honor the covenants we
have made with each other and the Lord. Nothing in the world
could be more heart wrenching than to see our wonderful family
torn apart by yielding to Satan's influence. My heart is full
and overflowing with gratitude for each of you and the way
you lead your lives. If there is ever anything that enters your
minds or causes you to act in such a way that the unity
displayed in this family photo might be jeopardized please, please,
do not allow it to happen. None of us are perfect. Individually we
will never become what we were intended to become, only as a
family unit. Rene is really right. "We may not have it all together,
but together we have it all."
Tears of gratitude stream down my cheeks as I contemplate
my/our blessings. May we never forget who we are, or shirk our
duty to God, or one another, and all we come in contact with. My
love for all of you is unbounded. My feelings of gratitude extend
beyond my ability to describe them. All I can say is: Thanks for
being you, and allowing me to be a part of your lives. I love you
all, always and forever.

Avery's Expedition with Grandpa Bart

When we decided to move to Logan I asked myself: "What
will I do with this old beat up canoe?" As you can see it's
not going in for scrap metal just yet. It was Avery's day
with Grandpa and big brother Addison tagging along.

"There is beauty all around." I learned that long ago and
here is living proof, Cutler Marsh, October 17, 2008.

More of Cutler Marsh, a marshy areasalong the Little
Bear River, just a few minutes from home.


Alison was so thoughtful as to not let us go hungry. We
had a great lunch and enjoyed a moment on the grassy
bank of the Marsh. Thanks. Alison. We are planning
on making this a regular type activity. Everybody who
wants to is welcome to join us.

New Opportunity and Blessing

This photo was taken about 10 minutes ago after a
less than five minute walk up the hill. It is wonderful to
be so close.

We got our new telephone installed installed in Logan last
week. Iris called and told all the family our new number.
Then she called Alison and asked her to call back to see if
it was working in both directions. It did. The second call
on the new number was from President Jensen of the
Logan Temple Presidency. He requested an interview
with Iris and me for Wednesday the 16th at 1:00 PM. We
showed up on time and he asked us if we would accept a call
as officiators in the temple. No way we could turn it down.
We were set apart on the spot and our official training starts
on November 4th. We will be working the 3:00 PM sessions
until close two days a week on a monthly alternating schedule.
Tuesday/Wednesday for a month and then Thursday/ Friday
for a month. The call is for two years as a minimum. It will
be a challenge. I'm not great at memorizing and to top it of
I was asked to memorize the ordinaces in German as well.
He says it is needed occasionally. So here goes. I was also
called to be Ward Mission Leader last Sunday and will be
set apart this week, I think. One look at the ward roster
and I can see, I've got my work cut out for me. We are happy
to serve. Mom also has a calling in the Relief Society. It didn't
take long, even though we are new to the ward.
I think two weeks is the longest I've gone without a calling in
our married life. They have all been blessings to me and I think
indirectly to all of you as well. We pray we can do what is expected.
With the Lord's help we are sure we will.

At Jason and Rene's

Playing musical chairs at the Daddy Date, Uncle Dan and
I got to sub for the real thing. I was fun.


Maddie and Megan off to catch the bus. They are
such responsible young ladies, even fixed their own
breakfast and did their own hair. I'll bet they were
the life of the class when they got to school too.

I wonder as I wander

We just got our internet hooked up again today.
We've missed the family blogs.
You all know I love nature and hiking. Fall gives a
perfect opportunity. These are a couple of autumn
pics taken on the Stokes Nature Trail up Logan Canyon.


Autumn reflections in Logan River.

Pausing near a mossy rock amid the fallen leaves of
autumn. I think this trail may see a lot of me, even
when winter comes. We feel blessed to be so close to
nature, the family, and of course the temple.