Utah Trip - Part II

I took so many pictures when I was in Utah. I have always loved this state! I lived in St. George for two years when I was growing up and I really was sad when we had to move. The fall colors were spectacular and according to Amanda I missed the "pretty" time of fall, apparently fall happened two weeks earlier. For me though it was magical! Like I said we just don't experience fall here in Mesa, Arizona like others do. In fact when we spot a tree with a touch of yellow in it we joke about what a "beautiful Fall" that was, as we pass it by.

I couldn't tell you where every picture was taken, all this old brain remembers is we were in  the Logan and Nibley, Utah area, when I took them.



The trees are so large that they form a canopy over the street, I love it!

This old barn was at the end of the previous road.

Of course the beautiful Logan Temple! 

 The lawn in front of Utah State University

The sidewalks were filled with beautiful colors!

I'm so thankful that Amanda humored me by driving Miss Daisy (me) around. I was reminded of my Grandpa Mortensen and how my parents would drive him around to look at the sites and how excited he would get over a building, car or tree. I was little and thought grandpa was "So Boring"! Then I looked in the back seat and saw Nolan. The look on his face summed up exactly how I used to feel when I was little.

Sorry buddy, I guess I'm just as boring as my Grandpa used to be!

Utah Trip - Part I

After spending a week in Montana I went to Utah to visit my daughter, Amanda, and her sweet family. They live in Nibley a little community next to Logan. Oh my is that place beautiful! We truly live in a beautiful country and have so much to be thankful for.

 I got to see my grandson, Nolan Michael, turn 1! He is such a cute little boy and so very sweet. He is also a very busy and curious little guy.

Our 1-year old

Notice the red bump on his forehead? Proof positive that he is a busy little boy.

I had hoped to snap a cute shot of him holding this little dandelion seed head, but just as I took the picture the little stinker put it in his mouth!

Yucky! Nasty! Gross!

Needless to say, we had to stop and clean out his mouth.

Nolan and Mommy

Big sissy, Izzy-Bee

Cake!

What a sweet little boy. His momma and daddy sure do love him...and so does his Gandma Liz. I'm so thankful that I got to share his big day with him. I wish him the best that life has to offer and many happy days filled with yummy cake!

Montana Trip-Part II

My only regret about the trip was that I didn't put my thinking cap on and photograph the kids when they were all together! I have been kicking myself for not getting it done, but I thought we had more time with Haven and before I knew it, it was time to take her back to Kalispell. So with that said I did get some cute pictures of Kaitlen and Payten. Mr. Caden was not feeling well so we had to leave him at home.

I fell in love with Libby and it's beauty! Trees, grass, and more trees! Not mesquite, palo verde, cactus, or palm trees. Trees like aspen, oak, and all sorts of pine, trees that actually turn colors in the fall! Can you tell I live in a desert? While the desert has it's good points, come winter time, there is NO fall. If you want to see fall colors you need to go to Michaels, Walmart or JoAnn's and look at the fall decorations!

The air was so crisp and cool that it got me in the mood for hot cocoa, crocheting and Christmas! I went to the little store and bought myself some yarn and a hook. I found a free crochet pattern on my phone and before I knew it, I had made, RaLee, Kaitlen, Haven, Payten and little Caden a hat. The girls loved their hats.

 Kaitlen is turning into such a beautiful young lady!

 Isn't she a doll?

 All of these pictures were taken  just down the street from their home.

 I was amazed by the beauty of the forest floor! I did not know leaves this colorful could actually cover the ground. Jessica kept apologizing about not having activities and trips planned but none of that was necessary because I was in awe of the beauty and just tyring to soak it all up! I had a blast, it doesn't take much to entertain this old desert lizard.

The hardest part was saying goodbye. Kaitlen is a very stoic person, she shows little emotion, unless something strikes her funny bone and then you can't stop the giggles. The morning I left for the airport in Spokane, we said our goodbyes, she gave me a hug, told me she loved me, and was walking out of the house, when she turned around and ran as fast as she could, threw her arms around me and cried. It surprised and pleased me to know that my little grandaughter loved me that much and would miss me. I still think about that goodbye and it still makes me cry. It was so out of the ordinary for Kaitlen and so honestly sweet. In case she doesn't know it...I miss and love her too!



Montana Trip- Part 1

I visited Jessica and John in October and had so much fun just hanging out with the grandkids and catching up with everyone. I miss the laughs we have together and John's sense of humor. I have a fish tank/game on my phone that Payten loved to feed every morning when she woke up and everynight before she went to bed. Now when I feed those silly, fake fish, I think of Payten and I tell myself that I am keeping them "alive" for her.

Payten goes to pre-school and she loves it! Jessica has been blessed with some highly intelligent children and Payten never fails to impress me with her quick witt and language skills. Then little Caden is coming right up behind her and is amazingly as smart as she is.

Here is Payten all ready to go to school, now I might be a prejudice grandma, but I think she is absolutely beautiful!

Getting on her school bus. Don't you just love her bus drivers cowboy boots? What a sweet happy lady she is and she loves our Miss PayPay

I loved this bush in their front yard!

Their home is almost 100 years old, how cool is that?  It was interesting staying in a home with so much character and history. I learned that if I walked close to the walls, in the hallway, the floors wouldn't squeak so loud and wake everybody up in the middle of the night.

I was taking a walk early one morning and saw this little guy. I thought surely someone was missing their pet bunny and considered catching him so we could return him. Turned out these bunnies are "wild" in Montana. In Arizona our wild "Bunnies" are the big eared brown jackrabbits. Little white fluffy bunnies are pets to be kept cool and indoors in the summer time- in cages- and are not seen hopping about in the front yard.

Payten took grandma on a tour of the "creepy" basement.

The stairs are very steep and narrow.

This pile of wood has been in the basement as long as the owner can remember- it's their antique "wood pile".

Some creepy toilet closet that no one is brave enough to use!

And it neighbor, the creepy shower!

The old wash basins

The old wood burning furnace/stove

Mr. Caden enjoying his corndog

Another school day

Caden loves sitting in cupboards! This is his favorite spot in the china cabinet.

This cabinet belonged to my mom and when Jessica moved I gave it to her. I think my mom smiles from Heaven when this little guy sits in her cabinet, I know I do! 

Look at the grin on this little guys face and those blue eyes! 

It was nice seeing the kids and exploring their home. I went to enrichment night with Jessica and the women were just down home and very welcoming. I left knowing that she is in good hands and has a ward/church family that will love and watch over them.  I am so thankful for the organization of the church, it is the same everywhere, whether you live in Arizona or Montana, it remains the same.

I did get pictures of Kaitlen- but I'm saving those for another post.