Summer of 2009 has come and gone!

WOW! I can't believe that Summer 2009 has come and gone. I have been a little slack in updating my blog during the summer; however, we have had quite the busy summer.

We started our summer the day school was out by flying to South Carolina so we could be in the Columbia Temple with two different families on May 30th.

Sal and Judy went through for the first time and had their two boys sealed to them.. This picture was taken at their home the day after they went to the Temple. Dave and I were able to spend a couple of hours visiting with them. This trip was the first time I had the opportunity to meet Judy, Torre and Nick. It was a real treat for me to spend this time with them.
















Mike and Cathy had Madison sealed to them.
This picture was taken back at their home later that evening--I'll have to get the one's Dave took at the temple and get them on here also. This is the first time we were able to visit them in their new home. It was fun to be with them for their special day.

It was a great day to spend in the Temple witnessing these two families each become A Forever Family.

Being able to be with these two families on the same day at the same place was indeed a special treat for me and I will always remember this experience.


June brought friends from South Carolina to our house. Doug, Nikki, Taylor and Cassady came for a visit and spent two weeks. While they were here, they were able to not only see the sites here in our area, but they traveled to Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, St. George, Cedar City and then back to our house for a day or two before they flew home.

While they were here, we had planned to take them to the Manti Mormon Miracle Pageant. They were going to stay at the Cabin and then head down to Bryce Canyon the following day; however, we received a phone call the night before we were suppose to attend the Pageant and our cabin had been hit by lightening and was on fire. Thank goodness for great neighbors who had a plan and put it to action. They were able to put the fire out before the fire department arrived. However, due to the damage caused by the fire, smoke and water, we have spent the rest of the summer getting it re-built.

Talking to one of the neighbors that held the end of the hose squirting water onto the fire, he was amazed at how "little" damage was caused. He said, knowing the amount of water going into the home and the flames he saw, he was sure the damage would of been much more extensive. He made a comment to me that "This was not meant to be a Tragedy". It certainly could of been much worse. We make sure the doors and windows are all shut when we leave each time. Because all the windows and doors were shut, the fire couldn't get oxygen and spread; however, I'm sure it was only a matter of time before the whole thing would of been totally engulfed in fire. Thanks to all the neighbors who watch out for our cabin, when we can't be there.

This is where the fire started. It appears the lightening hit the power pole and then hit the cabin underneath the deck right at the spot where a Joist Hanger was located, which then sparked flames and the rest is history.


The extra bedroom that received most of the damage. Because the fire started on the East side of the home, most of the "fire damage" occurred on this side of the home; however, the entire home was filled with smoke.















Here is the basement family room carpet, which was soaked with water and covered with sheet rock that fell from the ceiling. Also, is a picture of the wood floor leading to the upstairs loft from the main living area. Just look at all that smoke!

As of today, we are ready for the painters to go in and re-paint the sheet rocked walls & re-seal the wood walls . Hopefully by the end of September (or sooner) we will be back in and be able to enjoy it. Dave has spent a lot of the week-ends there, while I have stayed here at home taking care of things that need to get done here.















Labor Day Weekend found me doing Manual Labor in my back yard. During the past few days I have cleared the weeds that grew so well this summer in the back part of our yard (I call it "the Orchard"). Those weeds must of been 3-4 feet tall (OK, maybe I am exaggerating a little, but to me they seemed that tall). I am getting new trees to put up against the back fence line, so I had to get ready for them. I have other ideas for my Orchard area....hopefully things will happen and next spring I won't have to look at so many weeds! For now, I am enjoying my somewhat weedless Orchard area of my yard (however, I'm sure it will only last a couple more days and the weeds will start to grow back........Ugh.......).


The other part of my yard that I have been working on is the South Side of the house---for some reason the grass has a hard time in this spot, so I decided to make a Rock border up against the house. Hopefully I won't need to worry about the grass (or weeds) not growing here now. All the rocks that I used in this Rock border, came from the Orchard (back yard). Believe me, my back and legs are feeling it............ But, it was worth it! Will I ever be able to stop picking up rocks for my rock border?