FINALLY

Well after5 long months of waiting and high anticipation we finally got an egg from one of our chickens. Billy got the new coop out back and we moved the dog run they were in to the back of the yard. Things are looking pretty good for the ol' hen house!

The ol' hen house














The "incredible edible egg"

Sunday tradition in cold weather

Well it is here. The cold weather which brings
out the best in all of us. Billy had this idea to make a
"puzzle board". He did this so that when we do
puzzles the pieces stay together. Well with the cold
weather here this is what we do on Sunday's.
AHHHH nothing like a good ole puzzle to bring the
family together!!

Surprise trip...

Two weeks ago Billy had to go to upstate New York on a business trip. I was wishing I could go, but didn't say anything to him. He called me on Wednesday and told me that I was flying out to meet him on Friday. After almost missing both of my flights, I finally arrived. Saturday we headed up to Palmyra to visit church historic sites. The first place we went to was Hill Cumorah. It's quite the little hill! It was pretty amazing to be standing where the Golden Plates were.














We then went to Joseph Smith's log home. We stood in the room where the Angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith.
















The next place we went to was the Sacred Grove. It was pretty overwhelming to think this is where our Heavenly Father and Jesus visited Joseph Smith.














This is a picture of the Palmyra Temple, across the street from the log home.














This is the Peter Whitmer home where the church was organized.














On Sunday before we flew home we went to Niagara Falls. It was the first time Billy had seen them. When we went to Canada to see them from the Canadian side, they almost didn't let us back in. Turns out the scanner read our license plate wrong and they thought we had a stolen car. Billy was pretty glad to get back into the USA.

Wanna play...

Billy was out "playing" on his tractor so Gracie and I went out to watch. I decided to let the chickens out for awhile. Gracie was like a "sheep dog" for chickens. She herded them all over the place. She would get close to them and wag her tail like "come on...wanna play" Funny, funny dog!!

Boys & their toys

Billy got himself a new tractor so he could work
in the yard. Now he has no excuse when there
is work to be done.

He is moving rocks around in the front of the
house in these pictures. Life is good here at
our house.

My baby is gone

Well Saturday we took Toree down to St. George to go to school. She is pretty dang excited to get out of Brigham City. There are 4 girls in her apartment instead of 6 so that will make the bathroom situation a litte better. Everyone has asked how it was leaving her and I tell them it was a whole lot easier than leaving Brant & Kenny at the MTC. At least I can call and talk to her or go see her if I want. It's a little different around the house with just Billy & I but I think we will get used to it pretty quick.

Sturgis

On Saturday July 26th five couples - Kim & Retta Hawker, Roger & Judy Barnes, Rafael & Graciela Avalos, Karl & Lois Bodily and Billy & I left for our long awaited trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota. The first night we stayed in Lander, WY after a long ride through the beautiful country of Wyoming haha! I have a greater appreciation for the pioneers who came across this awful place with no air conditioning or any way to really cool off.
The second night we made it to our destination of Hill City, SD, after another day across the HOT desert of Wyoming. This was our base camp for the rest of the trip. We went into Rapid City to have the Barnes and Bodily's bikes worked on.
The next day we went to Mount Rushmore and then on the Needles Highway. Talk about a twisted road!! It is sure fun to ride and beautiful scenery - a lot better than Wyoming.
We then went to the town of Sturgis - the rally wasn't really going but most of the vendors were there. We got to see the whole thing but not be in the middle of all the mayhem.
We left to come home after Billy had his bike worked on. The rest of the group went ahead of us and then we got up to them.
After 1700+ miles we got home on August 2. We all had tired bottoms but memories to last a life time.
I have to say that this group of people had to be the best I've ridden with. We all got along and made friendships that were already strong, even stronger! Thanks everyone for making this trip one that I will always remember.