Martin's Cove

On the drive to and from Utah, we drive right by the Martin's Cove vistor's center. On our way back to Gillette, I stopped to take some pictures.

Devil's Gate--can you see why it would be called that?
'The Legend of Devil's Gate'

American Indian legend says a powerful evil spirit in the form of a tremendous beast with enormous tusks ravaged the Sweetwater Valley, preventing the Indians from hunting amd camping. A holy man told the tribes that the Great Spirit wanted them to destroy the beast. The Indians launched an attack from the mountain passes and ravines, shooting countless arrows into the evil monster. Enraged, the beast with a mighty upward thrust of its tusks ripped a gap in the mountain and disappeared, never to be seen again.

Pictures from Thanksgiving

My dad took the kids up Hobble Creek Canyon to see the fish, but they were all gone. So they went and saw the beaver dams instead. They had a great time with grandpa Mike and I was able to run some boring errands while they did so.

Helping grandma Janice make all the pies.

Showing off his new skateboarding moves.

Season of Thanks

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I know this is a little slow, but we just got back from our two weeks in Utah. It was really great to see everyone. We had a very good time taking turns between couch beds!! I have never really had huge things to be thankful other than the obvious reasons, friends, family, etc. But aren't those the real reasons to be thankful? I am thankful for my family and the love they show to me, I am thnkful for in-laws and their sacrifices and service in our direction, I am thankful for a new neice to be born in April (so excited), I am thankful for a husband who is willing to do whatever it takes to take care of his family, and most of all I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who is always there with outstretched arms. A Heavenly Father who is so willing to forgive and forget. On my way home to Gillette the other night, I made a really stupid choice and turned on a road that led me more northwest than I wanted. The thing is, I knew it wasn't the right road but I took it anyway. As I was traveling I kept getting panicked and a little scared. I tried to call Wes, but my phone was dead. I was ok, I had food, extra clothes if we needed for warmth, and I had plenty of gas. The whole time I was scared, I was also very calm. I just kept hearing, "turn around and go back to where you started." So, eventually I did. I think that was a very fitting situation to find myself in. Isn't that what Heavenly Father is trying to tell us? "Just turn around and go back to where you started." That is the atonement summed up in a few simple words. No matter where you are, no matter what situation you find yourself in, you can always get back to that place you need to be. Now, I don't want you all thinking I am this huge sinner, I am just thankful that if I do make a mistake against my better judgement, I can repent and be forgiven. I am also thankful for all of you for visiting my little, humble blog and being my friends. Happy Holidays!!

Why me?

Ok, here is the latest drama. As you all know, I have been without tv for almost three weeks. We were supposed to have it installed early morning Tuesday, but the technician called in sick. So I called Direct TV and they scheduled me out yet another two weeks. Oh boy was I angry!! Then I remebered I could call the local office and they scheduled me for yesterday between 12-4 (we all know how that goes). The technician called me at 12:30 to let me know he was WAY behind schedule (uh-uh) and he would be here later. Well his home office called here at 2:30 to see if he had made it yet-no. Ok, please call if he is not there by 4:30. I called at 4:40, he is still behind and would be here around 6:00. Alright, that would be ok, because by then, Wes would be home to help me deal with creepy cable guy. At 6:15 said cable guy calls and reports he wouldn't be here for another hour and a half. No thanks, come in the morning! Alright, now we are on today. At 8:30 he calls, he is on his way, but has ran into a blizzard. Finally makes it here at about 9:45. I call the rental agency to find out where to put the dish. We cannot mount it any where on the house, we have to have a pole mount. ARGH!! Now the guy has to dig a three foot hole in my five foot backyard. Oh wait, he has discovered that if he digs in this one and only spot, he will run into utility lines. Ok, call the "call before you dig" number. The earliest they can be out is the 27th at 10:18 (yes, they said 10:18). Oh my gosh, I just want to watch CSI. Oh yeah, the best part, Direct TV does not offer local channels in this area. I will be out of town all next week for Thanksgiving and I may as well just stuck with the second install date they gave me. Good Grief. Hold on, more rantings you ask!? Oh yes. WE HAVE MICE!! In the six years we lived in our home in Payson, not once did I seen one. I have seen enough bloody mouse carcases in the last week to last a lifetime. Our cat Daxter has always been the wilder, hunter type and now he is having a hay-day. Why is it that cats have to play with their victims before they strike? We have gotten rid of 3 live, 1 whole but dead, 2 partial, and 3 from the traps. All in one week. I am totally disgusted and mortified. Can you say creepy-crawlies, much?

Bates or Beetlejuice?

Ok, all of you wanted pics of our new surroundings. When Wes first sent me pictures of our new home, I was a little leary. My very first thoughts were "REEE REEE REEE" shower scene from "Psycho". I thought it looked just like the infamous Bates' Motel. My brother said he thought it looked just like the house from "Beetlejuice". Thanks to Jenny I got some images, thanks Jenny!!

What do you think?

Despite my worst nightmares, I actually like the house a lot. Let me tell you a little about Gillette. It is what you would call a transient town. Which means most of the people are only temporary residents. They, like us, are here for the job and when the job is done, they are gone. Well, that also means that those people are not going to buy a home just to turn around a few months later and try to sell it, so they rent. Are you with me yet? The town is basically one giant apartment building. Thus, our neighborhood. From afar, it looks like Park City with their Condos all in a row. Well, here it is one apartment or duplex after another. We were one of the very few lucky ones that got a house. And when I say lucky, I mean REALLY lucky. We got the last possible home for rent that allowed pets until the end of December. So I have yet to adjust to the atmosphere here, but for now I am content to stay at home and endure the never-ending Princess, Barbie, Diego/Dora, and Backyardigans DVDs we watch. Believe you me, I could sing or recite almost every word or song in all of the above that we own!! We are still waiting for our cable (tuesday-yeah), and I am not saying that watching tv all day is a great alternative, but when you are stuck in a two-horse town (it is way better than Evanston), it is all that we have.

Time to Potty Train?

I don't know if it is just his genetics or if he needs to learn to use the potty. Riley is our little nudist, as was his father, hence I say genetics! If he does not have pants on over his diaper, the diaper is usually off within milliseconds. He will tell me when he is dirty, but refuses to use the toilet, or even sit on it. So, we have resorted to duct tape. He doesn't appreciate the fact that his diaper is stuck, but I don't like seeing him streak by me several times a day! Fortunately, he has only taken off a poopy diaper once and we caught him before he destroyed anything. So if you have any tips on potty training a boy (I lack the utensils, if you will), please let me know!

Riley's Photography

Riley got a hold of my camera at my mom's house. So I guess this is what I got for goodbye pictures with my family!