Utley annual Christmas gathering

Remodel

It was time to remodel the tv room.  The worst part of doing this is that you have to take everything out of the room and store it somewhere else in the house.  We removed the old ceiling and started new.  I wanted to make new cabinets with shelves for the movies.  I think it turned out nice.  We will call this Connie's Christmas :-)

Fall is in the air

We spent some time at the cabin with our family to enjoy the fall weather and the changing of the colors.

Fun in the River

Daisy and Harley playing in the river.  Harley takes the plunge for the toy and Daisy takes it away every time.

Nice quiet evenings

It looks nice at night with the lights and fire pit to toast marshmallows and relax.

A Velvet Rack

We decided to venture to the cabin this weekend since we haven't been there the entire year to relax.  The wildlife was abundant and one notable thing is all the deer I saw were bucks with their nice velvet racks.  The bull moose was feeding on the aspen trees, the cow moose was tending to her calf and there was evidence of a bear at the cabin.  We took some nice video of the deer who choose to bed down under our deck.

Bowery, Canopy, Pavilion, Awning, Tent, Tabernacle, Cover, Patio...

Nobody knows what to call it.  But, it's done... We use to have one of those awning, canopy, patio things with the canvas cover and a hail storm last year destroyed it so I thought it would be great if we built something that would last more than 3 years.  This is Connie's 50th birthday gift.

The Ut Hut... More Washington Memories

Evangeline takes me into the forest where there is a hide out for the girls to play in.... it's the Ut Hut.

Mabel Ryan Utley

This is a video clip of Mabel... I bet she loves her uncle Neal

A Washington Adventure

We took some time to travel to Washington to visit the young Utley's.  We took some pics of a great sunset just outside of Pendleton Oregon, spending time at Tacoma narrows, our introduction to Mabel Ryan Utley, building the Ut Hut and many other fun times shopping, visiting and eating.

Reunion

It was announced through facebook that our "old" 11th ward was going to have a reunion.  What a flashback.  After 30+ years many of us were un-recognizable and without the help of name tags it would have been embarrasing.  It was great to reunite with people we grew up with and to see that we are all the same, just an older version.  I hope it's not another 30 years before we do this again.

Alexis Knight Erickson

Alexis had her baptism on July 2 and it was a great day. 

Then it was splash time in her pool



Memorial Activity

Today Connie and I went to the cemetary to place flowers at my mothers grave.  This is an activity that I have never done, for why would someone spend time and effort to visit the the site of the deceased?  Now I know...  There is a feeling of peace and a sense that we may be on holy ground.  The scene at the cemetary was that of those who have lost and those who are not forgotton with thousands of florals, pinwheels and flags, each telling a story.  Family and friends gathering around a headstone and sharing stories.  I was moved to see Connie kneel down and gently brush away grass and debris, taking scissors and trimming around the stone, pouring water and cleaning it as though it were a fragile piece of china then arranging the flowers.  Sometimes we get so caught up with life that we forget those who gave us life and those who gave us our freedoms... It was a great day.

Easter 2011

Easter this year, like all years includes dinner and an Easter egg hunt.  There are not equal photos of all due in part to Reese, Charley and EVB being so darn cute and stealing the show.

Cheeeeese

Birthday Candles

This past week we had the pleasure of having Reese & Charley stay a night at our house.  They helped prepare for the BIG 52 birthday with drawings.  I think they were close on the number of candles.  There are pics to come from the young Utley's visit to Utah.

Coleman's & Connie

Nick & Chrissy Coleman (Erika's sister) asked if we could watch their girls as their babysitter fell through.  We have been deprived of such activities since the young Utley's moved to Washington.  It's a great time to splash in the hot tub, bake cup cakes, add sprinkles and of course eating them.

Bowling

Reese came down from Washington for a visit and it was decided that bowling was on the agenda... fun times with Reese.

Monticello

Last Wednesday I had to make a trip to Monticello.  I really do not like this drive, it's almost 10 hours round trip and I had less than 2 hours of work there.  I was on the road at 5am, put my truck on cruise control and auto pilot and took a few pictures as the sun came up.  Okay, so I don't have auto pilot but the risky picture taking turned out nice.  One of these days i'll take my time and visit a few places.