Simple Request

I have a simple request to make to those for whom I will be sending Christmas packages to. PLEASE give me some ideas. What is that you would like/need this coming holiday season. Also, if there is anything you don't want, or don't want your children to receive, ie, stuffed animals, whistles, dolls, whistles, action figures, whistles, guns, whistles, please include those as well.
I don't want to think of Christmas yet, but if I start now, I hopefully will get it done in time.
Nate and I are flying to MD the first weekend in Nov. so maybe MD Christmas presents can be purchased while we are there.
Thanks.

Saturday in Yellowstone

Nate and I traveled again to Eastern Idaho for the weekend. We left Friday as soon as Nate got home from school and arrived about 9ish. It is about a 4 hour drive to Cheryl's and when we get there I am tired. Carma and My Dad came over to deliver me a box of potatoes he had gotten for me and an invitation for breakfast at Carma's was accepted. Ben was again in a very playful mood when we got there.

After breakfast with Carma and Dad, we stopped in Rexburg to pick up Jason and headed north to Yellowstone. It was a chilly, rainy day, but we still knew we would have lots of fun.

The leaves in Island Park were turning to the autumn colors and were beautiful. The "quakies" were turning golden and some even had a pinkish, orange tint. Beautiful.

After a stop in West Yellowstone's Visitor Center and MacDonald's we entered the Park. Out itinerary was to head to Mammoth and do the upper loop. We stopped at the Museum of the National Park Rangers. Very interesting. Then on the Mammoth where we hoped to see lots of elk.

It is rutting season for the elk and that makes watching them very interesting. But there weren't many to see on the lawns of the building. We saw a few, but not as many as I have seen before. The scenery at Mammoth is so wonderful to look at.

After a ranger program on the Elk Rut, it was on the road again--toward Tower and then on to Canyon. We saw some beautiful, breath-taking rainbows on the way. The drive over Dunraven Pass is spectacular.

After stopping at Canyon for refreshment, we went through Hayden Valley where we spied a couple of bison herds. Then to Old Faithful where we hoped to see the famous geyser erupt.

Our first stop was at the Lodge to see if the cafeteria was still open for a bite of dinner. It was and Nate and I dined on our favorite--Trout Almondine. It was great. I needed to learn how to fish for trout so I can have it all the time.

We ventured outside--in the rain--to watch Old Faithful go off. It was the ending to a perfect day.

It sure is nice to have another driver for the trip home. Nate took over the wheel and drove the last 1/2 of the way on Sunday. Now it's time to stay home and get the fall yard work done. (Dad, Roy, come home for General Conference weekend and Cheryl, Jason, and Ben are coming down for the weekend. Better get the house child proofed.)

Our Weekend

Friday as soon as Nate was home from school, we headed north to Idaho. I love the drive, the scenery, and the thoughts of spending time with Ben and his parents. If we nothing else but sit around and watch Ben play, the trip has been worthwhile, but we never just sit around.

We arrived at the Kimbers around 8:30 so there wasn't anything to do but unpack the car and watch Ben open his birthday present from us. We gave him a little turtle that plays funny songs and teaches babies there shapes. (I should have made him some warm pj's but it didn't happen.)

Saturday morning we went exploring to find "Cress Creek". It is a nature hike that Carma blogged about a few weeks ago. Cheryl kind of knew where it was so off we went. WE FOUND IT. It is a beautiful spot and the hike is very nice. Thanks Carma for telling us about it. It was definitely worth the time. I truly love the Idaho landscape and even more the love I have for the Rexburg area because of my experience at Ricks. Maybe that is why I love visiting Cheryl, Jason, Ben, and Carma so much. I'm glad you don't mind me coming up so much.

We then moved the activities to Rexburg for "Rexburg Unplugged" which is an activity put on by businesses to show the students what services are availible in town. Nate helped Jason last year and Jason asked him to help again this year, so he did.

Cheryl and I took Ben to the park to swing for a while, did a little shopping where I got a great idea for the older grandchildren's Christmas present, and then took Ben home for a nap. The poor little guy has had the flu and by the time we got him home, he was feeling really rotten.

By the time we went up and got the boys and grabbed some KFC for dinner, both Cheryl and Ben were feeling rotten. They had a rough night. Both were feeling a little better by the time we headed for home.

Nate and I had another nice quiet drive home after I slipped over to Carma's to see her and my Dad who had come up to visit and take care of her pets while she is in Houston next week.

Maybe next weekend we'll head north again for a trip into Yellowstone. We'll see if that works out.

My pictures from Bear Lake

This is Chelle being buried by Nate.

Chelle out in the water on her raft.

Here are some fun pics I took from our little daytrip to Bear Lake on Saturday. (By our I mean, Chelly, Nate, and me.) It was a great last trip to the Lake albeit a little cool and windy. The trip was highlighted by a trip to the ice cream shop for raspberry shakes. Delicious. And I agree with Chell, that we should have a family camping trip to Bear Lake next summer.

Is it September ALREADY

I have decided I really dislike Labor Day. It means summer is over--and I really like summer. The temps here in Evanston don't get too hot and the breeze that blows in the afternoon keeps things very comfortable.
I dropped Dad off at the airport on Sunday and met Michelle who had picked me up some tomatoes and pears to can. After having a quick lunch at Cracker Barrel, Nate and I headed home. It started to rain later that afternoon and it cooled down quickly.
Monday morning we woke up to overcast skies and before too long the rain changed to snow. It didn't snow long, but snow is snow. It did clear off later in the afternoon. Which meant we were going to get cold over night. Nate had to scrape frost off his windshield before he headed off to school.
Monday was a perfect day to stay in and do some canning. I canned 42 pints of tomatoes. That added to the 19 I did previously, makes for some great soups this winter. I will can the pears later this week.
After finishing the tomatoes, I finished the two quilts I started earlier in August. (And none too soon. Nate's new quilt kept him toasty warm Monday night. The weather is supposed to warm back up by Friday. I'm all for a long warm Autumn.