We're Home.... From Canada that is.

Lake Louise


Big Horn Sheep in Radium Hot Springs


Lake Louise


Banff


We just returned from a wonderful week in the Canadian Rockies. We went with our "traveling friends" Jim and Nancy and we determined this was trip # 9 for us. We flew into Calgary and rented a car and drove to Radium Hot Springs where we were staying. We were at a really nice 2 bedroom time share on a golf course. Every morning we woke up to Big Horn Sheep everywhere on the golf course. It was amazing. They actually close the course as this is their rutting season for about 2 weeks and then their gone again. Each day we took day trips to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore, and spent our last day back in Calgary. If you've never been to this part of the the country it definitely is a "must see". The crystal clear glacier water of the lakes and rivers is absolutely indescribable. Not to mention the fabulous mountains and forests. Calgary is a beautiful, clean, modern, yet quaint, big city with upscale shopping (which will have to wait for another trip, no time no money this time) It was a near flawless trip until my suitcase was not on our plane.... it seams as though it got held up by Homeland Security and did not come in till the next flight. Maybe it was the bottle of sand I had gathered from Bow Falls in Banff that threw them off, who knows? Anyway we always go threw the ritual of getting an"In and Out" for the trip home even if it was close to midnight. Once again it was an unforgettable trip with good company, good food, lots of laughs and great memories. Thanks Jim and Nancy and thanks Reg for driving us safely for hundreds of miles without hitting any wildlife along the way .
(See Nancy's blog for a day by day version and slide show)

A Hunting they did go...

The men in my family{incl. Mitchell, 1st time hunter} went D-E-E-R hunting after 8 years. When we lived in California it was almost a yearly event to pay a ridiculous out of state fee for a tag. But now that we live in Utah, and its so inexpensive for a tag, no one ever goes.

Reggie was the lucky one this year!

{Wendy will be so proud of you!}

Part of the reason is because if by some chance someone gets a deer they all fight over the meat...not who gets the most, but who gets the least! We really don't like it but someone needs to eat it after killing it for heaven's sake.

The fun of it all is really for the companionship, circling around the campfire, the yummy dutch oven dinners, the late nights, beautiful weather and for the love of family.

Thanks Uncle Larry for being such a great host. Larry talked Jeremy(Son-in-Law) and Tryston(Grandson) to come along for the weekend to help our men out. Larry and Jeremy didn't even have tags this year.

Now for the story of Mitchell and Tryston. These boys had a blast. After hiking the hills, as Mitchell said, "It was at least 15 miles Grandma," stirring the fire, watching Ironman and just talking each others ears off, it was so nice for them to hang out with boys....since they are both surrounded by girls. Uncle Larry even had them convinced that as 1st time hunters they had to take a bite out of the deer's heart. Larry showed them how it was done but that wasn't enough for Mitchell to follow through.

Sherrie's Simple Sunday Six

1. I cleaned and organized my closet. It makes me feel so good when I walk through it and everything is in it's place.

2. I am so happy that it is fall and I can sleep with my window open. We only have a short amount of time to enjoy this fabulous weather. I figure I only have two months out of the year to do this. The rest of the time we either have the heat or the air on.

3. I went up north and got to see Cade, Jason and Kristin's 4 year old, play soccer. Jason called last week and said that he had scored 3 goals, one for his team and 2 for the other team. I had to see it for myself. Sure enough he scored another fabulous goal this week...for the other team. As I walked on the soccer field it was just like going back 30 years when Jason played. There was Cade, a full head taller than anyone else on his team, with those long skinny legs. He was just happy to be there with his friends. The competitive spirit will come soon enough. I couldn't help but smile.

4. This is baby Jack! He is such a sweet baby and I love spending time with him. I feel like every time I see him we just get warmed up to each other and then I leave. But this weekend he even reached out for me and it made my heart warm.

5. Sat. night Wendy, Rylee,Grandma Shirley, Brittney and I went to see THRILLER . Jen, Lance's wife dances with Oddysey Dance Company based out of Salt Lake City. Every year they do this fabulous show all in the spirit of Halloween. It features the famous Halloween charactors, like Frankenstein, Frankenstein's Bride, Beetlejuice, Chucky, Jason.etc. Jen is one of the stars of the show. She is an amazing dancer and has traveled throughout Europe, Korea, Costa Rica, and all over the United Stated preforming. She has the perfect "dancers body" and beautiful technique. We had so much fun and always love to see her dance.

6. Shanel, my wonderful daughter is my "Blogger Lifesaver". She has had so much patience with me while I am trying to learn all there is to know about posting, editing, layouts, settings and so on. All I have to do is call her and she just says "I'll be right over Mom". I feel so sorry for her cause she is the only child here in St. George so she is my assistant in all the projects I get involved in. (Shenise it really isn't such a bad thing that you don't live here, just ask Shanel) Thanks again Shanel for all that you do!

My 58th Birthday Blessings

My Beautiful Birthday Cake

made by Shanel

Instead of doing my "Sunday Six" this week I've been pondering on "My Birthday Blessings"

Six to be exact even though I have many more

1. Knowing who I am....A Child of God. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and is aware of my joys and sorrows. I so grateful for the Savior's example and most importantly for his sacrifice in my (our) behalf.

2. My family....I have been blessed with a wonderful family. I'm so grateful for parents that devoted their lives to me, who took me to church and saw that I was taught the basics of the Gospel so I could begin to have a testimony of my own. Then there's Reg, my man, who after 40 years of marriage still adores me. I know because he tells me, but more than that he shows me through his thoughtfulness, support and loving kindness. Then there's my children and their spouses whom I feel like Heavenly Father must of let me hand pick. I love them so much! One of my greatest blessing is that they are all striving to obey God's commandments, that they serve in the Church and are raising their family in righteous homes. And of course my 8 darling grandchildren, who are the greatest joy in my life. All I have to do is think of them and I smile.

3. Friendships....both past, present and my "forever friends". Because I never had any brothers and sisters I feel like I have been given an extra bonus with the very best friends ever. Through my childhood, in school, my neighbors, in the church, raising our children, and now as Empty Nester's. Thanks for uplifting me, for teaching me, for laughing with me, for crying with me, thanks for all the memories.

4. Good health....at this age that truly is a blessing! I'm so happy that I pretty much can do just about anything I want to. Walk, run (I really don't like to do that ever) exercise, play with my grandchildren etc. I'm just grateful that Reg and I are both healthy as well as all of family members.

5. The places I've been and the people I've met....we have so fortunite that we've been able to travel to so many beautiful places and witness God's creations in many parts of the world. Many of the places we've gone have been with our "Forever Friends" Jim and Nancy. That alone is a blessing. We were talking the other day and decided that if we never go another place ( which with this economy we might not!) we've have enough to last us a lifetime.

6. For the beauty......that surrounds us here in St. George. I feel like we live in a safe, peaceful community here. There are still things that I miss about California, mainly the friends, the beach, the shopping, and Mighael Jr. But, for the most part I feel like this is such a nice place for my family to gather together.

FOR ALL THESE THINGS...........I AM BLESSED

Happy 58th Birthday Mom!

We love you so much and hope your day is perfect!

Here's to many many more.

Love,

Your Children and Grandchildren

My friend Nancy tells me that I should do a "Sunday Six" on my blog each week. So I reflected on the things that I am grateful for this week or the things that made me smile. So here they are in no particular order of importance.......

1. We have been so excited for "Nights of Rodanthe" to come to the theater. Jim, Nancy, Reg and I listened to the book on tape/CD a while back on our way to California. Tuesday night we all went to see the movie...and we think it was even better than the book!

2. Shanel and I got together and made witches hats one day. We concentrated way to hard on where to place each item, but we laughed a lot. {See Shanel's Blog} How do you like that trick Nancy?

3. I am really grateful to be alive, after having a near death experience on Thursday. I was stressing about the world affairs, listening to Rush on the radio and talking on the phone, as I was driving down the road. I approached a major intersection and didn't even slow down for the red light.(what in the world) The next thing I knew a car was about to hit me broadside. I don't know how she missed me, yes I do Heavenly Father saved me!

4. I woke up Saturday morning to the sound of rain. Normally it would be wonderful in St. George, but I had just had my windows washed. Every time I get my windows washed, low and behold...it rains. I couldn't help but giggle and then I remembered the poor Marathon...it was all my fault. As most of you know, Reg is all about making breakfast. After waking up to the rain he made us a Grand Slam breakfast which included...Eggs, Bacon, Hash browns, Pancakes, Toast, Fruit, Juice & Herbal Tea! Yum, I didn't have to eat the rest of the day.

5. I have been looking forward to General Conference since last April! We received wonderful counsel and reassurance from our Prophet and apostles. I was reminded to....LISTEN for the still small voice; find "Joy in the Journey" NOW; make the most of TODAY; as a family, church and country we need to be of one heart and one mind, we need to be UNIFIED; place the

SAVIOR at the center of our lives; be a PEACEMAKER and many other lessons for me to work on.

6. Shenise's Mother-In-Law, Rhonda, has been on her death bed in ICU for the past week. After her Ward & family fasted for her she made a miraculous recovery. Rhonda is now out of ICU and improving everyday. We are so grateful for answered prayers.