My Sister-in-Law's Having an AFFAIR??

WHO IS THAT IN THE DISTANCE ON A FOUR WHEELER?

It kind of looks like my sister-in-law crossing the river! She would NEVER!

OH NO! It is! What will my brother say? He will be so hurt! His wife? A Quad-tard?
"How could you do this! What does THIS Kawasaki have that the Yamaha is not giving you?" He says with a broken heart!
Monte to the rescue...she just didn't want to get wet!

Punkin Fest!!

It has been 3 years since we started our "Empty Nester FHE Group" and I haven't blogged once about them.

Because we are the "youngest" of the nesters we are can be so "immature" and obnoxious just as we were last Monday.

We bought a "punkin" for everyone to carve. Of course we saw some of them roll their eyes. But then....

Oh what creativity started, serious looks and of course lots of laughs!

We love all of you!!! Thanks for putting up with us! Happy Halloween!

DIXIE STATE HOMECOMING

Since we have no life I thought I would blog about Stetson's Homecoming weekend. He was busy all week with school and work as the school had festivities all week long.

His friend Natalie participated in the Miss Dixie pageant and got 3rd place. Way to go Natalie!

Saturday was the big game and the Rebels pulled out a victory! That evening he and Natalie attended a banquet and dance. Elder Holland was visiting and spoke to them.





After dinner Stetson wanted to go meet him because he knew his niece on his mission in Tacoma Washington. Thinking that they wouldn't be able to, they still tried and sure enough he was able to visit with him!

He text me "Just hugged Elder Holland." Of course I text back "CALL WITH DETAILS!" We didn't even know that he was going to be there.

He had lots of fun with his friends and it was a special surprise to meet the apostle.

SMITHS RESEVOIR

We did some more exploring on Saturday and discovered Smiths Resevoir.

We were told that there was a canyon that is just right off of the Spanish Fork Canyon Road where you turn to go to Manti. We traveled about 10 miles until we saw a sign pointing off to the south to a resevoir.

We decided to follow it and we were glad we did. A small resevoir nestled amongst the fall colored hills surrounded us. It was a perfect place for lunch. There were some cows grazing there too.

It was a gorgeous fun ride! Call us so we can take you with us next time!

QUICKSAND PUDDLE!

For Labor Day Monte and I decided to explore more of the Arapeen Trail System up Manti Canyon. We have enjoyed alot of exploring there this summer from the Fairview Canyon and today we thought we would start down further south in Manti Canyon...we didn't know what an adventure our day would BE!! First the different vistas of scenery and canyons was unbelievable...here is a photo of one lonely dead tree!

We crossed so many streams and saw 5 different reservoirs. Here is me in an action shot. I love to cross water and since I can't provide sound....YAHOO!!



After riding over 32 miles we knew we were getting close to the end of the trail. I was following Monte through a marshy area and he stopped in front of this....an innocent puddle. However, we seldom go through dirty puddles like this and there was a trail that went around it.....to my surprise Monte went through it...well not really!




Because my camera was in his bag on his 4 wheeler unfortunately I don't have any pictures to prove what happened next! He suddenly sank very quickly and the 4 wheeler was swimming in mud and water almost completely immersed!!!

After very quick maneuvering and luckily Mr Boy Scout Monte had a tow rope my 4 wheeler was able to pull him out and his 4 wheeler started back up! Then we started laughing!!! We had such a great time and was glad what could of been a disaster ended up being funny. (KENT THESE PHOTOS ARE FOR YOU!!)

The NEAL way in MIDWAY

So this past weekend was my family reunion. We try to get together with everyone every other year. We are finding that as we and our kids get older the tougher it is to schedule a time when all can be there.



This year we went to Midway and had a wonderful time although many were unable to come. We had a fun scramble golf tournament that Stetson headed up, floated the Provo River in kayaks and spent time in Park City.



Some of us had more gray hair then the last time we met and we all discovered that we are definately getting older. The best part was that my mom and dad surprised us all by giving us all 2 DVD's that they had transferred all our old family movies on to. We LOVED IT!! I love my family!!!

A MIRACLE READ FOR ME!

Calling all concerned citizens and friends! If you are like me you are sick and tired of our government taking over pretty much everything. This past spring/summer as been ANOTHER total nightmare as the government continues to interfere with my job as a realtor. I can only imagine how the car dealers are feeling at this point.

A business associate and dear friend suggested that I read the book written by W. Cleon Skousen, The 5000 Year Leap: A Miracle that Changed the World. He even offered to give me a copy with this challenge: "If you agree with anything in this book, you will agree to buy 10 more books and give them out with the same challenge."

So I finished the book and met up with him over the weekend to make good on my commitment and are handing the books out gladly. Then I thought "What better way then to post it on my blog so that perhaps others who I might forget to ask can ASK ME for a FREE copy"!

I learned so much in this book about the philosphy and struggles the founding fathers went through in order to establish this country and the constituition. It was a wake up call for me as none of this was ever taught in school. I also realized how far our leaders over the past 80 years have taken us away from those founding principals.

It was a great MIRACLE for me to learn and now my quest is to share it with others. I then read last week "Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto by Mark R. Levin" and have just purchased "Common Sense by Glenn Beck" and "The Making of America also by W. Cleon Skousen."

It is time for us to take a stand and we must be educated before we can be effective. So call me or email me if you would like this gift from me or if you have already read any of these books I would love to hear from you.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO OUR FRIENDS THE EHATS!



We enjoyed a fun ATV ride with our friends Andrew & Lori Ehat on Saturday. We drove up to the top of Fairview Canyon to a staging area near Hunington Resevoir.



Monte always looks so cute in his riding jersey!We rode a loop almost 35 miles long. The weather was perfect!



When we arrived at Potters Pond we felt like we were at the top of the world...almost at 10,500 feet!



We ate a yummy lunch and saw tons of gorgeous scenery. On the way home we stopped in at the metropolis Fairview and ate at the Cafe! Unfortunately Andrew didn't order the beef because the waitress didn't know the cut or how it was cooked. I can't believe the San Fransiscan ordered the fish and chips...frozen cod of course...tee hee!

Thanks for a fun day Ehats and letting us be a part of your celebration!

New Adventure in Salt Lake City!

So we have lived in Utah for over 23 years now and enjoyed a new adventure on Saturday as a family. Our first stop was to the Farmers Market at Pioneer Park that we have heard people raving about FOREVER!

We enjoyed breakfast of strawberries and crepes, fresh watermelon and scones. We also bought some wonderful fresh produce and salsa! Then off to our next adventure....the Salt Lake City Cemetary!


Yep! You heard me right! THE CEMETARY! I found a map online that showed where all of the prophets and apostles are buried and Stetson was the one that suggested it. President Hinckleys grave had a gorgeous view! I told Monte I would love to be buried at that cemetary as they all had great views! He kept asking me what difference does it make if I have a view or not....BIG!
Here I am in front of Neal A Maxwell's grave. I truly admired him especially after reading every book he has written. I admire him for sharing his journey of discipleship with us and teaching us the path we must trod too.
This is Orson Pratt's grave who is Parley P Pratt's brother. He and Parley were the missionaries that taught and baptized Ormus Ephraim Bates who is Monte's great great....grandpa and the first to join the church. He also married Ormus's sister.


This is President Kimball's grave. He was the "first" prophet for me that I had a real connection to. I shared with my family the special witness I had when I was a teenager that he was truly a prophet of God....during my interview for the Junior Miss Pageant...you may ask me for more details if needed.

A Celestial Visitor....

We had a wonderful visitor come and spend a week with us! Her name is Willis and she was taught and baptized by Stetson in Tacoma Washington almost 2 years ago. She is 82 years old!

She wanted to be with him when she went to the temple for the first time so she flew down here to Utah. I had the privledge of being her escort which I thought I never would be able to do as I have no daughters!

In the celestial room Stetson said "President Pearson always use to say that this is every missionaries quest is to see someone they baptized go to the temple". We all were so humbled to experience such a sacred occassion.

We were able to call Stetson's companion who is attending BYU Idaho, Elder Gilland, to join us for conference on Saturday. Not only was Willis able to go to her first General Conference, she saw her 2 favorite elders but also heard the former mission president Elder Pearson who is now a member of the Quorum of the Seventy speak.

What a treat!

"THE TALK" AKA HOMECOMING

Elder Bates, now known as Stetson again, did a wonderful job on his "talk" Sunday. We appreciate all the love and support from so many family and friends; especially those who traveled so far.

The night before, (Saturday), we had a special Family Fireside where he shared many experiences, his testimony and answered questions. We then had the family each give a piece of advice to him and share testimonies too. It was so great!

He started working at Mylar Disability Law offices the Monday he was back and is planning on going to Dixie!

Its good to have him home!

WE'RE NOT EMPTY NESTERS ANY MORE!

Elder Bates arrived yesterday at 4:04 PM! We greeted him LOUDLY at the airport and made him blush. He was honorably released by President Mitchell and we then came home to a home cooked meal.

Then he went and played Basketball until midnight up at the church and saw many friends and neighbors. He definately looked a little shell shocked and feeling a bit out of place today.

He is planning on going to school at Dixie and coninue his education in the Health Sciences and feels like Physical Therapy is the direction he wants to go!

We are so excited to have him home!

My Trip to St. George

You may be wondering who this is and why I have a picture of this for my St. George trip. This happens almost on all our trips. We pack the camera so we can capture lots of photos and memories. But then we come home and remember that we didn't take any pictures!!

I just spent 6 wonderful days in sunny St. George with my sister Jami and her hubby Kim. We went to the Parade of Homes and saw many gorgeous homes (no pictures taken). We went golfing (no pictures taken). We went and drove through many beautiful neighborhoods and countrysides (no pictures taken). They even brought their cute dog Binki (no pictures taken).

But we DID go to Dillards and my sister saw this cute makeup girl and wanted a picture of her hair so she could cut her hair like hers! I couldn't figure out what my sister was doing with her camera phone and then she let me know she was trying to get a photo without her knowing.

ALAS! A photo op! I have MY camera I said and even was bold enough to go up to the make up counter and ask the girl if I could take her picture. She of course was very flattered and posed quite nice.

So yes, this is the ONLY photo taken on my wonderful trip to St George and thought I would share it with you!

SO THIS IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN...NEW YORK!!!

January 23, 2009 I was in New York City with my sister in law Mary and my darling niece Allison....this is where it started. They were telling me about this wonderful bakery that was a MUST stop place called Magnolia Bakery.

This picture shows us at Rockefellar Square eating our amazing cake from there. It was such a quaint little bakery that had a very large selection of large cupcakes. We sampled the "birthday" cake, red velvet and carrot cake. The place was packed and I quickly understood why. I thought it was good but according to Allison and Mary it was a lot drier than normal.

The next weekend we had our good friends Brad and Dana Smith over for dinner. She was in charge of desert and brought a chocolate cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes. I typically am not too fond of bundt cakes as I find them rather dry. But this was amazing and the frosting was so good but not overpowering. Dana told me that the Red Velvet Cakes are way better.

I mentioned that I have tried several different recipes for Red Velvet cake but they too seem to be dry. Of course unplanned, the NEXT weekend, Monte and I go out to lunch with my brother Steve and Sue to Pei Wei. What do we see? Nothing Bundt Cake right across the parking lot!

So I had to COAX everyone to come with me after eating a huge lunch to get desert there. I really wanted to try the red velvet cake. They sell large cakes but they also serve individual size cakes.

Of course Monte and I got the Red Velvet and it WAS TO DIE FOR! So now I am hooked and on the search! I searched everywhere on the internet to see if they had the bakeries recipe for their Red Velvet Cake and I can't find it. But maybe you can help me.....DO YOU HAVE A MOIST RED VELVET CAKE recipe that you can recommend??? If so please send my way!!!!

So that is where it all began...back in NYC!!!

24 Days For Elder Bates' Arrival!

What better way to begin a family blog then to announce that Elder Bates will be home March 3rd! I still can't believe it has been two years! I always thought it would go slower then it has. Many of you know that he asked for an extension and we found out this week that it was not granted. So he's coming home!

Monte and I have very mixed feelings of excitement, nervous, joy, worry & questions of what it will be like for him to be home again. Is HE going to be able to stand being here since he has been on his own for 2 1/2 years now?

He just sent this picture to us. Him and his companion were out tracting one night and the sunset was gorgeous with Mt Rainier in the background. We love Elder Bates!