Dad is actually 71?????

Dad turned 71 on September 16th.  We celebrated this momentous occasion up at Mandy & Jesse's.  As you can see, Lucy was in her normal "party girl" form and seemed to add to Great Grandpa's delight with his day.  We missed having our Osmond's there with us...but we will allow them to make up for our sacrifice once they have returned to Zion!

Jesse barbequed with his usual expertise.  Between the London Broil, fresh corn on the cob, and fresh peach pie...well, we were all happily stuffed!

I suppose it's legal to brag about my grandson.  Check out this photo of Dawson.  My heart skips a beat when I look at him.  He doesn't like to pose at all, but when he's with his Papa, he is usually pretty darn happy!  And may I say that Papa ain't looking too bad himself?  He's a dang hottie!  Gabey enjoyed a little pre-dinner snack...his current favorite...a good old-fashioned popsicle.  Gabriel - you wear it well!

It's Autumn and We're Ready!

We're big lovers of Fall at our house!  There's so many great things about Autumn.  First of all, it signals a return to Standard Time.  This, of course means you gain an hour of sleep and life returns to the time nature intended it to be.  I won't open up that can of worms.  I have definite feelings about daylight savings time.  Secondly, the weather grows milder.  Yes, in Utah, that can mean potential snow, but usually it just means mellow daytime temperatures and cooler nights.  And oh, the beautiful leaves on the mountains!  We've taken one drive up Santaquin Canyon and it is already breathtaking.  We'll include photos of that before too long.  And let's not forget October Conference to look forward to.  And then the holidays!  Oh yes, there is much that is good about wonderful Autumn!

Sometimes you just have to leap into the spirit of Halloween with a couple of way cool t-shirts.  May I point out that these glow in the dark?  For $5 at our local WalMart - what could be better?  Yes, Dave Jr. has one to and he will wear it!

Aaaaeeeeiiiii!

Sparrow Hawk

We came upon this fine specimen traveling home from the temple this week.  He was fleeing, on foot, with an apparent wing injury across the road in front of our truck.  If you know Dave, you won't be surprised that he immediately stopped the truck, put on a pair of gloves, and walked cautiously toward the bird.  He pursued him down the embankment and captured him fairly easily.

He didn't seem to be in distress. We borrowed a cage, set it up in the spare bathroom, and found a couple of grasshoppers that it might find delectable. Yes, Dave hand fed it. Poor grasshoppers.  Can you see the look of adoration this bird is giving Dave?  He really is a Dr. Doolittle! 

 

We brought the bird the next day to the Dept. of Wildlife Resources.  They were pretty excited.  They have a women who comes in and rehabilitates these raptors who have been injured, and then releases them back into the area from which they came.  I was proud of Dave - and me!  I had to put up with a wild, smelly animal in my spare bathroom afterall.