I'm Glad That I Live In This Beautiful World......

We had a great getaway with great friends this week.  We have been on several trips with the members of the bishopric Karl was in and we have a wonderful time together.  This week we headed up to Star Valley, Wyoming and spent our time in Yellowstone and the Tetons.  The weather was amazing, 80 degrees at the peak of the day, 45 or so at night.  The Autumn colors were simply breathtaking!

We even saw bears!  2 different bears in 2 different locations.  We also saw the usual Moose, Elk, Bison, Coyote and deer, but the bears were so fun!  We hiked a few awesome hikes to waterfalls and along streams.

Cute young couple don't you think?

If this Elk looks like it was close - that's because it was.  It was amazing how he just walked among the dense trees and never even touched his huge antlers on them.  I can't even walk across the kitchen without banging into something!

 We went to a chuck wagon dutch oven dinner show, the food was just okay, but the entertainment was fun.  There was this 18 year old fiddler that was incredible!  The down side was that Karl had to leave that afternoon so he could get to choir practice, so he missed the end of the trip.  If he missed choir he wouldn't be able to sing for General Conference, so it wasn't a hard decision to make.

Speaking of Conference, watch for Karl in the 4th row on the right side, 2nd in from the outside end.  He had to memorize 17 songs for the 3 sessions of conference and the Spoken Word broadcast beforehand!

Garage Sale finds- part deux

Just a few more favorite items of 2010:

Who would want to get rid of this wreath...for $1??

Lucky for me!

I guess on a sweltering summer morning, an autumn wreath isn't noticed, unless you're me.

On occasion Karl will go with me.  He's a great sport and he sees totally different things than I see at the same sale.  He always notices tools, fishing stuff and other typical guy junk.  Like this Power Wheels...seriously, "you want to take this home?".  Turns out, it was a pretty great find.  He had to go to a battery store and get a new battery, but it works great.

Ashton is too little to ride it by himself, but the Hansen girls next door take him and Maci on rides whenever they come over.  (They have a pink jeep Power Wheels of their own).

Anyway, Scott Vikari and Madison Garrett got a kick out of it this summer too.  Too bad those Texas kids live so darn far away!

This slide was my first purchase of the summer for $5, another Grandma thing.

This was also a great season for bracelets.  I didn't picture them, but I found a ton of fun braclets for myself for .50 or a dollar.  I think the jewelry crafters get tired of all the stuff they've made.

For those of you who know my crystal christmas tree collection, this was a THREE TREE year!  They are difficult to come by and some years I haven't found any.  But again they are usually dusty and unattractive sitting amongst other disguarded things and the seller only wants .50 for them.  (I have to breathe deeply and not give away my emotions when I see one, but a giant "YES!" dance is happening in my head).