Spud Harvest Break - Part 1

Unlike our memorable family trip to Florida last Spud Harvest, this year (most of us) stayed closer to home and did really exciting things like make applesauce (twice in one week).

Anna & Brinley - cutting apples

Elsie & Quinn - trying to put together contraption

This first batch of applesauce included McIntosh apples picked by ward member, Melissa S.  She called to get my visiting teaching report and I ended up with a box of apples from her sister's tasty tree.  It was a win-win for both of us!  The kids were enthusiastic and helped quite a bit (except maybe the clean-up part).  We just so happened to finish in time to redeem a few coupons and enjoy lunch together at Pizza Pie Cafe (Brinley opted not to come along).

Anna, Quinn, Elsie - in booth at PPC

Tuesday brought more rain.  After Brinley and her friend, Aubrey, did baptisms for the dead (family names) at our nearby temple, we all loaded up and drove to Afton, WY to attend the open house for the new Star Valley Temple.  The 2-hour drive was a new route for me as I have never made that specific drive before.  Even with the clouds, the scenery was beautiful.  I felt grateful the snow was falling higher up but not for long.  There are places colder than were we live and Star Valley is one of them!

Didn't know I'd be seeing this sign again so soon after Lotoja.

Anna & Elsie

We arrived at a nearby church and watched a 10-minute video presentation about temples before being given the option of taking a fancy bus or a wagon ride over to the temple.  The kids chose the fancy bus (it was cold!).

Aubrey & Brinley

Quinn was surprised there was a bathroom in the bus!

Though small, it was a beautiful temple inside and out.  We really enjoyed the experience.  Afterwards, we grabbed a late lunch at the local Red Baron drive-thru shakes/burger joint.  Aubrey's Dad is from the Star Valley area and coincidently, we discovered our window waitress to be one of Aubrey's cousins (she had never met).

With daylight on our side, we made it home safely and in time for Brinley and Anna to join their YW group in sewing items for newborn kits for a humanitarian project.

Haley & Brinley - sewing

Glad Anna has some sewing skills.

Wednesday there was a break in the clouds long enough for us to pick some apples in the BYU-I orchards.  It was our first time there as we prefer free apples to the pay-per-pound option but worth the experience.  The little ones enjoyed running through the picturesque orchard.  We quickly picked about 40 lb. and went home to make more applesauce.

Elsie - took pictures of the various apples

Mid-project, Grandpa LaVerne showed up with a few very large red potatoes from his garden.  He's getting ready to head south again and they were too big for him to eat so he drove over to share.  We love his random visits and chuckle as he hustles out the door - always in a hurry (at age 94?!?).  He stopped long enough to watch the kids crank the turn on our applesauce contraption.

After the rain, comes the rainbow(s).

Our neighbors decided to grow a pumpkin patch in their yard.  Yesterday, Quinn and Elsie went across the street with the wheel barrow and picked out a few for our family. With permission, of course:).

After a miscommunication about Anna's soccer game, the day opened up and we took an afternoon hike.  It was a beautiful day!  Brinley and a few of her friends left earlier in the day and hiked near Victor, ID for several hours.  We all made it home in time to welcome Aaron and Jantzen back after their week together in California.