Another Fun Year at REDFISH

We spent our family vacation at Redfish again this year from July 20-26.  We had everyone there except Daren, of course.  We are looking forward to him being with us next year.  With the late summer the water seemed a little colder. (If you can compare cold water. Redfish is always chilly)  That didn’t stop us from enjoying the beach and boating.  Everyone boarded and tubed and played in the water. Evenings were spent biking, playing games and visiting.

 

 

 

 

The funny and memorable event this year was with the squirrels.  On Friday the weather was cloudy and a little cooler.  Rod had gone boarding that morning and was covered in a blanket.  Steph was sitting next to him.

The squirrels are quite the scavengers and will climb into your bags and the kids like to get them to come to their hands and eat.  They are quite brave and will climb right into your lap.  All of a sudden, Steph let out a little scream and through the blanket.  A squirrel had climbed inside and bit/scratched her toe.  When she jumped it went on Rod’s lap and started to scratch trying to get out of the blanket. 

  Now Steph and Rod were out for revenge.  They started plotting on how to catch the squirrel and throw it in the water.  They finally came up with the idea to set up a trap using a beach towel with food in the middle.  They positioned themselves on each end in beach chairs.  When the squirrel came onto the towel, they flung it through the air into the water.  Scott was video taping the event, but we weren’t expecting thing to go so well and the laughing kind of altered the movie.  The squirrel was safe and swam to the shore where he scurried quickly to his home.  The scene was replayed the next day by some of the other boys and we laughed anew. 

As always the company was GREAT!  We have a great time with the Black family and feel like we belong.  The Knowles went along this year.  They are always good for an adventure and that makes everything exciting.  If you can be outdoors, Joyce will love it.  She was one of the first to jump in and ski.  What more could we ask for than

 family, friends, and food.

 

We have so many good memories to keep for a lifetime!

Windmills

There has been a lot of construction and changes at the dry farm this summer.  The Horse Butte Wind Farm has been being built.  There are currently 32 windmills being built with 23 more to follow in the future.  One of those in on our farm – we would have liked more but we are glad to have one.  We have kept track of each step and the progress being made.  They had a very large crane and two smaller cranes to lift the pieces in place.  Some of the parts were so large that it took a separate truck “Iron Mike” to help pull them up the hills. Each turbine will power almost 800 homes for one year.  In July the company hosted a luncheon and blade signing for everyone involved in the project.  It brings a different look to the landscape, but one  that I can handle.  I only wish they would let me tap into  the energy  for my RV Park.

 

My Favorite Summer Hide-a-way

I love to spend the summer days at the farm.  We have been going up for a few days almost every week.  With all of the spring rains, it has been pretty and green.  The daytime breeze cools things off and the night air makes me sleep like a baby.  Doug and the boys are usually busy farming.  Lately they have spent a lot of time on the 4-wheelers riding the fields spraying for thistle.  We are so grateful for all of their help.

 

While Doug is farming, I find projects and books to pass the time. 

This year I even took a baby quilt I had pieced and tied it.  

 

 

 

 

In the evenings we go for rides or relax. 

We are always happy to have visitors and love sharing the space with friends and family.  Our parents have been up with us and we love playing cards and having dinner together.

Art and Joyce brought their new trailer up and spent a few days.  We enjoyed a four wheeler ride to see the wild flowers. 

There are also many beautiful wildflowers right in my campground backyard.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Belnaps and Knowles came for a cookout. 

Good times with good friends making good memories. 

 

GRADUATION

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott graduated from Bonneville High School on May 25, 2011.  He has done really well and we are pleased and happy for him.  He is planning on attending ISU in the fall.

Scott’s Senior Project

   

A requirement of high school graduation is to complete a senior project.  This project includes a 10 page research paper about the students desired field of study, a portfolio with letters and project information, and at least a 10 hour project. Scott chose to weld a two-place snowmobile trailer.  He began by drawing all of the plans.  Then he purchased the materials and started cutting and welding.  It was an intense project and he spent much more than the required time working on it.  From cutting, welding, grinding and even painting, he accomplished a great finished project of which he can be proud.  His mentor, Hal Simmons, supervised along the way as well as his welding instructor, Ed Kopp.  Probably one of his greatest resources was his Dad.  I am amazed that he could put something like this together as a 17 year old.  He has really learned a lot through the entire process.

A NOTE-WORTHY DAY

The other night as we went to town to get a hamburger, I put my hand in my coat pocket and felt a piece of paper.  Curious to know what I had left in there, I pulled it out and read this note, “Just because I Love You.”  That put a smile on my face.  Later that night I opened a drawer in the bathroom I found another note and then another in the bedroom as I was putting on my pajamas.  Those simple notes made my day. 

View Full Album

Tonight I got my book and decided to read for a little while.  I had forgotten the notes.  After I read a page or two this is what I found.

I have a wonderful husband who shows me daily how much I am loved.  I am so grateful for the good man he is.  We celebrated our 29th Anniversary on April 9th, and I hope we get to spend at least another 29 together.

Doug’s Winter Project

Doug has been busy again this winter with a remodeling project.  I always have something on the list of “to do’s”.  We have always talked about putting a small kitchen in our basement for canning or the kids.  This year the perfect opportunity presented itself.  Doug’s mom was redoing her kitchen and having new cupboards put in.  So we took over the old cupboards.  Doug did the work of removing them and installing them in our basement.  It was amazing how perfectly they fit.  Of course, before the cupboards could be put in there was some major de-junking and tearing out of old shelves.  The room had to be sheet rocked, spackled and painted.  He built a closet around all of the water heaters and tanks to conceal them.  Of course, there had to be new flooring (tile) and a ceiling put in as well.  After several months of hard work, the final results look pretty good.  So good that Rod and Stephanie have decided to move in for a while to save money for a house.  We are excited to have them around as well.

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie asked if I had taken a before picture.  Unfortunately, that is not one of the rooms of my house I ever wanted to photograph.  It was stuffed with shelves of books, boxes, and other storage items.  Visualize studded walls with insulation showing, heating ducts, cement floor, and two-by-four wooden shelves against the walls. 

IT WASN’T PRETTY! 

Now it is kind of a fun little nook.