There is no place like home....

Emma has had a few weeks off track from school and Don was off farm hopping in jolly ole England. So we filled the big gas tank of "BIG ABE" and went off to see Mom and Dad for a couple of days. It was a beautiful fall day and with my book on cd and Emma's library book stash we were good to go....

It is always amazing to me to finally drive past OGDEN( after 400 hours) and then leave the city behind. The scenery on the top of Malad pass was breathtaking with the lake there and the trees all in their fall glory. ( I woulda taken a pic but driving with 2 hands is really recommened!)

When we reached the edge of the Lost River Valley, I can't help but feel nostalgic about the place where I grew up. The trees are all very tall now and that empty mainstreet is shorter and much quieter than I remember. But the numbers on the hill are still there with many more than were there when I left and that is somehow reasurring.

It is always a treat to see my parents- albeit a bit weird pulling in the driveway with no other siblings cars there. And oh so very quiet....lovely.

Dad still goes to the temple on Thursdays so mom and I and Em had a great day of shopping the great Arco and getting real mexican food from the street vendor and then visiting with friends. Emma went to the basement and found the doll house and played house for a bit while we watched the last of the miners being pulled from the mine.

Emma had a WONDERFUL time with their sweet kittens....one which is not shy and the other two pretty skittish. But it didn't mean she quit trying....

It was such a beautiful day on Friday so we walked around the yard and admired the trees and all.....

Dad had a amazing crop of tomatoes and all in his garden...and his "livestock" follow him all over the place...

Emma and Grandma came out for a bit of sunshine and of course to see what the "livestock" were up to.

but soon it was time to load back into ABE and head back to the city.

But I should like to record here how great I think my parents are...not just because they raised us kids to be quite responsible adults but because I think they are great people.

My mom is just the best. Her example of thrift and great housekeeping put her in a league of her own...(t00 bad those two genes never made it my way...) She was and still is such a great friend to me and we talk and laugh about everything we love and hate...it is wonderful.

She is a kind, sweet and generous grandma. She chats with Emma like she really matters. All about kitties and school stuff. I hope to learn that trait...I want to grow up to be my mom.

Mom is personable and nice to all she meets...the guys who made our mexican dinner and our neighbors that need someone to come by and chat. She always has something going with her hands-creativity with dishtowels and baby afghans. And we learned recently that she has nearly 2000 hours logged into the hospital auxillary. That is all volunteer stuff! what an amazing example she is to me!

Dad has always been and will be my greatest hero. He is now bent and sore from all those cowboy and farmer days. I am so proud to have been there for a few of them and shared some of the most beautiful scenery from the saddle of a great horse. He is funny and smart. He is compassionate and spiritual. He has been serving as a sealer in the temple for going on 18 years and loves the people whom he serves. He is so reliable and constant and they at the temple love him for that. I feel so blessed to have had him marry my two oldest children...what a gift. He is also self less in the commuity and has been fighting for the local hospital for years.

He is a Lion of the Lord...he is a treasure to me. He is brave enough to try his hand at facebook!

My parents are my anchor. It was sobering to come home dad's youngest sister's funeral not long ago..

.I feel so blessed to finally be closer to them and able to see more of them. They are some of my favorite people!

I hope I can escape the burbs another day...and head home.