All State Choir Trip 10/10-10/12

This was my Fall Vacation in the short bus with the All State Choir and Mrs. Esplin.

The parking at the temple is much better in the short bus.  I usually park our on the road.

It was a lovely autumn day.  These were taken 10/11/13.

I was amazed by the flowers because of the recent frost and snow.

Oquirrh Mountain temple dressed in autumn splendor. 

This pine tree was loaded with pine cones.  

The old timers say that means a long, cold winter.

Check out the dew drops on the roses.

This flower was so perfect, it looked plastic.

These are my vacation buddies!  The All State Choir Group!

The practiced at Riverton High School, but they performed in the Tabernacle.

A post card picture taken near where I parked the bus.

I have always loved the statues of women on temple square. 

They capture some of the sweet moments of motherhood.

No matter what season or weather conditions, 

the flowers at temple square are always gorgeous.

I can't be on Temple Square without visiting this site.  I have two sweet 

memories of this spot, that make it especially sacred to me.  One was with 

Malea, the other with Bethany and Grandma, when Grandma was in her wheelchair.

I learned from a deaf man that if you look closely---

 the Savior's hand forms the "sign" for "I love you!"

I'd like to ask each of these ancient prophets a few questions.  Wish they could talk!

 

This is the UVU group practicing.  They performed just before the HS group.

This is the 2013 All State Choir of 650 voices from where I was sitting. The guest 

director was not LDS, but she knew she was coming to a faith based state and 

performing in a sacred facility and she selected music that invited the Spirit 

in rich supply.  This was a life altering experience for many of the participants.

Nebo loop drive on my birthday

My birthday was on the Sunday of General Conference this year.  It 

was the perfect autumn day and an incredible conference.  We intended 

to watch the Sunday morning session in Nephi as usual, but the building 

was not open.  We drove on the Payson and watched it with Grandpa Marvin instead.

 In between sessions we drove up over the Nebo Loop.

 The Aspens were breath taking.

 Because of the Federal Government shut-down, the gate to the lakes was locked 

and there was no one there to collect any money.   We didn't miss them much. 

This is the lower of the three reservoirs. 

We had to walk from reservoir to reservoir.  

You can see we weren't the first to make the trek. 

This is the second of the lakes.  The dam holding this reservoir broke before 

Dad and I were married.  It flooded Payson and changed Payson Canyon forever! 

 Andrea didn't get the memo about the outing over the 

        loop or she would have worn different shoes! 

 The next series of photos are at the main Payson Reservoir.

 Dad and Andrea looking out of the golden autumn view.

I wish they would take down their toll
booth and gate and give us back our canyon. :)

 The aspens stole the show up and over the top as well.

Bald Mountain from the road.

The afternoon session of conference began as we passed the turn 

off to Bear Canyon Campground.  We had great reception by then, 

so we didn't mind a bit.  My birthday dinner had only three dinner 

guests, but I surely loved all the phone calls that evening.  THANKS!

Potato Harvest 2013

The tradition of digging potatoes during a session of conference 

continued this year.  However, we waited until the afternoon session

 because it was much warmer then and the ice had melted.

The work crew was few in numbers this year, but the patch was smaller as well.

Dad is bringing in the final load. 

What you see is what you get!  It was just enough 

to take care of us and Grandma Anna this winter.

Andrea is young, she can DO IT! 
Dad isn't as young, he was feeling the pain!

First deep frost of the season

There had already been several light frosts before Oct. 5th, 

but as you can see---this was a deep frost!

Luckily Dad watered the lawn that night, so we have our own ice castle formations.

The goose berry bush! 

One of my day lilies. 

A single rhubarb leaf!

My wishing well! 

 The trampoline!

 A close up of the grass.  It was a unique experience to walk on it.

Ice formed on every blade of grass.  This one stood out in the crowd.