A Unique Church

We are in McCall, Idaho for the week. Today is Sunday and we looked up the McCall 1st ward on the church's website. Only problem the building is being renovated and is closed. They said they are meeting in a barn, so we thought that would be a unique experience for church and well it was. The weather has been nice, but today is is 48 degrees and rainy. We followed directions to the barn. About 20 minutes from town. The barn was really like a pavilion. Open at both ends unfinished walls and really open air. They were only supposed to meet their 7 weeks, but this is their 11th. Being Labor Day weekend there were lots of people visiting. Someone said about 60% were visitors. Getting there we had no problem finding the turnoff because there was a big line of cars going there. The palace was packed. They had to keep moving the horses out of stalls to get more chairs in.


The meeting started 20 minutes late trying to get the people in. The kids thought it was fun, the only church with horses to pet. The horses were neighing at the sacrament and kept trying to get the bread. The people by the stalls keep watching for the horses head coming over the stalls.


They had the two missionaries speak. The first from Colorado said he had trouble turning his Scripture pages, his hands were too cold. It rained and hailed through most of the meeting. The second missionary was from Mexico. He said he thought he'd been sent to the promised land, but it was cold. The bishop said he hadn't seen anything yet. The crowed was all in coats and blankets. There were 652 people crowded in that barn, but the spirit there kept us warm, plus we all choose a child to cuddle. I was warm thanks to Ashley.


The Bishop closed by his testimony of their spirit of sacrifice and lack of complaints like their pioneer heritage. they'll be back in their new chapel next week. I was a great adventure, and they closed church after sacrament meeting because it was so cold.

Growin' Me a Coonskin Cap

I told all the grand kids we had raccoons come and eat the cat food. The other night Danielle, DaNae, Mom and I were all in the hot tub when the raccoons came out. They came in by the pool and then climbed right over the gate. There were five of them. They then got in the little police car, and then crossed high in the rocks and down under the deck. Mom was getting nervous so she armed herself with the top of the hose bin like a shield. However they failed to attack us.

Tonight they came to eat again, four this time. When they get a little bigger I think its time for a coon hunt and skin them for my cap. What do you think. Shoot them, scare them, or feed them.

Cousins Camp

This has been a busy week with all the little kids and some of the big kids here. We have had lots of fun. We started Tuesday night with a birthday party for all the kids since grandparents can't make it to every birthday party. The kids all got presents of a beach towel and a squirt gun. Then they broke a pinata filled with candy and had an ice cream cake.

Wednesday was cold in the morning, so we went to the kids museum and then to Riverfront park to feed the ducks and ride the carousel.

Thursday we went to the Ryder Ranch and had a wagon ride, rode horses and the roasted hot dogs and made smores. Riding the horses was the big hit even with Ella and Carson.

Today we had the children's Olympics and tomorrow is Silverwood. Running out of time tonight. Post more later.

Happy Birthday Dorianne

Today Dorianne is 27. We went out to lunch with DaNae and the kids to the Red Lobster. Gavin saw the live lobsters in the water tank and deceided he didn't like lobster.

We had a little party for Dori and she opened presents. Then grandpa tended the kids so they could go out to dinner.

We love you Dorianne. Happy 27th.

Firestorm Spokane Valley

As I was driving home tonight about 5:30 pm, I saw a big column of smoke. I came home the back way because our 22nd hill is torn up to repair sewer and repave. As I got to the top of our hill I saw that the fire was over in the dishman hills area. We drove to Costco and you could see the whole hillside was on fire and huge clouds of smoke. We drove home up Argonne and 32nd and saw people with sprinklers on their roofs and watering down their trees. They did a manditory evacuation from Sprague to 48th Ave. and from Park Road to University.

Watching from our bedroom window now that it is dark you can see the dishman hills all ablaze with fire. We have a great view from our window. I tried to take pictures, but it was too dark and far away.

Luckily it isn't on our hill. They broke our main water line this morning and the whole hill is without water. Thank goodness for our storage, plus they have water trucks filling up containers for people on the hill. Overall and exciting day.

Happy 4th of July

We had a fun 4th of July. Dori and Brent and the kids came over and swam. Gavin in now officially a swimming machine. He goes off the diving board and down the slide all by himself. We put a life jacket on him and now he is bulletproof in the water.

Then we had a great barbecue dinner outside, complete with a 4th of July flag cake by Dori. Then we went to the fireworks in Liberty Lake. They had music in the bandstand by Too slim and the taildraggers, and then the fireworks. The fireworks were better there this year, but they do them out in the lake and it makes them too far away. Next year we're getting a balcony at the Coeur d' Alene resort and watching them there.

Happy Birthday Grandma

Sunday was Debbie's birthday. We spent most of the day waiting for Danny and Danielle and Rosabelle to get home from the hospital. They thought she might be jaundiced, but her bilirubin was okay. They take her into the pediatrician to recheck it today.

We barbecued steaks and had cheesecake, Mom's favorite, for dessert. The we opened all the cards and presents from the family. It was very nice.

It's Monday now and I'm heading back to Spokane this afternoon. Mom is here to help with the baby for another week. She is just a cutie.