One of the best parts of van life ...

 One of my favorite things to do is find a local spot to try out.  We eat in the van at least two meals a day, but I love going out where the locals go.  This place didn't disappoint.  It wasn't very crowded which was a bonus for us with Dean's anxiety a concern.  

We didn't plan well for our trip, as we got there just as people were wrapping up and packing to go home.  We did get to see Jaylene Hoggard's new husband and saw some awesome stone benches that were much to heavy for us to buy and haul home to Kolob.  

We packed nights in the wash off to the east of the road, where we were secluded but would have been horrible if it had rained because we were definitely in the runoff area.  We gambled and stayed there.  It was just perfect for us.

We spent a couple of days going through the area and the shops.  We will definitely need to come back again but much earlier so we can spend a week shopping with all of the shops open and full.

 

 

Luckily we have the internet to show us what it should have looked like.  Still a fun trip.

 

Bedtime in the Van

 

With the cold, and a smaller bed, Mindee has to snuggle a bit to stay warm.  It's also the only time in my life when I can sleep in a hoody and actually get some sleep.  How can you fault the little girl for wanting to stay warm.

Quartzsite Finds

 

Quartzsite has something for everyone.  I didn't believe it at first but I became converted.  Dean had fun looking for jars and souvenirs for all of the family, finding something we thought everyone would like.  And then, .... we found a step stool for me.  

This is not our first step stool.  We have gone through at least 4, and one identical to this one that is perfect.  Don't waste money on plastic.  You need an aluminum one and a note to put on the steering wheel stating the stool is outside.

Arizona and California Railroad Bridge on E62

 

Giving a trip in the van another try.  We are headed down to the rock show in Quartzite, AZ.  Big plans for a fun time.

Christmas 2020

Small Christmas at home with just the three of us. 

 

Trip to Move Taylor

 

Now it' time to help Taylor, as we moved him from his darling little home in Springville.  Blaine brought his trailer, as did we, and Michael came in his truck. We all worked together some lifting, some packing and others cleaning.  I have loved their little house.  It didn't have any extra room, but was a good home.  Their apartment is spacious and really quite wonderful.  Their new home is being built and it should make all of their wishes come true.  Prices are going up but they can handle it.

Trip to Virgin

 

Mom was starting to slow down, and not feel her best so we made an extra effort to all be there to celebrate her birthday.  She turned 87 this year and was still just as beautiful as ever.

Mom spends much of her time crocheting hats for humanitarianism.  But the joy has mostly left her eyes now.  She truly misses Grandpa.  He has been gone now for a year and a half. 

Another Work Trip

 

Reality is starting to set in.  Dad was no help at all, and although I kept getting up and trying, neither was I.  The three boys made a great dent in the siding.

I spent much more time sitting than I wish I had had to, but Dean eventually found the perfect place to help and was able to run most of the wire that was still left to run.  He had it ready so Michael could quickly hook it up, and twist the wires inside the box to look like a piece of art.  Taylor kept things organized so he never made a cut on a piece of siding that would waste more than absolutely necessary.  All in all, a very good few days work.

 

Trip to Church, LOL

 

You've got to really love your van to drive it to church when you have other vehicles. 

Just another flood!!!

 The local kids all took turns coming to help me put the tile on my floor.  I didn't have a clue how to do it, and Mike is an expert.  He came and got us started with Candice and then Blaine and Taylor helped as well.  We all learned a valuable skill and I got a great floor out of it.  

There are no perfects here.  My feet need my Pergo drastically yet three floods in just a couple of years has done me in.  I can't keep replacing floors so I caved and went with the gray tile.  Don't get me wrong, I love the way it looks, and am very pleased with the result.  However, I know up front, that my feet will suffer.  That I will have to sit down to cook, prep and wash dishes, and will always have to wear shoes in the house.  Pergo is the perfect thing for my feet.  Although it's hard, it has a give in it.  But water and it do not mix.  I was able to save the floor in the sunken room even though I bought enough tile to finish the sunken room in the same tile as the kitchen.  We took out the old broken tile in the entry all, and it flows much more nicely.  It will be perfect if I ever have to replace the sunken floor and I also have enough to flow into the master bedroom - but not enough energy to make it happen.

 Once I watched the kids doing it, I was confident that I would be able to carry on.  I'm not as precise as Michael, and I truly wish I was as I had low spots in a couple of spots but I feel really really happy with the end result.

Missionary Car Wash

 The youth helped the missionaries with a car wash.  I went to support them, and they actually did a pretty decent job for a van the couldn't reach the top.  I told them to just give the windows a wash and I'd be perfectly happy. 

Party Time

 

Good enough to eat.  We had a fun time celebrating with her family.

My crafter girl helped decorate the treats for the party

Very happy with the result

Family Help Family

 

Nothing makes me happier than when my kids work together to get a job done - sharing the burden.  They have done this many times for each other, this time at Mike's.  Watching how hard they work for each other and how capable they are just makes a Mama proud.  Even when Blaine says he's too tired for a picture.  LOL

Not too far from home ...

 

Mike helped to build his new house and was at a spot they needed help.  All of the local (within 3 hours) family came to help.  Grandma go to spend some time with them at the Clinton home allowing the littles to have some fun in the sun and the water.

First Incident

 

On a cold, snow covered morning I took a side rode near Leamington, and I slide off the road as I tried to turn around so I kept going trying to find a place to turn.  I came upon a closed fence so I had to turn where I was.  Sadly, on the turn I slide as I was backing up and hit the van back into a cedar post of the fence.  It barely tapped so I didn't get out to look more than just to see that the fence was fine.  I was able to climb out of the property without too much trouble as long as I kept it slow and steady.  However, when I got home I noticed I had broken the tail light.  We ordered a couple because the other one also had a piece out of it and when they came they were both broken.  Oh, the fun we have.  They made it good, and sent us lights that were not broken.

Shooting Together

 

Between Delta and Nephi, is a great rabbit hunting ground.  It has internet reception so so Taylor can even hunt when he is on call.   He invited all of us to join him for a fun day of shooting.  I do believe I need more practice and I'm not awful at hitting the target.  All of my children are much better than I and at least Taylor's two far surpass me.

Mr. Paxman is a very good shot.  He always shoots a few shots and then he enjoys his surroundings.  Sofie is also a great shot.

Taylor has been very good to invite us to join them on practices and he and Dad always enjoy it.  Sofie and Pax shot for a while and then they play.  I am usually puppy sitting, to keep the dogs calm and out of trouble.  We all seem to enjoy our chosen lot in life.

Heading Home by way of Grandma Mary's Beloved Tetons

 

We drove the loop, but with everything closed for Covid 19, we didn't really have a reason to stop.  It would have been fun to go into the shops of Jackson Hole, but alas, that will have to wait for another trip for each of them.  Dean and I have done that so we will have to rely on our memories of the past.   Taylor and his family had gone to Oregon so they didn't make it.  Nikki had to work.

At the Local Swimming Hole

One of the most fun I think we had was at the local swimming hole.  After we enjoyed a great breakfast at camp, we headed to the river to do some swimming.  We finally had everyone together and everyone had a wonderful time.

Ellie enjoyed time with most of her Wood cousins.  The water didn't seem to be too cold, but I wouldn't know for sure.