Salamanders Rule! I caught this guy after a full day of rain. It was on John and Jamie's window sill, and their cat was just freaking out on the other side of the glass. I thought it would like to live at our pond so I grabbed the vicious and highly dangerous wild animal with my bare hands. Luckily it was focused on killing the cat and wasn't able to sink its fangs into my hand as I fought it into a container for the deadly relocation attempt. He looked good in his new surroundings, & we like him. He is a perfect specimen of a "Tiger Salamander"

Rodeo's Day
Ever since Rodeo's heart condition starting getting worse I've really been catering to him. I know many of you are asking "Don't you always cater to him?" Anyway, Sunday September 16th was Rodeo's Day. We went to Duck Creek and Navajo Lake for the afternoon. Although it is only a 45 minute drive from Kanab it is much colder and much higher. It was really chilly but if I had dressed properly it would have been perfect. We ate sandwiches from a great little cafe on the way and went on two hikes. Rodeo loves to find dead deer and take a leg to carry around. He found one and in the top photo you can see it hanging out of his mouth. Thank goodness he did not want to take it home because I was debating letting him take it - Yuck!

Thank goodness for Mommies!

My mom sent a package this weekend with a great pink dress. I think it will "grow" with me and might make a nice holiday dress. She has also been a listening champ ever time I call and complain about my headaches! I have to thank Kristy and Sarah, too. They are usually on their computers at work so I have been bombarding them with whining! I appreciate their patience and support! Of course, Daron has been the one taking care of me when I am rendered useless from a headache. I seem to barely make it through the work day, luckily I can usually get a workout in and then it is home to bed. Anyhow, here's the pink dress and here is the belly! Yikes. I think I have the whitest belly in the world!!!

How can something so tiny make you feel so sick? UGH. The nauseous feeling is one thing but the bad headaches are KILLING me. In addition, we have a cat in the office and the smell of wet cat food greets me every morning, afternoon and evening. UGH. Amazingly enough I feel best in the early morning and slowly slip downhill as the day goes on. Therefore, Daron has had to pick up most of the evening chores like laundry and cooking and cleaning up after dinner. Thank goodness he is the cook in the family! I seem to collapse after my evening workout and retire to the bedroom around 7 p.m. I know, I know most of you are thinking "So what really has changed?" LOL, I guess not much other than I can't take medicine for my aches and pains! Ha.

It's official!
So to anyone who hasn't figured it out yet I am proud to announce that one of my little backstrokers made it to the promise land! Jen is having a baby! We went to our 10 week checkup to see if it is for real & let me tell you... no doubt now! All is well at this stage & the baby looks great & has a strong heartbeat. Here are the pictures we wanted to post earlier, but wanted to proceed with caution...

Congrats Jennay!!!!!!
Jen's awesome Coyote painting won honorable mention at the Western Legends art contest!! That is a pretty big contest, and I'm proud of her.

One minute they are in the hospital and the next they are on a cruise to Bermuda! Yup, I am happy to report that my parents have been recovering quite well from their February/March hospital visits. I could not be more thrilled. Part of me wonders if they were just trying to give me a break from my first winter in Utah. Anyhow, since their “2nd coming” they have managed to visit Lisa in KY, family in Montana and islanders in Bermuda. Not only that but they look GOOD doing it! Hopefully, they can add the big city of Kanab to their tour list!

Well, last weekend was fun. Karen and Lynn came for a visit and some down time away from the hustle & bustle. They rented ATV's, played some golf, spoiled the dogs, volunteered at Best Friends, & took a little time to take in Las Vegas. OK, maybe not so much "down time", but we enjoyed having them. We also hosted a birthday party for our friend Jamie that her husband John meticulously planned. All good! Bring on Labor Day!!!

August 18 and 19th Daron worked at the Powwow. I helped for a few hours on Saturday with the art contest but I stayed home on Sunday! The first photo is Thunder Mountain. The last photo with the veterans is one of my favorites. I really like Tim who is holding the red flag. His Indian name which I cannot spell or pronounce means "One who carries dough" apparently as a child he used to steal the fry bread dough from his mother and grandmother and eat it raw. When he was telling Daron and I the story I thought it meant "One who carries doe" and that he saved a young doe from harm. I was wrong!

Coyote Painting

In two weeks Kanab celebrates the Western Legends. There is a parade, they show movies that were filmed here, they have an art show and other celebrations. I am submitting my Coyote painting in the art show. Since I don't do ANY cowboy or landscape painting it was the closest western theme I could come up with!

Daron and I headed to the Hidden Canyon trail in Zion on Sunday for a early hike. The weather is finally cooling down a bit but the middle of the day can be around 99 degrees. The mornings are amazing and so are the evenings. Here are a few photos of the hike.

Well lil' Lisa is well into her training for the Louisville Police Dept. and she has the crew cut to prove it! Of course, she didn’t have to go to such extremes but you know Lisa. She is all or nothing and a crew cut just seemed appropriate! Luckily, she has a great head and a beautiful face so she can get away with it! Dan came in town and Karen as well. Unfortunately, Daron and I couldn’t get out there for the weekend (We would have spent more time traveling than visiting!). Dan looks so good and has lost weight, Crummy looks fabulous as usual and the dogs were happy to see all their buddies.

Unfortunately, Nala lost her battle with cancer on July 22nd. Luckily, she had a great weekend with Lisa and Chase. She went out to a fancy restaurant on Friday, went to the park on Saturday and Sunday morning. It took her fast Sunday evening and Lisa was there with her as she went over Rainbow Bridge. When Lisa comes to visit we will hold a Blessing in honor of Nala at Angels Rest. She was an amazing dog that will be remembered fondly by all of us. When a dog that weighs 100 pounds starts smiling and bouncing through the house it is not something you easily forget! I find comfort knowing that Nala is up there running around with Skippy, Sealy and Graham Cracker!

See the makeshift ladder from a log and a broken rope ladder on the side.

My Friend Lisa (above)

Brian and Lori (above) moved here from Chicago

Me and obstacle #1 (above)

I took a hike last week that was really awesome. It was another river hike but this one had some really neat "challenges" or "obstacles" along the way. I am so thankful that Daron and I have met a group of active people. It really is fun when we can explore and enjoy the surroundings.

Corbett Family Reunion in Montana

Mary, Tom, Jim and Bill (along with their families)were able to spend a week at Uncle Toms cabin in Montana. From the photos it looks like they had a wonderful time and really enjoyed eachothers company. As far as I know nobody got too out of hand!