Halloween 2011

                                                               Elsie and Gabe

                                                             Brandi and Ansel

                                                                      Grabralie

                                                                    Ellary

                                                                      Byerly

                                                                         Bella

                                                                         Anders

                                                                           Cora

                                                         Rachel, Gabe, Joel

                                                                 Zoey and Lily
Halloween was a wild and crazy time as usual. I didn't get pictures of all of the kids but here are some of them. I think everybody survived!

We Love Espana

The Madrid Temple


Toledo

The aqueduct in Segovia


Segovia

Sisters with the castle in Segovia

I'm sitting here reminiscing about our fabulous time in Spain. We went to visit my sister Murlene and her husband Stan. They are mission presidents in Madrid. I'm so happy that we made the effort to get there. We loved every day and every sight. It was so fun spending time with The Watkins and grateful that they took the time out of their busy schedules to make sure that we had a great experience. They are doing an amazing work there in Spain.

The history of Spain is amazing and they have maintained so many wonderful and beautiful castles, palaces and historic places of interest. Madrid is such a big beautiful, clean wonderful city. They small towns we visited were so quaint and interesting. I could sit at a sidewalk cafe all day with a diet coke and soak up the ambiance. After a great week we left and flew off to spend a week in London. That will be another post.

Ellary's Baptism Day

What a wonderful day we had as a family to be a part of Ellary's baptism. She was so excited to take this wonderful step to be Baptized and Confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. Congratulations Ellary, we love you!

Brown Family Reunion

I know I am so far behind in my Blogging, so I have to not worry about it and just make some short sweet posts for my own records. The reunion was such a hit. I think all who came had a great time. We surely missed those who weren't able to come. Next year maybe more can come.

Ansel Scott

Well so much has been going on this summer that my blogging has really been slow. I can't go another day without posting my welcome to the newest member of our family. Ansel Scott was born August 6th. Congratulations to Tim and Brandi. Brandi, always ahead of the game, had him 9 days early. He is so darling, and such a good baby. Elsie is so happy to have her brother here finally, and we are all proud as punch!

Golfing at the Homestead

Friday we spent a wonderful day golfing at the Homestead Resort. It is a beautiful course tucked into a high alpine valley. If you forget where you really are and look around you might think you are in beautiful Switzerland.

These are our wonderful friends Mike and Debbie, who also love to run away for a bit of golf whenever we can manage it.

Me and my sweetie

With the flooding we are having this summer we are lucky they are able to keep the creek managed with a few sandbags here and there.

Where ever we go with these crazies, we love to bust out the 5 Crowns cards after dark. We stayed at the lovely Zermott Resort for the night and let me say, one night is not enough here. I could have stayed for a week enjoying the Swiss ambiance, good friends, good golf and relaxation in this beautiful valley.

The Provo River

Here are a few pictures of our bike ride up the canyon this morning. The Provo River crested today. It is raging but staying within it's banks, thank goodness.

Donnette

You don't see me getting very close!

Golf Road Trip

We did something last week that we have wanted to do for a long time.....a marathon golf road trip. We left early Tuesday morning and drove to the Kokopelli Golf Course. That is down past Hurricane. It is a newer course and it is so beautiful. Joel had golfed there before but I had not. After 18 holes of fun we drove to Mount Carmel Junction and played the course there. We drove through Zions, so the scenery on that road is so amazing. It is only a 9 hole but thats ok since 27 holes a day is a lot for me anytime. We stayed that night at a b&b in Glendale. The next morning we got up and drove to Kanab and played the 9 hole course there and then drove to Page Arizona and played 18 holes there. We stayed that night in a hotel there in Page. The next morning we drove through Monument Valley. That was an incredible drive. That took us to Monticello where we played the 18 hole course there. We stayed at a B&B there, that was thrusday night. Friday morning we drove to Moab and played the 18 hole course there. That made our total 90 holes, in 4 days. Some people have asked me if it was fun. Well I can tell you, it was so much fun. The weather was beautiful everywhere we went. It was perfect temps everyday. I loved the sunshine so much. We could not have had more fun. I am sure we will do this again in the future.