Mt. Graham - a piece of heaven on earth

Subtitle:  Jade at Mt. Graham

Labor Day was spent with the Weech Family on beautiful Mt. Graham at Columbine.  In years past, it has been rainy and cold.  I guess we were in for a treat this year.  It was beautiful, the stars were amazing each night, and we didn't have any rain.  Now, for those in "Tent City", that is always a good thing.  But I think, as we were driving down, we missed the rain...even for a little while.

This is our very own "Tent City" - in back of the cabin where the very brave fight the wild-life, the lack of restrooms and chilly weather to "enjoy" their time on Mt. Graham.  I am always so impressed by the great attitudes of the Karges Family, the DeSpain Family, the young marrieds,  and Mark and Yvette's young family.  They are truly mountain troopers!!

 

Our time spent at Mt. Graham is always a fun, memorable family treat.  This year, we were missing our Aly - who was absent for the first time since she was born.  Also missing was Elder DeSpain, serving in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Mission.  We welcomed home Kade, who just returned from the England Mission.  No matter who is there, we have fun.  This year marked the first time we went as grandparents.  What a treat that was!  Both Grandpa and myself enjoyed every minute we spent with Jade.  And our amazing picture taker, Jacque, captured some of the best moments we had.  So if there are a "few" pictures of Jade....don't mind them....just scroll on by...if you can!!

Even tho we do the same things each time we are up at Columbine, we enjoy spending time together.  Some things just never change and some traditions live on...and on...and on. Some of my favorite traditions include:

Brad - cooking bacon for breakfast - he is the only one that can do the job right!

Watching new parents show their sweet children all the beautiful things around the cabin

Watching Grandparents enjoy every moment they had with their beautiful, inquisitive grand-daughter

Cousins playing, laughing, talking all night, laughing, spending time together...did I say laughing??

This was a first - napping for our very own energizer bunny!

Motorcycle rides, cousins who WANT rides and cousins who become the drivers at a certain age.  It's a rite of passage and one that all cousins look forward to.  Learning how to ride, driving by themselves, and finally - taking the younger cousins on ride after ride after ride!

While up on Mt. Graham, there are many things to do to relax.  Since there is very little phone access, computer access and deadlines to meet, life slows down a little and memories are created.

This guy is Cindy's 8th kid.  He can last longer than most of the adults and some are younger than Dan!  He pitches the ball for hours and plays "Dead or Alive" until the younger ones can't play any longer.

Yes, that is Jenny wacking one outfield!

Did Jacque catch that one??

Card games are a staple, and every group - young and old - play.  No fights, no bad sportsmanship, just fun, laughs, and good times for all.

Grandma trying to relax a little!

How did another picture of Jade get in this blog??

Our Sunday meetings were quite large this holiday.  Maybe because the weather was just about perfect, or the last holiday before fall - whatever the reason, there were about 300 in attendance.  From the moment the sacrament was prepared, you could feel a special spirit that touched each of us thru-out the meeting.  I always have my testimony strengthened by those who share their thoughts and feelings, and this meeting was no different.  I can't imagine a better place to be on a beautiful Sabbath morning.

This year, while I was teaching the YW's, Aunt Roxanne enlisted the help of the "older" group for the Primary. Here, we have Tyler helping the younger ones sing "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam". Only Tyler could make everyone laugh and sing. He probably had as much fun as the kids!

And then there is Kade pretending to be King Darius, and commanding the children that they couldn't pray.

Uh...Kade....you sure you got the story right??

We even had a real life Daniel who taught the children to have courage and pray!

      What a fun Primary!!

And what is Labor Day without the yearly "hike down the mountains that won't take very long".  Each year, Daryl promises that THIS hike will be better, shorter...something!  The brave souls, once again, believed Uncle Daryl when he said it would be a "short hike of 3-4 miles" off the west end of the mountain.  8 miles later.....8 miles later, they were all very tired...but happy to be home and headed for a nice shower!

Until next time - see ya!!  LOVE TO ALL!!