On Aug. 24, 1973, a very naïve couple, Dan and Bonnie, were joined by their families, a few siblings and friends, for their (our) marriage in the Salt Lake Temple. Looking back on the four decades of family life that began that day, we could easily become overwhelmed by the extent of the trials and blessings that have come our way. It’s so great to note that we are still happy, still love one another, and are eager for more. We are so very grateful for the seven sons Heavenly Father sent us, and love them now just as much or more than we did when they were adorable little children. Although neither we, nor they, have necessarily behaved adorably all the time, they have taught us to hang on when things get tough, and to let go when the time is right. I know I’ve learned a lot more about God’s tender feelings for us, His children, from being a parent myself. With every new member that comes into our ever expanding family, the learning only continues. What a school! Come what may, our love and commitment to this now 40-year-old family will never fail. It endureth for how long? Forever.
Rather than summarizing the last 40 years, we think it best to stick with just some of this summer’s activities. Enter Dan’s sister, Iris, and her two sons, Matthew and Michael.
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| Looking for fossils at the Algal Reef |
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| Close-up of Algal Reef |
We met up with this little creature in Owyhee county, named after a mispelled version of Hawaii.
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| Feisty the lizard | |
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| Admiring our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Oreana, Idaho | | | |
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| We took a ride on the Thunder Mountain train from Horseshoe Bend to Banks | |
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| Michael sluicing for gold in Banks |
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| And here’s his sluice treasure! |
One evening, we walked to our neighborhood park and had lots of free fun rolling down a grassy hill. I couldn’t do it without laughing my head off every single time. If you miss out on something in your childhood, what’s to say you can’t do it even if you’re a grandmother? Nada!
Dan and I made a quick day trip to Utah to see Julie, and to attend part of his brother Alan’s family reunion. Shane came up from Provo too, so we did lots of catching up all in one afternoon.
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| Shane & cousin Cassie from Texas |
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| Dan, Alan, and Iris |
I’ve heard that good things come in threes. It must be true because our next adventure took us to Atlanta, Idaho. This turned out to be a timely visit, because the historic hamelet is now under evacuation orders due to a nearby forest fire. Its surrounded by the Boise National Forest, which is why we saw plenty of evidence of previous fires all around.
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The huge mounds of gravel are leftovers from the placer mining for gold that took place there in the late 1800’s. |
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| My favorite spot is right here, soaking in one of Atlanta’s hot springs |
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| Tree hugger |
It’s a good thing that I took time to hug a tree. It could be the last hug it ever gets, unless that fire is containe pretty soon.
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| Fly Fisherman on the Middle Fork of the Boise River |
Sherri, the woman who cooked our breakfast at the Beaver Lodge, says she moves up every summer, and goes fishing every day while she’s there.
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| Greylock mountain, 1 mile north of Atlanta. |
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| Dan got to see a beaver dam up close and personal. |
And now we’re home, ready to start plowing the back forty. :D
