*Simply Amazing*

Picture Proof that I drive the tractor and grain cart...

The Sunset as the Combine cuts the Grain over the Horizon

Sun setting in the West as Adam combines the Grain

Adam in his Combine

The Tractor I drive, and Adam combining
This is the Tractor and Grain Cart that I get to drive. Adam is combining in the background. I am waiting for him to get closer so he can unload his full bin.

As you can see, we are in the thick of grain harvest! I have the title of "Simply Amazing" on this post, because harvest is simply amazing!It is inspiring to see the huge equipment move through the field (at 2.5 miles per hour) and harvest the hard work from the summer, and it is even more amazing to be a part of it.

I am driving the grain cart this year, filling in when Morgan has other obligations, and it is quite the task. I have to pull the tractor and grain cart up next to the combine, while it is moving, and carefully match the speed, stay close enough for the combine to unload, and drive straight. Then, I get to go and unload the grain cart into the trucks. My mom is driving the trucks to the mill again this year. It is amazing to see all the trucks taking the grain to the mill, and working from sun up to sun down. I still can't believe how good of a truck driver my mom is. So, enjoy the pictures, and admire the amazing sunset that we were blessed with last night. That is one other reason harvest is "simply amazing", the sunsets...how can you not love them?

Sarah!!!

So, my dearest friend Sarah was up in Idaho on Saturday, and I was lucky enough to get off work early so I could go and visit with her! She was at her cousin's wedding in Idaho Falls, so I was more than happy to make the 45 minute drive to see her. Since we have both gotten married, and she moved to sunny Arizona, we haven't seen each other, so this was a great occasion! Love you Sarah! It was great to see you again!

P.S. There is also some exciting news I need to share, sorry this is coming on the same post as yours Sarah, but Ted got put into the Edler's Quorum Presidency as the 1st Counselor yesterday! So, that was quite the surprise and honor! Way to go Ted! I am so proud of you!

Grain Harvest

Our New Holland Combine

The Grain Cart
Can you believe that I fit inside the tire of the combine? It was actually pretty comfortable. Oh, and I am holding shop towels so you know I was working, not just sitting down on the job. We were greasing the combine before we went out into the field.

I can't believe it is that time of year again! This year, I get to drive a truck and the grain cart. Morgan and I are going to be switching off and on with the grain cart, so if one of us has something we need to do, the other person can take over. The grain cart if huge! Well, all the farm equipment is, but the grain cart makes our biggest tractor look small. Hmmm, I will go and take a picture so you can see for yourself...Okay, all uploaded! Take a close look! It is massive!

Do I Look Different?

So, this post is mainly for Ted. I just got a haircut, and he hasn't seen it yet, so I am posting to him so he can tell me what he thinks. Everyone else's opinion matters too, so if you like my new haircut, let me know! And, if you don't like it, well, just pretend you do! Thanks! :)

My Favorite Place in the Whole Wide World

So, Ted and I just got back from the most amazing place, Nauvoo! As most of you know, this is my favorite place to be! I love Nauvoo!
Most of you might be thinking that we are traveling a lot. Well, yes, we are, but we had to get some traveling in before the summer was over, and this was the last weekend before Ted's employees went back to school, so he took advantage of the opportunity to take me to Nauvoo! I loved the surprise trip, and even though it was short, only 3 days, I loved being there, enjoying the people of Nauvoo, and feeling the unique spirit that Nauvoo has. We were able to talk with the President, Dr. Ivie, and his assistant about the Nauvoo University that is starting this fall, and it sounds like the pioneering spirit is alive, and the students are excited about the opportunity to learn in place that is full of rich history and religion. Ted and I are still considering going back to help out with Nauvoo University, so if you suddenly read on our blog that we are moving, you know where we are going!

Let's Go Camping!!!

Okay, so if you are reading this Rachel, yes, I did drive straight home, go to Young Women's and then start posting about this because I am so excited about the trailer! And, if the rest of you are wondering what in the heck I am talking about...well, Ted and I went up to Idaho Falls today and looked at this trailer that Rachel and Reid are selling. It is a 1971 trailer, 18 1/2 feet, and very clean. Needless to say, it is a perfect "starter" trailer for people like me and Ted, and we had to have it! As I was pullling it home with our half-ton dodge pickup, I was really feeling the trailer behind us. It is a lot bigger than I realized! But, we LOVE the trailer. It is perfect for us, and we are so excited to go camping! Don't you love the retro colors? I am excited to dig into the trailer and make some memories with Ted. So, if anyone wants to go camping, just let us know and we will go! You all should know my number!

Shucks, another splurging moment weakness...

So, this time I had a weakness for a hallway table. I wanted to finish off our front room, and this was the only thing missing. I used this beautiful, solid wood, handcrafted piece to replace the white plastic stand I got from Wal-Mart in Keokuk when I lived in Nauvoo and needed some shelving for my bedroom. I figured that Ted and I had been married long enough that my college things could go. Now since I have this table, I am going to keep it forever. It is so nice that I am going to pass it on to my kids and grandchildren, and I hope they keep passing it down. Well, that's all for now...and I am off to the Romrell Reunion! Have a great weekend!

Mountain River Ranch

So, this weekend was Ted's birthday, and we celebrated from Saturday to Tuesday (today). So, on Saturday, we drove up to Rigby, and played miniature golf with Ted's mom, sister (Lissa), and brother (Jon). It was also Ted's mom's birthday, so that makes it fun! They are both born on August 2nd! Anyway, after golf, we went to eat with my family and Ted's family at Stockman's in Rigby. They have such delicious steak...I would say the best, but I just got back from Chico Hot Springs, and they by far have the best food, let alone steak, I have ever tasted. But, Stockman's has the best steak around these parts, so we ate a birthday dinner steak there. It was great. Then, instead of driving all the way home before Ted and I embarked on our journey up to Montana, we decided to stay in a little cabin up at the Mountain River Ranch in Ririe. The ranch is located by Heise Hot Springs, and is really nice! We loved our stay in our cute little cabin! The only complaint: hard spring mattress. We will know to bring extra padding for the beds next time. The cabins are brand new, and very nice! So, the stay was most pleasant. Well, read on for the rest of the days on our trip for Ted's birthday. Don't miss one, because they are all full of pictures and fun activities that we did in Chico!!! :)

Chico Hot Springs, MT

Driving through Yellowstone

More Yellowstone. It is so beautiful!

Only in Yellowstone...do you see elk sleeping in the middle of a turn-about.

A huge archway at the North Entrance of Yellowstone.

Chico Hot Springs, MT


More Chico

Chico from where our room was

More Chico

Our cozy hotel room

For Ted's birthday on Sunday, we decided to take a vacation to Chico Hot Springs in Montana. It was amazing! It was by far the best trip we have ever taken, even better than Hawaii! So, on Sunday, we woke up after staying the night at Mountain River Ranch in Ririe, and took a brisk morning walk. It was very nice, the river right next to us, and the sweet smell of fresh air. The drive up to Chico from Ririe was about 4 hours, going through Yellowstone National Park. Not too bad. Plus, the scenery was the best! You can't beat Montana! So, after the drive, and arriving at Chico, we took a long nap, getting ready for dinner. Dinner was astounding! I had a Fillet Mignon, and Ted had Prime Rib. It was the BEST steak both of us had ever had. Plus, all their vegies, which they grow in their own garden, were delicious! After dinner, we took our first dip in the Hot Springs, which Chico is famous for. They felt sooooooooo good! The water is nice and warm, and they literally sooth your muscles. We stayed in the pool for a while before retiring to our hotel room for an early night. We were exhausted because the night before, the mattress was very uncomfortable, so we didn't sleep very well. Luckily, the beds were very nice at Chico, along with everything else.

At Chico Hot Springs, it is like being in a Five Star Hotel, in the middle of the country. You can literally do anything you want there, and have fun! It is designed to cater to people from across the world. There were even visitors all the way from England there. Amazing huh? Sometimes I wonder if we really appreciate and realize all the amazing things we have surrounding us in this country. I am glad we were able to find out about Chico, because it was the best and most relaxing and satisfying trip I have ever had in my life! Oh, and the food alone, is to die for!

More Riding, Swimming, Eating, Sleeping, and Fun!!!

Ted and me at the Chico Horse Barn waiting for our horses to be saddled. Our little friend, the chocolate lab, is Chloe, and she was a permanent attachment to our party the whole time. Cute dog!

Chico Hot Spring Gift Shop next to the stables. They had the BEST Italian Sodas!

On the horse ride

Ted on his trusty mustang steed

Me and Ted on our horses. We seriously need to get Ted a horse like this!

Ted and me with the waterfall at the end of our hike

The waterfall

Yep, I am now stronger from the hiking

Ted is so cute! He lets me make him pose and take pictures. What a good guy!

Yes, you are seeing this! I am going for a hike! P.S. I LOVED IT!!! Surprise, surprise!

Ted in his trust Vibe!

Me and the valley

Ted at the Chico swimming pool

Me, ready to go swimming

Ted, wanting to sink his teeth into the flaming orange dessert

Okay, so I know that the title of this sounds impossible, but it really is possible! On Monday (yesterday), we woke up early and got some hot breakfast at the resort. Delicious egg casserole with sausage, salsa, and who knows what else to make it taste so good. Then, we went for a trail ride up into the foothills by Chico. Now, since I have ridden horses my whole life, I was thinking, "Oh great, riding horses that can't even think on their own except follow the horse in front of them for a couple hours... No problem!" Well, was I ever wrong! These horses were no deadheads! Funny enough, the guide gave me the hardest horse to ride, and he had an attitude! He would go around and pin his ears at the other horses, who all ran from him like scared children. Even Ted's horse, who was a mustang/draft horse would run from him. Well, we got on the trail, and those horses really kept us on our toes. We saw some deer and buffalo on our horseback ride, which was quite the sight. After the ride, we took a nap and relaxed in our hotel room. Ahhh, so nice. Then, we went for an afternoon hike up a beautiful canyon to a waterfall that was breathtaking. The pictures don't do it justice, and the hike was a short, but intense one. After the hike, we went to dinner, eating the best duck, Fillet Mignon, and lemon roasted chicken, along with the best vegies on the planet! No joke! When we finished up with dinner, we had a flaming orange... which is a delicacy at Chico. The have an orange peel, filled with ice cream and sour cream surrounded by chocolate syrup, that has been frozen for hours. Then, they top the orange with whipped cream. As they bring it to your table, they pour rum over the orange and whipped cream, lighting it on fire. It burns the rum for a couple minutes, then it is ready to eat, melted chocolate syrup and ice cream inside an orange...mmm...mmm...good!!! After the dessert, we went for a swim in the hot springs to relax and rejuvenate our bodies from the long day. Oh, it feels so good...there really is something in the water up there! And, that was our day!