Feels Like Home

The day we signed the Purchase and Sale agreement on our little yellow house, we reclaimed our bird.

The Federalist Eagle that perched above our door of our cute yellow house was the best gift I ever gave to Pops. I found it on eBay for less than 15 bucks (with shipping). It needed a little paint but it was love at first sight for Pops. He took it to the garage and gave it a regal coat of black paint. Then he happily hung our bird on our tiny yellow house.

The bird stayed behind to protect our little house in our absence while we rented it out. But there was no way we were leaving him behind.

Today Pops and I got up early to buy a big ladder so we could place our eagle back on his new perch.

There to watch our comings and goings, to welcome our guests and to declare to the world that proud Federalists live here.

Ferocious!

Little Chief nursed a wiggly tooth the whole time we were in Utah.

It finally popped out without a speck of blood the day after our return- 

that tooth was super-ready for the harvest!

There is nothing cuter than a kid missing his front tooth- 

except maybe a kid missing his front tooth eating watermelon.

Little Chief always begs for the "watermelon bowl" and when you are this cute you will not be denied!

Vernal Love

Mindurs found our clan fantastic accommodations in Vernal. Mindy's family ended up in the room next door. Charlene and Brian are at the other end of the hall and James is just upstairs. It has been really fun to hang out in the breakfast nook and pool with the family!

But the best part of being neighbors is easily sneaking out for an early morning run together. Something I wish I could do every day with Mindurs!

This town has plenty to offer- in the way of dinosaurs!

And fantastic- out of control petunias! 

Every few feet- the biggest planters of flowers!

And a Temple!

I love these old pioneer structures!

And back in time for breakfast with the gang!

This Is The Place

This is the place.

The place we were when the 11yr. anchor was cut from our neck.

So long little yellow house. You served your purpose.

It was a real nail-biter. The seller's lender was in no hurry to look at our buyer's loan resulting in a couple of extensions. Even as we were packing our bags to head out of town the deal was hanging by a thread. We hired an attorney to act for us, crossed our fingers and gave the buyer one last shot. The day before the last deadline we got word that the loan was approved, but we still sat tight. Sometime when we were floating down the river the papers were signed. No more worries about the garage blowing over, the furnace fizzing out or the roof caving in on our little yellow house. And more amazing, it sold for the exact amount that we bought it.

This is our miracle.

Moonshine Arch

See! Thumbs up from Superkid- 

We're on our way to Moonshine Arch!

But first- The Nipple

This was the perfect end of day hike for these little legs.

Lots of rocks to scramble up on!

Great bird's-eye view.

Satisfaction

THE Dab

And Raising the Roof

For Moonshine Arch!

Marvelous!

We are children of the rock!

Spectacular

Dam Tour

After the river, we met up with Mindurs and her family for a 

family friendly dam tour.

Don't mind the lack of enthusiasm from Superkid and Abizella. 

They were hoping to go for a second trip down the river with Uncle James and Mindur's big kids.

But no worries, there is more fun in store for everyone!

But first we needed to re-fuel with pizza, and lots of it!