Cabin for the weekend part one...

We had the wonderful opportunity to go to a cabin for the weekend...so we went!  We packed up and left Thursday evening and arrived about an hour later at the beautiful cabin of the Tanner family (Amanda's friends).  I loved the rustic look of the place and the spaciousness of it!  I loved how they used old family photos to decorate, (complete with barbed wire) and the hunting/western theme of it all.  It had three levels.  Upstairs was a nice loft/family room area complete with tinker toys, lincoln logs, and a ping pong table!  The main floor had the kitchen and dining room as well as a living room with a beautiful rock fireplace which we used a LOT. It was very cold there!  The master bedroom and bath were also on this floor as well as a large main bathroom.  Downstairs was a large family room complete with entertainment center and sectional sofa.  Also downstairs were three bedrooms, a bathroom and a laundry room.  I also liked the log stairway.  Very cool.   There was plenty of room for us all!  Amanda's sister-in-law Kellie and her fiance Bruce drove all the way from BYU-Idaho to spend the weekend with us.  We had a lot of fun!  Here are a "few" pictures of the scenic place!

 First order of business was shoveling the snow off the porch...

 Jacob helped push the snow into the center of the spool table...

 Throwing rocks onto the frozen creek...

 Jacob loves his cantaloupe...

 I loved this little embroidered saying on the wall...

Cabin weekend to be continued...

Deckin' the halls...

We finally decorated our tree tonight!  The boys and their mom did a great job!  It looks beautiful!  Now it's beginning to feel and look a lot like Christmas!  And yes, I believe we will be having a "White" Christmas!  

Goosebumps today...

Got Joel's email today...he sent a surprise picture for me!  It's him in front of my parents' home in Kearns!  They were the original owners of this house back in 1956!  It's just outside of Joel's assigned area, but is the area of the other missionaries they share a basement with.  I don't know why this picture just gave me goosebumps and a little lump in my throat.  Sure wish my parents were here and could see it and be thrilled about it!  I know they would get a huge kick out of it!  I found this house on Google maps not too long ago (this year...) and that was exciting enough, but now to get a real-time picture and with Joel in front of it, wow.  Obviously some remodeling has been done over the years, but I knew instantly on Google that it was the same house!  My parents lived in this house until 1961 when Dad's unit was called to active duty and the family moved to Texas.  My aunt and uncle then rented this house for a year or two.  Mom and Dad had 3 children in that house (the oldest was a few months old when they moved in) and after Texas they moved to Arkansas where I was born.  I found that house on Google maps as well.  I don't have the address for their Texas house or I would look it up!   It's a nostalgic sort of day today...and I love it! (speaking of oldest child, that is my brother Steve and it is his birthday today!  happy birthday!)

Steven Arlow - 3 months old, about the time my parents got the house.

Now this is snow!

We knew it was coming.  It was in the forecast.  And Monday was sooooo cold, we knew it was almost here.  We went out Monday night for the Lindon City tree lighting and then to Costco to get our own tree...we were glad to get back home and inside!  Then Tuesday morning...we woke up to WHITE.  It snowed and snowed all day long, windy and cold!  It didn't stop snowing until about 4 in the afternoon.  The boys couldn't wait to go out in it, so they went out in the backyard for a little while.  Their mom went out to say goodbye on her way to school, she didn't stay out there very long!  Then when she got home in the afternoon, they went out and played with their sleds in the driveway...it's the perfect slope for them!  They thought it was so fun!  And a little shoveling was done, and helping Gary shovel his driveway was fun too. (Grandma stayed inside!)  I am glad they are all so happy out there in it...I had to drive David to school after lunch and I was so nervous!!  We left early (I had to brush all the snow off the van!) and I drove slowly. The roads were snowy but not too bad...Amanda gave me all the tips for driving in it, but I still didn't feel real confident.  Thankfully it's a short trip, but there is a big hill for part of it and that was what made me the most nervous!  I prayed hard going and coming.  It was quite a storm that dumped a lot of snow.  I'm sure this isn't the worst, but it's enough for me!  It does look very pretty from INSIDE the house.  Welcome to Utah and winter life.  I will hopefully adjust to it.  Wish Dave was here...he is missing it all being in California!

Long drive, short visit...

My brother Ron from Alaska was in the lower 48 this past week!  He and his wife spent Thanksgiving at their daughter's in Washington, D.C. then they flew to Las Vegas...and drove up to visit us!  Just for overnight, but it was great to see them!  They had to drive back on Sunday afternoon to be in Vegas for their training that started early Monday morning.  Karen was getting sick and I felt really bad for her.  All that traveling and time zone changing when you aren't feeling well is a bummer!  Dave had left that morning for California so he missed them.  (not on purpose!).  We stayed up late and had a nice visit catching up. I appreciate their efforts!  It's way too long between family visits, and the last two times were our parents' funerals!  Let's plan a FUN get together when we can spend a little more time together!  Why does Alaska have to be so far away?  They love it there and most of their kids are there, so they won't be leaving any time soon!