Enjoying Stump Creek

Ruby

Spencer

Preston

Stump creek is only a couple of miles from our home. We regularly spend a few hours of an afternoon there. It is a great place to see wildlife and just to relax. And the best part is it is only a few minutes from home.

Photos taken August 25, 2007

Soccer Night

Preston

Spencer

Spencer

Spencer

Yes I'm bad! (little show off)

Preston

Playing Goalie

Preston

The boys had soccer tonight. They are having a blast this year. They really seem to enjoy it. Preston made a shot nearly the entire length of the field for a goal tonight.

Photos taken: August 29, 2007

Fish Head Anyone?

Saturday after the company family day, we went for a ride up Stump Creek. We stopped along the creek and let the kids out to run around. I was standing near the creek, when Spencer pointed out that there was a snake about a foot away from my feet! On closer inspection we noticed that he was in the process of eating the remains of a fish that someone had gutted. By the time I took these pictures all he had left was the head! I snapped the last picture just before the snaked entered the water and swam to the other side.

Yum yum!

Photos taken: August 25, 2007

Cotton Candy

Preston

Ruby

Spencer

Yesterday was Smoky Canyon Mines family day. It was held at the county fairgrounds in Afton. They had many rides for the kids, a great dutch oven style lunch, door prizes, bingo, etc. All the usual family day activities. The kids took great advantage of the cotton candy, snow cone, and popcorn machines. They ate more junk yesterday than any kid has a right to in a years time.

Photos taken: August 25, 2007

Early Morning Hair Cuts

Preston Gettin Started

Finished at Last

Spencers Turn

That Tickles

Even Dad Has to Have One

Early Saturday morning Mom gets out the shears. It was 42 degrees out, but that didn't stop Angela from taking us out back by the fence and giving us our buzz cuts. We didn't even get out of our pajamas before she had us out there! She wanted to get them done before we were dressed for the day, so we could shower first.

Photos taken: August 25, 2007...Picture of Dad by: Ruby

Cream Cheese Chicken

Craig's Favorite Recipes

I have decided to share some of my favorite recipes. Most of these are going to be a recipe made by someone other than myself, but I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have been the benefactor of many great dishes from three great cooks. My wife Angela, my mother, and my mother-in-law.

This first recipe is one that Angela made last Sunday. Sunday usually means a dinner from the crock pot. Angela throws in a roast and some vegetables, or some other dish, and sets it to cook before church. When we get home dinner is ready. This works out quite nice especially when, like now, we go to church in the afternoon. Currently church for us starts at 11:00 am and is over at 2:00 pm. So we miss lunch and have an early dinner.

Last Sunday we had Cream Cheese Chicken. The first time I was treated to this dish was at my sister Susan's house. I am not sure that the recipe is exactly the same as Angela uses, but Susan's is close. Here is Angela's recipe;

Cream Cheese Chicken

4 - chicken breast (boneless skinless)
2 - 8 oz bricks of cream cheese
2 - envelopes of dry Italian dressing mix
2 - cans of cream of chicken soup

Mix the last three ingredients together thoroughly in the crock pot.
Place the chicken on top.
Set the crock pot to low and cook for 4 hours.

We like it served on wheat Penne pasta, but you can serve it with any pasta or rice you like.

Personally I like it on noodles, not rice. I am sure you great cooks out there can adjust the recipe to fit your family. 4 chicken breast is just right for us.

Give it a try, and if you like, let me know what you think.

First Day of School

Home After a Hard Day

Spencer and Preston

The boys spent their first day at school today! Their teacher is Mrs. Bird. There are six kindergarten classes at Afton Elementary. By all accounts they had a blast! I think Mom was more excited than the boys.

The above photo was taken when they arrived home. They are attending 'all day' kindergarten, but they still arrive home 1 hour earlier than Ruby. Once the boys made it home they gave me a call at work to tell me all about it. They talked about shark finger puppets that they made, and of coarse, recess and lunch.

Photo taken by Angela: August 23, 2007

End of Summer Sleep Over

The Neighborhood Gang

Skylar, Savana, Spencer, Preston, Jacob, Ruby, and Savanah

School starts Thursday! Tonight is it! The last chance for a summer sleep over. The tent was set up in the yard and Savanah and Jacob Walker are staying over for a sleep out. Angela made sloppy joe's for them all, plus for two of the Findley girls, Skylar and Savana.

Edited August 25, 2007 to correct the spelling of Savana and Savanah

Picture taken: August 21, 2007

Goosed

About 3 weeks ago I noticed half a dozen canadian geese in the field, across the highway, from our house. They have been there ever since. And there numbers have grown everyday. There are easily 1,000 geese hanging out in the fields there now. And one antelope!

We have been speculating as to why there are so many geese in the field. Are there bugs for them to eat? Do they like the cows? hmmm. Not sure, but they are a nice addition. I am not sure that the rancher thinks so! I would imagine that they leave a good supply of fertilizer!

Photos taken: August 10, 2007

Angela's Choice

Storms Edge

We had some ominous storms roll over the valley the other night. The sky was bright blue, then as the storm approached the landscape darkened. The contrast was quite striking.

Angela likes this photo, and she has been trying to get me to post it for a few days now. Once in awhile I do listen to her!

Photo taken: August 14, 2007

Soccer 2007 Has Begun

Preston in the Middle of It!

Spencer Gettin in It!

Ruby Snags it at Goal!

The 2007 soccer season is under way! So we will be busy again, but not as bad as we were with baseball. With baseball we had games 4 nights a week! With soccer we have practice one night a week and the boys and Ruby both play their games on Wednesday nights, and at the same sports complex! YIPEE!

Photos Taken: August 15, 2007 by Angela

11 Days

Count Down

We took the boys to school to meet their new teacher last Wednesday. Preston is displaying his 'count down calendar'. The boys are excited to start school.

You may notice that Prestons left eye looks a bit 'funny'. He found out why you leave a wasp nest alone! He was stung at the corner of his eye, and swelling set in across the top of his brow.

Unhappy

Spencer has a 'count down calendar' also. He is shown here unhappy that I didn't take his picture first! He didn't want to be second, so we had to settle for him being unhappy. ;-)

Photos Taken: August 13, 2007

Uniquely Nevada`

I had to do just one more post on our Nevada trip.

We love living in Wyoming! It is a great place. We live in the heart of some of the most beautiful country to be found. If nature and the great outdoors is your thing, then this part of the world is hard to beat.

With that being said, we sure miss Nevada also.

Nevada Single Leaf Pinyon Pine

Nevada has vast pinyon pine and juniper forest. Part of growing up in rural Nevada was the annual fall event of gathering pine nuts. The pinyon trees produce large cones that contain several nuts each. The Nevada Single Leaf Pinyon Pine, produces a nut that contains more protein than any other nut or seed. From all signs I have seen, this year there should be a bumper crop of pine nuts in Nevada! If you haven't experienced gathering, and more importantly, eating pine nuts, you are missing out.

Nevada Sunset

Nevada is best known for its vast deserts and dry country. However, what most people do not realize is that Nevada is the most mountainous state in the country. It has over 300 mountain ranges, and has more peaks above 10,000 feet than any other state!

Most of all we miss family and freinds.

Photos Taken: August 5th and August 7th, 20o7

A Nevada Trip 'On the Road'

We stopped for a break on the top of Bob Scott Summit. It is located almost exactly half way between Fallon and Ely. We have stopped here many, many times over the years.

A Rare Calm Moment

Preston and Spencer

What Are The Boys Up To Now?

Ruby

We stopped for a break at this roadside rest on the Salt Flats in Utah. This stop is just east of Wendover, and about half way between Ely and Salt Lake. We have stopped here many times over the years also.

Shoes? I don't need no Stinking Shoes!

Ruby and Preston

What Trouble Can I Cause Now?

Spencer

Crammed Together for Four Days in the Back of the Car, Now You want Us to Scoot Together for a Picture?

Preston, Ruby, and Spencer

Photos Taken: August 5th and 7th, 2007

A Nevada Trip '3'

The following 3 photo's were taken at the Liberty Pit Overlook near Ruth, NV.

Tired

Carson, Ruby, Spencer, Preston, and Tristan

In the Middle

Spencer, Ruby, Tristan, Preston, and Carson

King of the Boulder

Spencer

This photo was taken at the 'duck pond' in Ely, NV. The pond is downtown near the library, court house, and old high school.

Fowl Feeding

Grandpa Howes, Spencer, Unknown Intruder (ha ha), Ruby, Tristan, and Carson

Photos Taken: August 6, 2007

A Nevada Trip '2'

Grandma has Flames!

Teaching Her Little Brother

Melissa and Preston

Keep it Going

Ruby and Spencer

Taking a Nap

Mellany

Hangin' with Grandpa

Dave, Wesley, Spencer, and Preston

Photos Taken: August 4th and 5th, 2007

A Nevada Trip '1'

Mellany

Ashley, Wesley, and Mellany

Ashley and Mellany

Janet, Ashley, Melissa, Mellany, Angela, and Ruby

Four generations

Wesley

We had a great time in Nevada. We were able to spend some quality time with family. More post to follow!

Photos Taken: August 4, 2007