Camping at Cottonwood Lake

We made our first trip to the mountains for our first camping trip of the summer this past Thursday. We camped at Cottonwood lake, which is only about 15 miles up the mountain. Ruby had her game Friday, and Alec had to work, so we had to trek up and down the mountain a couple of times, but we had a blast. We stayed Thursday night, until Saturday morning.

Fishing wasn't great, but it was fun. Alec caught a nice Bonneville Cutthroat!

Alec Cleans the Grill

(Pink is the New Black?)

Cozy

Spencer has the Patience of Job!

Preston Caught Himself!

Ruby Has a New Rod and Reel

Look Close Where Her Line Went!

Photos taken: June 26, 27, and 28, 2008

Champions

The White Sox played the Reds for the championship Friday night. They had yet to lose in the double elimination tournament, so if they won the first game it would be over, the Sox would be the Champs. If they lost they would have to play a second game immediately following the first.

The first game was very close from start to finish. The Sox led the entire game until the top of the last inning, the Reds went up 6 -5. The Sox had one last chance at bat to end it with the first game. With 2 outs and 2 runners on base, the score tied at 6 -6, a Sox player got a hit and the winning run touched home. The Sox won 7 - 6!

Ruby played very well. She was disappointed when she was tagged at first on a short hit, but she earned an RBI! She felt better once I explained the importance of that RBI.

Photo taken: June 27, 2008 By: Angela

A Couple of Bucks

Hanging Out

These two bucks where hanging out across the road from the ball field tonight, during Preston and Spencer's game.

Photo taken: June 25, 2008

Boys are finished, 1 More Night for Ruby

Ruby's team won their game tonight, and will play in for the championship Friday. It is a double elimination tournament, and they have not lost yet. If they when the first game it is all over. If they lose, they play the same team once more for the title.

Ruby Reaches for a High One.

The boys played their last game tonight! They have had a blast playing this year.

Spencer on First

Preston on First

Photos taken: June 25, 2008 Photos of Ruby taken by Angela

Tournament Time

Ruby and the White Sox started the end of season tournament today. They played the Angles. I did not get to see the game, it started to early.

Angela and Alec reported that Ruby played very well. She hit a double, and took her base on balls twice. Her team also did well. The game was called because of the 10 run rule. So the White Sox advance to the next round. They play the Reds tomorrow.

Angela forgot the camera today, so hopefully I will have some pictures to post of tomorrows game!

WEBELOS Over Nighter

This is the second weekend in a row spent doing scout activities... I guess it keeps me out of trouble.


Bob 'Whoompa' Roberts teaches the boys first aid. He is the Safety Specialist for Smoky Canyon. He is also highly envolved with the Lincoln County Search and Rescue and the Afton Volunteer Fire Department. You may also remember Whoompa from an earlier post. I went on a 10 day pack trip with him and others into the Yellowstone! Whoompa did a great job with the first aid.

Emily Walker sits with her daughter Samantha. Emily is the Wolf leader. Next to Emily is Justin Call.

Lori Chadwick sits with Brandon Call. Lori is the Bear Leader. Mitch Rider sits on the bench next to Joseph Walker who is laying on the bench. Mitch and Joseph are the two WEBELOS that we have in our ward.

Mitch and Brandon playing 'box golf' with Angela. Angela is the WEBELOS leader.

Brandon and Mitch on hole #6.

Joseph and Mitch post the colors as the Walker family looks on.

Ted and Kathleen Carlisle. Kathleen is holding Sierra Walker.

Savannah Walker display her watermelon face!

Sammy enjoying her juice.

Michael Rider displaying his toasting skills.

Jacob Walker, proudly displaying his Smore.

Spencer enjoying his Smore.

Ruby and Preston toasting their marshmellows.

Kathleen with her perfectly toasted marshmellow.

Joseph Walker with his Smore.

Photos taken: June 20, 2008

Mamma Mia Alec Works at the Pizzeria

Alec has found employment at the local pizza hut. Today was his second day of work. He sure must like it... Just look at that silly grin! We get a 50% discount... Is that a good thing? hmmm

Photo taken: June 19, 2008

Have you seen it?

Spencer lost his first tooth today! And on his sister's birthday to boot! He yanked the thing out on his own! He is off to bed and eagerly awaiting the tooth fairy.

Photo taken: June 18, 2008

She's 9!

Ruby turned 9 years old today! She is such a wonderful young lady. I love her so much! She is every thing a Dad could want in a daughter.

She had a party with a Hawaiin theme. Hawaiin pizza was served, the kids played on Howes beach, in front of the house. They decorated their own sun visors, and had a great time.

Angela did a great job with the party!

Photo taken: June 18, 2008 By: Alec

The Red Baron

The boys had a ball game tonight. Before the game they had their team pictures taken, so they had to be at the park at 5:00. The game didn't finish until 7:00, so we treated the kids to dinner at the local fast food joint, the Red Baron. The Red baron is one of the few old fashioned hamburger stands remaining. They don't cook your food until you order it, and they still have carhops. We rarely eat fast food anymore, so when we do it is a real treat for the kids!

Photo taken: June 16, 2008

Grandpa Update

Grandpa Howes has been recovering from his tree cutting accident quite well. His lungs, chest, and ribs are on the mend. However; his back is still very sore and he has to have surgery on his knee. His surgery should be sometime early in July.

I will keep you posted.

Cub Scout Day Camp

Today the cub scouts in Star Valley had a day camp. The theme was around the world. I had to man the Africa Station. They could not have picked a better day! It has been horrible weather the past few weeks. The last two days it has snowed, rained, hailed and has been down right cold. Today was beautiful! Sunny and nice pleasant temperatures.

Since I was working a station I didn't get a chance to take many pictures.



Scouts and leaders sitting receiving instruction shortly after the opening ceremonies.

Scouts participating in the obstacle coarse. They had sack races, Frisbee tosses, beam walking, rope climbing, etc.

A couple of scouts hanging around after the stations where finished with.

Photos taken: June 13, 2008. Angela took the center photo.

USFS and BLM Sign ROD!

The United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have both signed their Record of Decisions (ROD). That is great news for JR Simplot and the Smoky Canyon Mine! There is a 45 day period in which appeals can be filed, but having the ROD signed is a significant step to the continuing of operations at Smoky Canyon and the Don Plant in Pocatello. You can read about it here, or check out Smoky Canyons website here.

What it means to me and the over 250 other employees at Smoky Canyon is a job for the next 13 years.

Boys Play Ball...Sister Plays in Park

This time of year we spend many evenings at the parks. This year all the ball games are scheduled at Canyon View Park.

Spencer Runs for Home Plate!

Preston on His Way to the Plate!

Ruby Found a New Friend in the Play ground

Ruby can now Traverse the Monkey Bars, Skipping Every Other Rung

Photos taken: June 2, 2008

A Bear of a Lake

There are many routes to take from Ely to Star Valley, and we have tried them all. This last week we took a route that we haven't been on for a few years. We went through Logan UT and up Logan Canyon to Bear Lake. Bear Lake is only about 1 hr 15 min from our house. The lake lies half in Utah and Half in Idaho.

Preston

Spencer

Ruby

Preston, Alec and Angela

Photos taken: June 1, 2008

Kids and Grandkids All Together

While in Ely there was a brief time that we had all the kids and grandkids together!

Left to Right: Grandpa Howes, Wesley, Melissa, Spencer, Ashley, Alec, Preston, Carson, Ruby, Mellany, and Grandma Howes

Left to Right: Wesley, Melissa, Spencer, Angela, Alec, Ashley, Preston, Carson, Ruby, Mellany, and Me.

Photos: June 1, 2008 Bottom photo by: Grandpa Howes

Wishing Grandpa a Speedy Recovery

As the family all knows; Grandpa Howes had an accident this past Thursday. He did something he has always taught us kids NEVER to do. He went cutting wood by himself. On cutting down his third tree, the tree landed on him. He was pinned under the tree and couldn't breath. He was able to cut away a limb to give himself some air. He was then lucky enough to have his cell phone and he was able to get service. He called 911, and told them he needed help. He told them Racheal knew right were he was. When Racheal received the call from the sheriffs office her and Jay immediately went to help Grandpa. They were able to free him and get him to the hospital. He had blood in his lungs, and ended up very bruised up. He had to spend two days in the hospital, and he is still on oxygen. He can't walk much yet, but by all reports he is doing much better.

Get better soon Grandpa! And don't go alone next time!

'A' Jay Gubler

Last week while in Ely, I took Grandpa and the kids to the stock car races. Ruby, Preston and Spencer have not been before. Carson also went with us. The reason we went is because uncle Jay was racing in his first stock car race ever.

Jay Making Final Adjustments

Jay in the Lead

Jay was classified in the 'bomber' division. He ended up racing this truck. He was winning the entire race, until his exhaust came a part and he had to leave the track.

The kids had a blast!

Photos taken: May 31, 2008

Tristin's Birthday

While in Ely last weekend Tristin had his 3rd birthday! We celebrated with a party at the park.

Angela Stirs the Macaroni Salad

Casetin with a Sunscreened Face (Grandma is in the background)

Grandpa, Casetin, Ruby, Preston, Carson, Spencer, Tristin (This side of Table)

The Cake

We had a great time! Racheal did an awesome job with the cake, don't you think?

Photo's taken: May 31, 2008

Back to Nevada

I am headed back to Nevada this morning. My work is sending me to Elko. I will be coming home on Friday. I have some posting to catch up on, and will do so this weekend!

See ya then!

Helping Grandpa Get Wood

We made a quick trip to Ely this past week. We met Melissa, Ashley and Alec there. Alec is spending the summer with us here in Star Valley. While there we helped Grandpa with a load of wood.

Craig the mighty lumber jack tackles a monster of a tree. We cut up two trees and had a load.

Preston, Spencer and cousin Carson watch Grandpa cut down his tree.

Ruby was designated as the offical wood stacker! The 3 boys hauled the wood that they could handle to the truck. The kids all worked real hard to give grandpa a hand.

Photos taken: May 30, 2008 By: Angela