Thanksgiving Trip

We traveled 1,500 miles over the Thanksgiving holiday. We drove to Twin Falls Idaho Tuesday night after I got off of work. Wednesday we drove to Fallon. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Grandpa and Grandma Wooners house.

Ruby Mashes the Spuds!

Glen Carves the Bird



Grandma Made the Best Dinner Ever!




Ashley and Melissa Laughing at ME!





Wesley and Mellany Behind Bars!

Preston Chowin Down

Mellany and Wesley Finishing Up

Photos taken: November 27, 2008

Fun in Fallon

We had a great time in Fallon. Seeing Grandma and Grandpa was a highlight of the trip! Especially for the kids. And seeing Ashley and the Grand babies was awesome! We also got to see Glen and Melissa, and James and Eddy. We certainly enjoyed our stay.


Whenever we go back to Fallon we always drive by our old house. It is kind of nostalgic. We have been gone 4 years now, and we have to laugh, the mail box still says 'Howes'.

Ashley on her laptop! Surely she is visiting the 'House of Howes'!

Mellany has her own door! Actually she has to share it with the dogs. Isn't she a cutie?

Where else would you find boys, but playing in the dirt. Spencer, Preston and Wesley having fun getting dirty.

And what a meal we had at the Chinese buffet! Great food and a great time!

Photos taken: August 10, 11 and 12 - 2008

1,600 Miles in Eight Days

I haven't posted for some time, and I have some catching up to do. Last week we were on vacation. We traveled over 1,600 miles over a span of 8 days, and visited relatives all along the way.

Our journey began on Saturday the 9th of August as we traveled from Star Valley to Carlin Nevada. We spent the night there at the Comfort Inn, at a very reduced rate, thanks to Jessica! Thanks again Jessie. We visited breifly with niece Jessica and Brother Jared.

On the 10th we traveled to Fallon Nevada. We stayed in Fallon two nights at the Super 8 motel, again at a reduced rate. Thanks to Wesley! We visited Grandma and Grandpa Wooner, along with Uncle James and Eddy. We also spent time with Ashley, Wesley, and Mellany. What fun we had in Fallon. On Monday we drove to Reno and back and had lunch with Melissa and Glen. It was great to see them again so soon!

Late Tuesday we made the journey back across Nevada, this time on HWY 50 to Ely. We stayed 3 nights with Grandma and Grandpa Howes. Randy, Jared, Trent, Jay and I poured 7 yards of concrete for Grandpa's driveway, and we went out and cut and hauled home 10 pickup loads of wood for Grandpa! you may remember he had an accident earlier this year, so us boys are taking care of his heavy work this summer.

Friday the 15th we drove to SLC and stayed at the Airport Comfort Inn. The kids loved the swimming pool there! And Finally Saturday we made the journey home, via Logan, and Preston Idaho.

I will begin to post photo's over the next few days of the trip!

Happy Birthday Melissa

We had a special treat while Glen and Melissa was here. It was Melissa's birthday. Glen baked her this german chocolate cake, with a coconut pecan frosting.

Happy Birthday Liss! We all love you!

Photo taken: July 19, 2008

A Day on the Greys

Saturday we took Melissa and Glen up the Greys River. The river flows into the Snake River at Alpine. We followed the river from Alpine all the way to its very original source. A spring near 3 Divide Pass. It is a beautiful drive!

Glen and Liss on the Rivers Edge

Spencer, Ruby, Alec, Preston, Angela, Melissa, and Glen

Glen and Melissa - Lunch at 3 Divide Pass

Photos taken: July 19, 2008

Liss is Here!

Angela, Ruby, and Melissa

Melissa is here for a visit. She and her boyfriend Glen arrived this morning. They will be here until Sunday. We have been looking forward to their visit for sometime now. I am sure there will be more to post the next couple of days.

Photo taken: July 18, 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

Caleb's Baptism

We recently made a trip to Elko for cousin Caleb's baptism. It was great to see so much of the family. My parents, all of my siblings and their children, and Melissa and Alec were all there. Ashley and her family couldn't make it, dang it!

I didn't take many pictures. Unusual for me! But here are a couple I did happen to take.

We spent a night in SLC and a day at Hogle Zoo. Spencer, Ruby, and Preston pose along with the Albino Alligator!

The Zebra's were a hit! As you can tell by the coats it was a pretty chilly day, but we still had a blast.

A rare photo of Liss and I. Dang she is looking good! It was great to see her and Alec.

Photo's taken: April 11th and 12th. Angela took the photo of Liss and I.

Congratulations Melissa!

Melissa has had a goal of becoming a nurse ever since she was still in high school. She has ran into some bumps along the way, and it has taken her a little longer than she would have liked it to, but she has never given up on her dream. This week she learned that she has FINALLY been excepted into the nursing program. Way to go Liss! We know she will do exceptionally well. We are very happy for her, and very pleased with how well she is doing. That girl has some spunk!

The Bakers of Star Valley

When Angela was pregnant with Melissa in 1983, her mother confided in her that she had a brother somewhere that Angela had never knew about. When Janet, Angela's mother, was 17 she became pregnant. Single and unable to raise a baby on her own, she gave the baby up for adoption.

In 1995 Janet surprised Angela again. This time the brother she never knew was coming to Fallon to meet the family. That is when we met Ross. Ross was living near Seattle at the time with his family. Recently Ross and his family moved to Salt Lake City.

Angela and Ross were talking on the phone the other day. Ross mentioned to Angela that his adopted families ancestors were from Star Valley, the Bakers. When Angela mentioned this to me, I remembered a historical landmark here in the valley.



At the South end of Etna, along side US Highway 89, sits the historical Baker Cabin.

The cabin was built in 1889 and belonged to Alonzo and Anna Eliza Baker. It is the oldest surviving house built in Star Valley. I am impressed with the fact the cabin was built by Anna Eliza and her 12 year old daughter May. Also; that this was a house for a family with 12 children! Our house isn't that small after all!

Alonzo and Anna Eliza are Ross's adopted Ancestors.

Ross mentioned that he has wanted to visit Star Valley, and see where his family is from. Now that he lives only three hours away, maybe one day soon we will have a visit from Ross!

Photos taken by Angela: December 7, 2007