Refinishing the kitchen table, A Fall Snowstorm, Raking Leaves, and Visiting the Zoo

Guenther refinished the kitchen table, in spite of my protestations that I liked it as it was. Well, it's gorgeous and I am so glad that he went ahead.

We had a lovely snowstorm two weeks ago, and I snapped some photos during and after the storm.

We stayed overnight in West Point last week, and we raked leaves and did a few things to get the house ready for winter.

Lindsay and the kids came over on Saturday while Matt was in Provo taking a class on ham radio. We helped Guenther rake leaves, and then I went to the zoo with them. Lindsay has a family pass, so they can afford to go often. It was a lovely day...sunny and cool...and not crowded.

Inside the glass is a funny little lizard that followed the kids' hands and stretched up like he was trying to bite them.

Do you see that skunk?

Kai also likes to look at the lizard.

Most popular spot is the carousel.

Fall is Here

I have had the feeling that I should make my blog private, so all you family members should have received an invitation to log on. I hope this doesn't make it too hard.

We have had a lovely fall this year. We planted tulips in the front yard, and pansies in the flower boxes on the porch. They'll survive the winter and be glorious again in the spring.

I got to tend Emalise and Ellyn last week...here are a few pics.

Ellyn loves Creamies.

They were so good...entertained themselves beautifully.

Matt and Lindsay took Kai with them to do a little shopping, and then they ate a bite before heading over to Hogle Zoo for the rest of the day. I was delighted when Bob told me that he and Genie saw the Olenslagers at the zoo, and that Lindsay recognized Emma from my blog.

Guenther cleaned up the garden and got in ready for the winter.

The last of our tomatoes. Guenther is planning to sand and refinish the kitchen table top. (I like it just like it is)

A pretty shot of the fall leaves in West Point. We ordered a leaf-sweeper from Vermont Country Store, and Guenther had fun using it last Monday.

I didn't recognize Summer when I saw her last week. She's had her hair bobbed and has new glasses. Her hair was colored for a school thing, I think.
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Amber hosted the Stolls at her house for our October get-together, and we enjoyed fun Hawaiian Haystacks.

Jim Brown with Freddie, David, Guenther, Rich, Lincoln and Landon.

Jackie, Sariah and Brandon.Eugenie watches Ema and David.

Ella looking at Krissie and Kyle.

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Bob and Genie brought a little ladybug and a junior wizard over for trick or treats on Halloween.They sure looked cute.

No more raccoons

Guenther was pretty sure that the raccoons had moved out of the chimney, but we hired chimney sweeps to double check. They agreed that the raccoons had left, so Guenther installed chimney caps to prevent their re-entry.

Guenther returns the trap to Animal Control.

Trimming the apple tree.

I really enjoy mowing the pasture and lawns with the John Deere.

Raccoons, General Conference, and Beautiful Big Cottonwood Canyon

Guenther and I visited Uncle Scott Crabtree in a Brigham City nursing home last month. He's doing a great job of keeping busy...reads a lot. He told us that the nursing home had entered a float in the Brigham City Peach Days parade earlier in the month. They had a "queen" and "king" on their float, and Uncle Scott was pleased that they asked him to be the king.
************************************************************************************Tami, David, Jennifer, and Guenther and I helped Nancy hold a yard sale week before last.
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Meanwhile...back at the country-house...we are still working on those pesky raccoons. Guenther is using a hand mirror to reflect enough light down the chimney in an effort to see if they've gone.
This a shot of Guenther trimming limbs from the apple tree...we know that's how the raccoons are climbing back and forth to the roof.
A shot of the empty raccoon trap. Steve Bates across the street was able to trap three so far, but the mother and father are too smart.
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We enjoyed watching the Sunday afternoon session of conference in David's theater room. Matt, Lindsay and the kids came also. Kai gets cuter all the time.

Mike was working on a painting of the mountains. He's not taking a class or anything...just doing it for fun.

Summer is keeping an eye on Kai.

Tami fixed her delicious barbecued beef in the slow cooker.

My first great-grandson

Jen does a back flip for Ema in the backyard.

Lindsay helps Emalise do a back flip.
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On Monday, we took a drive into Big Cottonwood Canyon to see the fall colors.