A Utah Fall

I hope you like the new web design; I thought it was fitting for this time of year. I love fall; it’s one of my favorite times of year! It would probably be my favorite season, but it never lasts long enough and I know what’s coming as soon as fall is over—winter. And winter is NOT my favorite season, so that kind of puts a damper on my feelings for fall. (smile)

One of the reasons I love fall is the changing of the colors, and Utah is known for its fabulous fall colors. Almost every year we head up the canyon (only a 10-minute drive from our house) to enjoy all the colorful leaves, and this year was no different. Sterling and I actually went up the canyon on Sunday, and it was so breathtaking, we knew we had to invite the kids to go with us. So yesterday we took everyone in the family who is close enough to come, and we had a family Dutch Oven dinner, surrounded by Mother Nature’s own creative decorating.

It was a wonderful evening, and the colors were incredible. It was a little colder than we thought it would be—it probably dropped 15 or 20 degrees in the short drive from the house to the secluded little campground we selected. While Sterling cooked up his normal delicious Dutch Oven treat, the boys hiked the trails, I snuggled with Phoebe, Grandpa tried to keep warm, and we made a fun family memory.

A few highlights (although every minute was great!)—three-year-old Ashton dragged the kids’ chairs over to the picnic table bench, saying that could be “their table” (I thought that was adorable); Sterling, Jon, Jason, and Shalae tried to break up a large log into firewood by parking the truck on it and jumping up and down on the bumper, while Ashton looked on, as if wondering how many Gardners it takes to cut firewood with a truck (I thought that was hilarious); and the chance to take several family photos that will help us remember Fall 2008. 

Comments

[Lisa, New Zealand]

LOVE the new layout, I wanted to comment when I first saw it, but it wouldn't be fitting to post it under your family's photos of their dedication :-)
You are much better at altering your blogs design than I am! Do you do it yourself, or does a tach'y kinda person help you?

On another note, do you think in "Stampin' Up! Colour" as I do? Looking at your fall photos, and in my experience lately; going window shopping at the mall, I am constantly thinking things like "ooh, I love that Old Olive coloured top" etc. etc. How clever for those trees to turn shades of Stampin' Up!
God Bless and Happy Stampin'!, Lisa Green.

[Terry Molineux - Lindenhurst, NY]

Omgosh Shelli I love your family pictures and it warms my heart how close you guys are. Thanks for sharing your life with us!

Your knew web design is gorgeous. Love the colors!

BTW I do not know if you can answer this but maybe you will have someone who can tell you and then possibly let us know.

How do we sign up for your blog to come directly into our emails as you post? I have
been quite busy and sometimes forget....I just
love reading your blog...thought I signed up for it under RSS (which I really do not know what it means) but realize now that it isn't doing what I thought it would.

Again thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures with us. BTW how is Dad doing???

[Rosy Eckhardt]

Beautiful pictures, of family and scenes, looks like you had a fun and sweet day! Rosy Eckhardt

[Lydia Fiedler]

Ooh - the new blog design is PRETTY.

So jealous of the fall colors - I miss having seasons - down here we just get hot and slightly less hot. :)

[Sharon Bridwell]

Oh Shelli, a girl after my own heart! My husband and I spent last weekend in Utah and Monday morning before heading to the airport we drove up to Big Cottonwood Canyon just to see the fall color because I've never seen it before (we just don't get it here in Texas). We took a lot of photos because we were both just in awe. If you get a minute check out my blog to see my photos www.roamingstamper.com
After seeing the color this year, I know next year I'll be heading either back to Utah or somewhere else where I can see these colors again! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful photos and your memories with us!
Sharon

[Louise]

Lovely layout, but the story is so much more exciting. Love that you do that and that you have so much family close enough to do it with you. And the bumper story? Well... when Ashton and cousins are doing things like that in a few years, at least there will be no wonder where they got the idea!

Early and chilly fall there! And beautiful photos.

[Leonie Schroder]

Shelli I just love the 'autumn' colours and the leaves up top. God sure knows how to paint an awesome picture hey?? What great memories you've created!

[Staci Miserlian]

You know, sounds like you feel almost like I do about fall. I like the sunny, color-filled days, but I dislike the dreary, rain-wet days because they make me so meloncholy! They are a prelude to the cold, winter days that I don't enjoy, either! All the more reason to stay inside & stamp, however!!
Love the family times!

[Maureen Stivala]

Thanks for making me smile this morning!! The pics are the best - the truck pic is GREAT! LOL Looks like everyone had a fab time, too. I just love fall - but I am a fall baby and we have 7 birthdays we celebrate in October alone (mine is one!!)...so I love fall colors!

AND - love the new blog background....poy-fect!!!

as always...tfs...
((()))reen

ps there are a bunch of tools (most free too!) for those who feel a lil 'timidated by the RSS and would prefer an update by email when you post...ask your tech dept if you are interested...

[Evelyn]

Great photos! The truck pic is a keeper - very funny. Thanks for sharing.

[Lisa Hoekstra]

Shelli, you have a beautiful family. How special that they live nearby and you are able to do memorable things with them. :)

[Caroline Counsell]

wonderful memories and beautiful pictures. thank you for sharing

Caz

[Lauri Seago]

Dear Shelli,

I just had to write to thank you for the Texas Sheet Cake Recipe. I have had a couple of hard days this week with some weird pains that put me in the ER on Wed. I was finally feeling better last night and decided to make your cake! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe-it was FABULOUS!!! Thanks for cheering me up when you didn't even realize that you did! Blessings beyond measure!

[beth b]

Great Pics! Thanks for sharing. What is a Dutch Oven Dinner? Just curious.

[Sharon C.]

I miss the canyons in the fall in Utah. It has been 5 years since we have lived there and I can't wait to move back next year when hubby has completed his Army service. One of the things I look forward to the most (other then being with family and friends again, of course) is Utah in the fall.
Thank you so much for sharing your memories with us. I even showed my hubby and he just stood there looking at the gorgeous fall colors. I think he misses it too. *wink*
Love the new layout on the blog. Very pretty!

[Patty Bennett]

Gorgeous new blog design! And thanks for sharing your family outting.. I've never quite heard of cutting firewood that way.. thanks for the GIGGLE!! Fall hasn't struck here yet.. still waiting for the leaves to turn from green to any fall color... waiting.. waiting.. :) Patty

[Buffy Allen]

Thanks for sharing (as always) I have one question though. What kind of camera do you have? It seems that all of your pictures are perfect. Or is it just the photographer? I'm not lucky enough to have a professional in my family. All of your pictures are so beautiful. They are so crisp and clear. Love them! I'm looking forward to a great weekend of enjoying the fall weather and colors driving (looking at all the beautiful colors)to see my daughter at college where she is a cheerleader (enjoying the fall crisp air watching the football game)I'm sure my pictures will not come as clear. Anyway... Thanks so much Shelli for sharing.

[Kay Kalthoff]

Wonderful post, Shelli! Beautiful and gorgeous fall photos. That wood splitting picture cracks me up! Thanks for sharing! lol!

[Myrna M. Hoyt]

Shelli- it has been fun to catch up on you and your family with your blog. Seeing the picture of Uke touched a special place in my heart. He was one of my favorites while growing up. Hope your dad is doing better. We had a fun visit with Kurt about a year ago at our son's wedding reception in Boulder City. It was great to see the family pictures from the temple a few days ago. I also had a granddaughter born in August. Fun times! Glad all is going well. It has been a long time- but I send my love.

[Pat Washburn]

Shelli, thank you so much for sharing the fun and lovely photos. I haven't been up the canyons yet this year, so you have helped me enjoy them through your family. I so enjoy your blog. Thank you for sharing yourself with all of us.

[SHH]

LOVE the post & the new blog look! Thanks. I live in the beautiful Cache Valley & fall is just gorgeous each year. I have always loved fall, but living here I know what is coming next. 1 of the things I love about Cache Valley is the 4 beautiful & different seasons. Just wish winter wasn't soooo cold & so long.
As I read you post I had the thought, "I'll bet someone will want to know what a dutch oven dinner is." Like Texas Sheet Cake, dutch oven dinners are a Utah treasure.
Love the pictures! Please share who "grandpa" is. Is that your grandfather, Sterling's grandfather, father, who?

[Sarah Kirk]

Shelli,
What beatiful pictures of fall in Utah! We just had a sermon given at our church by a man who takes pictures for a living of the beauty God has for us all over the world. He uses it to bring the point home that when we all see something beautiful we are ALL in awe! That is one thing that brings us all together. Now who couldn't believe in God when they see something like that! Also, your family is so special and it is so exciting that you can spend so much wonderful time with them! And yes, I'm going to ask too...What is a Dutch Oven Dinner???

Sarah
Redmond, WA

[Melissa West]

I just have to say this. And i mean no offence to anyone. But YOU MIGHT BE A REDNECK IF YOU TRY TO CUT FIREWOOD BY PARKING A TRUCK ON IT AND JUMPING ON THE BUMPER. lol My husband found this hilarious as cutting firewood is his second job. But he does cut it with a chain saw. SO FUNNY!!

[Brenda Holder]

My daughter is getting married this weekend and we so hoped for the beautiful colors of fall but it's just beginning in Chattanooga. I'm so jealous. But I can relax and enjoy when the mountains do look like God's quilt. Beautiful pictures and beautiful family.

[Sara Douglass]

Oh, my gosh!!! I am cracking up looking at the photo of the guys and Shalae trying to 'break firewood'. I agree with Melissa (above). You might be a redneck...HAHA!!! People would be laughing at us all the time if they knew how silly we could really be:) I love your Fall photos and am craving Dad's yummy dutch oven cooking. I might have to break out my own dutch oven and cook some taters myself (wink)! Luvs...