there is beauty all around

The first stop ~ drink, snacks and potty break.

This had to be my favorite Marysvale to Koosharem ride ~ as far as the fall color goes. We always try to time it so we catch some of the beauty that Monroe mountain has to offer in the fall. Usually we end up waiting so long we have been snowed on, rained on and just flat out froze our butts off. The weather was absolutely amazing...and the mountain colors did not disappoint. It was probably the smallest group we have ever had go ~ me and Rex, Jessika, and my parents. It was a great time.

where oh where has the summer gone?

Summer is winding down for me. I go back to work in a few short days and even though the temp does not reflect it, when school is back in session...summer is about over.

The time seems to have flown by but we managed to squeeze in a few fun things.

**Rex, his Dad, Jessika and I went fishing at Panguitch Lake. It was a beautiful day. Jessika out-fished us all!

Rex caught the first fish of the day. Nice one.

Grandpa Ted was having some trouble with his fishing line, so he played captn and helped me and Jess with our poles when needed. Mostly me, I am NOT a fisher woman.

Just the girls.

One of the SIX Jessika caught.

Since my line seemed to be invisible to the fishy, I kept myself occupied other ways.

**Rex, Jessika, my Dad - John, and my nephew Quinn and I took a four wheeler ride on Cedar Mountain. We parked at Red Desert and rode to Tommy Creek, Lost Lake, and the Sydney Valley look-off. That was a long ride and most of the road/trail was very rocky. I was sore the next day from trying to navigate over the rough trails.

Rex and Jessika

Me

This part of the trail was one of the steepest and rockiest. I usually try and conquer my fears and at least attempt it but I had to get off and let Rex ride my bike up it. Here he is helping my Dad navigate through the rocks. After we all successfully came up it, we parked and were looking over maps and checking out a little stream that ran next to it and here came a full size pick-up truck up that thing. It does not look that steep and rocky in this pic, but we were all amazed a truck would even be attempting to come up that. They made it and went on their way. Crazy!

Me and my cute nephew, Quinn. He does not like his picture taken so I had to hold his hands so he would not run away. Such a cute kid.

We took this group shot at the Sydney Valley look-off.

Dad, Me, Quinn, Jessika and Rex.

**Jessika and I gave Rex a new clay pigeon thrower for his birthday so Rex, Me, my Parents- John and Claudine, my brother - Shon and Tyler Buckley went out West of Cedar to shoot. I sucked, as usual but it was Tyler's second time shooting and he was killing them. Dad, Shon and Rex did great as always and Mom was happy to sit and watch and take pictures.

Dad and Rex....

Rex is sitting on the thrower, Tyler is behind him, Shon and Dad...getting ready to shoot and Mom, supervising.

My brother Shon, helping me aim for the target.

Rex, don't mess with him!

**And last but not least....Shon and Trisha added a new little sister to their cute little family. My niece Delaini was born on Aug. 12.

Proud Papa...Shon with little miss Delaini

Aunt Paula and Delaini

Good 'ol Summertime

Just thought I would share a few pictures of the happenings so far this summer.

Kenyon, Kara and Mataya came to Vegas for vacation. We crashed their party and went swimming with them a couple of days. Kim and Jessika also came down that week. It was fun to have Kim come stay for a few days.

Went to visit Grandpa Darce at the Beehive house. One of the nurses brought her bird that day. Quinn and Grady loved it. My dad.....not too sure.

My mom with her dad.... Grandpa Darce. He fell and injured himself really bad. Has not been able to get out of bed for several weeks. He is a strong willed man. He does not say much when we visit, but I know he enjoys having company.

Mom and Dad Kelsey watching the 4th of July parade in New Harmony. I love these two people to pieces.

Mataya waving @ the firetruck in the New Harmony parade. She caught a ride on the horse with Uncle Brent as they went by, she got to be in the last half of the parade with him.

Rex, throwing a game of horseshoes at the New Harmony 4th of July celebration.

The "peanut gallery" watching the horseshoe tournament.

Rex, Jessika, Mom, Dad, and I took a 4 wheeler ride in the afternoon after the Harmony celebration. We rode up Harmony canyon to Pinto Springs. It was a good little ride. First one this summer. Good times.

Rex and I watching the Parade in Cedar.

Trisha and Grady, watching the fireworks.

Cedar just recently opened a new man made lake on Leigh Hill. Me and the girls took Quinn up there to check it out one afternoon. This is Lindsey.....deep in thought.

Quinn at the lake. He wanted to get wet sooo bad, but we had not even planned on going there so we did not have a suit. He kept on rolling his shorts up more and more. Still got them a little wet.

One evening, the girls and I went to St. George to see a movie and afterwards, we ate at the OG.

I took this picture of Ted as he was showing me his garden. Isn't it beautiful? He is so very proud of it, as he should be. I love reaping the fruits of his labor.

NEWLEY

Just found these "before" pics.

This is what Newley looked like when he joined the family.

Proud PaPa

This may be the final chapter in the "Tales of the Truck" series. I wanted to post about the interior being done. (for the most part) Rex put the carpet in himself and he had Bobby Bouy do the seat. Rex put a new stereo system in and the diamond plate around the stereo itself. He also installed a/c, YES the truck had no factory air so being the handyman that he is, he installed an aftermarket system. I love the look of the instrument panel too. I'm sure he will tinker on it here and there, but for the most part his restoration is complete. Unfortunately, "Newley" did not come out to be the show truck he wanted it to be,(thanks to the paint and body guy) but he is still quite a bit better lookin than the day he became a member of the family. Plus, he has made for some stories to tell - good and bad. I am proud of Rex and his accomplishment. I wonder how long Newley will remain a member of the family?

To see more pics of the outside, click here http://rexandpaula.blogspot.com/2010/03/tales-of-truckpart.html

Great Weekend For A Ride (or two)

Last weekend Rex and I were invited to take a Harley ride to Death Valley to see the wildflowers that are out in full bloom. It did not work out that we were able to go with that group, so we took off on our own for a beautiful ride. We started by looping around the valley and having lunch across town at Firehouse Subs. That has become one of our favorite lunch spots...really good sandwiches. Then we stopped in Henderson and said hello to the Roundys. From there, we went out by the lake and looped around through Valley of Fire, then back to I-15 and on home. It was such a beautiful day for a ride. We must have had the fever, because on Sunday after church, we hopped back on the bike and rode up through Red Rock Canyon. We putted through Blue Diamond then back home. I am happy we got those two beautiful days of riding in, because the week got ugly the last couple of days....windy and cold. Looking forward to more great rides.

Rex at one of the stops we made near Lake Mead.

Beautiful flowering cactus and other flowers near the lake. Valley of FireRed Rock Canyon

Me, at a look-out in Red Rock Canyon.