We thought you might like some up date from the senior citizens of the west. Mom was last to post so it is my turn.
May 18 th I went to Idaho and hunted bear all of you have seen the pic of the hunt. I have told all of you about the hunt and its excitement. I would just add that hunting bear is a real heart starter when you are that close to an animal that is capable of ending it all on the spot it really gave me some time to think about some things that I tend to take for granted. Most of that is you all and your mother.
So in July mom and I went to Virginia to see Abe and Meredith and Ethen. Michelle came down from New Jersey mid week. We hiked and walked in parks and zoos . We went to the Campus at VT and had frozen custard. We Bar-B Qed and visited. You have seen the pic from Abe & Mers sight. I don't know if I know how to up load the photos I have.
July 24 true to some unknown law that is written that we must do some thing with Dad Andrus. Now some who go back some time will remember that it was usually something to do with horses and parade's. But alas as of late it has been backyard eating you know like out of a pizza box or something like that. Well awhile back Father Andrus talked Mom and Your Aunt Marry Ann into planning this hike down the 5th water trail. My thoughts on this we will leave in undisclosed chest of memory. The hike was on and I was going. One of those thing I do. Its just done. I have been down this trail many times. I don't think its scenic beauty is much to look at except in the Fall season. It can best be enjoyed by hiking about a mile up from the bottom with a good fishing pole in hand and ample supply of lures. So from the top down is about 5 miles. I with Ty and Megan were to the bottom in about and hour and thirty minutes. (flat.)
On the back side though Laura Lee stuck with your Grand Dad Andrus. God bless her. She was with out any doubt his saving angle that day. Seem Dad Andrus mind tells him he can but his body has aged and is not capable of quite enduring the riggers of 5 miles of rocks and stepper angles. So Laura did what she knew she must and helped down the trail and after a number of stops and rest Dad Andrus with Laura's help limped into our Picnic area. Thanks Laura.
That brings us to date. In a way.

Madison's Baptism

I didn't mean to do this but this is the first time that I have blogged and I didn't know that you were supposed to put the pictures in from last to first and I don't know how to change it so you will have to read about Mesa Verde first instead of Madison first.  We took Laura with us to Maddy's Baptism and while we had a little time did some touring in Mesa Verde.  I was learning to use the camera and the first couple of pictures I didn't get so you can't see the ruins that are behind and below us very well, but they are there if you look closely, they are actually quite extensive.  Laura has better pictures and when when she gets some time she may blog them. The lower picture is of a ruin that is not built into a cliff, it is just on top of the ground and you can just get out of your car and walk around them, they have a map that shows where the ruins are, you get it when you enter the Park.  The upper picture ruins are reached by hiking a little down into them,  you have to pay $3.00 and be with a ranger to go into them.  The rest of the story is after Maddy's Baptism picture. 

This is Madison just after she was Baptized and Confirmed by her Dad.  She was baptized on April 12th.  She was very excited, a few weeks before her mother had asked her if she was getting excited and she said no, she was scared, she was worried about so many people being there, but her mother explained that she would know every one and that they would all be there to support her and after that she was OK.  She looked absolutely beautiful.  Dad gave a very nice talk on baptism and I gave a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  Laura went with us and ended up leading the singing, even though she hadn't been previously asked.  Her Grandpa Nelson also gave a little talk as did the Bishop then the Primary gave her a quillow (which is a quilt that folds up into itself to make a pillow) it was very clever.  Chad and Tara are in their house and finally getting it finished.  It is very nice and will be very comfortable when it is done.  Laura had never been there before so we took her on a tour of the area and went to Mesa Verde, she liked it a lot and thinks that their family may go camping there this summer.  This is when I tried to put the Mesa Verde pictures in and it didn't work they way I wanted it to, but ... I did get them entered and I did it all by myself, so. 

I have always loved this picture 

I has the air of heaven on earth.