Springtime in the Rockies!

We were so devastated to have to leave Texas and our wonderful young and senior missionaries behind, but getting to be close to our family has been a blessing. We are still able to serve using the internet for eMed (the missionary medical record keeping computer program),  Zoom conference calls and telephone calls, etc. We aren't sure if we will be asked to go back to Texas not, so for now we are soaking up the quiet and scenery, here in beautiful Pine Valley, Utah.

John was reunited with his Harley on another "Bike Saturday" a couple of weeks ago, and he was able to take Ian's boys out for a ride. This photo is with six year old Lincoln.

We've had a guest for the last couple of weeks, our daughter's dog Heidi. They are reseeding their back yard, so she is hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa. Luckily she's a good little dog and it's been easy to keep her happy.

We love our daily walks through the nearby forest. As the temperatures warm up the water has been rising. There is something so soothing about the sound of water, the smell of pine trees and the sound of the birds in the trees.

Heidi motivates us to get out for walks twice a day.

I can't get over the scenery, and the weather has been perfect. The road to the campgrounds is closed  - they said it will open for day use on Friday - but that has not stopped people from coming to enjoy this beautiful time of year in Pine Valley! Last weekend there were so many cars crowded into the little parking area where the gate across the road was locked. It is nice to see families out together.

This is a little bit of Heaven on earth!

We miss the sea birds that we used to see on our walks in Kingwood, but have found some pretty local birds.

A neighbor here in Pine Valley has a pretty garden and a bird house that has attracted these blue birds.

This pair of mourning doves lives in one of our trees.

This raven likes to survey his kingdom from our pine tree.

The hummingbirds have returned and we love to sit out on the deck and watch them.

Last week we got to drive to Cedar City and have a quick lunch in the parking lot of Cafe Rio with my sister Anne and her husband Veryl. They were driving from Provo back to Mesa Arizona. It was so great to see them!

On the way home we drove by the beautiful Cedar City Temple. We can't wait until it is open again!

We were delighted to have two of our grandsons stay with us for the weekend.

William and Asher had so much fun together  -  they rode their scooters on our daily walks. They loved skipping stones and looking for good skipping stones!

Water plus boys equals happiness!

Grandpa got some fishing licenses and dug out the old fishing poles from the garage. The boys had fun trying to catch a fish, although grandma was secretly hoping they wouldn't!

On Sunday, our daughter Shauna and her husband Darryl brought the rest of their kids up here for sacrament meeting, dinner and a fun leisurely hike/walk. 

We sure love these kids!

Five year old Lilly was showing us her balance beam skills and dad joined in as coach and cheerleader.

She is a sweet youngest child loved by all!

On a recent shopping trip into town,  John is wearing his favorite mask, while trying not to look like a complete desperado! We feel so blessed to still be serving our mission and to be living in such a beautiful place here in the Pine Valley mountains of Southern Utah while we do it!