After passing so many amazing sites, (see earlier posts), the Mormon pioneers came to this! Scouting up and down the Colorado River gorge showed no easier way, so they chiseled and blasted this crevice wide enough, and with ropes, pulleys and manpower as their main equipment, lowered 80 wagons and 1000 head of cattle down the 1200 foot drop, then built ferries to take them across the 300 foot wide Colorado River. WOW!

Along the walls, some of those pioneers left their mark, including the date. Today this would be considered graffiti, but not those names! Some were big and bold and seemed to say, "we were here, and we are committed and up to any challenge required of us in the name of our faith and our God." It is a humbling experience to stand on this spot and see what men (and women), can accomplish with faith and tenacity. Can we say the same??

OWEN IS 4!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OWEN!!

Phriday Phun

A Farmer's Work Is NEVER Done!

Chimney Rock

The pioneers past many awe inspiring sites on the way to Hole in the Rock. This spire stands alone & is surrounded by miles of flat prairie land. I tried to imagine a covered wagon or a hand cart sitting here instead of our little RZR & I chuckle when I wonder what those pioneers would think if they could see us zipping along and covering in a few hours what took them many, many months. And, at this point they still had no idea what they had waiting ahead of them!!! (See past post)

Dance Hall Rock

A group of Mormon pioneers were sent by Brigham Young to southern Utah to colonize an area that became known as Bluff. They started from a point now known as Escalante and shortly into their journey camped near this huge, flat rock. Being in great spirits, and not realizing the challenge that lay ahead, they called this place 'Dance Hall Rock' where they enjoyed nightly dances and fiddle music under the protection of this natural alcove.

Morning at Devil's Garden

The three of us (Jeff, myself, and the RZR), took a quickie belated anniversary jaunt down to a few of our favorite places in southern Utah. This was taken on the road to Hole in the Rock. (More about that later.) Today it's clean up, laundry and canning.......no picture taking!

A New Day

I've mentioned before how I love having no drapes or blinds on our VERY large bedroom window. (Don't worry, we have no backyard neighbors, and our bedroom is second floor high!) This morning the room brightens with a hint of a new day. The light wakes me up, I roll over and see a beautiful sky and catch a glimpse of a beautiful morning sunrise. I sit up to get a better view, and this is the scene that greets me. I hurry out of bed, grab my camera and step out onto the deck, (door to deck conveniently located in our bedroom), to savor the moment and take a picture or two.

It's going to be a GREAT day!

I've Been Shunned!

Well, here is my sunflower collection for the year, although I have to say I'm a bit irritated with the results of my gardening efforts. To be honest, this is the first year I've ever planted sunflowers and stupid me, I ASSUMED that the reason they were called sunflowers was because they followed the sun. So I planted them on the east side of our house facing our back deck. I ASSUMED that by mid afternoon they would all be facing west giving us a glorious splash of color in our backyard that we could enjoy from the deck. I've spent all spring/summer watering and weeding and keeping the bugs away, and I end up with a sunflower garden which permanently faces the vacant field behind our yard. Every time I look at them I feel shunned, ignored.....and after all I've done for them!!! And that's why a lot of my photos are from behind. I had to go out in the field for the rest. Hmmm...... maybe Jeff was right when he said I probably planted the seeds backwards. Oh well, hope you enjoy them.

Touched By An Angel!

Happy Birthday Gabe! We just heard the exciting news that you will be a big brother in a few months! How blessed and honored we are to be your eternal family.

A BEAUTIFUL Bride!

Wow! Where have the past 6 weeks gone! I know where...getting ready for Dalin & Emily's wedding. We all worked like crazy to make it happen that quickly and our efforts paid off big time. The day was perfect from the breakfast at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, then the beautiful wedding ceremony at the Salt Lake Temple, and finally the garden reception in our backyard. Here are a few of my favorite bridal photos that I took. For those of you who did not get my email and would like to see more, here's the link: http://karenlarsen.smugmug.com/Families-Are-Forever/Dalin-and-Emily/Emily-Bridal/9432351_oABFZ/1/632465324_LnmZr

Phriday Phun

Ragtop Cadillac

Summer at the Larsen house means car shows. (Actually, Spring, Summer and Fall!) Over the years I've taken numerous photos of cars at the shows. Gives me something to do to ward off boredom. That and taking photos of the weird people. Anyway, today I was in a country music mood and was listening to the group Lonestar singing their song "Ragtop Cadillac". Reminded me of this photo I took a few years ago. (Who remembers 'fins' like that????) Part of the song lyrics are:

I got a black book full of numbers
All the makings of a real hot summer
Radio, cranked up to rockin'
A weeks pay burning a hole in my pocket,

I've got everything I need, almost
Everything I need, I'm this close
Everything I need, but wouldn't you know
The only thing I lack,
Is you and a ragtop Cadillac.

Not exactly brilliant, but the tune is catchy.

The Hit of the Reunion

Justin and Grandpa Albrechtsen's tractor were the hit of the Albrechtsen reunion last Saturday. Justin has put so much time, talent and money into restoring this tractor to even better condition than when Grandpa bought it! We had a fun reunion and I'll have all my photos posted at karenlarsen.smugmug.com soon.

THE........

Romance

Look

Kiss

Pose

Friendship

Drama

The RING

Even though Dalin & Emily have hired a professional photographer for their wedding photos, they asked if I'd take some engagement pictures. Here is my version of the obligatory 'show off the ring' photo. (This is how Dalin likes to have his picture taken!)

Returned With Honor!

It was a year ago today that our Angel Baby Gavin peacefully slipped through the veil to return to his Heavenly home. He left this wicked world as pure and innocent as the day he was born, and never had to know the sorrow and hardship and pain we mortals must endure. Even though we miss him terribly, we feel so blessed and honored to be his forever family!

Phriday Phun

THIRSTY???

The other day we were unloading our coolers from a day trip on the RZRs and I noticed these Gatoraid bottles sitting on our kitchen table. The bright light coming in from the window cast a great reflection on the table and made the colors really vibrant. The labels had fallen off because they had been soaking in the cooler, so I lined the bottles up and took a picture.

Family Circle

Families Are Forever

Isn't it wonderful to know that we will be with those we love for eternity. Even when there is a brief separation, to know we will be reunited once again is the greatest blessing imaginable!

(For those of you who may not know, the little bunny was Gavin's favorite stuffed animal.)

Tech Talk Tuesday

TELL A STORY

This is an okay photo of a rodeo clown, but it's really kind of boring. He is framed by a lot of boring brown dirt and dead space above his head. The viewer does not know if he is waving, getting ready to catch a ball, or doing something else. Look below for a much more interesting picture.


Now we have a story! We know exactly what has been happening here. This guy has been entertaining the crowd with his funny little car that is obviously not in driving condition any more. Looks like he'll be hitching a ride home! We took the Kimball boys to a rodeo recently, and this was their favorite part. This clown really earned his pay and kept the boys laughing with his funny antics.

Looking Up

Going out for the last boat run of the day, we had just left shore and I turned around and saw these beautiful clouds. I must say that this spring and summer I have been looking up a lot. We have had such amazing skies. I suggest for all you busy people rushing to get to that next appointment, look up and maybe you'll see something beautiful to add a moment of joy in a hectic day.

Phriday Phun

Grandpa's Retirement Phun

This is what Jeff was dreaming about when we drove to Missouri last January, in a snowstorm, to pick up his retirement gift to himself (the boat). I think he is having more fun than the grandkids!