Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Whats Norm Been Up To?

Norm: When you live on a mountain and on the top of a cliff, usable yard is in short supply. Hence the importance of decking. Thanks to modern synthetic materials, refurbishing a 40 year old deck is easy and rewarding. All 1500 square feet of it.

A Canadian made product of recycled tires was an obvious choice for this back yard. We converted an old sunken hot tub into a pleasant water feature.
However, fall is here in Wyoming and winter is but days away. It is time to think about moving down to the desert. Scenes from our desert home will be posted soon.Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Indian Summer

Norm: Taking advantage of the dying days of fall, we head for a family day at Lava Hot Springs, a short drive away in Idaho.

It was the middle of the week and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. The Rollingson kids could not get enough of the water.

As for me...the water was just a little on the hot side, but a little solar vitamin D will do just fine.

Later in the week its birthday celebration time. The number on the candle is hard to read.....tooo bad.
Posted by Picasa

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Wyoming State Champion 2011

Norm: For the second year in a row, our granddaughter Hailey Ricks is 2011 Wyoming State Champion in women's high school cross country  With the fastest time of the day and the only time under the 20 minute mark in all divisions. Event was held on a sunny fall day in Douglas Wyoming. A great way to finish the running season, and she is yet a Junior. We will be watching with eager anticipation  to 2012 for her senior year.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Plein Air in the Parks

 Heather: Last week was full of family fun and adventure. My brother, Charles, and his wife, Kristin, came from California for a visit. we had not seen each other for over three years so it was wonderful to have them here. We took Charlie to Jenny Lake in the Teton Natl Park so he could do some plein air painting. The day was perfect and the mountains were glorious as usual.
Charlie found a spot that offered a striking view of mountains, the river, and trees with bright leaves glowing in the sun. It did not take him long to capture the beauty of the place! Norm rested in the sun while I trekked down river to take more pictures -- It was a great day! On Sunday we met most of our family at Church to hear Trevor's home coming talk. He did great and we loved hearing his stories and feeling his great love for the Gospel and his Savior. Corena and Kevin had a wonderful meal for everyone after the meetings. I think there must have been 45 people at their house!
Norm: As a professional artist, Charlie goes by the name of Charles H. White. For samples of his works, google Charles H. White Artist

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Star Valley Cross Country Meet

Norm: No amount of photo manipulation can warm up these photos, but spirits were high and the competition hot. It was Star Valleys turn to host the area meet to five of the area schools. Add a little snow to the mix just to stir in a little Star Valley ambiance. Hey ...look at that blond haired girl go....the race has just begun.

Big brother Trevor who started this whole family competition thing watches on. One time State Champion warms up for  a little personal run of his own but soon realizes he has some work to get in shape again after serving for two years as a missionary in the Amazon Jungle. The phone however has started to ring from the Universities with scholarship offers for him to join their athletic program.

And here comes Hailey Ricks to the finish line still in the lead and all alone. Not too far behind came the Nethercot twins who crossing the the finish line in true sister competitiveness, giving Star Valley the one two three.

Hailey receives award in her shorts from the guy in the parka and probable long underwear. Star Valley Team place first in the women's and the men's event. Next come regionals then on to State.  Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

HE"S HOME!!!!!

Norm: Our grandson Elder Trevor Ricks has returned home with honor from. his two mission in the Peru North Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a treat to see so many family and friends at the airport to welcome him home. His mother Corena and dad Kevin were hardly excited.

Cousins Taylor, Brad and long time friend Sam Adams shared the excitement. Three other returning missionaries, all from Peru were on the same flight. There was pandemonium in the airport.

Grandma Ricks was overcome with emotion. Sister Cassie, you can tell was somewhat excited as well.

Our friends in Hungary will enjoy this story. We all made welcome home posters. Just for fun Heather and I wrote our welcome home sign in Hungarian. A young man who was at the airport to welcome one of the other missionaries saw the sign and recognized the the Hungarian and asked Trevor if he was returning from Hungary. He explained no, but his grandparents served in Hungary. So we shared our mission experiences with him. He was Elder Forest and served in the Hungary Budapest Mission 1995-1997. He served as a greeny in Pecs were we served our entire mission. He remembered with fondness, the Szabadkia and the Kozska families.

Brother Bradon and sister Hailey get their turn with the hugs. Welcome Home Trevor. We love you. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Catching the Thermals

Norm: From our sundeck we can watch parasailers launch from our cliff to the north. This particular group of three had a fantastic day. The uphill breezes billows their parachute and propels them upward at an alarming rate.

They launch from about 7,500 feet above sea level and on this particular day they soon caught some super thermals that soon put them at about 12,000 foot elevation. They stayed aloft for a good 5 hours and finally landed in Afton, many miles to the south and didn't return to get their car till well after dark. I talked to them after. They were still on a high and said is was a ride of their life. I believe it.Posted by Picasa