BOO!

Well, Walt and I have a new calling in the Ward. Co-chairs of the Activity Committee. When, people congratulate us -- they also say how glad they are that THEY don't have the job. Really, tho, it's a fun one. Our first activity was the annual Fall Festival aka Halloween Party. It was a blast. A special thanks to all those that were such a big help -- and to YOU, Bob, who made it so successful with your Fishing Booth and the Ghost Ship races we had.

I tried to get into the spirit of things.....here I am with Jane Browning (bishop's wife), Kendall Grossenbach, and Angela Moon. I am conveniently dressed as a "old" biker. Which was no stretch for me cuz I am one. I drew the tattoo on my face. Have a neat-o one on my neck and a whole "sleeve" (that was thankfully -- removable).



This is the fishing-pond booth that Bob painted up and made for me. It was a free-standing little room. We had little fishing poles that went thru the slits in the front. This was the BIGGEST hit of the party. Everyone was dying that Bob actually made this. Then, the next day -- it was used again at a school party. Thanks Bob.

One of the Whipple boys (there are so many I don't know which one this is) showing how this works. There were two kids inside putting little toys on the clips of the fishing poles. Awesome!

Yep, this is Brian Browning -- my bishop. The kids thought he was the BEST dressing up with all those earrings and tattoo sleeves. Next to Bishop is Shirley Elder, our Relief Society President thinking a cool sweatshirt is good enough to wear for the party.

One of my friends, Merideth has this huge blow-up slide that we put in the middle of the gym. The kids LOVED it! We ended up having about 200 people coming to the party.

One of the Newman boys (Davis) dressed up as an overweight missionary. WAY overweight!

Everyone had a good time -- eating soup and chili -- going thru a spook alley on the stage; winning toys at the fishing pond; racing boats (by blowing on a staw to make them go) on Bob's "raingutter regatta"; a little booth with the Young women putting sticker tattoos on the kids; and shooting baskets in the small "shooters" game. It was ALOT of set up and work -- but so fun to see every one having a good time. Stay tuned for the next activity -- The Christmas Party!!

For the Love of the Tractor

The McNutt Tractory Company in Paris, TN was and STILL IS an important part of the McNutt Family. The company was family owned, and Walt started working there when he was quite young (about 9 or 10 years old). So, it was no surprise when Walt came to me one day with about 8 of his old tractor-company work shirts and work baseball-type caps and said "I want you to make a quilt for Pop out of these old shirts and caps". Then, a few months later he said "Have you started Pop's quilt yet?" I thought about it and shopped around for different patterns and fabrics that would inspire me to come up with a quilt. Below you'll see what I came up with.
Pop -- here's your quilt -- and now a one-of-a-kind family heirloom because Walt only wants ONE made. It was done with ALOT of love.

The tractors came from a big truck pattern I found -- I had to change it up a little because Walt only wanted RED tractors. It's kind of hard to find gray fabric and it's suppose to be hard to use it correctly in a quilt. I'm pretty proud of this and how it turned out.

The center squares are cut out of the back of Walt's old work shirt with a pocket on each side. I love that his name "Walter" is embroidered over the pocket. Above the square, I trimmed them with the front part of his shirt that has the buttons and buttonholes on it.

The top of the quilt has the caps and patches that he gave me. I cut them up and made quilt squares out of each. Then, topped it off with another pocket and red tractor. The quilt measures 66" x 63". Hey Bob -- Dad wants you to have this quilt when it gets passed on.

Skype is no hype!

This is an actual picture of Walt and I talking to Melissa and Hannah over the computer. Having this "skype" program to see them -- has been the best thing ever! When we talked with Meliss and Hannah -- we got to see how good Hannah was at walking with her stroller. Hannah was pushing this cute little toy stroller around with Elmo in the seat. She kept looking back at us on the computer making sure we were watching her! See how clear they come in? Thanks, Melissa, you are a good daughter and a wonderful mother. We miss you all!

Tut Tut McNutt

Walt had a two week trip to teach a class in CA -- so I went out to meet him on the weekend. We spent some time with Dad -- and taking him around San Francisco. First we went to see the AWESOME King Tut exhibit at the DeYoung Museum. It was amazing. A whole little world that had been buried for 3200 years. Walt, Dad, and I went on a audio self-guided tour. Walt was a gem and wheeled Dad around the whole day -- so his bad leg wouldn't give out. Dad said he was level with everyone's "butts" the whole day. But, all went well -- and he loved the exhibit too. Sorry, no pictures could be taken inside the museum -- so you have to trust me that it was well worth going to.

Dad and me in front of his house as we are leaving to go.

I never tire of seeing the Golden Gate Bridge or the view as we drive into the city. Gorgeous! And that bay breeze and ocean smell -- Wonderful!

Walt earned his "best son-in-law" award by wheeling Dad all over the place for the day. Is it me -- or does Walt look like he's ready to LET GO of the wheel chair..... ;)

The DeYoung Museum. Just the building, itself, is spectacular.

Walt refused to wheel us BOTH around!

After the King Tut exhibit -- we walked across the street to the Steinhart Aquarium! I had gone there before with Linda -- but it was even funner the second time -- cuz I knew what to look for. Here is Dad getting an idea of what an electric eel feels like if you were to touch it.

Ending back at Dad's house after our big day in the city.

Dad is pretty proud of this vine archway that he has in his backyard. It was a fun trip, Dad! Oil up the wheel chair.....cuz next time we'll do the Japanese Tea Garden!

Still Crazy After All These Years

Well, I made it to my 52nd Birthday. I tend to celebrate my birthdays longer than most. When I turned 50, I celebrated for about 6 months (or maybe a little longer). This year, I just used the "it's my birthday" excuse for a couple of weeks! Bob and Linda came over on the Saturday before and cooked me a WONDERFUL, FABULOUS turkey dinner. While they were here, Melissa called us up on the "Skype" over the computer. So we got to talk with her and Hannah!
It was a great day and we had a blast -- we ate a ton--and then ate some more. Here is Bob doing his important job of basting the turkey.

Look how little Linda is up next to Bob!

Here is Linda making the BEST gravy I've ever tasted! I think this is the same gravy being served in the Celetial Kingdom! Thanks Linda!!!

Here we are with the this great dessert Linda made! It's a huge "german" pancake pastry thing with vanilla ice cream on it. Oh man! The kids and Walt sang Happy Birthday to me and we devoured the dessert. Walt tells me that we both look like "goobers" in this picture and wants it off. But, it's the only birthday picture we have of us! So, just know that we are alot more gorgeous than this shows us! AND---we are ALOT thinner... ;)

Hey Melissa -- Thought you'd want to see a picture of Bob and Linda's new car. It's really in good shape. Linda calls her "Ranger Ronnie".

Just PEACHY

Well, it's canning season. My friend, Laura, (who I work with) is a huge food storage/canning woman. She invited me to come to her house and can some peaches with her. I bought a bushel from one of the peach orchard guys in town and spent a morning bottling up about 85 pints. We had a great system going. Melissa-----I thought of you the WHOLE time cuz I know how much you LOVE these peaches. Don't worry, I'm saving some for you when you come at Christmas time!!! I can't do canning on my flat-top stove top cuz it doesn't get hot enough. Guess I need to buy one of these fancy-pants outdoor cookers!

We used 2 steamers & did it outside on a cool propane burner so the kitchen wouldn't get so hot.

My job was to take the skins off and cut the peaches in fours. I "taste-tested" ALOT of peaches.

You have to let them set for 24 hours before you move them to the food storage.

A "Round" with Bob

I was down hanging out with Bob and Linda & took this picture of them. They are such an adorable couple. It's fun to be around them and see how they treat each other. One thing I notice - is - they can't keep their hands off each other. ;)-

Last month we decided to spend a day out in in the Iosepa desert (west of Salt Lake City) to do some shooting. Walt and I, Bob and Linda, Jared and Brooke -- We packed a lunch, plenty of water and more ammo and guns than you can imagine. Oh my goodness -- with all the weapons we had out there in that secluded desert area -- we all felt more than safe! Following is just SOME of the stuff we shot. I'm not an expert at all the guns -- there was a 22, 44, AR rifle, dragonov sniper rifle (Melissa, you'll have to call Bob to get the rest of them). We put some clay pigeons WAY OUT on the side of the mountain and did some target shooting on a poster of a terrorist. The day was a blast spending time with them all. Please note: No animals were harmed in all of this. Just a bunch of toys and targets! -- and that "terrorist target" got blown to bits.

Bob's and his 44 pistol

I call Walt "Studly do-right"

Bob lining up the rifle and looking gorgeous! Linda may be small - but she's a "pistol"!

O.k., so I'm not an expert at this. Load the gun for me, show me where to shoot, and I'll do it. I had the most fun -- being with the kids and eating a huge deli sandwich!

Brooke and Linda -- Girls just want to have fun!

Check out this video of Bob shooting the automatic rifle. AWESOME.