Now that's a good friend...

There's a long-time friend of mine I want to share with you. I've known Martha Weyandt for about 24 years.  She is as faithful a friend as anyone could hope to have.

If I need help with something, I know that with one phone call, I will have Martha on my team.  And believe me, she's the kind of girl you want on your team.

Yesterday was my birthday. She loves when I have a birthday because for a month, I am older than her.  Her family had plans to go to a Rangers game yesterday, so she packed up "Flat Menielle" & took me with her.  These are the adventures that happened throughout the day:

Whew....what a day! 

So...as you can see...when Martha takes on a project, she gives it 110%. 

What you need to understand is that if you are her friend, she also expects YOU to give 110% effort to whatever you do.  She pushes us all to be the best version of ourselves.

I am PROUD to call Martha my friend!  Thank you for pushing me!!

Mom's 80th

Mom's 80th birthday was September 29.  Reflecting back on the sweet life she's lived, I think of some of the things she has taught me over the years.

• She taught me to trust the Lord...no matter what.
• She taught me that "all things work for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." 
• She taught me how to do a lot with a little.
• She taught me to make meals and share them with others.
• She taught me how to welcome.
• She taught me how to love.
• She taught me how to comfort.
• She taught me how to care.
• She taught me that the first will be last, and the last will be first.
• She taught me to care for my spouse (in good times AND in tough times).

These lessons were all taught, not so much with words as by example.  I haven't mastered all the lessons she taught...but it wasn't because she failed to model them.

There have been lots of folks that have called, sent cards, shared meals to help Mom celebrate.  I am thankful for each and every one of her friends that took a moment from their day to wish her a Happy Birthday.

Here are a few pictures of the celebrations:

Friends met at Spring Creek on her birthday.

Mom's friend, Leslie, FaceTimed her from Croatia where she's doing a study abroad trip.

Last weekend we did a girls' getaway.  Mom, Mary, Jodie, Cori & I went & spent Saturday & Sunday at a fun, remote little bed & breakfast not far from home.  We enjoyed some sitting around the table eating & visiting time.  It was such a relaxing time to catch up & enjoy each other! Perhaps we'll make it an annual event.

Our last day...

Friday morning we woke to beautiful sunshine!

We went for a walk in the area where we were staying.  Here is a look at our view as we walked.

Along the way, we spotted a moose in someone's driveway.

We both wished for a few days more!  The weather forecast was perfect for the week-end.  However, it was time to go home for now & hope for another visit to Wyoming!

Even the view at the airport is amazing!

P.S. fun fact about the JH airport is that it is the only airport located inside a national park.  AND the pilots have to have special certification to fly in there because it's located in the mountains & the runway is extra short.  Who knew?!

Biking in the Tetons

We postponed the bike ride that we had planned on Tuesday until today (hoping for better weather).  It didn't work out that way.  It was very overcast & drizzly.

We headed to the Teton Mountain Bike Tours headquarters.  We met our guide, Pat, there.  He drove a van & we followed him up to an area in the Grand Teton National Park called Antelope Flats.  We got on our bikes & headed out.

Apparently, the wildlife was all bedded down bcz of the rain & cool temps.  We didn't see any animals along our ride.  Despite the cloud cover over the beautiful Teton mountain range, we enjoyed beautiful colors of the fall foliage.  The aspens & maples were so colorful.

It was a scenic (though cold!) excursion.  I am glad we did the ride today, but would love to do it again someday when the sun is shining.

A trip down the Snake River

Today we had a white water rafting trip down the Snake River planned.  When we woke up, it was raining...not exactly good river weather.  Oh, well....the guides assured us we were going to get wet even if it wasn't raining.  So...we decided to go on with our plans.

When we went to Ashley's house to pick her up that morning, there was the biggest mule deer I've ever seen in the front yard.

Ashley, Tommy & I arrived at the Mad River Boating headquarters an hour ahead of time.  They told us that because of the cool temps, they were requiring wetsuits for anyone going on the  river.  Even though none of us had ever aspired to wear a wetsuit, we all donned one.

By the time we got in the raft, we knew we'd done the right thing.  It was drizzling part of the time while we floated.

During the course of our river trip, we saw a family of otters, several osprey & even a bald eagle.  Because we didn't take our camera, you'll have to take our word for it.  There are no pictures of the wildlife.  When you see this picture of our ride, you'll understand why we didn't take any cameras.

After we finished our float trip adventure, we came back to the house to shower & warm up a bit.

Ashley drove us around a little to see some of Grand Teton National Park & then we went to the Roadhouse for a nice hot dinner.

The rain didn't spoil our day....not at all!

A rainy day in the Tetons...

Today we were scheduled to do a bike ride in the Tetons.  The weather had other plans.  It was raining when we woke up & continued to do so throughout the morning.  The bike company rescheduled our ride until Thursday.

We decided to go to Teton Village & ride the tram up to the top.  When we bought our tickets, they warned us it was cloudy at the top & visibility was limited.  We opted to go anyway.  The view was beautiful until about halfway up.  It then became impossible to see.  It was cloudy & windy.  By the time we got to the top, it was very windy and cold.  We went into the lodge at the top & got  a cup of hot chocolate.  When we got ready to leave there, it was sleeting!  We could see nothing for the clouds.

After we left there, we drove through an elk refuge are on the edge of Jackson.  We only saw 2 antelope.

Next, we came back to the house & had a nap.  After that, we went for a walk along the road by our house. Here are a couple of photos I took along the way.

Ashley Frizzell came over late this afternoon.  We went to town with her & ate dinner.  On our way home, traffic was stopped & when we finally got close enough to see what was going on, this was what we saw...

All in all, a good day!

Yellowstone

We headed to Yellowstone this morning & our first stop was Old Faithful.  It was beautiful!

We also saw a bear along the drive.  Didn't get a very good picture, but it was worth the stop anyway.

Our favorite part of the day was our stop at Gibbons Falls.  It was breathtaking!
It's called the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  Pictures don't do it justice!

It was a great walk down, but the walk back up was intense.  We stopped halfway up & got someone to take our picture while we caught our breath.  The aspens were changing colors & they were amazing!

The weather was perfect until we started driving out of the park & the rain started.  Good timing!