Bear Attacks Carling Family!

On Saturday, we went to Grand Targhee to have a picnic and get our family pass for the coming ski season. Cameron and Jacob had a close encounter with a grizzly bear (notice Jacob's missing forearm).


Cameron ran...



but wasn't quite fast enough to escape.


After riding Dreamcatcher chairlift up the hill,



we hiked to a spot where we'd have a view of the Tetons while we ate lunch.





It was very windy at the top, but the view was fabulous!





Now all we need is half a dozen monster-size snowstorms, and we're set.
Bring it on!

Apples, anyone?

Okay. I know I shouldn't complain about an abundant harvest, but this is ridiculous! We spent an hour and a half after Family Night on Monday picking up apples off the ground. No kidding, we hauled off at least six or seven wheelbarrow loads to the burn pile in back.



This lovely century-old apple tree of ours is self-thinning, which is a blessing and a curse. The boys are ready to go George Washington on me! (I guess that was a cherry tree, though). I remind them how much they like dried apples, applesauce and fruit leather, but they still moan and groan about having to pick up mushy apples. We could spend an hour every day and still not keep up!




I love Utah drivers, really...

This morning I had a huge "adrenalin moment" while going to Rigby. I was on Highway 20, driving through the never-ending "Your Tax Dollars at Work" (minus any visible workers) Construction Zone, when I glanced ahead and noticed a Highway Patrol car parked in the median. I checked my speed and decided to bring it down a few clicks. I was decelerating as I passed. Imagine my horror when I looked up to see flashing red and blue lights in my rear view mirror! Inwardly cursing my lead-footed tendency, I made my way through the cones to the outside lane, mentally preparing for the inevitable trauma to my bank account. Meanwhile, Idaho's finest passed me by, eager for bigger quarry...a UTAH driver...Hallelujah! I made my way back into traffic, vowing to set my cruise control and smiling as I passed my less fortunate neighbor and the officer who waved to me in what seemed like an "Idaho Rules!" sort of way.



After five and a half long weeks, Parker got the casts off his arms! No more rubber gloves, bread bags, and duct tape ritual before every shower. No more disgustingly dirty hands (well, in a perfect world, anyway). No more unreachable itches. No more, "I can't, I have two broken arms" excuses!

Paul started on a new medicine that we hope will help relieve the pain he has been having in his leg. He had radiation treatment for the bone pain. That is much better now, but it has been replaced by a different kind of pain, possibly involving nerves. His next PET/CT scan will be October 7. The insurance company didn't blink when asked to OK the $5,000 photo session, but we are still waiting for the go-ahead on a $500 MRI so we can see what's going on with Paul's leg. We hope to get approval and have the MRI today. We'll keep you posted.

School is in full swing and everyone is settling back into the routine: homework, reading, making lunches, reasonable bedtimes, etc. Life is good!

The play's the thing...

About two weeks ago, I indulged my inner literary geek by going to the Utah Shakespeare Festival with my sister, Darla. We had a great time, in spite of being adrift in a sea of white-haired septuagenarians - no offense, Mom and Dad.
Besides seeing three awesome plays - Fiddler on the Roof, Taming of the Shrew, Othello; and one questionable play - School for Wives (what can I say, it's French), we took a backstage tour of the two theaters,





and attended the Wooden O Symposium where my English professor was presenting a lecture on the final project he had assigned our class at BYU-I. My paper was among those he brought to share with the teachers at the conference.

We also went for an early-morning hike in Cedar Breaks National Monument. Who knew summer could be so chilly at 10,500 feet? We just hiked faster to get warm. Problem solved.




We plan to go to the festival again next year. I especially want to see Henry V, the play that I based my final project on. We know what to do: morning-after discussions on the green, and what to bring: sweatshirts and blankets for outdoor performances, where the best place to eat is: the Pastry Pub (awesome sandwiches and salads), where we'd stay: closer to campus, and who we'd invite to come along with us: applications are now being accepted, only true Shakespeare fans need apply.

Happy Birthday, Indiana Carling

Cameron wanted an Indiana Jones theme party this year. He invited a couple friends to join him on his adventure.



The day began with Cameron opening a mysterious package.



Inside were "Grail diaries" for each of the guests; Cameron's contained a map and a clue to get them started on their quest:

If gold idols are
what you adore,
Set a course
for Ecuador.




In the spider-infested jungles of Ecuador, they discovered a gold idol and another clue:

China is where
you must begin,
If the Lost Ark
you seek to win.




In China, they found a medallion and this clue:

Off to India
you must go,
To learn the thing
you want to know.





India brought danger in the form of a giant python and other deadly snakes guarding the next clue:

Buried in Egyptian sand
You'll find a treasure close at hand.





When they dug up the Ark, they found the next clue:


Beneath the city of Rome
you'll find a clue,
In a dark catacomb
that's meant for you.



Inside the Knight's tomb was the following clue:

Searching for
the Grail Cup?
Be careful when
you pick it up.



The Grail Temple was where they found their last clue:

One final treasure
waits for you
Riches beyond measure
A dream come true.

With an extra hint from their guide, they found the secret location of the last treasure, the fort. There they found Indiana Jones coloring books and some candy.





Hungry after a day of treasure hunting, they stopped for a lunch of pizza, bread sticks and Sprite. Then Cameron opened presents.


He loved all of them. Following some python wrestling, the boys went home to rest up for their next great adventure.




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On a bittersweet note, Paul's Grandma Sharp passed away on Wednesday. She was 92 years old. Her funeral will be held on Saturday in Rigby.