July 14 - Harry Potter Night!

Tonight Mariah's life is at an end, or at least she thinks so.  She went to the midnight showing of the last Harry Potter movie (or HP7 part 2 as we like to call it).  She is not sure what else her life has in store for her after tonight, but I tell her there will be other movies.

She got in line at around 2:30 PM for a movie that starts at Midnight.  She will be inline for 9 1/2 hours and watch a 2 1/2 hour movie.  She spent the evening with her friends and I am sure she had a good time.

We got there at 6:00 to make sure that everything was ok.  The news crew was doing a live shot (first picture below). The line was 1/2 around the building.  I bet it was a very fun evening.

O to be young again.

July 13 - You don't see these very much anymore

Here is something for the old timers that read the blog.  I bet you don't see these much anymore.

For the younger readers, this is a phone booth.  They used to have these everywhere.  And for the really old timers, they used to be inside a very small space with three glass walls and a door.  Maybe you can ask Grandma Bates about them, I bet she remembers them.  :  )

Nowadays, most people carry these around in the pockets, and they come with cameras, games, internet, etc.  Wonder what my kids will have in 40 years ..........  maybe a chip in their brain that does all this and more.

July 12 - Tyler's Hard Work and Storm Cloud

A couple of days ago I asked Tyler to clean up the edging around our sidewalk.  He started last week and finished up a couple of day's ago.  He worked hard at it.

Funny thing is that Grandpa Bates showed up today to do the edging for us.  I did not think it was that bad, but if Grandpa Bates has to come down from Sugar City to do our yard work, then I guess that I need to do a better job.  Anyway, Tyler beat him to the edging.

Having the edging done allowed Grandpa and Becky to go 4 wheeler shopping in Idaho Falls.

Good job Tyler.

I also snapped a picture of a storm that had just passed through the area.

July 11 - New Game

Tonight we bought a new card game for Colorado.  Not sure if this will be a hit or not,  but we are going to give it a shot.  We will have to let you know how it goes ......

July 10 - Ray Spaulding Viewing

Tonight Wendy and I went to the viewing of Ray Spaulding, a friend who served as my Elder's Quorum Secretary in the Ammon 14th ward.

He was loved by many people, which was evident as the line of people for the viewing went throughout the funeral home.  I saw all former members of the Elder's Quorum that served with Ray.  It was the first time that we had been together since being released.  Ray was a great secretary.  We stood in line next to Henry J. Eyring, the son of Henry B. Eyring.  He looks and sounds just like his dad.

I hope when my time comes, I have that many family and friends turn out to support my family (not that I am planing on leaving any time soon).  When someone you know who is younger than you and a friend, passes away, it make me glad to have the knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan.  The answer to these questions brings confront to me:

     Why are we here?
     Where did I come from?
     What happens to us after we die?

Here is a picture of the program ......

July 9 - Tomatoes are getting bigger

Our tomato plants are getting bigger.  We have to remove the water towers from them today and put up the tomato wiring.  I don't know what it is, but this year I have spent more time in the garden then any other year.  Everything is starting to look great.

Tomatoes are the best thing in the garden!

July 8 - Sunrise

I love the sunrises in Idaho Falls.  I took this picture just as the sun was about to come over the hills.

Not the best picture, but is was from my camera phone.

July 7 - Idaho Falls Chukars Game

Tonight Wendy, Mariah, Micah, Derek and I went to the Idaho Falls Chukars game.  It is a 1-A baseball club and the games are really great.  Idaho lost to the Casper Ghosts (and they were not that friendly).  The Casper team is an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, so in our minds it was not a total loss, as we love the Colorado Rockies.

Tyler was with his Teacher's Quorum at High Adventure.  They went up to Island Park to go fishing, boating and they did some service project.  He was missed.

Below are some pictures from the game.

July 6 - Welch's Grapes

Took a picture of our grapes.  As you can see they are growing.  Nothing like fresh grape juice!  Hopefully we will get a good crop this year.

July 5 - Work is never done

So, I took today off work to relax and enjoy time with my family.  We did some work around the house and ran a few errands. I think we are still recovering from girls camp and our family reunion.

Below is some lawn care products we got today and started to use.  Why is it that work is never done around the house?  -  Notice the deck needs to be refinished - anyone looking for a service project?

July 4 - God Bless America

I love our great country and I am grateful for the men and women who serve (or have served) in the various armed forces.  Their dedication and service is much appreciated by me.

Thanks!

Below are some pictures from the July 4th Victor, ID parade.

July 3 - Real Super Heros

As today was Sunday we went to church in Victor, ID and then had our Family Home Evening for the week.  Each family had to come up with a skit of real super heros from the Book of Mormon.  Below are some pictures of the various family skits.

July 2 (part 2) - Fireworks

Nothing like a fireworks show in Driggs, ID at the base of the Grand Tetons.  I took this pictures at a July 2 show at Huntsman Springs in Driggs.  I hope you enjoy.

July 2 (part 1) - Super Hero Reunion!

Below are some pictures of the super hero reunion we had at the cabin.

July 2 - Special Post - I made it a year!

Today is the 1 year anniversary of this blog.  I never thought that I would make the goal of taking a picture every day and posting it on a blog.  I believe I have a picture and post for every day of the year.  I know there was a day or two that I missed a picture, but I am going to count this project as a success!.

Below is a picture of the "blogger" group.  Pictured left to right in front is Kendra and Grandma Bates,  Becky is standing next to me in the back.  We each have a blog where we try and post a picture a day.  They helped me make it this far.  Thanks for joining me on the journey!

Some of the most popular posts have been the following ...
     Nov 17
     Aug 15
     Sept 17

Here is to one more year?!?

Note - their blogs are listed on this blog site.

July 1 - From Girls Camp to the Bates Family Reunion

Ok, so a week a girls camp is not enough for Wendy and Mariah.  Right after girls camp, we need to head up to the cabin for the Bates family reunion.  Wendy is also in charge this year (as if she does not have enough on her plate).

This years theme at the reunion is "Super Heroes".  Every year there is a theme (past themes include Star Wars, Amazing Race, Indiana Jones).  So this year we did "super heroes".

Below are some pictures from cleaning up at girls camp and a wind turbine blade that was on a truck.

Pictures of the Reunion will be posted over the next couple of days.

June 30 - Up at Girls Camp!

Here are a few pictures from the girls camp that Wendy and Mariah went to all week.  They had a hard start, but things turned out great!

You will see one picture of a tree that grew about three feet off the ground at a 90 degree angle and then had five new trees grow right on top of it.  Never seen that before.

June 29 - Air Conditioning

I love my air conditioner.  I am not sure how we got by without it in the past.

If you are moving to Idaho, I would make sure to get one of these in your house!