Last summer at the cabin before our mission!

One of the magical things about the cabin is that while there in the space of the summer months, one can see the glorious beauty of  four seasons compressed into four months! 

 This year we opened the cabin in May - unheard of - Ben and his family came for Abigayle's wedding and we stayed at the cabin a couple days before.  This was the view outside the front window in May. 

Here's Aria during her family's visit chopping wood!

 One of the delightful outdoor hot dog dinners before the fire restrictions for the summer were imposed.

 Just savoring fun of family and beautiful mountains together.

 On a hike with Marianne! This view, among many, feeds our souls with gratitude to God!

 Nathan and Papa chopping wood, Carter acting as the consultant in this particular endeavor.

 Rachel and Marianne's families with Great Nana, Nana and Papa on a family hike.

Our favorite place to worship the Lord; singing primary songs and testifying of eternal truths in Aspen Cathedral.

 Another shot of a treasured spot!

 The yearly trek to the culvert.  Hope springs eternal that we will ever find another blue hard plastic boat that the parents used when they were little.  This year the inner tubes that Marianne brought up lasted for several trips through before popping!

 Marianne made a special treat for Papa for Father's Day! His favorite; coconut cream pie with special toasted coconut on top.

  This was the beloved homemade German chocolate cake Nana made for Papa's birthday dinner. Matthew and Abigayle came up to surprise him to join the celebration.

 

 A daily moment of excitement as someone sees something outside our back window that we all have to run to appreciate.  This year we heard a very nearby BEAR, saw moose, fox, wolf, porcupine, an owl, multiple deer, eagle, flying squirrels (a first) and caught 6 mice!

 This was a very big day!  Great Nana turned 86! I stayed home to make her birthday dinner for later.  Dwight kept my earlier promise to her to pull her to the top of pine and aspen mountain to celebrate turning 86.  She was a trouper and made it almost to the top before conceding that it might be a very difficult if not impossible task.  Her legs actually gave out several times coming down and when she came in, I insisted she go rest on her bed as she looked like she could pass out any minute.  Alan, Julie, Matt and Abigayle came up to surprise her and we had a delightful birthday dinner..... AFTER her nap.  She later wrote in her weekly letter......"I finally had to admit that I am 86, not 68!! 

 Before the hike!

 Still hoping for the impossible!

 The birthday dinner celebration for a brave and noble woman!

 During Jordan's family's visit, the neighbors zip line was a definite hit!

 Mom Danielle, holding "the Who", while watching the zip liners!

 Some beautiful views of the most sacred ground on earth to our family.

 This year, for the first time since I was a child, we stayed late in the Fall before closing the cabin because we are leaving on our mission.  We learned much about the pipes freezing from our May experience and installed a new valve that closes off the outside watering bibs.  One actually froze in May but Ben and Dad were able to solder a new pipe to fix it.  During the nights when it would drop below freezing, we let the bathroom sink pipes drip very slightly until the temp. in the daytime got above freezing.  What a treasure to see the stunning palette of color as the scenery changed to Fall.  The following pictures were just a taste of the feast we savored.

 The temperatures were perfect, the view drawing us down long and winding roads.

 Until we meet again.

 Our last walk to yellow lake with Abigayle.

We sadly closed up the cabin with a special prayer that it would be safe and protected until we return after our mission in two years.