November 2025

November was absolutely lovely.  I got in several good hikes.  Mnt Wire with Katie and Ang. And... Draper Ridge with Darren.  I was so glad to finally get up to the shopping cart.  

My parents moved houses, just to the house next door.  We helped them cut down the terrible tree that was in the front yard.  It left berries all over the walkway to their front door.  What an adventure.  

 

We finished our season at the Hale Center Theater.  Frozen with Abby was pretty magical.  Ella and Jimmy went to Winters together.  Jimmy is a good kid.  We sure do like him.  Tyler had his first baptism.  He has done so much good, I am so proud of him.  We love talking to him each week.  

Thanksgiving in Kanab: Day 4

 

We celebrated out last morning there with birthday wishes to Sandra and a push-up contest for Ranell.  Then we headed into Coral Pink Sand Dunes to do some sand surfing.  What a beautiful place.  We all came away with sand in various places.  

Thanksgiving in Kanab: Day 3

 All 17 of us piled into cars and headed into the sandy great yonder.  Red Canyon was a fun 3.5 mile drive in deep sand.  Then we ALL got out and explored the canyon.  I was so delighted that Patricia got out and walked with us.  

The day was still young so 5 of us headed into the park to see Jolly Gulch.  We made great time and did really well until the rope got stuck.  We hiked out in the dark after we had to wade through some really cold water.  It is all an adventure.  I loved it all!

Thanksgiving in Kanab: Day 2

 I woke up early to go explore some new areas.  Darren joined me so we could go see Red Hollow Slot Canyon.  We tried to find the Red Cave entrance.  No Luck! After breakfast, we all headed out to explore Birch Canyon in Zion National Park.  What a treat to do it on Thanksgiving when it was mostly empty.  Taking a group of 15 down a canyon is not an easy thing.  So grateful I had many others who knew what they were doing.  It was a long hour and a half hike out.  But lovely and peaceful.  Half the group did the Wild Wind exit and the rest of us went up Orderville.  We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner that Sandra had prepared.  It was a lovely day.  

Thanksgiving in Kanab: Day 1

 

We drove down to Kanab for Thanksgiving.  We started with Diana's Throne so everyone could remember how to safely rappel.  Marshall did great.  Grandpa Balls joined us.  With limited daylight, we were hustling.  Darren, Nolan, and I ran through The Hunted in 35 minutes.  Everyone else had gone back to the house to settle in.  

Abigail and her amazing friends

Abby is a pretty amazing girl.  She is a thoughtful thinker, a creative girl, and a friend to so many.  She is brave and tries new things like basketball without even knowing how to play.  We have found her doppleganger, and she lives right here in Draper by us.  Abby is growing taller and will soon outgrow her favorite sister, Ella.