A nice time of year

 

Last week part of the Tueller clan got together to celebrate Uncle Matt's birthday (the US ambassador to Yemen). Aunt Diane and Uncle Lant organized a fun around-Provo high tech treasure hunt. The four sisters were team leaders. Each pre-assigned team needed to have a name and bring props. Five clues were given. After getting to the right destination each team had to take a photo and e-mail it to Lant (good thing I finally bought a smart phone last year) who then called back with the next clue. Teams competed for fastest time, best photo, silliest photo. Clues took us to different places in different orders. One of the few common stops for all teams was the Provo train station. The oUtlaws of Utah coUnty--Aunt Rachel's team (l to r) with Grandma Jean, Sarah, Rachel's friend Courtney and cousin David (who took all of their team's photos). Rachel has a law degree from the University of Utah so her team dressed in red.



The Brobassadors: Diane's team with Grandpa Blaine (l to r) Diane, Aunt DeNeece, Joel and Will. They dressed in Arab garb because brother ambassador has spent all of his career in the Middle East.



The Mad Hatters: Aunt Anna's team in which cousin Emma posses as Gladys Knight with the Pips doing back up moves in the back (l to R) Uncle Bernell, Anna and Matt. The clue for this stop had something to do with "the midnight train to Georgia."



Marie's team--The Fan Club, because we are fans of uncle Matt and of his granddaughter Yuna who was a member of our team. Here (l to r) Marie, Chad, Chris and Yuna run to catch the train.

Also a member of the Fan club was Matt's daughter-in-law, Ayae. This clue told us to go to the gate through which four of the ten Tuellers had passed.  Four kids served missions so we correctly went to the MTC and posed as two mission companionships.

Anna's team recruited exercising sister missionaries for their photo at the MTC. The photo was taken at the lowest resolution so that it would e-mail faster. Perhaps that is why they were narrowly able to win the contest.

This clue took us to the cemetery where the other large musical family (the Osmonds) also has a plot.



This was the prize winning photo of a very pious Grandma Jean praying at the cemetery while fellow teammates sang.

The clue for this stop was to go to the permanent BYU student who does not conform to the dress code. Fans were used to make Massasoit more modest. This was the other prize winning photo.

Also on Diane's team was cousin Sam (behind Will).

 For Labor Day we went for an afternoon drive up to Cascade Springs.  Last time we were there Sarah and Joel were much younger. Marie was surprised at how short the hike was when not having to do it with toddlers. The big toothed maples are the first to start changing color.

We then completed driving the rest of the Alpine Loop (loved the large aspen groves) which took us to Highland and the home of Bob and Annie. There the kids enjoyed a swim and we all then enjoyed a delicious Thai meal.



Today after the soccer games I ventured forth to take a closer look at our garden.  Between my trip to Indonesia and getting ready for a new semester I have had little time to do anything other than to harvest a few tomatoes now and then. The unusual rains of August certainly helped things grow.  I was pleasantly surprised with what I found.

Volunteer cantaloupe and a two too large cucumbers.

Jalepeno peppers (for homemade salsa) and a butternut squash.


 One of five impressive sunflowers.

This sunflower has been picked nearly clean by happy (and beautiful) mountain blue birds. I put paper bags over two of the flowers to preserve the seeds until they have dried properly.

One of maybe a hundred tomatoes harvested today.

Yellow squash and one of four impressive pumpkins.


Butternut squash

 

Kohlrabi. First time ever planted. I have never eaten Kohlrabi before. Any tips on how to use it?



I am the lone person in this house that likes fresh beets (with lemon). Yum.


 This is what happens when you ignore zucchini for a few days.

Elsewhere in the yard. Tart Jonathan apples.

Walnuts for neighborhood Christmas treats.

Golden delicious apples.

A sad thing. A three year old peach tree where one branch slipped from my meager attempts to support it and snapped.