Sunrise

Last Wednesday on my way home from Curves, the sunrise was so beautiful that I ran in and got my camera and drove down the road to take some pictures. I absolutely love sunrises and sunsets in Idaho! (or any where)

Fishing

Blake's brother, Terry had a wonderful idea to plant fish in a pond he uses for irrigation. Terry's kids and grandkids have had a great time fishing all summer. The problem now is that the pond is going to dry up soon, so all the fish need to get caught. So, on Friday because Blake was off work and Jared didn't have school, they decided to go fishing in Terry's pond. Brian met them after class and away they went. The only problem was that it was misting, not really raining, but just misting and it was cold. They didn't catch any fish, but thought it was fun to go in a private pond. Then on Saturday afternoon, Blake and Jared went back for a little while. Grandma Purcell and I rode with them and watched from the car. Terry was there with some of his family. They had caught some fish before we got there, and we watched two more get caught. Thanks, Terry for letting us "try" to catch some of your fish!

Brian and Jared fishing on Friday.

There was a little ice on the pond on Friday.

This is how Terry fishes! He sticks his pole in the ground, then goes and lays on the bank and talks on his phone!

Blake had a couple of nibbles both days, but didn't bring either of them to shore.

Terry, Jared and Blake, talking and fishing.

Spiritual Cat

Twice last week when we were reading scriptures our cat "Baby" decided she needed some scripture time.

One day she climbed up on Jared's lap.

Then another day she got up on Blake's lap. Silly cat.

Tennis Tournament or Marathon?

Apple Athletic and Tennis Club in Idaho Falls sponsored a week long tournament starting Oct. 25th through Nov. 1st. We have practically lived there this week. Blake decided to try playing in a tournament, his very first experience playing like that. Blake played singles, he didn't win either match, but had a good time playing someone besides his kids. Brian played singles and won the championship. Celia played singles, she lost her first match but won her second (she was thrilled because that was her first win in singles!), her opponent didn't show up for the consolation championship match so I guess Celia won that! Brian and Blake played men's doubles and they won the championship! Blake was pretty pleased with that! Brian and Celia played mixed doubles and won that championship too! Jared played mixed doubles with Megan Dalley, they have only played on match and lost it, but they played really well. They will finish up sometime this week. There were too many people in the tournament to get it all finished on time.

Brian's first match.

Brian and Celia in their first match.

Megan and Jared in their match.

Blake and Brian in one of their doubles matches. They won in 3 sets.

Blake played this match at IF High School. His opponent was Dr. Gary Wallace that he used to work with at Idaho Eye Center.

Brian had to play 3 difficult sets to win this singles championship.

Brian and Blake in their Championship Match. They won in 3 hard fought sets.

We even got Grandma Purcell to come and watch some matches, she was even figuring out how to keep score by the end. Brittany Cook came and watched Blake and Brian play too.

Celia serving, she played really well in this match!

Brian and Celia hustling around the court. I love how Celia's hair is flying! They won this match in 2 sets!

Brian serving. He won all three of his Championships on Saturday, November 1st. He's probably pretty tired!

Warming up to begin the Championship match!

Now this is how to rake leaves!

The leaves have finally started falling off the big tree in front of our house. They didn't really ever change colors, just started whithering up and falling off. Blake went out yesterday and "raked" up about 2 dumps of the lawn mower, then he went out today and "raked" up twice that many. We need a big wind to come and blow them all across the street into the field.

Update and Pictures of Randy!!

Randy has been transfered to the West side of Winnipeg, he is serving as District Leader and a Trainer. He is doing really well, and working hard. We got a package today with a memory card, so here are some pictures!

Elder Adams and Purcell with the American Flag they colored on their fridge for the 4th of July.

By a huge moose on the way to Moose Jaw.

In the YSA church building in Winnipeg. He says that he still has some pretty good hops, then in small print, "too bad it's not a 10' hoop."

Elder Cutright, Purcell at the border of the U.S.

Minnesota!

Elder Purcell, Johnson "pretending to teach".

Elders Johnson & Purcell

Elders Purcell & Johnson "studying".

New Toy

Yesterday, we drove to Salt Lake to pick up a new toy. Jared had talked Blake into buying a new snowmachine. Actually I'm kind of to blame because I told him that I wouldn't go with them again if we didn't have a two seater. Last year it was really not very comfortable riding behind Blake. They must want me to go, because I don't have that excuse any more. So, Jared did a bunch of research and got quotes from many different places. This place in Salt Lake came in way lower than anywhere else. Brian and Celia rode with us to bring it home.

Jared and Blake being instructed on how it works.

It just barely fit under the shell on Red.

They got it in!

We got it home, and now it's all loaded on the trailer, waiting for snow.

I had to try out the 2nd seat...pretty good, much better!

Now there are two machines loaded up.

When we got home, Blake and I went to a party and Brian and Jared and Celia decided to unload the new one from Red and put in on the trailer. They did that easy enough, then they decided to load the yellow one on too. That turned out to be a little harder. I am still not sure what happened, but somehow as Jared was going up the ramp, one ski got off the side of the trailer, and the machine and Jared tipped over. Luckily, they were by the wall of shed and the machine got wedged in and didn't fall on top Jared. He somehow scraped up the inside of his left elbow. He doesn't know what he scraped it on, but it's pretty scraped and bruised. He's pretty lucky that is all that is hurt. The machine wasn't hurt at all either.

It was a good day!

Yesterday was my 50th birthday, yes I did admit that I turned 50. I had told a few people that I was just going to skip the day and stay 49, but I really couldn't figure out how to do that. It was a very nice day. Thanks to my friends and family for visiting me and calling me. I am afraid that some of you were just calling to rub it in that you are younger than me, but as my missionary son said I am "wizer" now.

We met Brian and Celia at Texas Roadhouse for dinner.

Cindy talked to all the kids, she even said that Randy was in on it, and they got me this really cute picture frame, as you can see it spells PURCELL and has everyone's pictures in the letters. I LOVE IT! Thank you Cindy!

I decided to put it in the entry way so everyone that comes in will see it!

Snow!!!

I am playing catch up today, our internet has been down since Saturday afternoon. We woke up to a skiff of snow on Saturday morning, then it melted, but it kept snowing all day melting as it came down. But Sunday morning, we woke up to about 4 inches on the ground. It is mostly gone now, and it is supposed to warm up again. Hopefully we get a little more Fall weather before winter sets in for good.

The front yard looking like winter!

Notice my Halloween flag, looks like I've got the wrong flag out, or like I left it out too long.

Homecoming Dance

Saturday was the Homecoming Dance. Jared took Sarah Nii. They went out by Aberdeen to a cave and played frisbee in the cave, then they ended up at our house for dinner, then they went to the dance. It was cold and windy and snowy and a yucky weather day!

There were 6 couple in their group, so we had to fully extend the table.

Here are the handsome boys, Wilson Carter, Jacob Hong, Joey Harper, Jared, Daniel Pugmire and Levi Nation.

Now for the Pretty Women -- Kaitlin (I don't know her last name, she's Joey's date from Boise), Sadie Wolfley, Sarah Nii, Leisja Ulrich, and Calleen Smith

All of them! Jared and Sarah were definitely the most bright! Now they are off to the dance in the snow and cold wind.