We just pulled in from Denver and we are poaching wireless internet from someone named "candicepc" right now because our internet connection is upstairs and we are now downs stairs. We had a great time in Denver. We felt bad that we didn't get to see our fam more but it was good to spend a lot of time with Kelly's dad and Gramps. Kelly's grandpa has recovered pretty well from his stroke. He sometimes forgets which word he wants to say but other than that nothing seems to have changed.

The fall colors through the Vail valley were splendid. It looked almost like parts of the valley were on fire with the bright yellow aspens. As usual we had a wide range of weather on the trip. Rain, snow, sushine and graupel all withing five minutes on the road. We also saw a huge double rainbow along I-70, somewhere between Grand Junction and Green River. Did you know that the color sequence is opposite on the two bands of a double rainbow?

Thanks Erik and Jaime for the hospitality and meals.

DAM Trip

Yesterday was free day at the Denver Art Museum (what did you think my title meant???) The kids got little artist smocks and got to make their own drawings. We wandered around and looked at everything form pre-columbian art, to native american art, to contempary art. Each room had a little "I Spy" game that the kids could play to keep them entertained.

I also discovered this week that you can only push your tires so far. I knew that I needed new tires on the focus, but kept putting it off. On Friday, as I pulled away from a red light, something felt weird. Sure enough, a blowout on the front tire. Luckily there was room on the shoulder and I got it changed pretty quick. Yesterday, I got a new set put on. It might be just me, but it seems to float along now.

Friday we got together at Erik's to visit with Travis and Kelly. Les had a play to attend, so it was me and four kids. Not a lot of visiting with adults, but the kids had fun. I hope you made it home safe Travis, I know it was snowing in the mountains.

Tuesday, the YM/YW played "Where's Wardo." I was one of six people hiding in an outdoor shopping area. I put on a mullet wig and some sunglasses. I then found a bench and sat down to read an Auto-Trader. Two girls walked right by me and I heard them say, "I think it is just a homeless guy." No one ever found me and they had a good laugh when I walked up to the group at the end.

Conference was good as usual. I especially enjoyed the Priesthood Session and Pres. Uchtdorf's talk- Stand close together and lift where you stand.

Have a great week!

Brant

I spy the Shop Smith

Chapter 17 - How I Spent My Summer Vacation

The new lights on the garage and by the doors.
The new lock set for the front door

The new front door

We got a little carried away on phase two and haven't even finished phase one. If the weather holds and I take a day off this week I hope to finish painting the house. The whole neighborhood will breath a sigh of relief.

Mom and I went to Home Depot yesterday and spent all our money. We had been looking at brochures on doors and had some ideas in mind but when the sales guy pulled out the first door, Mom said, "we'll take it" (see picture above). We'll show you what it looks like when we get it installed. It was fun shopping and buying new stuff to make the house look "nicer". After all those years we like how it is turning out. We also bought a storm door for the front. It has full length glass with two lines of etching around the outer edge. It should be here is a couple of weeks.

We watched conference today. The video stream was terrible so we mostly listened to it. We enjoyed the talks. Several of them had to seep into my mind past my eyelids.

Fall is here. The weather has been rainy and the highs are in the 50's. Hope the paint will dry.

Travis and Kelly, we are anxious to see your new apartment. Hope you like it.

We envy you Zirker kids in Denver that are in your vacation time. Looks like you are enjoying exploring and having fun.

I need to rest up for painting this week so I better sign off.