Land of the Cowboys

We went to Jackson, Wyoming, for a couple days this week. We saw an interesting thing on the way there. As we passed a farm house Jason noticed a huge forklift outside the house. Hanging from it were two cows, skinned, halved and drying in the sun. Blech. Needless to say, we didn't take a picture, although we did turn around so I could see it.

On the way home we drove through the smallest town I've ever seen: Big Piney, Wyoming, with a population of 408. We also drove through the hometown of J.C. Penny. Apparently it didn't give the town much of a boost.

It sure was late fall in Jackson. There weren't many leaves on the trees and it was pretty cold. The leaves in Logan Canyon were beautiful colors of yellow and red. We were glad to see the leaves before the winter.

Although she managed to pose for the picture, Clara was a little scared of the antler arch in Jackson.
Inside Teton National Park.
Jackson Lake. Clara enjoyed wearing her hat and her new mittens in the cold.
In an old campsite we saw about 8 moose,--6 males, 2 females. We heard them talking to each other, too, which was cool.
There's a moose to the left of Jason.

We also saw lots of bison, and saw two of them playing/fighting about 2o feet from the car.


We saw some beavers and muskrats at this river. We also saw some pronghorn antelope, which I've never seen.

Genealogy, I Am Doing It...

On our way to Jackson, Wyoming, we stopped at the cemetery in Hyrum, Utah, to photograph my ancestors' graves. I figured that I should stop by while I'm still in this part of the country. Hyrum was a pretty little town, and the leaves were all yellow and orange. It looked nice and warm outside, but there was a bitter, freezing wind.

Clara meeting her great-great-grandparents, Ezra Lorenzo Liljenquist and Mary Malinda Wilcox.

Clara got up close and personal with her ancestors.

The grave of my great-great grandfather, Ola Nilsson Liljenquist. I actually think I found an original grave, and this was built later. He was the first mayor of Hyrum and one of the last traveling patriarchs.

Silly Clara

I think Clara was eating yogurt when she decided to do her hair. I don't think I've ever seen a part in her hair.

Clara admiring herself with her pretty bow.

I was laying on my side on the couch and Clara decorated me with stickers.

Farm Country

Clara and I went to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point with my old roommate Melanie and her baby Chelsea. As soon as I told Clara where we were going she tried to run out the door. She was ecstatic to see her two favorite things: animals and a baby.


On the wagon ride.


Clara brandishing her first giraffe balloon (the second one popped, too).

Me: What color is the pumpkin?
Clara: Blue?

Fun with Grandma and Grandpa

Jason's parents came out at the beginning of the month and we did lots of fun things. We fed the ducks at Sugarhouse Park and Clara found her favorite slide. (I couldn't rotate the video--sorry)



We also went to the zoo and to the Museum of Church History and Art, where Clara played in the kids' section. She loved feeding the babies-two at the same time. What a mom.

Temple Square Tourists

On Mauri's birthday we went to Temple Square, although we've both been many times in the years we've lived here in Utah. I love that there is so much to do and see all around the temple. It's a special place. We went with the intention of seeing everything and taking lots of pictures, so here they are.

We asked someone to take our picture, so of course she cut the top of the temple out of the picture.
Clara enjoyed putting her feet in the cold water.
Clara discovering that there was more water in the 'fountain.'
We found some more water, but in the shade. Clara wanted to get in the water and splash her hands like in the bath.
I love this picture.

The Meekers with the Christus statue in the North Visitors Center.
The temple doors are so beautiful. I love our wedding pictures outside of these doors.

My friend Betsy has a beautiful painting of the temple door knobs, which I love.

We're blessed to live so close to the Salt Lake Temple and are grateful for all the blessings we have because we were married there.

Discovery Time

Clara and I went with Kendra and Braden to the Discovery Gateway Childrens Museum last week. It's a great museum, with a little mini-town consisting of a post office, house, construction zone, pond, grocery store and garden area. Clara and Braden played a lot in the house--Clara with the dolls and puzzles and Braden with his letters.

The kiddies also liked playing in the water area, where you could put ping pong balls in tubes that ran over the water and dumped the balls out into bowls of water. They both refused to let us put on water-proof smocks, but Clara didn't get too wet. I can't say the same for Braden.


Clara also found that she enjoyed riding side saddle, chasing bad guys, and delivering produce.