October, already

          Our beautifully colored foliage is rapidly fading in intensity. A drive up our canyons is still rewarding, but the season is progressing rapidly. Our resident deer are invading our orchards for any fruit to add to this diets, this includes what has fallen to the ground and any other within their reach. One lovely buck even took time to have a nap in my backyard.

           Dallon Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, was ordained to the office of a Teacher in the LDS Ward. This ordinance took place in Franklin for the convenience of family members. Recent birthdays affected two young ladies in Mink Creek as well. Celina Crosland is now a Laurel and Emily Longhurst is a Mia Maid, both in the Young Womens' Program.

           Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen have been enjoying some family time in San Jose, CA, with their daughter, Annie and Steve Earl and their children. Annie's oldest daughter will soon be leaving to serve a mission in Norway so there is much excitement being shared.

           Brayden Avery, son of Heath and Kaci Avery, was recently baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. He was baptized by his brother, Kamren Avery.

            Juliana and Blaine Packer have a new baby girl. This little one managed to arrive while Juliana's mother, Liesa Baird, was traipsing around Europe with the maternal great grandparents as they were released from an LDS Mission to Albania. The timing was unexpected, but babies have a way of doing what is best for themselves.

           Elder Tyler Gibbs, son of Tracey and Michelle Gibbs, spoke in the LDS Ward to his “new neighbors”, the community of Mink Creek. The Gibbs family have moved to our village while Tyler was serving in the Texas, Houston, Mission. We are happy to have him arrive to this new home.

           We have three young people competing in equestrian contests. They are Austin Corbett, son of Shane and Sherrie Corbett, and Tara and Ella Jepsen, daughters of Melinda and Kerry Jepsen. They all participated in the Eastern Idaho State Fair events. Tara is involved with High School Rodeo.

           Weatherwise it has been an exciting few days since I wrote the above paragraphs. We have had some tornado warnings for southeastern Idaho. We had a couple of days of heavy storms with lots of lightning crackling about. The strong winds broke off some branches here and there , other than that , all is well. My lawn that had been looking a bit dry is as green as it was in May.

           We have a return of the turkeys. Swallows return in the spring and the turkeys go to higher elevations for a time. Our local wild turkeys drop down to easier grazing when it turns cooler.