Grandma & Grandpa Tippets

Last Saturday, my parents volunteered as part of the Event Staff that helped run the 206 mile bike race from Logan, Utah to Jackson, Wyoming. There were somewhere between 1000 and 1400 bike riders. Many many riders come from all over the world to participate in this bike race. Mom and dad helped with parking and the support crews in Alpine, Wyoming just before the journey up Snake River Canyon. Max and I had gone to Jackson for the day and on our way home we passed the first few bikers on their way through the canyon. The average speed for the front runners is 24 mph. That is unbelievable to me! Snake River Canyon is difficult but, the bikers had two others that were harder from what I hear. Amazing strength these athletes have.

On Sunday, September 13th, mom & dad celebrated their 49th anniversary. We had some of their friends over for a little dessert party. It was a nice evening with their friends and Max and I played down here in the basement. We served chocolate oreo truffles, mini cherry cheesecakes and mexican chocolate cake. Yum! Happy Anniversary mom & dad!

All About Mark

I am so proud of Mark! He is in his 4th week in country and is finally stationed at his job post. He is slowing adjusting to the country, the climate and working in an unfamiliar environment. I am so thankful that we can talk just about every morning and now that he is at his final job point, I can give him a call if I needed to. Our lives have turned up-side-down over the past 2 months but, we are so grateful for the job and this opportunity. He is working 7 days a week usually 10 to 12 hour days. Now that he is getting settled in he will be starting work on designing roads and over-seeing contractors. Since he has been in Afghanistan he has had one flight by plane and one by helicopter. He is getting to see a whole new part of the world first hand and is learning about a completely different culture! I am anxious to have him home for Thanksgiving and so I am counting down the weeks. Thankfully he will be able to come home every three months. Mark has already met so many people from different parts of the world and the US and the great thing is that he is making contacts for future work every day. I know the Lord is watching over Mark and each and every day Max says a prayer that his daddy will stay safe and protected. We miss you and we are so proud of you Mark!

Quote of the Day

A sign that I saw this afternoon reads:

Recession is when your neighbor loses his job.
Depression is when you lose your job.
Recovery is when Obama loses his job.

Dear Chase

Dear Chase Manhattan Bank:

I thought I would make you aware of the lack of Customer Service that your bank has provided my family and I over the past 10 months. First it started with over 25 phone calls to your office which lead to multiple transfers to various departments with customer service representatives who do not speak English even as their 2nd or 3rd language. Telling the customer service representatives of our situation, asking for help, giving endless financial information, being told you would provide help in 6 to 8 weeks and then again in another 4 to 6 weeks and receiving actually no help or follow-up. Now after we have an offer in to your institution since the 2nd week of July and we still have not heard from your service division yet again ..... please do us all a favor ..... do not claim that you provide customer service on any level .... especially on nationally televised commercials. Honestly, I would rather do my taxes every day of the year or better yet go to DMV on a daily basis than have to call or deal with your customer service representatives.

Seeking professional help for training of customer service representatives may want to be considered in this upcoming years company goals.

Best Regards,

A Completely Frustrated and Ready to Lose It Customer
Seeking Someone Who Can Provide Some Kind of Service
Or Beter Yet ... Someone Who Can Just Make a Decision
Within Your Organization.

Stephanie T. Bridges

Grandpa's Swing

This past week Grandpa got Max out in the garage and they made this little tree swing to put up in a tree near the garden. Max has had the BEST time swinging and trying to "kick" Grandma's Daisies in the garden ... and wants to go higher and higher each time. Thanks Grandpa for a great summer time swing!

Snake River

The other day we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and drive up the canyon towards Jackson. We stopped at two different locations where we could walk down closer to the river and at the 2nd stop we had a picnic and played in the river. There quite a few guided rafts and fishing boats that came along. I told Max that when he gets a little bigger I would take him on raft down the river. In the meanwhile, we had a great time dipping our feet in the river and throwing rocks!

We decided that a 3 year old could get away with no pants at snake river!

Brr, the water is cold mom!

Today I went through the canyon as I went over to Jackson and the tress have started to show their fall colors. I can't wait for everything to be in full color - the views and pictures will be amazing! Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year.

Uncle Mike with Keaton, Carlie & Kennedy

My brother Mike came up to Wyoming from Mapleton, Utah this past weekend with his youngest three kids Keaton, Carlie & Kennedy. Max had a great time wrestling, playing soccer, playing wiffle ball, walking to the playground and to the stream. Keaton & Carlie are great soccer players and Kennedy entertained us with great dance moves!