Swiss Days

This weekend I took advantage of a small window of opportunity to get away and see some different scenery. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I went to the Soldier Hollow Classic. I also went to Swiss Days. This is an annual tradition - also held up in Midway, UT - where vendors host booths, there is food galore, and music by live bands and performers.

One of the booths had some great inspirational quotes. I couldn't afford to buy them, but I snapped some photos of some of my favorites. I can always design some of my own, right?

 

"I won't flirt with the darkness that

I came here to fight.

I am a

DAUGHTER OF GOD.

And I am holding on to VIRTUE.

I am confident in my DIVINITY.

You will find me on my Father's side,

no matter what the world may do."

 

 

 

"Promise me you'll always remember,

you are braver than you believe,

stronger than you seem,

and smarter than you think!"

 

 

"No one else can know

the strength of my LOVE for you.

After all... you know what

 my heart sounds like from the inside."

 

"Pray hardest

when it's the hardest to pray."

 

 

"She stood in the STORM.

When the wind did not

BLOW HER WAY,

she adjusted her sails."

Soldier Hollow Classic

Each Labor Day weekend Midway, UT (near Heber) hosts the Soldier Hollow Classic - a national sheepdog competition. Trainers and their sheepdogs come from all over the world to compete. The handler (trainer) stands at the base of the mountainside and - through whistle commands - send their sheepdog up the side of the hill to wrangle six sheep down the mountain in a group, through gates, into a shedding ring, and finally into a pen in 12 minutes.

Here is one of the competitors we saw.

 

This goes from Friday through Monday with the top 15 dogs competing on Labor Day (Monday) for the National Championship. It's really interesting to watch. BUT it's very hot, so thankfully they have other events and booths to enjoy as well...

My favorite part of going is the Splash Dogs! These dogs run off a dock and jump forward with all their might to catch a toy their owner throws into this big long pool. Anybody can bring their dog to compete. They have different heats all throughout the weekend with different sizes/classes of dogs. Many of the dogs yesterday were brand new to it, and had never done it before. They were so cute. They'd run to the edge of the dock and stop dead in their tracks. Usually they would eventually jump in right at the edge, retrieve their toy, and walk out on the ramp. Each time they get a little less timid, and eventually they will be confident enough to GO FOR IT. It is SO much fun to watch. Here is a pic of one of our favorite dogs. He had some serious vertical height in his jumps. I think he typically went about 18 feet! The dogs love this. They come out of the pool and run right back onto the dock with their tails wagging like crazy as if to say, "Again! Again!"

Happy Birthday Mom & Sterling!

Mom and Sterling ALMOST share the same birthday. They are only one day apart - other than that, they are the same exact age. Sterling's birthday is August 13th and Mom's is August 14th. They just turned 84 years young. Leslie and I wanted to do something for them to let them know they're important to us - something more than just a phone call. We ran to the store and bought some little angel food cakes, whipped cream, strawberries, glaze, and candles. Then we showed up at their place and surprised them. It was fun to see the smiles on their faces when we presented their "birthday cakes" to them with candles blazing. :)

Gayle had given them their birthday hats - so they had to wear those of course. They enjoyed the little treats and birthday hugs. I'm so glad we took the time to go see them in person! Love you Mom and Sterling!