You Can Walk a Cat if You Have the Right Motivation

We started the week with Landon and Mom in California and ended it with Fergus in a harness. 

Mike was not used to making sure Eliza got home from school, so he had to rush over from the university to get her. No harm done though. Landon and Hallie returned home Monday night. Mike took Eliza to get his first caramel apple of the month from U-Swirl and to have some dinner before going for a brief visit to the Church History Museum on the way to the airport. We were happy to have everyone together again!

We kept busy all week with school, work, and gymnastics. 

Mike and Hallie took a little time to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Almost 20 years. Does not feel like it until we actually start reflecting on all that has gone on in that time!

Eliza went to a friend’s birthday party on Saturday, and Mike picked her up. We were going to get materials for a craft, but then we stopped by the pet supplies area to see the fish. Eliza saw a walking harness for small dogs and decided we had to get it for Fergus instead of doing our craft project.  

Tournament Travels, Sick Sibling, Sherbet, and Snow

We spent another few days with family members in different states. And Eliza was sick. But she got rainbow sherbet and to play in the snow. Loads of fun!

Tuesday brought with it Christmas presents from Grandma and Grandpa Dorey! We each received knitwear (which has been put to immediate use) and other fun gifts to remind us of them and Nova Scotia.

Eliza went to the pharmacy and got rainbow sherbet three days in a row this week! On Wednesday, she and Mom went to get a prescription, and Eliza got a cone.

That night, she started showing signs of being sick. This complicated our day Thursday, but it all worked out. The day started early, and we were treated to a beautiful sunrise.

We all drove up to the airport so Hallie and Landon could fly out to California for his gymnastics tournament. Mike brought  back home, where she convalesced while he worked. Technology even facilitated his presence at a faculty meeting! Later he took her to the pharmacy to pick up one of her prescriptions and get some more rainbow sherbet.

Hallie and Landon visited with family and friends over the weekend in addition to driving down from Ventura County to San Diego and back. He struggled a bit at this tournament. It just wasn’t his day. However, Landon’s mentors from Victory were all present, and Hallie nearly lost her mind seeing them all together.

Meanwhile in Springville, on Friday Mike kept Eliza out of school and looked after her, which meant a soak in the tub, cough medicine, and a cozy blanket. In the early afternoon, she complained that her ear had made a painful pop. Uh oh. We made a quick trip to the insta-care, where she was diagnosed with an ear infection. We headed back to the pharmacy and, yes, more sherbet.

We expected snow all day Friday, and it finally came early Saturday morning. Eliza was feeling well enough that she wanted to keep her morning date to go to the movies, where a 9:00 am showing of Paddington 2 was playing. Cute movie.

By the time we got back to the car, it was covered in thick snow. Snow continued to fall all day and into the evening. The two played some in the snow and ate snow ice cream – clearly Eliza was on the mend.

We went to church on Sunday morning and spent the rest of the day cozy indoors. Sometimes the early schedule has its benefits.

We look forward to Hallie and Landon getting back tomorrow! 

Mostly Gymnastics, Not Many Pictures

Mike and Hallie each had their first days of work for the semester. Mike continued teaching the same course as last semester to a new group of students on campus, and Hallie started a new job as special education technician at the kids’ school. Both seem to be settling in fine. Hallie’s boss just received an award and is a laid back guy who really cares about the kids. Hallie really likes what she is doing and everyone has seemed to be happy she is there. Our principal is great and really supportive. It is nice that Hallie goes at the same time as the kids and can come home before they are done so if she wants to get some things done she has a bit of time.

Friday the kids had school off for the end of the term and all we did was gymnastics all day. Hallie was at the gym 3 times that day with a quick trip to the Chiropractor for Landon. We really like our chiropractor which is great since Landon had Landon on his shoulder blade poorly the day before. All seems well now with our little gymnast. She also found Mike some sweet Argentine food at a restaurant in Salem called Siro's Place. 

Mike took Eliza to the university women’s gymnastics home opener while Hallie and Landon were at his practice. Eliza knows enough about the sport to be able to critique the college girls’ routines. Mike just watched and learned. 

Hallie has claimed herself as the boys’ team mom as she really enjoys watching how the boys are improving and cheering them on each day.

Hallie spent the whole day Saturday doing fundraising at a meet at Airtime while Mike looked after the kids at home.

After church on Sunday, we went up to Salt Lake to see our friend Christian get baptized. It was a nice time see friends that we have known for a long time, a friend Hallie only has really known for 10 years but hasn’t seen in a long while, and someone she has only seen on Facebook. Our family met a fun friend and her daughter who is right close to Eliza’s age, and the two girls seemed to hit off. Definitely need to have a playdate for these two.

An overall good week. The next week is going to be crazy.

Back to School after a Short Winter's Break

We had a relatively brief winter break from school before heading right back this week. While the Midwest and Northeast endured some pretty harsh conditions, we have had a relatively mild winter. Hallie and Landon traveled out to Reno for a gymnastics tournament while Mike and Eliza partied at home.

We celebrated New Year’s Day on Monday with a quiet day at home after partying late into the wee hours. We also took down the Christmas decorations and rearranged the furniture. 

Tuesday meant back to school. We walked up to school with the kids to get their day started. Later, Hallie and Jenny went to see The Greatest Showman, and Mike took the kids to gymnastics. He spent some quality time with Fergus too.

The rest of the week was pretty quiet. Hallie got her hair done, and we got back into school and gym routines. As usual, the weekend was when the action happened.

On Friday, Mike volunteered at school in the morning before taking Landon out early so he, Hallie, and two of his teammates and their moms could hit the road for Reno so they could participate in the Jake Dalton Invitational on Saturday.

She wanted to wear the dress she got blessed in as a baby.
Looks more like a long shirt now. 

Mike later took Eliza to her first practice with the Level 3 girls. So much fun to watch her develop her skills!

On Saturday morning, Mike and Eliza did some chores downstairs, and then Eliza went to a friend’s birthday party. They rounded out their day with a movie and animal documentary marathon.

Landon competed on Saturday, taking 5th place overall in his division. Good on him!

Sunday morning dawned a bit earlier than Mike would have liked. He enjoyed teaching his new group of students in Primary. They are bright and have a lot of energy.

Hallie and Landon spent most of the day on the road, arriving at around 8:30 after braving foggy roads for most of the afternoon and evening. We’re glad everyone is home safe.