2020, May 25-31

We started the week honoring fallen military personnel and ended it celebrating the resurgence of American ingenuity in space flight. We also watched violence at the hands of law enforcement result in peaceful protests that turned into violent riots near home. As the US COVID-19 death toll passed 100,000, these are troubling times in the midst of laudable accomplishments. 

Apparently we didn't take many photos this first week of summer. The kids were to busy playing. 

The kids both had gymnastics on Memorial Day. While the kids were at practice Mike and Hallie went to her parent's house to help unload a ping pong table and put it into their basement. Well, the ping pong table became quite an ordeal when Hallie's dad tore some ligaments when trying to lift his side of the table and fell to the ground. We were able to get him inside and grandma found some men from church to help Mike get it in to the house. 

Landon received a gift for his graduation from elementary school. Hallie ordered a candy box with lots of different kinds of candy that he likes and he quickly shared it and ate it with friends. Landon also received money so he could open his first bank account.

On Wednesday Hallie had Lily and we tagged along with Eliza to horseback riding lessons. The last time we showed Lily horses she was quite scared of them. This time Lily did amazing and Hallie left her phone in the car so no pictures yet of her petting the horses and seeing a 700 lb pig that is due to have 8 or 9 babies within the next month. Eliza did great on Rihanna and is progressing nicely in her lessons.

Hallie and Eliza went to the school Hallie will be working at in the fall to see the classroom and to learn new things from the lead teacher. While Hallie learned Eliza played on a swing, jumped on a trampoline and played with magnets. We think Eliza will like visiting more often and Hallie was slightly overwhelmed.

One of Mike's college roommates from Brittany Apartment #8, Brian, has recently moved back to Utah. The two of them got together for In-N-Out Burgers and had a great time catching up on the close to 20 years that have passed since last they saw each other, back when we lived in Simi. Mike was blessed to have some amazing friends in college, good young men who have all gone on to be good middle-aged men. 

For our Friday family time, we went to the food trucks in Spanish Fork. No one seems concerned about social distancing, apparently, except Mike, who seemed to be the only one wearing a mask. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to get some delicious milanesa sandwiches and loaded carne asada fries from Asado Argentinian Grill and Cafe. The owner made Eliza a custom plate of fries for free after she had gone to other trucks looking for something with carne asada and found the other trucks lacking. We've enjoyed the food we have had at their Orem restaurant and will definitely be back. 

On Saturday, we watched the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 and Dragon Rocket launch. We were on pins and needles and are astounded at the hard work and skill it took to get Bob and Doug (and the toy dino) into space. We also watched live as the protests in downtown Salt Lake City about a mile from where we used to live over the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday turned into a car-burning riot. Marco Rubio aptly noted on his Twitter feed that there are "3 groups of people at protests: 1. Peaceful protestors angry at the murder of Mr. Floyd but who have even protected police officers at protests; 2. Locals who see the opportunity for wilding; 3. Domestic extremists taking advantage of lawful protests to advance their own agenda." Overall, it was a day of strong emotions. 

By the weekend, the warm weather had returned in earnest. This is good for Mom's garden, which is putting out new fruit of the vine. Landon hung out with Sonny and his older brother after Mike and Landon rode down to Sonny's house. Our part of town is very bike accessible, which we appreciate.