2021, March 15-21

Spring arrived this week, but winter didn't leave without a fight. The kids blew off a bit of steam throwing axes, and Landon competed in his state meet.

The kids had a minimum day Tuesday, so Mike took them and our friend Sully to Heber Hatchets in Provo. They proved to be natural axe throwers. Uncanny, really. Mike had meetings, so Hallie came to pick them up and share lunch at the burger place named Backdoor BRGR nestled in the back of the axe place.  The burgers and fries were AMAZING, and Hallie definitely plans on going back with whoever will go with her.

Those mugs were full of soda that the kids were happy to drink before their burgers came.

We had a bit of rain in the afternoon, and after Mike and Hallie's date at Vampire Penguin, Mike caught an eyeful of a lovely rainbow in Provo, a bit of Irish love preceding St. Patrick's Day. Vampire Penguin was super yummy, and Hallie had no room for dinner. Hallie had been there before on a girl's night out and once again we forgot to take a picture.

Hallie got her new shades. Fancy!

Wednesday brought green, shamrocks, corned beef, and cabbage. Hallie made the shamrock below in art with her students. When she went to Starbucks on St. Patrick's Day she realized that the cute piece was still in her purse and asked if she could put it up on the plexi-glass, and of course the girls said, "Yes!"

Eliza learned a bit about "customary" units of measure. 

Mike got a real-life version of one of his flag designs even as the New Utah Flag got the official nod from the state as Utah's official 125th anniversary commemorative flag. 

Hallie got lovely new nails. 

Eliza has been learning about the coast redwoods in her reading class. She's worked super hard this week, so she finished early enough to go visit Mom at work and do art with the other kids in Hallie's class. 

She had a great time riding in the warm weather the coming storm pushed in. It is a bummer videos do not show well on this platform. Hallie takes a fair share of videos, and it is fun to watch Eliza improve and enjoy everything about riding Annie.

On the first day of spring, winter let loose with a bit of snow. We didn't let that stop us from going up to Landon's state gymnastics meet. Despite recovering from injury and scratching two events, he performed well, scoring a couple of personal bests for the season. Landon placed 4th on Parallel Bars, an event that doesn't come easy to him. His coach and one of the judges believe he was finally able to get out of his own head. He practices great, but when it comes to competitions he has a hard time.

After the meet, we celebrated at Sweet Rolled Tacos in Orem. Hallie surprised everyone in the car with this little side trip on the way home. None of us had ever been to this ice cream shop, and we had a lot of fun celebrating and eating really yummy dessert!

Mike drew some more, a bit for himself, a bit for pay, and a bit for friends. 

The kids spent a bit of Sunday playing Minecraft with their brother in law Caleb in Oklahoma. Caleb has found a way that they can all play together including his brother Brandon in Idaho. As parents we are grateful for Caleb and that he wants to spent time with Landon and Eliza. Both kids spent a little time with friends before it was time to come home and wind down before we start another exciting week.

We found out this week that our gym was sold to a family who has a lot of gymnastics experience. Gym life will definitely change starting in April. We are not sure how the changes will affect us yet, but we wish our current owners until we meet again, the new owners good luck, and we for all of our athletes including our children much happiness in a sport they love.