2022, June 6-12

Here we are at the end of another week. Pretty eventful, all things considered. 

Much of the week centered on Eliza's horseback riding in preparation for her big show on Saturday. 

Fergus has tried to beat the heat by sleeping downstairs during the day. 

Mike saved his pennies from some of his plasma money for a new LEGO set, a reproduction of the Transformer robot Optimus Prime. He hoped the kids would want to get involved in building it over the rest of the week like they did with the Titanic, but they didn't as it turns out.

A while back, Mike and some friends interested in heraldry who live in Utah created a (fictional) Deseret Heraldry Society. We're making civic and municipal arms for local government entities. Here are Mike's arms as an officer drawn by one friend.  

The "helmet" above the shield is modeled on the masks medieval beekeepers would wear. 

Thistles and roses have come into bloom. Mike caught a few on his morning walks. 

Landon had his first day at a real job this week! We didn't get a picture of him leaving for work as a cabana boy at Splash Summit, but we did get one at the end of the day. He survived and seems to be enjoying himself three shifts in. 

Eliza continued practicing for her show. 

Here are a few better shots of the neighborhood wildflowers. 

Fergus joined him on this day. 

Friday was International Heraldry Day. Mike made a kawaii emblazonment to celebrate. 

Hallie, Eliza, and our neighbor Denise ventured to the Spanish Fork Food Trucks on their way to the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds for practice before the big event this weekend. Eliza thought dessert should be eaten first. She was not wrong when she got lemon cheesecake from Renee's Cheesecake. 

As a final part of Eliza's preparation for her horse show, she had to get materials for her horse (Echo) and get her horse ready and settled in. She also got some swag at check in and mom has already claimed the sun hat. Our neighbor Denise came and offered her help and support. Many thanks! Hallie stated more than once that all of this horse prep may have put her in tears. 

On the way home, the girls stopped by the evening show of hot air balloons as part of Art City Days down at the Clyde Rec Center. Hallie and Eliza had never seen a hot air balloon up close so they found this quite exciting. Two balloons got lit up, but then due to weather the other three really never got up. It was a beautiful night. We treated Denise to Apple Cider Slushies from the Barn, and they were the perfect treat to eat while watching the balloons.

 

On Saturday morning, our neighbor Vicky got Eliza dressed up in her unicorn gear. The show has a unicorn theme, and all the girls and horses had on fancy clothes, hair ribbons, and paint. A caramel frappuccino helped start the morning off!

Mike finished up his LEGO set Saturday morning. Here it is compared to its 1980s original namesake and another one Landon got as a prize in a happy meal. 

The girls went to the show (the iJump Junior Extravaganza) earlier than the boys, so Landon and Mike arrived just in time to see Eliza ride. She rode in five or so different activities over the course of a few hours. Eliza won Grand Champion in her first event. Hallie was hoping Eliza didn't realize what was happening as it drew closer to her winning, but sure enough as the bottom picture implies she knew what happened and gave us a Grand Champion wave.

 

She won eight total awards including grand champion and reserve champion. Eliza took a picture of all of her ribbons below. Now what to do with all of these ribbons? Eliza also won a very nice Ariat helmet bag that we will cross our fingers will not be lost or "misplaced" anytime soon.

Her prizes included cash awards as well -- some $160 total!

Arlene Haymond and Denise Green helping to prep Eliza. Hallie couldn't have done it without their help and support. Hallie was taking pictures and holding all of the "stuff". Next time a wagon would be helpful. Eliza participated in a costume parade. As Eliza said, "Unicorns are not my thing, but you have to spend money to make money, and I will do what it takes to make the money."

Landon was pretty burned out after working in the hot sun, so in the evening, Mike, Hallie, and Eliza went to the carnival and vendor booths. Eliza got a kick out of the rides. We (Hallie mostly) needed a small break before heading to the carnival.

We also got a couple of pysanky from Wax On Wax Off, who had a booth there. Eliza got Hedwig from Harry Potter, and Mike got a more traditional design. 

 Fergus has found a new lap to add to his collection. 

We ended our weekend with talking to Mike's parents on the Echo and Landon playing video games with the assist of the Echo with our son-in-law Caleb. Technology can be so impressive at times.