2024, January 22-28

As we near the end of the month, Mike and Hallie celebrate 25 years of marriage and the weather heats up. 

Landon started his new job helping out with kids doing gymnastics and martial arts at the high school. On Monday, he recognized one of the kids' dads as none other than James Perry of JK! Studios and Studio C. He was gracious enough to let Landon fanboy a bit.  

Mama's got guns (thanks to the boy)!

Kai came back after having been away for a few days. We're always happy to have him here! 

The boys were having a dramatic moment. Mom forgets exactly why she took this pic. 

Landon is driving more and more, expanding his experience set. 

You have been blessed with a blep from the cat. 

Mike and Hallie marked their Silver Anniversary with some silvery ice cream spoons. These are inscribed with "To A Lifetime of Ice Cream Together." Mmmm! Ice cream! 

Sleeping kitties don't lie. 

Eliza decided to get a passenger-eye view of big brother on the road. 

Ferg decided to lie down on Landon's phone. 

When Landon took it back, the cat was not pleased. 

Mike made Eliza dress appropriately for cold school-day weather. The girl was not pleased. 

After some last minute following through on the requirements to attend her first dance, Eliza got to attend for an hour. She has a shawl to go with this top. Eliza reported that the dance didn't match the hype. 

Earlier in the day, she and other Yates Place students learned about the different parts of the earth and made Play-Doh globes. 

Ferg spent most of Saturday sleeping after a night on the prowl. With the warmer weather this week, the kitty has wanted to be out more. 

After waking up fairly early, Hallie also went back to bed on Saturday morning. Kai joined her, and they didn't get out of bed until late, waking up to the smell of bacon as Mike made breakfast empanadas with the dumpling mold set Hallie got for him as an anniversary gift. 

Sunday morning felt a lot like Saturday morning with lots of sleepers. Things got busier later in the day.

After chatting with Granny O and Alie, we watched the NFC championship game. The "they had us in the first half, not gonna lie" meme comes to mind in describing the way the game went. You can't give the opposing team 27 unanswered points and expect to win, Detroit. Maybe next year. It was an historical season, and you deserve so much credit for that. In the meantime, here's hoping SF beats KC in the Super Bowl! 

2024, January 15-21

Here's the rundown of the week. We have settled into the routine of the new semester. 

We all had Monday off for the holiday. This also meant Eliza did not have BUH except for music on Wednesday.

Landon went to the orthodontist to have a check up. While there we found out he had a broken bracket, and they put on new bands. He is always thrilled to be there. He was so thrilled to be there that while we were waiting for the orthodontist he started putting on the different protective eye wear. Taking Eliza along with us always ends up being not a quiet time at the appointment. They really like to egg each other on. 

Eliza and Hallie went to Sam's Club to run some errands. It was 29 outside, and Eliza was dressed like summer. We can't quite convince her to put on warmer clothes. Some battles we might be tired of fighting.

Mike continues learning the ropes as a substitute teacher. He got some new information about working in the local school district. He also cut some snowflakes in keeping with the winter weather that we got this week.

 

Fergus let Hallie warm up to him. 

Here Landon is dancing along with Cocomelon. Sometimes you have to be a kid again.

Snow came in earnest midweek. The roads were not Hallie's favorite. Most of the schools start a little later that Mike subs in, so the roads are cleared more for him than when Hallie and Landon head to the high school.

Priscilla had her birthday this week, and she and Hallie went shopping. They found these cute buddy plushies. The tag said, I like you a latte. They each have one.

Priscilla also got Kai this new coat. Kai now has three families who love on him! 

On Wednesday we went to the Melos to celebrate. The boys each have a VR, so they played shooting games with each other virtually. The girls had their own console games. 

Having passed his permit test, Landon has enthusiastically taken to the road to get his 40 official practice hours. Mom's heart races each time he mentions he wants to drive.   

Landon can be a funny goofball sometimes, and Hallie tries to catch him on occasion. We won't discuss what he's doing here.

 

On Saturday, Dad and Eliza went to the Michael's craft event in Orem, where they painted picture frames. Usually, your local Michael's does the Make and Break activities on Sundays. Ours is not open on Sundays, and we don't always remember Saturdays. Mike and Eliza have gotten into several activities together lately. As noted in a previous post, they're both learning to play the ukulele. This week Eliza even made Dad a book with copies of the sheet music they're learning. 

At the same time, Hallie and the Amandas (with whom she went to Disneyland last year) went to The Friends Experience in Salt Lake. 

Afterwards, they went to a couple of restaurants to eat. Nacho Daddy (voted Best of State 2023) in Salt Lake City was so dang good, Hallie said.

Amanda has always wanted to try the Japanese dessert bar Doki Doki. The packaging was amazing! The food was even better. Try Doki Doki when you go to downtown SLC.

They even went to Jack in the Box for treats for the big game on Sunday. Hallie really likes the Utah touches to Jack in the Box.

Hallie and Mike are celebrating 25 years married this year. On Sunday morning we went to TRUreligion and had breakfast together in one of the old booths from Lamb's Grill Cafe. Our waitress is getting married soon and gave us a crepe for a free treat to celebrate.  Hallie hasn't taken a bite of her omelette yet as she is still so full from the starters. 

Mike sort of recreated a photo from about 19 years ago when Lamb's was still around. Hallie remains as beautiful as ever! 

In the afternoon, we watched the Lions beat the Buccaneers while dining on our JitB tacos and curly fries.  Thank heavens for air fryers to help our leftovers taste slightly more appetizing than they could have been. After sitting so long watching football Mike, Hallie, and Eliza put on our rain boots and took a walk. It was nice to get out and to be able to feel the rain.

We ended the day chatting with Grandpa O, Grandma O. and Alie. It is fun to talk to them. We're grateful for modern technology.