2024, August 19-25

We're seeing signs of a transition in the weather with a feel of fall in the air. 

We got a sudden afternoon thunderstorm on Monday that made for some dramatic skies. 

On Tuesday we helped celebrate our neighbor Margarita's birthday. The boys took some time to join in before going back to gaming. 

This praying mantis graced our house later in the week. 

As Mike and Eliza went riding, she decided to do some tricks. Her actions reminded Mike of a photo he took of her several years ago. 

As it turns out, it was nine years ago almost to the day! 

The cat trap is working. Or maybe Fergus thought he was an orange. 

Eliza relished in the joy of being the chosen one.

We didn't really do a whole lot besides school and work. In past years, we have gone to the local Renaissance Fair. Mike had a work thing, and Landon mowed Gma and Gpa M's lawn, and we opted not to go. Coincidentally, Hallie received a reminder on Facebook about how the boy feels about this type of activity (he hates being hot or sweaty or bored): 

Maybe we will need to choose to go to this OR Payson Scottish Days next year, but not both. 😂

Hallie had to work Sunday, so Mike held the fort with the kids and tended the fire at the social. 

2024, August 12-18

School's back in session, and the feel of fall is back in the air (at least occasionally). 

Eliza joined Mom and Dad walking Kai on Monday morning, and she said hi to the ponies over in the north field. 

Kai wanted to join in too. 

Eliza went barefoot, and she wanted to make sure we got a picture of her and Kai's wet footprints as they walked through the wet grass onto the dry sidewalk. 

We got word that Jack and Raunchy will be leaving the neighborhood and heading back to Moab. Eliza went over to say goodbye, and she also took some pics. Here are the ponies from her unique perspective. 

Landon started school on Wednesday. He so loves getting his picture taken. Nice 'do, dude!

We'll be taking Corbin (who recently transferred from Merit to SHS) with us. Woot!

As part of our preparations for next year's Japan trip, Hallie got a subscription from Sakuraco for goodies from the Land of the Rising Sun. This time we got treats from Okinawa! 

Eliza did painting at BUH. Here is her work. Fancy! 

Later in the day, we were treated to a beautiful sunset looking west from the north field. 

A little while back, Hallie met a new neighbor while both were out walking their dogs. She and her fiancé got married Thursday in Provo, and we had the privilege of joining them for the ceremony. 

This pretty bouquet came from the Wright Flower Company. 

Hallie continues to develop her barista skills. She was particularly proud of how this drink came out. 

Kai went to the groomer's on Friday. Now he's all neat and trim. 

Eliza wanted an extreme closeup of Fergus. 

We got some stormy weather over the weekend, including quite a bit of rain on Saturday. Sunday threatened rain, but it passed to the east and south of us. 

 

2024, August 5-11

We had another full week of Olympics, and Landon got his braces off. We cannot believe the last full week of summer is done and that school starts for the boy next week. 

Kai Kai Puppy continues to chill out. He appreciates people's company. 

Hallie got new nails, dandelions seeds being blown off a puff ball. 

(Some of us) spent many hours watching the Summer Games. The kids will be relieved to get the TV back and to get back to a normal entertainment schedule. 

Landon opted to finish wearing his braces this week. Here he is after having them removed. No, he does not want to show off his slick newly-unglued pearly whites. He had stayed up for several hours the night before building a pistol from LEGO bricks. He challenged Dad to make one too. 

Mike opted to build a ray gun.

We found out that Kai likes to drink from the hose. 

Some mornings are made for mate and watching the Olympians.

The kids helped out at Gma and Gpa M's on Friday while Mom and Dad were occupied with their work. 

On Saturday morning, Mike and Eliza went riding. We had a bit of a windstorm late Friday afternoon, and apparently it knocked down a couple of trees along the Hobble Creek trail we ride. 

Someone also recently sprayed some new street art on one of the barricades. 

Google also reminded us again of how much the girl has grown. 

Later in the day, Eliza and Hallie beat the heat with some shave ice down by Smith's after a stop-by for groceries. This is a small, and it looks close to the size of Eliza's head.

Someone on the internet posted several iconic photos from the Olympics. Paris did a great job, and we look forward to seeing more memorable moments in LA28. 

If you or your kids are going back to school next week, we wish you the best. May you make amazing memories this school year.