2024, September 2-8

Here we are in the last third of the year already. We partook in beauty both natural and man-made. 

Sunflowers continue to bloom, although we do see them starting to fade even as new blooms arise. 

Eliza caught a double rainbow on her bike ride in the afternoon. 

Eliza started her new school year at Yates Place (she's been doing online for a couple of weeks). We finally took the kids' first day of school pic on Tuesday.

Hallie got fall-themed nail art this week too.

Kai went back to Brittany for a few days, so Fergus once again has full control of the house. He's thrilled. 

On Tuesday, Hallie started back at the high school for the school year. Friday morning Hallie helped with the Open House for the cute kids and their parents. She enjoyed getting to know some of the new high school students as well. The preschoolers will officially start on Tuesday and another year will begin.

Friday and Saturday, we had the Springville Art Festival. While Hallie and Landon went to mow Gma and Gpa M's lawn, Mike and Eliza went to see the different exhibits and activities down by the library and civic center, which included sidewalk chalk art, other visual art, dance and performing arts, music, culinary arts (AKA food trucks), and art activities for the kids. 

This couple danced and other musicians performed in the new pavilion/gazebo. 

Several vendors showed off their paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other art for sale. 

We saw this "free box" but did not open it to see what was inside. 

The city put up this street art wall, and we added a couple of images of our own (which likely got painted over as the day went on).

Mike made this pipe cleaner bee. 

Eliza found this cowboy-themed button she liked. 

She also tried chicken curry, which she liked in spite of it being at a price she didn't.

The bee became a cat toy once we got home. 

Hallie worked at Starbucks a couple of nights and on Sunday morning this week. Mike and Eliza went to visit her while Landon slept in. Then they took a ride down south of Smith's. Developers have a lot of new home construction going on down there, and large sunflower patches grow in the spots that have had ground turned over but have not yet been built on. 

Later in the day, our neighbor Kohar invited Eliza to accompany her and her kids to Lagoon. The Frightmares theme has started in time for fall. 

2024, August 26-September 1

We wind out August watching the Paralympics and otherwise plugging away. 

Hallie spent time prepping the preschool classroom on Monday. School starts for her next Tuesday. 

Landon had written something . . . inappropriate on the front door Sunday night. Mike erased it. This is what Landon replaced his old graffiti with today. 

Sunflowers have continued blooming throughout the month. Here are a few along the creek trail. 

Hallie took Eliza and Kai to Dutch Bros. so Kai could get a snazzy new bandana. 

Hallie passed her barista basics course. They have been keeping her busy these last couple of weeks. Next week her hours get dialed back as she returns to the preschool. Less standing and more sitting, and the customers are demanding in different ways. 

On Wednesday, Mike got to drive a golf cart around for a few hours shuttling people around as part of a celebration for the Heritage Community in Provo. This was a new experience, and he had a great time doing something a little different than what he usually does for work. 

Landon caught Fergus blepping and wanted Mike to make sure he saw it. 

Landon even managed to join Eliza and Mike for a bike ride midweek.

The kids also helped Mom wash Mike's car, which he really appreciated. 

On his ride, Mike caught sight of some sandhill cranes again among other wildlife in the neighborhood. 

Eliza wanted someone to catch this moment of her and Kai together. 

Fergus was blepping as he caught some rays Sunday morning. Mike didn't catch it quickly enough. 

He did catch this lovely sunflower on a walk with Kai. He and Eliza also found a little lost Chihuahua on their ride and got it back home. 

Throughout the week, we have watched the amazing athletes at the Paralympics. So fun! Hallie had to work on Sunday. Not so fun. 

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.