We wind down the month with early Halloween celebrations and other activities. This week was marked by a couple of tragedies in our community, and our hearts go out to the families affected.
Hallie asked Eliza to get lunch on Monday. One of Eliza's favorite foods is soup, so she pulled out a can of Progresso and heated it up on the stove. Eliza poured the contents then into the bowl you see below and used the spoon she heated it up with to eat it. Hallie asked her why she didn't get a smaller spoon. Eliza replied, "This one was already dirty. I don't need to dirty another spoon." Eliza, you are so right!
We fear that fall may have already transitioned into winter. Here's Y Mountain from Mike's office. No more red and gold. Now we're back to snowy white. Note that the trees in the valley (save the locust) haven't even had the chance to turn.
Admittedly, the alpenglow from our front yard is quite lovely. Again, there is plenty of fall left in those trees. Here's hoping the warmth comes back for a little bit.
Landon seems to be enjoying his transition to taekwondo. Once he learns the ropes, Mike might join him.
Landon got some other birthday presents from Diamond and Caleb. He's having a good year.
We had some rain in the valley on Tuesday. On our morning walk with Kai, Dad and Eliza took in the fields with their pumpkins and cattle.
Hallie noted the dramatic skies and low-lying clouds. The mountains can keep the crazy weather.
Eliza had the chance to dissect a squid and a sea urchin for science this week. Maybe we have a budding young scientist in our future! Hallie drives four kids home, and three of them brought home pieces of the squid. The car smelled so yummy on our way home. Not!
Hallie got to play dress-up at school for the kiddies. She was a witch on Thursday, and she wore Landon's costume on Friday. Hallie and Mrs. Kelly our teacher went trick or treating in the main body of Springville High School. It was a lot of fun!
On Friday evening, Eliza, Hallie, and Mike went to Guide 'N' Gallop for a bonfire wienie and s'mores roast. Eliza enjoyed hanging out with the big girls. We are grateful Afton (Eliza's trainer) wants to be a part of the community by hosting fun events such as this.
On Saturday morning, we all went over to Jaker's for their trick or treat event with vendor booths along with the usual festivities. Landon even joined us, for which we are grateful. 15-year-old boys don't always want to do what their families want to do, so we are glad when he joins us.
Art City Donuts are always a treat.
On his afternoon walk, Mike caught more photogenic cows and dramatic skies.
This photo of flocking birds doesn't do the effect justice.
In the afternoon, Eliza went on a trail ride with these troopers. She enjoys these opportunities to do independent activities. Guide 'N' Gallop took four students, a dad, and the trainer up Hobble Creek Canyon for a two-hour trail ride. Eliza said they saw a bit of snow. Speaking of independent activities, Landon went over to a Halloween event at Merit Academy in the evening with his friend Corbin. We have two young people who are rapidly learning to do their own thing, and it's a little bittersweet, to be honest.
One of Mike's recent master's students who happened to live in our broader neighborhood and who taught Landon in 7th grade lost her battle with cancer this week. Mike and Landon attended her viewing this evening. It's sobering and somber to see such a relatively young life taken. We appreciated seeing the outpouring of love and support for her family from friends and acquaintances from many quarters.
On Tuesday, Hallie was headed to work a different way than she normally takes when she noticed a police car in her rear view mirror, so she pulled through a school parking lot to let the car pass. As she was about to get back on the road, another emergency vehicle car approached. Hallie got on her way, and more emergency vehicles came past. Hallie could see where they were stopped up ahead. At that moment Hallie knew she was going to be late to work and turned around to try and go a different way. After making several turns through neighborhoods, Hallie made it out near Springville High School when the ambulance came by carrying (as we found out later) a senior from Springville High School who was hit in a crosswalk on her way to school. This is another sobering reminder of how precious life is.
Diamond called Hallie crying on Friday; her dad has been put on hospice. Diamond and Caleb made the choice to drive to Detroit to see Sylvester and the rest of the Evans family. We pray for all of those involved.
Sunday, Hallie's Uncle Jerry and Aunt Karen stopped by on their way home to Hurricane, Utah. It was nice spending time with them.
We are feeling reflective this Saturday and Sunday. How grateful we are to be able to spend time with our immediate family without a lot to do and to cherish what we have.
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