2023, April 10-16

We had a lovely transition to spring as part of Mike celebrating his fiftieth birthday. 

The week started with Mike getting a copy of the Aspilogia Discordiae, a printed version of many of the armorial achievements from the Discord heraldry community of which he is a part, created by Dimitri Prica with drawings by Heikki Halkosaari.  

Landon continues to learn geometry. 

Mike's grandpa had some old family vacation reels that Mike finally got around to sending several in to be digitized. We look forward to seeing what comes back! 

Mike walked around Costco while Landon did TKD, he came across the LEGO set based on the house from the movie UP. He was happy to get it for Hallie as a present.  

He's continuing to try to memorize the algorithms for solving the Rubik's Cube. He's got part of it down pat. Still working on it. 

Eliza continues to make progress in TKD. 

Some good advice from one of Mike's favorite books, Nation by Terry Pratchett. 

Mike received this infinity cube in the mail as a birthday present from his parents. It came in handy at a conference he attended later in the week. 

He resorted to using YouTube videos to help with memorizing the Rubik's Cube algorithms, and he managed to solve it a few times with minimal help. 

Laandon wanted to make sure someone captured Fergus blessing him with his presence. 

Here is the boy channeling his inner Maverick from Top Gun. Landon said recently that they call him the boy of a thousand looks. It seems he does something different every day. It is kind of fun to see.

Eliza received a late birthday present from one of the kids we carpool with to Yates Place. Noelle knitted the scarf Eliza is wearing and the fun bracelet she is wearing can have essential oils put on it.

Mike celebrated his 50th birthday this week. He appreciated all the cards and well wishes. 

He had to attend a conference up at Daniels Summit Lodge, where it is still winter. 

The room was spacious. 

It had a decent view. 

Hallie also got a gift in the mail: a backpack to celebrate Disney's 100th anniversary. The short story is she ordered it for herself when she forgot her gift cards at the hotel when she was at Disneyland.

So, here is Mike at 50. Could be worse. 

Here's Mike at 50 with Photoshop filters. Woo hoo!

Here he is with the family at the Back 40 Restaurant in Heber. Hallie and the kids made the trip up just to spend time with the birthday boy. Dinner was yummy, even the leftovers were amazing!

Here's the view from the hotel room as the skies became more dramatic. 

And here's a view the following morning as Mike went for a walk. 

As he walked by the restaurant, he happened upon a scavenging fox. 

Conference ended, he got back in time for him and the girls to go to the Spanish Fork food trucks. The flowers are in bloom down here. 

Eliza attempted to climb a pole, but she had a harder time than she has in the past. She's done a lot of growing in the last few months coupled with no longer training as a competitive athlete. 

Here is a sample of the birria tacos we got from Chimi-Salsa on the Road. Along with these, we got empanadas, a burger, and rolls made with chicharrones (aka pork rinds). 

On Saturday morning, Landon (with substantial help from Mom) made Mike eggs. He was referencing a show you may (or may not) know. 

As he went for a walk, Mike happened upon the nearby field horses basking in the sun. No, they're not dead. 

On a bike ride later in the evening, Mike took a look at the creek north of our neighborhood. That's quite a bit of runoff! 

Hallie worked on the UP house during the week, finishing it Saturday evening (with only a little help from Mike).

Fergus chose to bless Hallie on Sunday morning. Mike caught a quick shot of it.