2024, September 16-22

So long, summer! Welcome, fall!

The local school district had a student day off, and we all took advantage to go to the movies, where we saw Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (having watched the original last week) with our neighbor Corbin (after Eliza had her classes. Too bad she did have school!). Nice homage to the original while having its own appeal. 

Tuesday brought a return to school for everyone. 

On Wednesday morning, Hallie caught this dramatic sunrise. 

In the evening, we attended Eliza’s taekwondo advancement. Now she’s a blue belt and halfway to black. 

Look at cute Kai blopping!

One of Hallie’s students brought her flowers on Thursday. 

McDonald’s is doing a Crocs-themed Happy Meal promotion. Here’s what Hallie got when she and Eliza went. 

Eliza had a second celebration this week with the BUH rodeo. She had the honor of being the rodeo princess! 

Eliza participated in three events: barrel racing, poles, and quadrangle. 

Landon got involved too! He did a dance battle and won a gift card. He tried his best to be a good sport, and afterwards he attended the high school homecoming game. 

(Here’s more of Eliza riding in her events.)

Several friends and family members came to visit! Thanks everyone for the support and encouragement!

(More riding.)

Here’s our princess again. Eliza placed first barrel and poles!

Thanks again for the love and support!

Good ol’ Kai didn’t know what to make of us being gone for so long. Fergus took it in stride. 

As part of his adventure seeking new employment, Mike took (and passed) a driving test in a UPS truck. That was fun, if a little unnerving to start. Hallie did some time at each of her part-time jobs this week, including Saturday morning, so Mike took Kai and the kiddos to Gma and Gpa M’s so Landon could mow the lawn. 

We spent a quiet morning on the first day of fall at home (including pumpkin spice French toast! Yum!) before Hallie went to Starbucks and Mike and Eliza helped finish building a cup cart. Then it was time for Sunday social, starting earlier due to sunset getting earlier as the year winds down.