2025, October 20-26

We have a new adult in the family. 

Hallie went to Rockwell Ice Cream and found this new restaurant nearby called Kiwi Tu Meke Bites. Mike would have devoured some New Zealand meat pies! 

Hallie also found some heretofore lost Kit Kats and promptly hid them again for future consumption. Too bad her stomach does not like them when she eats them before bed. 

She planned to officiate at a wedding this week and had to make sure her dress fit. It does. Hotty!  

Mike coupled his Wienermobile whistle with his Henry Ford Mold-A-Rama model of the same up at his office. 

Eliza went on a pumpkin hunt (to make a Jack O' Lantern?). Glad no one kicked them out of Sam's Club.

Fergus is not a fan of the cold, it appears. Hallie has recently become a go-to warm body. If they leave him in the house overnight he starts meowing before 6:00 a.m. Those who live with him currently (mainly Hallie) do not like when he goes around making himself known. The kids sleep through it.

Hallie took Kai and Brooklyn on a walk with Eliza, and they made nice with the local ponies. 

Mike's kitchen entry has been inaccessible for the last month or so. This week, the handyman finished building the (very narrow) entryway. 

It's hard to emphasize just how narrow it is. This cutout on the rail gives some sense of what had to be done to make the handrail accommodate the screen/storm door. 

Hallie got a new 'do in preparation for her officiating duties. Here's a little pre-COVID throwback shot. 

While Eliza may be carving a real  Jack O' Lantern, Mike had to settle for the virtual variety. 

Mike isn't jealous at all of all the cuddle time his cat is getting with his sweety. 

He may also be ready to be done with Duolingo. Lots of streak freezes have happened this month. 

Picture of the pup pre-haircut. 

Is that a bug on the front door screen? Maybe, but Hallie was showing Alie a picture of what it looked like in Springtville after the rain.

The boy is no longer a boy, at least in the eyes of the law. Happy birthday, Landon! 

Our neighbor kindly helped restore a broken passenger-side rearview mirror (story for another day). Hallie was able to pay for our awesome neighbors help in Coca Cola. Thanks Shawn!

Mike made a polymer clay bee at an art workshop after hours. It's . . . OK. He is looking for creative outlets. He even got his scissors out to cut paper snowflakes. Technically, it has snowed for reals up here.  

In the evening, we all sang to L while people in Springville enjoyed cake. 

Hallie managed to get Brooklyn to smile while waiting in the car while Alicia ran an errand.  

Friday meant a wedding! Hallie led the happy couple through their vows at a spooky Gothic-themed wedding. Hallie's boss Kora from Starbucks tied the knot, and it was so much fun for her being her besties. Eliza didn't get a choice if she wanted to come. Hallie picked her up early from school and they headed out.

Mike spends a lot of time at his UM office. It has most of what he needs. He decided to take some selfies to remind everyone at home what he looks like. We regularly chat by phone and video chat, but it's not the same as real life togetherness. 

Hallie caught this shot of one of the street trees in full fall splendor. Hallie was chatting with Mike telling him how the trees were dropping their leaves, and so she had to show him.

"Gimme a warm lap (Eliza's in this case), and I'm a happy kitty."

Cattle are hanging out in the west field. Hallie could hear them from the house. It was no wonder she saw them on her walk with Kai. A picture had to be taken.

On Sunday, Eliza went to the missionary open house for one of her taekwondo friends, who's heading away soon. 

In preparation for our eventual move, Hallie took some time to clear out part of the garage to make space for packing boxes to be filled soon. Thanks to Alicia who helped move the shelving so Hallie could sweep. 

They didn't have a Sunday social, but they did visit with neighbors.  The picture shows Brooklyn in a walker on the far end of the driveway, but it is hard to see.

Mike got views of brilliant fall trees on the Oval during the week. Here are a couple from Friday and one from Sunday.

As he went back and forth from his apartment, he shot some deer. A few were dining in his backyard.

And a few stood between him and the office. 

To end the week, Landon bought himself a used PlayStation 5 with money he got from his Aunt Priscilla for his birthday. Hallie had a bit of anxiety watching him and his friend Sonny go and buy something from Facebook Marketplace and 25 minutes away. They were successful and excited to play their first game.