2022, November 7-13

Well, here we are, in the full swing of fall. The neighborhood streets are getting torn up for Google Fiber installation, and we got snow in the mountains. The trees have finally decided to drop their leaves en masse. 

Eliza likes to diva up on occasion. 

She and Mom drew gnomes from one of those YouTubers. Hallie took hers and hung it up at her work.

Eliza continues to gain new skills and enjoys helping out at riding. In this picture Eliza is doing something called "yield work" from the ground so that in the future the horse will do it from the saddle. It also is something good to do when the arena has a bit of water in it from the rain we had.

Hallie sits and freezes her rear end off. Someone needs to promise her all of the freezing is like working out and will do amazing things to her body if she keeps sitting out there.

Mom, Dad, and Landon went over to the Nebo School District gym. Landon got pumped up, and he had to preen a bit. Eliza followed suit.  

Here is one of Landon's recent drawings. It's a mutant hybrid something or other. 

We got snow on Wednesday, not enough to stay for long, but enough to make the roads slick. Here's Hallie's view on the way to get Eliza from school. 

Instead of taking Landon to Taekwondo, Mike took Eliza to a pysanky presentation at the library by the same guy they learned from earlier this year. Mike was probably more interested than Eliza, but it was a cultural experience for them both. 

 

Here's Landon getting some practice in. It is interesting when Landon talks about how much of a harder workout this is than gymnastics. On the night below he worked out enough he said he almost through up.

On Wednesday and Friday, Eliza participated with her science class in doing dissections of reptiles and sea creatures. Eliza found it all fascinating. She brought home a turtle shell that we hope to preserve once the flesh is removed. 

Another of Mike's heraldry friends drew his arms in the style of an old Portuguese armorial, the Livro do Armeiro-Mor.

The Utah State Flag Task Force came up with a final design for Utah's flag, and that recommendation will be sent to the state legislature for approval in January. It wasn't Mike's favorite design, but it's one he can live with.  

Eliza got more riding time in on Thursday. She was cold. Good thing we have hand warmers! 

On Saturday, Mom, Dad, and Eliza went up to Sandy to see what was on offer at the Salt Lake Family Christmas Gift Show. We got some yummy goodies and ideas for gifts. Afterwards, we did the Michael's holiday-themed activity and looked at more gift ideas at the Painted Tree Boutique in Orem on the way home.

We caught this image of the alpenglow before taking in a sunset that covered a full 360 degrees. Pretty remarkable! 

Hallie worked concessions at the High School musical two nights this week. It was a great way to earn some extra dough and for Hallie to meet others at the school. Hopefully there will be more chances in the future.

2022, October 31-November 6

Halloween led quickly to winter vibes. Where'd the fall go? We celebrated Día de los Muertos and otherwise kept the festive vibe going. 

On Halloween, the kids went trick-or-treating with friends. Mike was permitted to follow Eliza (at a distance). Landon was totally on his own. He dressed as a ninja warrior (complete with swords). We got a picture of her but not of him. Hallie for the first time in a long time passed out candy.

Here is our friend Lexy as la Katrina. 

Earlier in the day, Eliza got some stickers in the mail from her online remote reading teacher. She's doing a great job with her adapted schedule. 

Still earlier in the day, Mike attended the funeral of his former student. She was well-loved by the community. It was a poignant experience. 

 The morning of November 1st dawned dramatically. 

Eliza got some practice in during the afternoon. Grandma M. came to watch. It was a beautiful day.

On Wednesday, we got the promised rain and snow. Here are views from Mike's window toward Y Mountain.  

Here's the view from home. 

Still later in the day, the snow really began to stick. 

Landon opted to formally join Rise Martial Arts. We think it will be a positive experience for him. We are happy he has found something to help him stay active.

Eliza seems to be enjoying some mystery food item. There was a reason we took the picture, but now neither Mike nor Eliza remembers!

Eliza joined Hallie at work on Thursday and got to interact with one of the electronic baby dolls the early childhood education students use for training. In the picture below Eliza had to burp the baby and if the baby is not sufficiently burped the baby will let you know.

Riding with the horses in the snow is a far cry from (and far chillier than) riding in warm weather just two days earlier. The arena Eliza normally rides in was full of water so they headed up the property to a bit of dryer ground.

Views from Mike's office have a clearer view of the snowy mountain now that most of the locust tree's leaves have fallen.

  

On Friday night, we participated in the first of three Latino-themed celebrations. The first was the annual university Fiesta, with music and dance from Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Peru, Guatemala, and Colombia. 

Here are all the performers together. 

On Saturday morning, the weather remained warm enough for us to prepare the tulip bulbs Hallie bought from Thanksgiving Point to be placed in the raised beds to bloom in the spring. After getting their hands dirty, Hallie and Eliza headed to Hobble Creek Boutique in Mapleton and bought a thing or two for the holidays. 

Later, we went to the Shops at the Riverwoods to participate in Día de los Muertos festivities. 

Eliza got her face painted with lots of detail.

We grabbed a bite to eat at Dippy's in Orem. Landon and Hallie really like Korean Corn Dogs. Landon and Eliza got their dogs rolled in ramen. Hallie and Mike opted for plain.

Afterwards we went to the Orem Public Library for a themed community event.

All in all, we had lots of fun. Can't you tell? 

On his bike ride this morning, Mike happened on the grazing sheep. Maybe they'll winter over in this field? 

Eliza decided to use the fancy markers to decorate her knee. Quite artistic!

And there's always a need for a Fergus pic. Such the restful fellow!