2024, July 29-August 4

We spent a lot of time watching the Paris 2024 Olympics, and we also got out to the Utah County Fair. 

We saw Murphy and her colt early in the week. The colt has since been moved to its own corral. 

On one of Mike and Eliza's rides, they saw these sandhill cranes. We could take lots of photos if we stopped instead of riding. 

Here is Hallie at Starbucks. Woot! Why does she look scared? Who knows? Maybe because all of the information she is learning is like a fire hose to the face.

Eliza had a couple of art-themed classes at BUH this week. She made a flower arrangement and a "painting" using gel and pigments. 

Eliza and Hallie went to the Orem farmers market on Wednesday. They found cute accessories for Kai. 

They saw a cute puppy that kind of looked like Kai. The girls want his head hair on Kai.

Mike took his and Eliza's entries to the Open Class at the Utah County Fair on Tuesday. Later in the week, after the entries were judged, he and Eliza went over to see how they did.

There are all sorts of entries in different categories. We will have to see if we can find/make items for next year's fair. 

Eliza earned two red ribbons for her beaded jewelry and painting and a blue ribbon for her "upcycled" horseshoe. She made all three items at BUH. 

Mike earned a third place for a painted rock, a second place for some digital art, and a first place for a framed paper snowflake. 

Here are some more images of items entered. One day we may get a best in show, but we're not holding our breaths. 

Being a fair, they did have some animals to judge and other events to see. We participated in a few other activities.

Eliza continues working on new beaded jewelry. 

Here's Kai with one of the ribbons he got earlier in the week. 

Later in the week, Eliza and Mike finally got around to taking pictures of the sunflowers along the railroad tracks. We don't know whether they're annuals or perennials, but they show up every summer regardless. Maybe the birds bring seeds over from Jakers. 

On Saturday, we had to pick up our fair entries, so Hallie, Mike, and Eliza went over in the heat. Landon opted to stay home. Hallie got another pic of Eliza's painting. We got some rain that started off as a relief, but then it just got (slightly less) hot and muggy. 

Here is Hallie and Kai watching the Olympics. Go USA! 

Hallie is easing back in to work at the high school. One day was spent organizing her new classroom. This next week is the opening institute for the district, and then things at the high school will slowly build up. Mike continues waiting for final word on a couple of provisional job offers. Things are moving very slowly on those fronts. 

2024, July 22-28

We continued with visits from family and friends and celebrated our pioneer ancestors and the Olympic Spirit. 

Sawyer came by on Monday while the adult women got facials. Eliza and Mike took her to see Jack and Raunchy. 

That afternoon/evening, Diamond, Eliza, and Hallie attended the Utah Days of '47 Rodeo while Caleb, Mike, and Landon held the fort at home. 

They had opportunities to see lots of displays and animals in pens. 

Later, they watched the rodeo itself. The moon looked so cool coming home, but of course the camera did not quite capture it.

Hallie saw this early morning rainbow on Tuesday as she took Diamond and Caleb to the airport. We were so glad to have them here with us this past week and will miss them! Hallie was very tired after having stayed up late at the rodeo. 

It was also her first day at her new job at Starbucks inside the local Smith's Marketplace. It was a bit overwhelming, but she did great. 

Fergus decided to join Mike and Miguel at their tutoring session. He seems comfortable lying down anywhere. 

Pioneer Day Wednesday dawned bright and warm. 

Fergus loves the heat (or at least prefers it to the relatively cooler house), apparently. 

Kai likes playing outside, but the heat is harder on him. He'll play enthusiastically for a while before getting overheated and needing a break. 

At noon Hallie and Eliza joined Carly, Breanne, and their girls at the Provo Rec Center. On the way home Hallie and the girls stopped in Sam's Club. 

The girls enjoyed playing water games with each other and the dogs. 

On our way over, the mom of one of Hallie's preschoolers said she had a couple of extra tickets for the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo, so Hallie went and invited Sawyer along.  

The rest of us ate s'mores and watched the fireworks. 

Landon entertained us with his light saber. 

Uncle Shad even went as far as to get out his camera and get the rest of us involved in the light work for photos (which we hope to see soon). 

Sawyer had a blast and got goodies in addition to the show. 

Plus she had a better view of the pyrotechnics. 

We had rain on Thursday morning, and that cleaned the air and lowered the temperature a bit. 

On Friday, we started watching the Summer Olympics on TV. Mike and Hallie are really into it. The kids humor us. 

In the evening, Julie came to visit, and the ladies Hallie has gone out with all got together for a photo. 

We stayed in bed longer than usual time on Saturday morning. We watched the Olympics from bed before getting on with the day. Fergus and Kai were happy to sleep, and maybe that contributed to the vibe. Hallie thinks standing up as long as she has at Starbucks may have contributed to a bit of her sleepiness.  

Later in the day, we joined Riley, Breanne, and their kids for dessert at Roll Up Crepes in Spanish Fork. We also got some photos of the grown-ups. 

We also managed to catch Eliza climbing a light post. This is her on her way down. 

Sunday morning dawned bright, and we spent most of it watching yet more Olympics (well, at least the grown-ups). That Peacock channel/app on the TV may be a problem. This is not the first time we have experienced Olympics overload over the years. Good thing they only happen every couple of years or so. The kids keep themselves entertained and occasionally stop to watch the events. 

We took a break from watching the athletes to get some activity in before the Sunday social, and we spent time talking to Gma, Gpa O, and Alie. It is always fun catching up.