Happy Halloween!

Sleepy Hollow in Hurricane was closed this year. We went to another place in Hurricane. It was smaller but it was a different adventure and supported a small greenhouse nursery. This train about rattled my bones out of my body. 💀

As far as costumes, Juliet was a duck and I was a mad scientist.

Merril rode dirt bikes and then came straight to the trunk or treat so he was a dirt bike guy.

Jack was a BMX guy.

Mark was a dirt bike guy.

Mikayla was a mystical elf.

Pumpkins were carved and lit.

I love how one seems to be looking at the other.

I made a fake bottle of poison this year. It seemed like a good prop for my mad scientist vibe.

I ate too much candy. I was able to chill at the house because everyone is old enough to trick or treat by themselves. It's pretty awesome. 🎃

Temple Trip

Maxine was able to visit the Newport Beach Temple! Yay!

She was there was a bunch of peeps. I know Sister Winterbauer and Sister Holmstead but not the other. Sorry sister!

Juliet Teaching Piano

Juliet currently has 9 piano students. I've talked about it before but I still think it's cool! I feel like she delivers a quality lesson. 

 

Organs of Temple Square

 I'm a member of a Facebook group for primary music leaders. An event called Pedals, Pipes and Pizza was posted on the group. They invite teens and children to come play the organs at Temple Square. I was able to get Juliet into the event! So we drove back up to Salt Lake. They taught us about the organs and each kid was allowed to play on them for a few minutes. The tabernacle was unavailable for playing but we were able to learn about it for a few minutes.

Then we went to the conference center organ!

Waiting for her turn! She was so excited!

 The experts they had helping the kids were great! They were funny and chill.  Juliet asked if she could get more stops and turn up the organ and the person helping her said absolutely! 

Juliet was also able to play the organs in the assembly hall and the basement practice organs. There was also a harpsichord in the basement that she was able to play for just a minute. So fun!

  We watched an organ recital in the Tabernacle before we left and as we were leaving I saw a missionary badge on a senior missionary the said Elder Winmill. I commented that that was my mother's maiden name and it was spelled just like that and he said, "Oh, your Jo Ann's daughter." It was Randy's brother. He's serving a mission with his wife at Temple Square. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a small world. He looks just like Relva. 

Mikayla as Amelia Earhart

 The 5th graders have a special project called the living wax museum. Students can choose from a list of historical characters to dress up and learn about. Mikayla chose to dress up as Amelia Earhart. I probably swayed her decision a little bit because I think Amelia Earhart is interesting.  I found a cute Amelia Earhart costume. 

I had fun learning about Amelia as well. Mikayla did great on her project.

 

Homecoming 2022

Juliet and her friends are old enough for dates but still wanted to go to Homecoming. They went together! Nicole, Juliet, Alicen. The girls went to Runway Fashion Exchange and got ready together.

Juliet has some bombing hair.

Cute girls!

I made Juliet a corsage.

Jack asked Leighna! This was their first official dance date.

They're adorable! Jack and Leighna had breakfast at Oak Grove and hiked. And went bowling. And had dinner at Paul Wright's house. Mark wants me to say that they ate meat. 

Eagle Mountain MTB Race

 This mountain bike season has been hard for Jack. He was able to go to all the early-morning summer practices but as soon as they switched to the evening practices, he's been unable to make it. Work is right at the same time as evening practice. His times have been dropping and he had a mechanical issue last race so he didn't want to even go. It's okay. Julie and I just drove up by ourselves. Julie's been doing well. She's been placing in the low 30s high 20s for her wave.

This is Beau Campbell's home town so Grandma and Grandpa Campbell were here too.

I got to help in the coach zone with Mandy. That was fun! Adam and Mandy work so hard for the team!

Juliet always looks so good when she finishes. Some of those girls can barely walk when they get off the bike. She walks off like it was nothing.

Eagle Mountain is near the house I grew up in until I was 7. We breezed past it and took a picture.

Evening of Elegance

Merril and I went to the Evening of Elegance for search and rescue. I bought this dress a few months ago but haven't had an opportunity to wear it anywhere. Merril wore his search and rescue American flag tie.  

Maxine picked up this red suit from a member's house. I kind of love it. 💗

Boys Lake Powell Trip

  Shawn Nelson invited the boys to a few days out on his houseboat at Lake Powell. They were supposed to go during the summer but the houseboat became unavailable. This time in September popped up. The water was still nice in the Fall. Mark got to drive the houseboat. He said it was his favorite part.

Jack's favorite part was tubing.

Merril kept sunscreen on them and they had a great time!

Riding Motos

  I have a motorcycle license but let's be honest, I don't ride a motorcycle very often. I decided to go with Merril and Juliet and Mark. Merril purchased a new motorcycle, a Suzuki DR 200. It's supposed to be more chill for me and Juliet.  It's a nice little motorcycle. Juliet and I are liking it.

While riding, a storm rolled in. We packed up and got out of there before it got us. It was a nice little afternoon. *My hair looks goofy in this picture because the wind was blowing so hard. 😂

 

Mom's Offroad Recovery Again

Jack was hooning around in the hills by our house and was probably going too fast. In doing so, he got all sideways and high-centered. He needed my help getting free. It took a few tries and I had to come back with a different strap but we got him loose. 

I should start charging him. Maybe he wouldn't get stuck as often. Doubtful. I'm glad he wasn't hurt. Then the next week he ran a motorcycle out of gas. He called to see if I could bring him some. Luckily, there was some in the garage. I got the gas to him and he rode home. Silly kid. 😉

Richfield Mountain Bike Race

We are on our way to the Richfield mountain bike race!

Juliet, Jack and Merril left to preride the course. Juliet doesn't like how red her face gets after exercise so I took this picture but she'd only let me keep it if it was black and white. It was so hot!

The next day was race day! I volunteered early in the day and had to sneak out of the hotel room. I came back around 9:30 a.m. and they were all in bed together. 😆

Jack rode at 12:55 p.m. and it was hot! He did 2 laps in about 52 minutes.

Grandma and Gramps were there because Beau and Evan Campbell also ride for the Cedar Valley team. They get to see two sets of grandkids.

Jack's looking happy!

Juliet rode at 2:06 p.m. and she was supposed to ride 2 laps. The race officials started pulling kids off the track after 1 lap because of the heat. It was high 90s. 

When we were done, I was so hot and sweaty that I wanted to cool off any way possible. We found a field with the sprinklers going and ran through the sprinklers for a minute. I thought it was lovely!

I drank so much water and gatorade but still feel dehydrated. It was super dusty and my lungs feel gunky. We booked it home for showers and sleeping in our own beds. 😅 

Peach Days 2022

 I love Peach Days! It's one of my favorite things about our little town. Merril arranged for his band, Black Sabbatical, to play. It was super hot but it was still fun. 

I worked security so that I could score an awesome Peach Days shirt. 😎 It says Committee Member, which I feel like is maybe a stretch, but I'll take it.

Do you know that old ladies touch things way more than little children? It's true.