Peach Days

We went Thursday night to get desserts and Texas Twister.

Friday night we went back for dinner and to see the displays. 

Maxine has compared Peach Days to Christmas. Woah. She really looks forward to it! She hasn't been able to go for 3 years because of her mission and she was up at USU.

On Saturday, Juliet was in the Peach Days parade with the robotics team. We watched her and then ran back to the house so Maxine could have the car. 

Saturday night, Juliet wanted to go to the Peach Days Rodeo. It was down by the airport and I've never been to the new equestrian park.

This year they switched the canal hike to Monday (Labor Day) morning. It doesn't conflict with the parade and there were a ton of people there! Merril and Maxine were good sports and came along.

I'm a fan of the tunnels.

A fantastic Peach Days weekend! Wahoo!

Merril: Our Man in Japan

Merril went back to Japan to work on some business things with Shota. While he was there, I accidentally called a messenger group chat. It was Jack's Pday and I called him, Merril and Maxine. I was on my way to the bus stop and I could hear Jack in my pocket saying, "Hello?" I pulled my phone out and they were all there. I woke up Maxine, she was just in bed.

Merril went to the ocean with the Watabes!

They've had a baby boy since we've seen them last. Kenroku-en Japanese gardens in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. Ren, Gunji, Geoji.

The foooooood! I want to eat that!

Sensō-ji buddhist temple in Tokyo.

While Merril was racing Baja last year, he came upon some Japanese competitors. The oldest guy's dirt bike battery was dead and he was having a hard time communicating. Merril and Darryl stopped and to help him. Merril looked them up when he went to Japan. They wanted to go ride but Merril didn't have enough time before his flight home. They said to make sure to ride with them next time!

Merril had a little time before his flight to find the Tokyo Japan Temple and send us a picture.

Mountain Bike Race #1: Soldier Hollow

Juliet and I were by Soldier Hollow for the girl's weekend but now we're back for the first mountain bike race of the season. Juliet looks so cute!

The rest of the family was doing other things so it was just the two of us. 

She clipped a tree and fell down. Luckily she didn't hurt herself.

We were both tired and there was no one to drive us home but us. 

Juliet staged 14th but fell back to 25th. She wrecked at practice a few weeks before the race and couldn't train for a week and a half. I think she'll get it back over the season. 

 

Hard Enduro Rhythm Knockout and Soldier Hollow MTC Race

Mark and Merril competed in the Utah Summer Games Hard Enduro Rhythm Knockout. Mark said it was hard. Here he is with his medal!

While those crazies were off riding dirt bikes, Juliet was riding a mountain bike in Soldier Hollow in Midway. We were just there a few weeks ago for the girls trip! We stayed at Jo Anna's house in Springville after the pre-ride. The mountain bike team has new jersey colors this year. They're pretty but I worry about the white getting dirty. I'm sure it'll be fine.

Getting ready to go!

Juliet's in good shape. Unfortunately she hooked a tree and went down. She wasn't hurt and the bike was fine but she lost some time.

And she got dirty!

After cleaning up, we were ready to head home. We had to drive ourselves, no one else was there to get us home. It was a good and busy weekend!

 

The Struts Concert

I'm recent years, The Struts have become my favorite band. It's a band that I've discovered by myself instead of something that I listened to because of Merril or someone else. I saw that they were touring and Merril gave the courage to buy tickets, on a Wednesday in Salt Lake City. They weren't touring any closer so it was that or Phoenix. 

We got there and Barns Courtney was opening. I don't have any pictures of him and I didn't think I knew any of their songs, but apparently Spotify has been pitching them to me without my knowledge. I knew four or five of their songs. And then The Struts came out.

The Complex in Salt Lake is the event center where me and the kids saw Owl City. We walked right up to the same spot where I watched Owl City, way up on the left side. For some reason it gets left open but it's so close to the stage!

It was awesome! I was scream singing every song!!

Luke Spiller is kind of like a cross between the lead singer from Queen, Freddie Mercury, and The Rolling Stones. He was funny and all over the stage and high energy. I really enjoyed the show! I really wanted to go again. I feel bad that my favorite band doesn't have a huge following! Maxine said it's a good thing because tickets are cheap and you can be up close.

Making a Fort

For Come Follow Me, we were reading about how the Nephites were fortifying their cities. It suggested that we build a fort! I haven't built a fort with the kids for a decade.

It was a fun Come Follow Me lesson!

Maxine and Stephanie Hike

I love that these two planned an adventure together. They went hiking at Brighton Ski Resort. They have trails in the summer.

And bumped into this guy with no shirt? It was a little rainy and they hid together under a tree. Then they continued to hang out.

When she came back, she and Juliet went to the temple!

Is Jacky Alive?

Here he is! I troll Jack's picture folder to check in on him when it's not Pday. Maxine said every missionary has a picture of the big map. 

Elder Toone is in the foreground. He's from Canada but we think he looks like Stockton. 

Jack with his companion, Elder Nelson.

This is Elder Carter. He's 6'10" and makes Jack look small. Ha!

Jack's district. He says the guys in the district are good, they are all really starting to bond with one another. Everyone is super cool and he definitely feels blessed to be in such a good district.  

Yay! Look at his smiling face! Miss him already! 

Getting in a Rhythm

Maxine is training for the St. George Half Marathon and has been going on her training runs! She was supposed to run some during her FSY summer but she was so busy!

It's the first day of school for the younger bunch!

I don't have a pictures of Mikayla's face but I do have one of her neck! We trimmed her undercut for the first day of school. She has so much hair!