Halloween 2025

We carved the pumpkins a little late but we got it done!

The porch was decorated with all the cute and funny pumpkins. If you know about 67, then you know.

Mikayla was a witch!

Mark was Michael Jackson and went trick or treating with his friend Jack.

The sorting! Mark bagged over 6 pounds of candy!

The day after Halloween, Mark wanted to make pumpkin pie from a real pumpkin. We steamed his and made a delicious pie!

 

Cleaning the Temple

Our ward had a temple-cleaning assignment and I asked Maxine to help. When we were done cleaning, a temple worker asked if we wanted to see the celestial room. We said sure! The chandelier was lowered by a cable and was quite close to the floor. That was fun to see. When we were done around 11:30 p.m., we were hungry. Maxine loves In-N-Out and it was open so we went. I forget how yummy it is! I'm glad we were able to feed our souls in the temple and feed our tummies at In-N-Out! 

 

Halloween Happenings

🎃 There were a lot of Halloween parties and fun activities and I just put them all together. It's a lot. Maxine painted pumpkins with her friends.

Mikayla and I painted the lawn and even added some ghosts this year.

After soccer practice, we found some pumpkins for sell on the side of the road. Mark always wants a massive one.

I found this pretty green one!

The skeletons were getting crazy.

Juliet went to a fall festival with Caroline's family. Stephanie brought her camera and took some lovely pictures!

They carved pumpkins too.

Maxine went to a Halloween rock climbing event at Utah Tech.

We went to the ward trunk or treat and Maxine came for free chili and cornbread. She's the very hungry caterpillar. Mikayla's a witch.

Merril and I wore our disco clothes from the Lovesac party.

The bros are handing out candy.

Mark was Michael Jackson.

The sky looked amazing at the end of the night!

Institute Choir Performance

Maxine is in two institute choirs at Utah Tech. She bugged Brother McConkie last year to make an audition choir and he did! Now she's in two choirs because she made the audition choir and participates in the regular choir as well.

They sang at the St. George Tabernacle and it's a fun setting. Mark and Mikayla came and Merril met us over there. They sang some nice songs! I can tell they've improved over last year. 

Mark and Mikayla's Soccer Season

Nobody is graduating right now, no one is is preparing to go on a mission, no one is moving. The littles have asked to be put in soccer for a few years and I've just felt too busy. We buckled down and did it! Good 'ol Hurricane Rec Soccer to the rescue! Both their teams were average. Some games were won and some lost. They shot and scored and also shot and missed.

We ended up buying some used cleats and coincidentally, they fit Mark and Mikayla at the same time.

 

I don't really have any cool shots. I was watching the games and feeling the vibes.

I brought my sunshade to a few games and threw out my huge H denim quilt. I relaxed on the sidelines and enjoyed the warmth. I watched the kiddos play soccer and when one wasn't playing, they were hanging out on the blanket with me. It was a perfect little season.

Neon Night Fun Run 2025

I debated about signing up for the Neon Night Fun Run but Mark and Mikayla said that they like it enough to do it again. 

I ran the 5K this year. My shoulder has been feeling better and I've been running more instead of just doing shoulder exercises. Timmy and Abigail were down with their family for state mountain bike racing. They ran with us but Abigail was sick and I don't think it helped her very much.

Merril showed up at the end. He's been working at rampage and getting home late.

 

He's been trying to have some fun at rampage like riding in helicopters and posing for all the fun rampage pictures.

It's a lot of stressful work for him though. He keeps saying he's not sure he'll do it next year. We'll see. Time can make for fuzzy memories.

Elder Jack and Elder Niez and Zone Conference!

Look at this man! He is doing awesome in the Philippines or he says he's doing awesome and lying to me. ;) He has a new companion, Elder Niez. He says he's an awesome companion and they are doing great work together. 

This is from Jack's email: 

Spiritual Thought: It's been a while since I did a dedicated spiritual thought so I figured I'd do one now. This week, unfortunately Tad R. Callister passed away. He didn't give many conference talks but the ones he gave are some of my favorites. I studied the last one he gave this week. It was about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It was so great. He gave so many practical and wonderful examples to help us understand. I really liked what he said at the last part. "The Savior’s Atonement is not only infinite in scope but also individual in reach." This quote is awesome. I really realized how the Atonement is for all people. Every missionary, every friend, person on the street, everyone. As I was pondering this, the thought came to my mind that "The Atonement is for everyone and for EVERY ONE. It is one for all and all for one. It is the most amazing gift anyone could give. And it's completely free for all. I recommend reading it, give it a listen or read. Love yall! Have a great day!

One more quick thing! The mission posts pictures of zone conference. I love it because it's so fun to pick out Jack in the pictures. In the group pictures, he's usually in the back because he's tall. So fun! Godspeed children of the Lord!

Kolob Canyons

When Dad and I flew to Phoenix for the LoveSac party, we flew out of Cedar City because that's where Dillon has his plane. We flew over Kolob Canyons and I wanted to go there over fall break because Merril had rampage. We got there and it was more impressive than I remembered. And the fall colors were just starting to get lovely. We hiked to a small overlook.

I tried to take my BeReal while I was out there but really messed up the timing. I ended up taking another one but not before Maxine snagged a screenshot. Might as well put it here. What is going on with my mouth? The weather is getting lovely and chilly. 

Jack Killed a Rat

This picture is terrible but it's just a screen grab from a blurry movie. Jack said that he and his companion, Elder Lim, left a window open for the breeze and a rat got in. The video is around 4 minutes long of the elders racing around the apartment with brooms and sticks trying to get it out from behind the refrigerator and desks. It's hilarious. It finally pops out from under Jack's desk and he chases it to the kitchen, where he smacks it with his stick and it starts to die. Jack starts getting grossed out and cuts the video as the rat twitches and bleeds on the kitchen floor. 💀 So gross. Dear Lord, please protect my son!