I want C A N D Y

Halloween started off with Mc coming with me to High Fitness. It was a hard class and she even did a few burpees! 

 I am pretty sure Mc and her friends decided like, last year, to go as the Sanderson Sisters. Mc as Sarah, Azia Hessing as Mary and Kate McAffee as Winifred. They were the PERFECT trio. I am pretty sure this costume was made for Mc. We found a makeup tutorial online and Sarah Sanderson came to life. She went trick or treating until 9 PM with friends (not sure how many years we have left of that) and came home loaded with candy and exhausted. 

Kingston have moved onto all things scary for his costume. We found this creepy morph suit at Wal-Mart and he knew he had to have it. The only downside, once the face was zipped up, he couldn't see really well (ha). It was a smart costume choice because he didn't have to wear a coat and no one knew who he was. 

The Rake

Enzo THINKS he likes things to be scary- until that is, you try to make him go in the Halloween store. We had yet another year where we have ONE kid who won't go in. He had wanted to be a skeleton for a long time so when Target had some pajamas and gloves (costume and sleepwear- two for one) it was meant to be. He was wary about painting his face and spraying his hair but was happy with the end result. 

I opted for Beetlejuice this year- hair ratted to the hilt, a pound of make up on my face and an e-bay men's costume for the win! Mark wore my Texas Roadhouse winnings (hat with attached braids) and went as Willie Nelson. The weather was not too chilly and for it being a "COVID year" there were still lots of trick or treaters. A lot of people made PVC pipe tubes that went from their door to the steps so there was "contact-less" candy delivery. I just handed out candy like a normal person, a normal person dressed as Beetlejuice. 

Hallo-Willies 2020

****12****

Miss Mckinley Reese. Our big 6th grader. 12 years old. You seem SO big and like everyone says, this happened too fast. We are SO glad that we got to spend a week on vacation with you at the beginning of the year before the world shutdown because of COVID. Mickey Do, you are funny, smart, a good friend, keenly aware of others, fashionable (even in your high waisted, holey mom jeans) and such a good artist. You will draw on any paper available, LOVE spending time with friends and worked hard to earn the money to buy your own GABB phone (smartphone with no internet). 

You make us proud to be your parents and lucky to get to watch you learn and grow through this life. We are blessed to have your spirit, your testimony and your crazy in our home. WE LOVE YOU. 

No floors- birthday table. 

Mc & Penny Lane the hairless kitten

You chose Gourmandise for your birthday dinner- finished off with a cheesecake all for yourself. 

Just before the world shut down again we got to have a private viewing party of "Hocus Pocus" at the movie theater. 

 

You win some, you lose some

For High Fitness, there was a September challenge. For the past three years, I have been the winner. You have to get blackout and every year, the hardest one for me is to "go on a hike" to check a box. This year, I asked my good friend Angie if we could schedule a hike so I could get it done TWO WEEKS before the end of the month. She was happy to oblige (seeing as how she hikes every day anyway). Thursday morning we got up and went to Bells Canyon first thing in the morning. The weather was nice, the trail not too crowded and I was feeling good.

There were beautiful Fall leaves everywhere and the prospect of the waterfall was alluring. It started out pretty smooth. Not too much of an incline but as we went, it got steeper and more rocky and I felt more and more like dying. We pushed our way up and made it to the falls, had a snack and I was so proud of myself, all the while never thinking about the way down.

We started our way down the mountain and passed happy hikers, one gentleman who wished us an "enjoyable hike". Walking along, thinking about how great it was going to be to be finished and then one. wrong. step.

I hit the dirt. Instantly felt like throwing up. I had twisted my ankle pretty badly. 

I could barely walk and almost started to cry just thinking about how far I had to go to actually make it back to the car. I said a quiet prayer. Angie let me rest, we said a prayer together and hoped it would work out. Angie, being the seasoned hiker that she is, had a pack full of supplies. Me, being the optimist that I AM, brought my own ibuprofen. We medicated, wrapped it and started our way down the mountain. Angie had called her husband and the plan ensued. A sweet couple who had passed us, stopped and offered me one of their poles (since I was using a stick that could barely support me). Dave at Whole Foods, thank you. David (Angie's husband) dropped his lunch, ran to the mountain and then literally ran to bring me an ankle brace and poles. He had also contacted Sandy City who sent Charlie to the access road to come and get me. I had to walk quite a ways to reach Charlie but once I saw him I knew I could make it to his truck. My ankle was huge, swollen and already bruising but I had never been happier to sit in a car. David then went on to track down Whole Foods Dave to return his pole and then to finish "hiking" since he was already there. Machines those Richmans. 

The power of prayer was real. I could barely take two steps but I KNEW that if I had faith we could make it. I am so grateful that I was hiking with someone who was experienced and her sweet husband who saved the day. After all said and done, my ankle is still huge, I undoubtedly have lost the High contest. Makes for a great story though. 

Happy to have made it- right before I hurt myself

Charlie wasn't too keen on having his picture taken so Angie sneaked one from the back of the car. 

A lovely shade of purple

 

#yurtlife

When Jordan District decided to push school opening back a week I knew that was our chance to have one last summer hurrah. Our neighbor had stayed in these fancy Yurts in Orderville- lucky for us there was ONE left for the time we wanted to go. It was SO much fun! The Yurt was like camping with Hermione Granger- air conditioning, fridge, toilet/shower, swimming pool, BBQ, fire pit. It was awesome. I would gladly "glamp" like that any day of the week. 

Our first night we BBQ'ed kebabs, watched a movie and got up early to head out to see the sights. Kanab was the next biggest town and there was plenty to do. We toured Moqui Cave- a hollowed out mountain that had natural air conditioning and lots of cool rock specimens and dinosaur tracks. We next decided to "hike" the Sand Caves- man made caves from sandstone. We asked/googled the best way and were told to go wayyyyyy to the left and walk over. There was a young couple ahead of us that scaled the front- not a good choice.  We came back when it got super hot and had the pool all to ourselves. 

We visited some rock/gem shops and of course the second we said, "Don't touch anything!", Enzo dropped and shattered a gem. He was worried the rest of the trip that he was going to get arrested. 

Moqui Caves

We had an unexpected rain/thunderstorm which cooled the weather about 20 degrees. The kids played in the sand hill behind the yurt for two hours. Filling water bottles with sand (Enzo, "Look mom, it's like my testimony!"- overflowing) and trying to get it to stick. 

We spent the remainder of the week at the Hurricastle. I haven't been in so long and it is always a nice break. We spent Friday on the boat at Sand Hollow- the water was so cool and like glass. We did lots of tubing- the kids were brave and then got tipped so that was the end of that. Ha. There was a weird National Park called Pipe Springs that we ventured to- the visitor's center was closed because of COVID but we were able to walk around. It was a natural springs that was in the middle of nowhere and was a telegraph station back in the day. We love spending time with G & Chris and having the kids get that one on one time. 

It was a great LONG break before the kiddos went back to school. We talked about their life goals, ate good food, slept in and enjoyed being together. I am glad that we have these moments with our kids. 

 

Lady Liberty Day

No surprise that we love the 4th of July. This year was a little bittersweet- we found out on Enzo's birthday that Tyler's childhood/still friend Alex Ruegner had died in a plane crash. He and his wife were supposed to come to our "Stadium of Tyler" show. We decided it was only fitting that we dedicate the night in his honor. He left behind a young wife- only married 9 months and a house they were supposed to close on the following week.

Tyler spent his usual $4000 on fireworks and then added a few more to mask the pain he felt from losing a dear friend. 

The fireworks did not disappoint and TONS of people filled his circle to watch the show. With COVID, they had asked people to stay home, wasn't going to happen. I am grateful for this country- even though it's been struggling in 2020. We have so much to be thankful for. I think this year, more than any other has taught me the value of choice. Living here, we have choices that many don't and that is the greatest blessing. 

God bless America. 

Kell and Jess joined the party. 

When sisters match. 

The aftermath. 

 

Hulk smashes S I X

And then my baby turned six. Another year slipped by and it felt like six was too big. Enzo had very specific birthday wishes- Bot Bots, Ramen and Thanksgiving Point. We were happy to make all those things a reality. Oh Enzo Niels- it makes me a little sad that you are turning into a big boy. Your chubby cheeks are fading away and you are starting to become your own little person. You are still deathly afraid of Halloween. You love Transformers, tiny things (like Bot Bots, coins, minifigs), long baths, "scary" things like Jack O Lanterns like on your favorite shirt, playing with friends, riding bikes and having sleepovers in the basement. I love that you still love to snuggle and that you are so tender. You are the best at following directions, drawing Godzilla and robots and making us happy. We love you.

HAPPY SIXTH, HULK.

Feeding a Llama

R A M E N

 

Combined birthday at Mimi's with Hamburger cakes.