Halloween 2021

 I loved having Halloween on Sunday because we celebrated for 3 days. Friday was Sara's elementary school parade and class party. Saturday was pumpkin carving, beef stew, homemade rolls and trick-or-treating/parties with friends. Sunday was a family party. It was a lovely weekend. Here are some pictures from our festivities.

Ben was busy finishing up his application to BYU.

Sara stayed in our neighborhood to trick-or-treat with a friend, Luke went to a party (they did a little trick-or-treating), Mary went to a party, and Ben had a date to a haunted house. I'm grateful we were still able to carve pumpkins and eat stew and rolls together before everyone went separate ways.

We weighed Sara's candy. 4.4 pounds! She sorted it while we watched the U of U game.

We read Halloween stories before bed.

I'm grateful for my family! I love every opportunity we have to be together! HaPpY HaLLoWeeN!!!

End of October happenings

Coming home from church one Sunday. I couldn't resist some pictures with the beautiful golden leaves.

Our fish got a clean tank, new rocks and a new plant.

Luke's new SBO sweatshirt

I met with Luke and his school counselor for his 8th grade high school/college prep meeting. I have done this with our three older kids but this time I was a bit emotional because now I know how fast time goes. This boy will be done with high school too soon!

A picture of Luke in his school halls.

Mary in her AP World History class. Such a cute girl!

Mary had her first orchestra concert.

Mary's young women's leaders, friends and family came to hear her orchestra concert. This girl is so loved!

Culvers after the concert.

I have enjoyed Mary's flowers on my kitchen island. They go so nicely on my new 'gratitude' lazy suzan. I had a potluck lunch with neighborhood ladies at the clubhouse so I took a cheese and cracker tray.

On a walk with Nana- enjoying the beautiful Autumn weather and colors.

I was a bit late getting pumpkins this year. Mary videoed me trying to dig pumpkins from the bottom of the boxes at Costco. I was so excited when I got one! We bought the two that I was able to get.

Sara went to a birthday party for her cute friend Maysen. She had a great time.

Sara making slime at her party.

Visiting our cute Mary at work.

A beautiful sunrise on our street.

Todd and I teamed up to cut Ben's hair in the backyard. Looks good if I do say so myself.

Making a leaf angel

Even Nana is smiling on our evening walk in the beautiful Autumn weather.

Fall break in St. George- Ben's last mountain biking race

We took our trailer to St. George this year for Ben's state mountain biking race over Fall break. 

We did 2 hikes in Snow Canyon. Jenny's slot canyon and the Petrified Dunes hike. Both amazing!

I didn't plan meals for this trip. I brought food we had in our fridge and pantry and then we stopped at the grocery store for random items as we needed them. This random trip to the store made us laugh.

Playing pickle ball at the KOA.

The kids were so excited to climb Dixie rock. It is one of their favorites.

We loved checking on the construction of the St. George temple.

We toured Brigham Young's winter home. I loved it!

My parents and the Booth's joined us for mini-golf and s'mores at the KOA one evening.

Loading the bike for Ben's last race.

This was NICA's 10th season. Ben raced for 5 of those seasons. Michael raced 2 seasons before Ben joined which means our family has participated with NICA for 7 of their 10 years.

Ben putting his number on his bike.

Putting gloves on after his bike check-up.

I was emotional as Ben prepared to race for the last time. It had been an emotional time with Michael traveling to Ecuador and now the first of Ben's lasts as a Senior. My mom heart hurts. The words on this picture are true.

Coaches instructions after warm-up.

Luke and I hiked out on the course to watch Ben race. Luke ran with Ben for a few seconds as he cheered him on.

Ben's big finish!

We are so grateful for Ben's amazing coaches; Jeff Brown, Rodney, Jeff Howard, Scott and of course Danielle and Cinnamon.

Nick Booth raced the day before Ben. It was fun to have the Booth's and my parents at the race to support Ben.

I love this boy!

Lunch at the team tent.

We stopped in Nephi for pizza on the way home.

Nana was so happy to see us when we got home and we were so happy to see her! We wish dogs were allowed at mountain biking races!

The trees in front of our house were bright yellow when we got home. I love this time of year!