Kicking Off December

With a fun trip North for a long weekend with Grandma & Grandpa Christiansen.  We had a lot of ideas on what we all wanted to do.  We just needed to be flexible and patient with each other to be successful.  Neither one of these are we very successful with.  We are determined to do our best and have fun.

We are all packed, loaded up into the Hummer, and we were off.  

Check out who is driving...
Rylee was brave enough to tackle the task of driving the Hummer.
On I-15 with a lot of big trucks speeding by.
She did great!!!

Reganne & Grandpa Chris
After a long trip ir was nice being greeted with
open arms and plenty of hugs.

Let's revive an old tradition and go to Gardner's Village with dinner at Archibald's.  We kidnapped Grandma since Grandpa was busy with projects that needed to be finished.  Emily, Morgan, Grace, and Rachel met us there for a yummy dinner and exploring the shops for unique Christmas presents.  Reganne & Morgan were the first to find a special gift for Dave.  The trick was keeping it secret when he has the keys.

It was now time to check out the Christmas lights downtown.  As we drove down State Street Ryder was so excited to see all of the sports car.  He almost jumped out of the car while moving when we passed the Ferrari Dealership.  This boy is crazy for cars!!!  We finally made it to Temple Square and the crowds were already crazy.  A quick vote was taken to drive around instead of fighting the crowds.  One more pass down State Street for Ryder.

Let's check out the Festival of Lights in Spanish Fork before heading home.

Not a great picture of
all the light displays.
The only thing that would have made it better was snow.

It was an exhausting first day full of driving, food, and family.

Sunday arrived and along with it the missing snow from the night before.  Dave & Ryder found snow shovels in Grandpa's garage and began the daunting task of shoveling the walks.  The large white fluffy flakes coming down meant more shoveling before church.

Is this one of Santa's

Trying to decide
The picture with Santa did turn out pretty good.

This year our Santa picture came from the Cabela's Santa and judging from their faces he passed the test without waiting in the crazy lines at the Dickens Festival.  We spent the afternoon hanging out with the MacPhersons as it continued to snow.  The snow continued to fall it was time to head back to Grandma & Grandpa's while the roads were still somewhat ok.

There was even more snow on the way home and we even witnessed a couple of cars spinning around and bouncing off the cement barriers.  Everyone was glad to finally make it to Springville all in one piece.

Hanging Out

Sunday afternoons can be an adventure.  Our usual afternoon is spent with the kids in their rooms listening to music, listening to YouTube, playing games, and snacking.  Dave had to go into work and help with some decorating.  While I was cooking the kids all disappeared.  I finally found them together hanging out doing makeovers.  Ryder took over his and soon he appeared with this crazy face.  He was going to require a lot of scrubbing.  I wasn't sure of the statement but they were all laughing and having a good time.

It's not very often that they all hang out together without teasing, fighting, or wrestling.  It made me smile when they do spend time together and I hear laughing.

(It lasted for about an hour and they were back to their usual ways)

Happy Thanksgiving

It was going to be a great turkey day.  The weather was great or rather perfect for hanging Christmas lights.  Dave & Ryder were busy outside while I made yummy scones for a quick breakfast before dinner prep began.  

The turkey was bagged and in the oven.  Ryder & I decided to wear the dogs out with a quick run to the park.   We loaded up toys, snacks, and the dogs into the van.  We were off...

First stop the elementary school where the fields were locked down.  Next up the park across the street.  A lot of people play football along with their unleashed dogs.  How about the intermediate school?  The fields again all locked down and I refused to climb the fence or lift the dogs over it.

How about the school parking lot and the green space out in front?  Keep their leashes on and throw the ball.

They are off and running

And running

Running, playing, and pooping
Yuck!!!
I had the worst duty of picking up the poop!!!

20 minutes later they were pooped and stretching out on the grass.  Time to head home, check on the turkey, set the table, and find a minute to relax.

Everything smelled yummy and we were all starving.  I didn't get any pictures of all the food.  Yet I couldn't resist snapping one of Reganne enjoying her dinner of hot dogs & chips.

She ate everything on her plate.

When she told me that this was her least favorite holiday of the whole year.  I couldn't asking why??  It's the food I don't like potatoes, turkey, or stuffing.  There isn't anything else to eat except veggies.  What would you like to eat instead?  How about hot dogs?  All the yummy food around and she filled her plate with hot dogs, chips, and veggies.  I did get a smile and she cleaned her plate.

We were all full in 20 minutes and cleaned up for 30 minutes.  There was still time to snuggle up in a blanket and watch a couple of movies.

Sad note there wasn't anything in the brown or black shopping ads that made us want to venture out in the craziness.  Maybe online shopping with be the key this year crowds are not appealing at all.

The Holiday Season Beginnings...

The Jubilee of Trees is always the first event of the season.  It is a great kick off if you are prepared for it.  I am not.  The season doesn't wait for you to get ready instead it forces you to jump in with both feet ready of or not.   It was time to jump and have fun.

Our favorite tree & boy.
It was one for the dogs.

Reganne checking out the smaller trees.

There was a lot of different trees, wreaths, treats, table settings, and crafts for the kids.  We all came home with ideas of what we can do to surprise each other.  

It was also a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Next up Thanksgiving....

Coral Canyon Car Show

The car show season is winding down for the year.  Dave, Ryder, and Travis were ready to enjoy the day outside with a lot of cars.  I was able to come and join them for the afternoon.  I was surprised how beautiful it was out there.  Ryder was glad I came out so he explore all the rock formations.

Base setup

Gorgeous View

In love with the Rat Rod

Dreamin of drivin

Exploring

Top of the rock!!!

Loving the scenery
and of course the boy too.

Views from the other direction.

It was a beautiful day but on the chilly side.  Lunch was included with the registration fee.  We went up to the clubhouse and before the others.  We still had to wait in line but the food smelled awesome.  However, the smell wasn't everything it was cold and pretty tasteless.  Ryder loved his bacon cheese burger and finished it.  They also had trivia questions to win gas cards or cash.  Dave gave Ryder the answers to a couple  They won a cash prize and gave the other one to Travis.  I tried to get in on the action but only one prize per family.

No awards this round for us.  Travis did get one which he was smiling from ear to ear. His wife Karen and his daughter with her family made it just in time to see him get the award.  

There is now a break in shows until after the first of year.  I love hanging it out with the boys even if its only for a couple of hours.  

October Snap Shots

Of our craziness...

WOW!!!
This was a great surprise for both Rylee & Reganne.

Happy Birthday Surprise
roller skating with the young women the night before her birthday.
Love getting text messages of the kids smiling and having fun.

Birthday Pizza
from Pizza Factory
Birthday lunch with the cousins.

DHMS Mixed Choir
1st Quarter Concert
It is hard getting a good picture with all those stage lights.

Fall Break Lunch Date with Mom
Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza @ Little Ceasars.
I love those smiles.

Build your own flashlight
Watch Mom!!!!

Solar Oven
They made yummy smores

Their STEM days are amazing hands on projects for the kids to enjoy.  Ryder loves building & learning new things.  I so appreciate Mrs Demke for her hard work and dedication to her class in making learning fun.  They also had a marshmallow war based on the Revolutionary War.

Halloween Candy
Best deal of the year only $47 with my 50% off coupon from Smiths.
I loved watching the register as it quickly moved down.
Candy for trick or treating or being devoured by us?? 

A tired mom and her BTS crazy daughter
Loved that she secretly shared with me while
I wasn't looking.

Halloween is now history as we march diligently into November and to the holiday craziness.

Scout Service Project

Ryder loves going to Scouts each week.  He loves the new challenges and new activities the leaders plan for them to do.  They have had scavenger hunts with compasses, learning how to tie knots, and a few survival skills.  It was time for a little service...bring a pair of trimmers...meet at the corner @ 6.

Ryder needed to find those trimmers.  He definitely didn't want to miss out.  He called Dad for a little help in locating the perfect pair.  

How about these?

In here?? 

Or here??

He finally found the right pair just in time.  I dropped him off at the corner to meet all the boys.  They trimmed the bushes along one of our busy streets that the city has had a hard to getting to.  They were hot & sweaty but the smiles were great.

Loved getting this text message from Bishop Shakespeare.  The smiles, poses, and crazy faces are priceless.  Keep up the good work!!!

Halloween 2018

The kids are getting older and the Halloween activities are changing as well.  An era was coming to an end today.  The elementary school parade!!!  Eleven years of standing outside in the frosty morning watching as each class marches around track.  Who will miss this?  ME!!!  I had better enjoy this one and don't blink because it will be over way to quickly.  

They were off and I couldn't find Ryder's class anywhere.  How did I miss him the first time around?  I had better be watching for the second time around.

I'm HERE!!!

I couldn't miss him the second time around.  He let me know that I needed to take his picture and could Josh come with us to SkyWest.  I definitely took his picture.  I also loved seeing the variety of costumes this year.  I think the most popular one this year was the Halo Guys.

Ryder wasn't too old to go to SkyWest for our annual trick or treating.  Ryder was anxious to get his full or king size treats from the Exec Offices.  They didn't fail him.  We finished with a pretty heavy bag full of yummy treats and tired feet.  Give him a few pieces of candy and he will be as good as new.  Bring on the trick or treating.....

A Jedi & a rocker

Trick or Treating with friends was going to be a blast.  Not only for them but for me as well.  I could stay home and relax.  Dave could manage the candy and I could stay inside warm.  Nope!!! Dave setup a chair for me to sit outside with him. 

Ryder's group
Josh, Talon, Corbin, and Reegan

Reganne's group
Before

After
Kiah, Alyvia, Cheyanne, and Reganne

They survived
and even found more friends to go with.

The boys curfew was 8:00 which they all complained about rather loudly.  However, 8:00 came with tired feet, heavy bags, and hungry bellies.  The girls came back shortly afterwards needing a ride to a different neighborhood and try their luck there.  Time to close down the haunted house and creepy music with no kids in sight.  The boys were tired and all headed for home.

Another Halloween in the record books.  Rylee had to work, but was able to catch a movie with friends afterwards.  Reganne & Ryder both had fun with their friends.  Dave & I handed out candy to maybe 30 little guys all night.  I will have candy to share until Easter or not since they no longer want to share with us but eat it all in the privacy of their rooms.  I am hoping if I am really good they may share a few chocolate ones.

2018 Spooktacular Swim Meet

Swim meet weekend in St George.  Ryder was excited for this one to work on his IMX for short course. Once again plans are always shifting and I was able to be there from start to finish.  Instead of volunteering as a training official I was able to start working on my officials test.

I love watching the pool come alive.
Too many hands & legs churning at the same time.

Only 2 events tonight

No such luck heading out early.  He volunteered to be a counter for each Heat of the final event of the night.  We made it home by 10.

Rise and shine 8:00 warm up time.  Today I was going to be on deck finishing my final observation. Dave was there cheering him on while I had to observe without shouting or calling his name.

Freestyle flip turn.
Able to give encouragement no need for officials to be on deck.

Good Dive

Good Form

We both had successful days on deck.  No DQ's for him but no official times until Monday at the earliest.  Once again Ryder is starving and wanting food!!!  We had our family birthday lunch with the Wheelers at Freddy's.  Another belated Happy Birthday for Dave.

Ryder's final times were posted on Monday.

Male 10-11 100 Backstroke 1.32.19 3rd Place

Male 10-11 100 Butterfly  1.51.30  33rd Place

Male 10-11 100 Breast  1.51.87 25th Place

Male 10-11 200 Free  3.05.78  3rd Place

Male 10-11 200 IM  3.37.93  2nd Place

Good Job!!! Keep up the hard work.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

It's hard to surprise Dave for his birthday.  It was extra hard this year he was going to be working a crazy day.  His hours kept changing each phone call I made to him throughout the day.  We then scheduled family dinner for the weekend.  He pulled his own surprise and was off work by 4.

Time to celebrate Dad!!! Quick dinner at Habit Burger then off to the Halloween Carnival at the church.  Dave decided his present was to stay home.  Ryder was excited for some Halloween fun.  We needed to make a quick pit stop for a cake, card, and a few treats just for Dad to enjoy.

Maybe Ginger as well?

 

What a great guy!!!
Sharing with everyone else.

He survived our crazy celebration.  Let's hope he also survives another crazy year with all of our misadventures and daily life. Hears to another 50!!

First Responder's Car Show

Everyone loves this car show for the First Responders in Washington County.  Dave & Ryder were excited to participate this year along with our neighbor Travis.  Ryder & I watched them start getting setup the night before after swim practice.  It was going to be another good show.

Dave & Rylee
talking cars and their parts.

Another friends car
He needed either a jump or a tow.
It wouldn't start.

Sibling's sharing the love
or
Don't make me get it he picture.

This boy loves all cars.
Thankfully he is still into just taking
pictures of his favorites

The weather was a little warm but who is going to complain in October.  We all had a good time but no awards this time.  The kids were ready to head home and hopefully still have time to hang out with their friends.  I was ready for a nap.  Ryder was once again hungry and ready for dinner.