Spring Break 2020 ??

Due to the pandemic COVID-19 our travel plans were cancelled and it became a staycation.  Let's take a bike ride on one of the local trails.  I haven't ridden much over the past couple of years so this was going to be an adventure.  We headed out!!! Ryder made sure I had a helmet on my head and plenty of water.

Taking a water break

Another water break

Trail closed??
NOT!!! said Ryder as he headed off with Dave along with him.
We quickly found out why with the big boulder blocking the trail.
Word of Wisdom...Obey all signs to be safe.

We survived!!
Just in time for another water break.

It was a great ride and we all survived.  Even though we didn't exactly follow the rules and stay off that closed portion of the trail.  I was ready for a nap.  Things are definitely different this year.  We are going to try our best to obey the new things asked of us in social distancing, gathering in small groups, and staying home as much as possible.  I commit to avoiding the stores as much as possible.  Not sure which is a bigger threat the coupon moms or the virus.

All American Girl Pageant Preliminaries

Rylee is excited to try this new pageant series.  We arrived for checkin at 9:00 and directed to a hallway / dressing rooms to get ready for the events.  She found a vacant spot and unloaded her many outfits.  

Let the fun begin....

We found a doorway.

Filling out the profile
Meanwhile I was getting a chair massage.

Interview Outfit
Slam dunk event.
Rylee has awesome interview skills.

Casual Outfit
She walks with such confidence in a perfect
outfit for work or school.

Formal Wear
She looks like a princess.

Teen Miss + Best Smile

Had to throw this picture in
of the Tiny Princess who slept through most of this.

All of the contestants.
The littles were not cooperating with the whole
picture process.

The royalty court

The older girls each won their divisions without competing.  However, they had to complete the process to receive their crowns.  It was a great learning experience for the next step the State Pageant.  This will be held at the end of May and then onto Nationals in August.  We are proud of Rylee for giving this a try and having a good time.

Check back in June for the next pageant.

The Mind of a Twelve Year Old

Maybe iCloud isn't to bad after all.  It gives me an insight to Ryder's mind by the pictures that show up on my phone.  The 12 year old brain is still pretty much a mystery to me but I am a quick study and hopefully learn before he turns 13.

Look deep into my green eyes.

Food!!!
His first attempt at this.
My house smelled like burnt cheese for 2 days,

He loves the dogs.
Ginger is really patient.
Dexter hides from him until time for bed.

Oreo Milkshakes
another new food item.

He loves to cook and share with others.  The cheese quesadillas, oreo milkshakes, and grilled cheese sandwiches are just the beginning of what he will accomplish.  One minor problem when he feeds his friends our food disappears without me knowing why.  I swear I took a loaf of bread out of the freezer yesterday.  Where did it go?  or did I?  Then once again the burnt cheese smell is all I can smell.  This is not a smell that I enjoy or use in a aromatic candle.  

What will spring break bring?

Saturday Adventures

What to do on a quiet Saturday?  We decided to go exploring in Zion's Canyon.  Rylee had to work and Reganne wanted to lounge (relax) in her room.  Dave, Ryder, and I headed off towards the canyon.  The first thing we see is a warning that the parking lots are full.  The second thing we see is construction at the entrance.  New booths & more lanes in progress.  We decided to try the shuttle bus and see what we may have been missing.

The boys in deep discussion
or argument??

More trails are closed due to landslides.  The bus filled up and everyone was anxious to get to the top of the Narrows.  From my front seat I could see around on all sides.  Ryder wanted to get off and hike.  We jumped off at the Kayenta Trail to give it a try.

Cool walk through

Nice place to take a rest.

Love this view.
However, a little nervous that he was to
close to the edge.

Perfect spot
I look so much taller than him.
It is only an illusion I was standing on higher ground.

It was time to head back to the bus stop.  We had about an hour before it would start getting dark.  We sat down to wait for the bus and we were soon watching the wild turkeys running around by the bathrooms.

This is something new
we haven't seen before.

Dang!!!
They started across the road and
right towards us.

We didn't have any food to give them so they moved right on by.  This is the first time I have seen wild turkeys and deer up close and pretty personal.  The bus ride back to the visitors center was packed.  The conversations swirled around us personal hygiene, body hair, greasy hair, and who they would be hanging out with later.  Maybe even night hikes.  Humans can be way more exciting to watch than the animals.

We made it back to the car and decided that being out in the fresh air was much better that sitting at home worrying about the new cornavirus.

February Wrap Up

February is the shortest month of the year and this year being leap year gives us one more day for fun.

Dacoda's 16th Birthday
Nothing But Bundt cakes are delicious.

Saturday Morning
heading to Cedar City for
the Last Chance Meet
Learned valuable lesson!!!
Make a complete stop at the stop signs near
the campus.

Watching the Youth Face to Face
together.
He was really wiggly but did come up with some great goals.

Spoiled boys!
Ice cream for everyone from the Condars.

Temple Trip to
Cedar City.  Definitely more planning
required now that St George Temple is closed.

Beautiful view
for our bonus day.
Happy Leap Day!!!

We had a good month and thankful we are all healthy.  All the sickness that is swirly around the world I am grateful to be living in an area where we have good medical facilities and the opportunities to be outside enjoying gods creations for us.

Bring on March!!!!

Look Who is Driving!!

Reganne has been studying for her learners permit since her birthday.  The trouble was finding an open appointment time that worked for us to take her.  We finally agreed on a day and time.  

 She was ready!!!! We had all the paperwork filled out and even arrived early to our appointment.  The place was empty and we started the process.  I signed my life away that I was responsible for her and any trouble she might get into.  They sent her off to the computers to begin.  She didn't make the cut on the first attempt.  The examiner asked her if she wanted earbuds to use.  They help her be able to concentrate on the test and not everyone else around her.   

She PASSED!!!

She was all smiles and maybe even a lot relieved that this part is over.  Then they handed her a booklet with another online test she needs to complete before getting her actual license.  The back of the booklet was a log to record her driving hours.  This is definitely new since Rylee did hers.

Embarrassed??
Nope just didn't want her picture taken.

She has been working on those 40 hours each week.  Driving to church, stores, and even out to the airport.  She keeps up the hard work we will have another driver by October.

Last Chance Meet

Time for the Last Chance Meet in Cedar City.  Ryder was anxious to give it one more good try to qualify for the state championships in March.  He was focused this week in practice on his streamline and his pacing.  I also volunteered to officiate which gives him the opportunity to participate.

We are ready to go...

Found this picture in the cloud.
He & his friends somehow took
400 pictures of all the same thing.

Action shots
He is in the center of  picture.

Coming in for a turn.

He had a good meet and once again dropped times.  However, not enough time to qualify and dang that stinks.  He has set a new goal to qualify for long course.  He will need work hard!! Long course which starts the first of April.

#1  200 Combined Backstroke 2:49.69,  11th Place

#4  50 Combined Backstroke. 37.51, 6th Place

#7  50 Combined Breaststroke, 45.92, 8th Place

#9  500 Combined Freestyle, 6:58.46, 13th Place

#11 100 Combined Backstroke, 1:18.56, 9th Place

#13  200 Combined Freestyle, 2:35.91, 12th Place

#16  50 Combined Freestyle, 31.36, 23rd Place

We are so proud of him and his hard work this season.  I am also proud of his positive attitude and determination.  He is a great example of always working hard and never giving up.