New Normal Vacation Prep

 Two years since our last vacation and all the reasons for not traveling are still in place.  We decided to give it a chance and travel to California.  We still have 2 days on our Universal Studio Passes from 2019 and only 2 months left to use them.

Taking a deep breath and moving forward with packing.  One week before the website informs us that a negative test or vaccine card is required for entry.  What type of test will they accept?  What if they don't pass?  Many phone calls to customer service gave a few answers but more were soon to follow.  Ryder wasn't considered fully vaccinated since it had only been a week since the final dose.

Tuesday morning bright and early we headed to the TestUtah site at Tech Ridge (the old airport parking lot).  It is a very dark parking lot with a faint light glowing in the distance.  Trying to make our way slowly through the orange cones winding us around until the light got brighter.  I didn't flatten any of the cones thankfully.

Just like in a movie out comes a person in full PPI towards the car asking for the code and name.

It's for me!!

He isn't that sure of what they are going to do.

Nightmares from the news flash before us.

Testing

The rapid test with a swab to your nose.

Not the brain cleaner from last year.  A whole lot of tickling followed by few sneezes.

He is done!!!

He survived & smiling

Breakfast at Kneaders which he quickly devoured.

We had to wait for the 30 minutes before the text ding sounded.

NEGATIVE!!!

Breathing a sigh of relief we headed off to school and finally to work.  2 more days before we leave.

WAIT!!! Ryder started figuring out the time frame and this test was only good for Friday.  What about Saturday?  My job tomorrow call Universal Studios again to clarify.  Some days I hate being responsible.

Snap Shot Number 2

It's another busy week in October.  We survived Reganne's birthday, homecoming, marathon, and general conference.  This week has been full of crazy work schedules, some weather, and even putting on sweaters.

Rain Puddles

First picture from my new work phone the iPhone 12.

We got a good couple of inches for the past few days.  We really need it but per the lovely news report it won't help with the drought.  My report says it can't hurt.

Working Boy!!!

Ryder was determined to get a job now that he is 14.

There are so many Help Wanted signs around town that he had to give it a try.

Doing all applications on line makes the process a whole lot easier.

Companies are getting competitive with the younger group.

Chick Fil A was the lead contender but had to cancel their interview and reschedule.

Culver's came in with an interview, orientation, and set your own schedule.  The winner was Culver's

What is this for?

Cleaning up the basement and came across this hangar.  I believe this is my last one of this style.

The kids wondered what is was for.  I gave them a quick lesson on hanging up pants.  Dave & Ryder took it part to use the wire while working on the car.

It could have been worth some money if they hadn't destroyed it.  I am sure that there are not many still left out there.

iPhone Lock Screen Picture

Changing my phone I lost this picture.  Ryder quickly found a new one for me.  The next morning I found this picture back in its spot on my phone.  Ryder gave up the fight without much of a fight.  I will need to take an update picture next week on vacation.

 This next week will not be a quiet one with Fall Break breathing down our necks.  I got my nap in on Sunday to prepare myself.

Happy Birthday Reganne!!!

How is it possible that another year has gone by and Reganne turned 17?  I need another pause button to slow this girl down.  I never found one for Rylee so I am sure there isn't one for her either.  Watching her grow this year has been amazing.  Celebrating a 17 year old comes with a new bunch of challenges her schedule being the main one.  She is always busy with work, school, and friends.  The order varies from day to day.

Let's Party....

Birthday Selfie

Approved and taken by her.

The young woman sign

A whole lot of honking going on.

Personality +

She loves her Comfy.

Brownie Cake + M&M's

All that fire!!

No trick candles today.

Strawberry Short Cake

Birthday gift from a friend.

Her friends spoiled her with treats, lunch out, a few presents, and dinner out.  We had to fit out celebrating in between her craziness.  We love her and are so glad that she is part of our family for eternity.  

Here's to another year and hope she finds time to enjoy each day.

Teenage Boys!!

I have always heard how easy it is to dress boys.  Just give them jeans & t-shirts and your good for the whole year.  However, nobody told me that this changes when they become teenagers.  I can no longer buy something I think Ryder might like, bring it home, and hear thanks Mom.  Instead we now have to go to multiple stores, scour the racks, try things on, and the argue for about 1/2 hour about the fit, style, and price.

The weather is cooling off and it's time to brave the stores to find warmer clothes. I have stalled, dug my feet, and even ignored him for multiple days to avoid this painful task.  You may ask why I don't send Dave instead.  They love to shop together.  However, they aren't too practical or mindful of the prices.  They come home with 4 shirts, 2 pair of shoes, and a couple of jackets.  Where is the rest of the outfit?  This stuff is cool!!! Come Monday morning dressing for school all I hear is this doesn't fit, match, or need something else.

We set off...... the mall, Walmart, Target, Old Navy, and Ross.  Target scored 2 pair of pants and Ross to long sleeved t-shirts.

One of the many trips

to the dressing rooms to try stuff on.

This is not a manly thing to do.  It is a required thing to do with a 

growing teenage boy.

Interesting side note only Target had pants his size & style in stock and they only had 2 pair.  Going through his closet later I discovered we had bought the same size of pants that already hung there.  Mom, they are not cool enough for 8th grade.

Conference weekend time to relax and enjoy watching our prophet & leaders.  Ryder begged for a big breakfast and decided he was going to make it for the whole family.

He took control of the kitchen.

It was yummy!!!

He then informed me that since he cooked

I was on clean up duty.

He is a crazy teenage boy that is driving me crazy most days.  He is also crazy teenage boy that loves to cook and feed everyone around him.   I know need to teach him to slow down and clean as he goes.  He will then make a good roommate, husband, and father when he gets older.

Reganne & Friends

Reganne along with her group of friends decided they weren't going to miss out on the fun activities for Homecoming this year.  They were going to plan their own Homecoming Adventures and not wait for the boys.  One had a hotel room reserved for a family activity for the whole weekend.  The girls all had a large slumber party in a small hotel room.  Not much sleep off course.  Reganne begged Dave to use the Hummer to drive everyone. 

Getting ready

You could hear the giggles coming from the small bathroom 

as they got ready to party.

They look amazing!!

They went to the dance and went for snacks at Sonic.  Working there has it's perks of snacks & drinks for very little money.  The girls invited one of their friends from work to come with them to the dance.  They found out what had to be done for her to attend since she isn't a student at DHHS.  They patiently got all the paperwork signed by each girl, parent, administrator from both schools. 

 I love how inclusive they are with each other and how much fun they always seem to have together.

 

Sunny Afternoon

No time to nap after the swim meet.  Ryder & Dave knew it was the Swiss Days Car Show in Santa Clara.  It was a perfect afternoon to check out the cars lined up at the baseball park.  

I am always lagging behind.

Watching and listening to these two check out the cars.  

I am always amazed at the knowledge they have on each car. 

Where did they get all that info? Books, TV, or osmosis?

Love the toes!!

Reganne & friends having a little spa time.

Saturday night time to unwind, watch a movie, and maybe talk Dave into some popcorn.

 

Fall Fling Swim Meet

Short Course Season is in full swing.  The kids have been working so hard since the Black, Blue, and White Meet the end of August.  They are eager to show off new skills and hang out with friends.  

Love the calm before the storm

Streamline

This is one skill he has been working hard on.

I am constantly amazed how each part of an event needs to 

be perfected to be successful during a meet.

Heading into the flip turn.

Again each stroke is planned and practiced.

Saturday Morning!!

Bright and really early by 6:45 am

Results:

Mixed Open 100 Breast:  9th Place, 1:16.65

Mixed (13 & Over) 100 IM:  21st Place, 1:08.73

Mixed Open 500 Free:  8th Place, 6:11.19

Mixed Open 200 Breast:  5th Place, 2:48.24

Mixed (13 & Over) 50 Fly:  3rd Place, 30.94

Mixed Open 100 Back: 12th Place, 1:08.25

Mixed Open 200 IM:  11th Place, 2:29.87

He improved in every event with multiple seconds cut from his times.  He is focusing right now on the Breaststroke and has improved in the past four weeks.  I am excited to see how he improves over the next month.

 We are both ready for a nap.