New Home

It's time to plan our annual trip to Las Vegas for Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is on Sunday which means a change of days for our trip. We ran into a huge bump in the road... Nobody is available to dog sit. We need a new plan.

Dave found a solution!

A kennel in the garage

Plenty of water 

and way too much food.

This may not end well.

Sniffing out 

and Piper discovers the food.

Miss Indy

found her perch or maybe her throne?

Everyone is packed, loaded, and ready to have some fun with this mini vacation.

 

Time to Slow Down or Speed Up

I can't decide which one at the moment. There is only a week before Christmas and I am no where ready. However, who will miss out if I slow down with preparations?  Only Dave will notice that I didn't finish everything.

Miss Indy in her Christmas Dress

She didn't see to mind.

Until Piper started playing with it.

Luckily it wasn't destroyed before Christmas.

Rylee with her work group 

showing off the new jackets they got for Christmas.

This group has changed so many times since I left that I only recognized one other person.

Daily mail

Postman asked if I had finished shopping yet.

I told him that it's not me.

He laughed and said sure whatever you say.

Fun gift from one

of his supervisors.

Will the pancakes really be green?

Beef Rice for dinner

I know communicate with pictures

to Reganne.

Asking if she wants me to save this for her?

Does this belong to you?

Ryder was to take a bite.

DON'T Touch it!!!

Are these yours?

Go ahead and eat them.

Will you buy food for my lizards?

Nope!! not me ask you Dad.

Dave was really nice and bought them plenty of food.

More packages

They are showing up daily.

I try not to be too curious.

Christmas count down has begun.....

2023 SI Winter Age Group Championships

This is a new meet for Ryder to attend. Can you say road trip to San Diego! The best part for him is missing 3 days of school. Rise and shine we must be at the rec center by 8:00 or Ryder's time 7:30.

First ones in the parking lot.

Just a little early

The chaos begins.

Nat D + 1

Being photo bombed by a dad.

They are ready to roll

Mom's need their pictures first.

Send me a picture...please.

1/2 Ryder and Cody

Depressed Piper

She is missing Ryder. 

Even worse she has to sleep in with us 

Ryder & Josh

Snack Break

Backstroke at full power.

They all had a great meet.

Exhausted and ready to be home.

Let's go home.

I am tired, sick, and don't want to be social anymore.

Not sure who was happier

Ryder?

Piper?

She followed him around the rest of the night.

The kids did awesome and had a great time. Sea level does play a huge part in their times. 2 days left of school before Christmas break. Time for a break from the pool during the holidays.

Event #10    Boys 15-18 100 Yard Breast    53rd Place    1:09.70

Event #34    Boys 15-18 200 Yard IM       42nd Place    2:07.65

Event #50    Boys 15-18 400 Yard IM    27th Place    4:31.50    (Drop of 25.61)

Event #62    Boys 15-18 200 Yard Breast    44th Place    2:28.42

Event #70    Boys 15-18 100 YardBack    49th Place    59.80

Event #100    Boys 15-18 200 Yard Fly    36th Place    2:11.50

 

Crazy Week in Review

The weekend was full of swimming and trying to stay warm. Ryder heard about a great Mexican food that was a must to try. Well today was the day. Here we come for Jalapenos Authentic Mexican Food!!

Looks good

Not sure by the look on his face.

First this to be aware of this place is in a gas station on Bluff Street

The place was full and everyone seemed to be enjoying their food.

The food was ok but really overpriced.

Ryder's review not better than Don Pedro's

Sign says " Try ou ew melts"

Does it mean Eww melts? Stay way

or Our New Melts? Most likely

Thank goodness I'm not hungry tonight.

IA with the Grinch

It's that time again at Balance Of Nature

Christmas visitors...This week it's the Grinch.

Dave & The Grinch

I warned Dave that the Grinch was headed to the hospital.

Next thing I know I get this picture on my phone.

The Grinch loves spreading Christmas cheer.

0 Sugar

Who knew that these don't have any added sugar.

Dave can enjoy when he needs a salty snack.

This is my new challenge finding things for Dave to enjoy without killing him.

Hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit. We are definitely trying to do our best.

Stingrays IMX Challenge

Last year this meet was a large meet with teams coming from across the state. Well, this year not so much since last week was state championships. The other downside is this building is freezing cold in the winter. Bundle up adults and strip down kids!! Let's get this show on the road.

Warmups

Everyone is slowly warming up.

Flexing

The kids were ready to jump in 

Then they would be warm.

Here I am sitting poolside

with blue water and umbrellas.

Reality was instead so much harsher.

It's cold inside with "rain" which is why the umbrella is over the computer.

You may ask rain inside... Condensation dropping from the ceiling.

YUCK!!!

Computer glitch?? I only found one time... Best time 50 Free 25.39

I'm Dizzy

Time is already moving too fast and it will be Christmas way before I am ready. I need to buckle up and plunge right in.

Blooming Christmas Cactus

This one plant that has survived for a long time.

Each year as it blooms it takes my breathe away.

It also brings memories of Grandma Johnson and her green thumb.

I'm still working on mine. With any luck it will turn green in the future.

New Christmas display

Dave & Ryder were bit by the bug after helping Grandma JeanAnn with her village.

Dave found this set on his weekly thrift store trip.

I wasn't sure were we would display it.

Dave had it all planned out and it looks great.

Frosty Fern

I fell in love with this plant while shopping.

I am cheap and refuse to pay $15.99 for a plant. Believing that 

I could find another. Nope!!

If I see one again I will be sure to snap it up.

Good Morning!!

This is not how I left the kitchen before going to bed.

After investigating and a few text message later.

Reganne had her Gecko's out after work and let them play in the sink.

Thank goodness they didn't discover the garbage disposal and escape.

What else goes on after I go to bed?

Costa Vida Baja Bowl

Thank goodness for coupons. 

We are always looking for new food options for Dave. We are both a little tired

of the veggie bowls.

This is all the ingredients in a burrito without the tortilla.

Dave found another option for him and it tastes great to.

Is. this everything?

Time to finish decorating the house. Dave & Ryder brought the 

decorations down from the attic.

Let's get busy!!

Oops!!

There are a few missing. Ryder decided what needed to come down without asking anyone's opinion. He couldn't understand why I went up and found the rest. Time to finish everything up and enjoy the season.

2023-24 Utah Swimming SC Senior Championships

Short course season has been weird this year. Who would have guessed that the championship meet would take place in the middle of the season instead at the end. I am sure Utah Swimming had their reasons and it's logical to them. To a parent not so much. The kids are ready to compete. The officials are ready to observe. Let's hope the crowds are ready to cheer.

This meet is for all Utah swimmers with qualifying times. There are college swimmers participating. Let's get ready to compete and show their stuff.

Group photo in process.

Watch carefully as Monica

quickly arranges the group.

Plus Dumb and Dumber

She even snagged Coach Mike

One more for day one

Everyone is ready to head home for the night.

Prelims are early tomorrow.

Exhaustion

Night 3 finals and everyone is exhausted.

As I watched from the other side during Freestyle.

They looked like a group of old men sitting on a bench observing the world as it goes by.

It was a good meet for our team. They have worked really hard and it shows. They will continue to increase their workouts prepping for San Diego in a couple of weeks.

Event #5   Men 200 Yard IM    74th Place    2:10.74

Event #16 Men 200 Yard Free    50th Place    1:55.32

Event #20 Men 100 Yard Back    62nd Place    1:00.23

Event #26 Men 200 Yard Back    60th Place    2:12.06

Event #30 Men 200 Yard Breast    64th Place    2:33.65

Event #32 Men 200 Yard Fly        43rd Place    2:15.32

Ryder had 2 qualifying times with a bonus of 4 events. When he finished he was qualified in all 6 events.