Did You Vote?

I did! Voting is one thing I am passionate about doing every year since 1984. Being so excited to finally have my chance to vote at Shelley Elementary in American Fork. How much it has changed over the years. Going from schools, mailing ballots, dropboxes, and finally one of two locations in Washington County the Dixie Center. This year I had a little problem with my ballot and needed to vote in person. I was actually excited to feel the sizzle of energy in the air from other voters all waiting patiently to have their voices heard.

I was going to vote early to avoid the large crowds but had to wait until after staff meeting. As I pulled off the freeway I noticed that traffic was backed up and nobody was moving. As I slowly krept forward something was definitely going on. Maybe other's wanted to cast their votes early as well. NOPE!! It was construction with lane closures all around the Dixie Center. Traffic was moving at a snail's pace. Good news there was plenty of parking.

Lines were moving steadly

It felt like the lines at Chick fi lay as each 

registar called out when they were free.

A man with a red flag directed you where to go.

Another line?

This one for provisional ballots

and

Registering people to vote on the spot.

(new concept, great idea)

No line here

So many voting booths.

One computer to feed your final ballot into.

20 minutes later

The lines are getting longer.

Weird to see a police presense

Hopefully, they don't have anything to do today.

Look close...

My favorite rebel Tinfoil Hat Man.

Being direct by a sherriff's deputy to move his display.

I did it!!

I proudly wore my sticker all day.

Now the trick was getting to work with all the construction. 30 minutes later I pulled into the parking lot. This should have only taken 5 minutes. Why oh why does this city choose to start construction the day before the election day? No malice just a miscommunication was their reply when questioned by local businesses.

The lines were long as the day progress. The snarled traffic didn't make it easy for voters but they were determined. Let's hope the results are posted faster than the traffic.

I am proud to be an American and express my voice.

What Do You Do

When your family goes out of town without you? It is very rare to be home alone for any amount of time. Dave & Ryder headed out early Saturday morning to for Salt Lake to look at a car. Another one to fix up and clean up for a profit.  It is also the first meet of the high school swim season. What better way to start the season than with a broken wrist. This is a good reason to miss this one and buy a car instead.

Oh what should I do with my day?

Utah Tech Women's Swim Team

Red & Blue Meet

Officiating at the college level lets give it a try.

I can't seem to get enough chlorine.

Hurricane, Pine View, and Desert Hills

Dual Meet @ WCCC

I'm not officiating but timing instead for this one.

Errand time

First time ever a front row parking spot at Smiths.

Are we out of food?

Not totally but stocking up by shopping the sales.

When Ryder get's home this will quickly vanish.

Photo courtesy of Rylee

Bath time for the grand dogs.

Ranger doesn't look to big in this tub.

Miss Indy looks even smaller

She is not pleased her dignity is bruised for sure.

Quiet time is over!!

The boys are back with their new project.

One day left of this weekend to relax and get a nap in. Then food prep all those groceries for the up coming week. Maybe even make a treat to two afterwards. First up is my nap.

Trip To The Specialist

Happy Tuesday!! We were able to get into the orthopedic specialist without much delay. One office had this opening and another required a weeks wait for the swelling to go down. We jumped on the first one of course. Diagnosis broken and treatment is a cast for 4 weeks. Then another checkup with x-rays to see how the healing is going. Possibly another 4 weeks in a cast. Ryder did request a water proof cast it possible.

New technology

A waterproof sleeve to start the process.

The arrow is pointing to the fracture.

Who knew that there were so many bones in the wrist.

I learned something new today.

Black cast of course

Wrapped in a pad to avoid turning his clothes black as well.

He is all clear to swim and continue with normal activities. If it starts hurting then take it easy. He needs to drain the cast after swimming. Then if it needs to be dried get the hair dryer and on a cold setting let it dry the cast out for you. Best of all no shots. Let's hope we all survive.

Just Like That

The fun ends with someone getting hurt. That someone one would be Mr. Ryder James. The boys thought it would be a good idea to throw Ryder up into the air. They forgot about the laws of gravity. What goes up must come down. It all happened so fast that they all forgot about catching him. He also learned he can't fly. It was a rough dance with paramedics called for another girl who had a concussion. So it would be a lot worse. The kids had Sophie's dad who is a doctor look at him. The wrist is probably broken but without an xray it's hard to tell. Go to Instacare in the morning.

It's broken

Temporary cast until a visit with an orthopedic specialist.

We need breakfast as Bishop's

Seasonal pumpkin pancakes with caramel sauce & whipped cream.

Definitely having these again.

The Nat D Team

All showing up to support Tony.

He is leaving on his mission to California.

A little brother 

getting in on the action.

Ryder & Josh

A matched set of broken wrists

Between them one full swimmer

Lunch with the gang

This group of awesome kids have grown up over the last couple of years. They are each building their own paths for the future. It is going to be fun to watch them move full steam ahead.

School Dance Time!!

Sadies is always fun being girl's choice and Brynn asked Ryder to be her date. They got a later start since they were all participating at the swim meet this morning. I have the pictures to prove thay had a good time.

Brynn & Ryder

Being silly

Cool Kids

Brynn, Ryder, Cody, Erma

Group photo

The boys

It was only a matter of time

before the games begin with this group.

Hang on tight!!

The pose

The girls

Cookie Monster

Fun stuff they did before the dance.

Everyone had a good time together. Until at the dance......

 

Stingrays Spooktacular - October 2024

It's another swim weekend and this time much closer to home at the WCCC. The kids are ready to swim, the officials are in place, and the starter is ready to call the first event.

All is calm for another

few seconds.

Hanging out

between warmups and cool downs.

Another group

Cheering for each other.

Everyone worked hard and had a successful meet. The energy can be felt inside, outside, and the stands. It's amazing to watch the athletes grow and progress at each meet.

Event #4    Mixed 13&O 100 Yard Breast    7th Place    1:12.31

Event #6    Mixed 11&O 200 Yard Fly    2nd Place    2:20.52

Event #12    Boys 13&O 200 Yard Free Relay    5th Place    2:00.52

Event #15    Mixed 200 Yard IM    3rd Place    2:10.84

Event #20    Mixed 11&O 200 Yard Breast    3rd Place    2:38.77

Event #30    Mixed 13&O 100 Yard Free    3rd Place    53.73

Event #32    Mixed 13&O 1650 Yard Free    1st Place    18:41.74

Event #50    Mixed 1000 Yard Free    1st Place    11:16.94

 

It's Somebody's Birthday

It's October 23rd so it must be Dave's birthday. It's been a task trying to get everyone together to celebrate. Between work, swim, crazy sleep schedules the party would have to wait until the weekend. I had class until 7:00 and decided to surprise Dave with Costa Vida for dinner. Surprise!! Rylee stopped by to say hi and stayed for dinner. Ruston was flying over head and would be landing soon. Ryder was headed home from swim. Reganne was home and awake. Now could I remember all six orders?

 

Best unplanned birthday party.

Dave was in heaven

having everyone home.

No birthday cake

Nobody seemed mind.

It was a great dinner planned or not celebrating Dave on his actual birthday. I couldn't have planned it any better.