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.  

 

What's Up

Thanksgiving break was full of craziness.

WHAT?

Teenagers cleaning their room only

once every three months.

Washing machine will get a good work out.

Piper watching TV.

Not sure what movie we were watching.

Dogs barking and playing.

Snow in Springville

We missed Grandma for Thanksgiving.

This picture shows that it was a good idea to stay put.

Where did she go?

Must have been a rough night.

I found Reganne's shoes this morning.

She must have kicked them off while looking for a snack.

It fits!!

Thanks Mom you got me the perfect size.

I burst out laughing!!

We had argued as to what size he should wear. 26 or 24.

I bought one of each. Gave him the 24 to try one. It was exactly what he needed.

We also kept the 26 since I'm betting he will grow a little more before long course season.

November was a good month with a whole lot of activities. It's time to get ready for Christmas. Let's get all the decoration in place to enjoy the whole season.

Happy Thanksgiving

Planning Thanksgiving this year was all over the place. It is the year of other plans. Trying to plan different diets, and picky eaters. How to accomplish a Happy Thanksgiving Meal is a mystery to me. How about going out? What about leftovers? Let's try Chuck A Rama and brave the crowds.

Opens at 10:30 with no lines.

12:00 a little line

Let's go!!

Dave still wasn't convinced

that this was going to be worth it.

He has zero patience to wait in any type of line.

We made it inside

A large group is just a head of us. The line was a lot longer due 

to them spreading out.

Line to food under 30 minutes

Everyone getting what

they want.

Hopefully a few smiles as well.

What did Ryder find?

Slurpee?

What ever is was is whole mouth is 

a funky shade of blue.

Everyone was full and sleepy after about 45 minutes. Good idea? Easiest clean up every. The only thing missing was the visiting with family and friends. Constant grazing on the leftovers all day and all night. The final question would we do this again? A firm maybe.

Jubilee of Trees

Revisiting and old tradition this year. The Foundation has undergone so many change before, during, and after COVID it has been hard to attend. This year they bribed employees with free ticket to attend. We invited everyone to attend in hopes of rekindle the tradition. It turned out to be Ryder, Dave, and myself heading to the Dixie Center.

Many trees

Where to look first?

One of my favorites

Picture for Grandma JeanAnn

The Foundation was selling these for $90 a piece.

They were each beautiful works of art.

Ugh!!

Another picture?

Mom's turn for a picture.

Loved the balloon sculpture in the lobby.

We had a great time looking at each tree, wreaths, sweets, and a whole shop with many handmade gifts. It was a perfect Sunday afternoon before Thanksgiving event. Let's get the holidays rolling.