Our Ever Expanding Circle

This week is a big one for our family.  It's Dave's birthday!!!  It's also his big adventure during COVID to meet his mom.  It has been nearly a year since they connected which was a miracle all by itself.  Which is a story for another time.  We have planned many times over this crazy year for all of us to take the trip together and enjoy the magic.  However, COVID arrived and kept changing our plans.  Dave came up with his own plan and decided that it must happen for his 55th Birthday.  What better gift for the both of them.  As a family we decided this was the best gift we could give him.  Thank goodness all the travel plans worked out.

Dave & Mom 

It's amazing how much they look alike.

This is also the only picture I have of the two of them together.

Somehow he forgot about his camera.

Ryder & I 

Delegates via Zoom

While Dave was away Ryder & I were invited to attend the Utah Swim Association annual meeting.  We were representative from SUSA our swim club.  Having never done this before we were both a little excited and whole lot nervous of what we would have to do.  It went smoothly and even the voting process was simple.  If only the upcoming county voting could run this smooth.  Everyone complains that can be hacked.  But what way can't now days.  They did a great job with all of it.

Grooming

Ryder became a little bored while waiting for the final results.  He decided to 

get out the brush and take care of Gingers crazy hair.

Depressed Ginger

We finally made it to the vet.  Not only does she weigh a whopping 97 pounds.

Lack of energy, constant licking & itching.

She got a few shots and an extreme diet change.

No more treats or people food.  Some medicine for her hot spots.

How well will she do?? That is the question that is on everyone's mind.

Happy Birthday!!! Dad!!

Ryder couldn't let Dave's birthday go bye without a birthday cake.  Even if it was a couple of days late.

The Wheelers brought dinner over and Ryder made the cake all by himself.

He even wanted to light the candles all by himself.

Dave had to supervise.

Rather keep blowing them out

over and over again.

We are so glad that he made it home from his birthday adventure.  We would have loved to have him bring Sondra home with him.  Let's hope that we can plan a time for everyone to get together and meet.  Until then we will settle for having multiple celebrations this year.  We love this guy and glad that his is part of our family.  We are also thankful for the ever expanding circle that has become our family.  Who knows when we can all meet together in one place at one time?  When the mask police tell us it's ok??

 

Everyone Is Losing Their Minds

I believe a new symptom of COVID-19 is everyone losing their minds, manners, and common sense.  Most important is how to be nice & accepting of others.  Everyone has an opinion and everyone is entitled to their own opinions.  However, very seldom does everyone agree with said opinions.  Even in the same house and family.  One great lesson I learned growing up in a large family is that you can all have various opinions you are welcome to express.  However, when you sit down for dinner everyone must be respectful of each other.  We always had crazy discussions at dinner each night.  We never left the table angry with each other.  This is something we definitely need to work on at our house.   We will get better.

The election is nearing and along with it tempers flairing around town, on tv, and social media.  Dave was looking for a weekend adventure and heard about the local Trump Train gathering across town on Sunday afternoon.

Trump Train

A whole lot of cars, people, and flags.

The ages were surprising.  Dave & I were some of the oldest there.

Headed to the Veterans Home.

Beautiful Views!!

The train stopped in Gunlock.

We continued on enjoying the views!!!

It was a good afternoon ride full of patriotism.

Love this!!

It sums of the year so far.

Strange Stuff

This appeared in the storage room.

If it belongs to you give me a call.

The best part.

Ryder loves hardboiled eggs.

Except for the yoke.

The boy is crazy!!!

Rylee turning 18 means

one additional thing VOTING!!!

She received her first ballet in the mail.

We have talked about voting and what it means.  She is worried that we will try and change her mind .  Once again the advice I remember at 18 was to read and study the candidates and issues first.  Then make the best decision for yourself.  I hope she follows the advice and not follow along with the masses.  There is still 2 weeks before the election will we all survive?

 

Cousin Time

We love nothing better that to have family visit us.  This year has been severely lacking in visits.  It's Fall Break with all the fun things to do being closed.  A surprise phone call let us know the cousins were headed our direction for a quick overnight before heading to Mesquite.

It was time for a kid swap.  Ryder left and Morgan stayed.

Reganne & Morgan

One hates the wind from having the top down.

Can you guess which one?

Rachel, Ryder, and Jaxson

Playing in the sand @ Valley of Fire

Swapping back

Reganne drove to Mesquite

We enjoyed the cousin swap and hopefully they did too.  The weather even cooperated full of sunshine.  Hopefully they will plan another trip soon we could use more adventures.

SRIS Fall Band Concert

School has been in session for 6 weeks without major problems.  Is was now time for the band students to show what they have learned.  They have faithfully followed all the requirements to participate in band.  Taking temperatures daily, sitting at least 6 feet apart, and having assigned seats.  The reward is getting to practice together each day.  They are definitely ready to show off.

Ryder sitting in the back.

New instrument...Trombone

SRIS Concert Band

Performance!!

It was only 20 minutes long the perfect amount of time.  It was fun to see that when you follow the rules and restrictions there are rewards.   I am grateful to our school board, school administration, and teachers for all their hard work and dedication to the students.  Their hard work made this concert possible for the kids.  Shutting down the schools is not the answer during the pandemic.  Kids need the daily routine and learning opportunities that can only be found by attending school.  It has been said that the kids bring sickness home every day.  They can be germ magnets.  This has always been true since the beginning of time.  The best defense is healthy meals, plenty of sleep, fun exercise, and a good sense of humor.

It's Creepy and Spooky

It's October and time for all things creepy, spooky, and twisted.  The weather is slowly cooling down.  If you believe the news we are all going to die from the pandemic.  We need to have a little fun to lighten the mood.  There are many movies that we can watch to get into the holiday spirit.  Reganne found Super Natural on Netflix with 15 seasons there is plenty to watch.  I have to limit it to only 2 episodes a night or I will have nightmares.  It may take us awhile to watch all of them but at least it is something new for us to watch.

Raggedy Ann

"aka Creepy Doll"

Rylee texted this picture to me totally freaked out.

She was sure that it had moved.

Back to the haunted car wash.

This time with Rylee & Reganne.

The line was much longer so most creepy creatures were

outside scaring as you waited.

Peek A Boo!!!

Trying to get into cars

Don't jump or show fear!!

They will follow you along your way.

Surprise!!!

She popped up between the

wash & dry cycle.

Smiles or Tears

We all survived our trip through the haunted car wash.

No!!

They don't want a second trip through.

It was a fun adventure again with not touching.  It was all for a good cause raising money for local families dealing with cancer.  Ryder refused to go with us instead chose to hang out with his swim friends at Staheli Farms.  He changed his mind about doing the haunted corn maze.  Instead they hung out with the other activities.  

Rearview!!!

Looking back in the rearview on another crazy week.  We survived school, work, birthdays, swim meets, haunted car washes, debates, and world craziness.

Loved this picture popping up on

Facebook as a memory.

The times were simpler or so it seemed as a kid.

Loved spending the 4th of July in Idaho.

It is still the best place to celebrate our country's birthday.

Tried making banana muffins 

for breakfast.  They looked yummy.

However, I forgot one main ingredient that is definitely a must.

Any guesses??? SUGAR

They tasted ok but by the end of the week we had only ate 4 out of the dozen.

We do require more sweetness in our house.

Snickerdoodle Bread

This was definitely the winner this week in bake goods.

Almost as good as Costco's Cinnamon Butter Bread.

I love to bake but my family doesn't alway share my enthusiasm.  That is ok with guys at work because they will eat whatever I bring.  No leftovers by the end of the day.  Who knows what I will try next week.

It's October

The fall season is finally upon us.  The heat is starting to subside with cooler mornings and warmer afternoon.  Usually there is the dilemma of using the heater in the morning and the AC in the afternoon.  My choice is opening the doors and letting the fresh air inside.  The kids are freezing and Dave is hot.  I love cuddling up with a blanket when I am cold.  It's also time to get the decorations out and enjoy all things creepy & bloody.  I am the family wimp that likes the cute pumpkins and falls smells.

Dave discovered one of the local car washes were doing a fundraiser with a Haunted Car Wash on Friday & Saturday nights the whole month.  I sat in back so Ryder could experience the whole thing.

Creepy & Smoky

at the entrance.  Enter if you dare.

Dang!!!

Where did he come from?

He's back!!!

Ryder wasn't to sure

what would pop up next.

Hello or Goodbye??

It was up to us.  She wouldn't move.

We survived and even had a few laughs.  I can do spooky if I know they can't touch me.  Thank goodness for leather seats.  I was worried that Ryder might lose it.  On the way home he declared that next week it was Rylee & Reganne's turn to go.  It was a fun way to start holiday season out. 

Rylee & Ben

Rylee surprised Ben for his birthday with a helicopter ride

over Zions.

It was a fun weekend full of activities both birthday & Halloween.  Let's keep the fun coming and enjoy!! We are starting to spike again with the virus but nobody wants to stay inside.  This might save us here in Southern Utah.