Moab with Anthony

Anthony and I went to Moab at the beginning of November. I was supposed to run a half marathon. Because I started lifting weights I have not been running like I should, so I bailed on the half, did a 5k with Moki and tons of hiking with Anthony. It was fun to hang out with him so much.

 

So excited to be getting out of Provo. It was the weekend before basketball tryouts so I knew I needed a break.

 

We started the morning off by hiking Corona Arch. It's a dog friendly trail, which is so nice. I ran with Moki before and then we did this three mile hike and she was content to just hang out and rest the rest of the day. That was nice because we headed to Arches National Park after and dogs aren't allowed on the trails there.

 

Delicate arch is a beauty. Another relatively easy three mile hike!

Then we drove to Devils Garden and hiked to a few arches on that trail.

 Anthony was in a great mood considering the fact that we were doing lots of hiking.

 

The wether was overcast and quite lovely. After devils garden we hit up the windows section in Arches national park. I did a couple short hikes by myself so I could get some more miles.

Such a beautiful park!!!

We went to Balance rock for pictures at sunset to finish off the day.

 It was a short but busy weekend. So glad Anthony was willing to join me!

Birthdays and Halloween

Two of my favorite people have birthdays in October: Olivia and Andrew. Olivia turned seven and Andrew turned four. I was in California on Andrews actual birthday but Sam sent me this AMAZING picture. I am in love with it. 

I really struggled with what to get Olivia for her birthday this year. I had in my mind what I wanted to get her but I couldn't find it in my price range. In the end I got her a hoodie that she loved and the Simon says game I used to love as a kid.

 

 

We celebrated Andrews birthday after fall break. The same night we also went to Amanda's orchestra concert. It was Halloween themed and the little kids wore costumes.

 

There was a real cute darth Vader.

On Fridays me and the boys PE teacher wear crazy socks. Leading up to Halloween I wore these gems.

 

Jana and I did our traditional hand out candy at her house while Ben trick or treats. I love that tradition. I am also trying to learn a new dance every year to teach my class in Halloween. Since I was a ghostbusters this year that was the song we danced to!

 

I bought a massive pumpkin to carve for Halloween. Andrew helped me carve it. He fell in love with it so he ended up taking it home. It was a cute pumpkin.

 

 

 

We loved our pumpkin!!!! You can see the excitement in his face.

Fall Break

Fall break came at a great time. I was so ready for a break from school. I love my job but breaks are always nice. This year Nancy, Katie and I traveled to California. It was a short trip but I am glad we were able to go.

 

My dad is finally home and it was nice to see how my mom and him are doing everything. They have a system down that seems to be working. It is not an easy thing, being a caregiver. But he is so appreciative of everything anyone does to help him. It's hard to see my dad needing so much help but I am grateful he has so many people that love him and are willing to sacrifice to help him. It really is a village of people offering support.

 

Aaron, Jacklynn, her dad Matt and I all hiked feather falls. I did the nine mile route. It was great. I love that hike.

This was my first time doing this route and it was really nice.

We played games. I got to see Angelee and Mikila. We did a little yard work and just hung out. The highlight was going to Lodi for Olivia's soccer game.

 

 Ben is the coach. He did a great job!

 

Olivia was soooo excited that Moki came to her game. Ben and Katie's kids love Moki!!!!

 After the game we all went out to eat. My parents recently got a wheelchair accessible van and so my dad was able to come to. His first outing that wasn't to a doctor appointment so that was real nice.

 I love these kids and sure wished they lived closer.

 

Fun at their house after

 

It was tons of driving but so worth it. 

Girls Trip

Erica had a birthday and her husband planned a girls trip. I am so glad!!!! It was great timing and a much needed break. 

 

It has been a lot of years since we have all been together. There was shopping, good food and a concert, but my favorite was just staying up late and talking and laughing. These girls have been my friends for so long and we can always just catch up where we left off. 

 

It is crazy how life has led us all down our own paths but we all started in little Oroville.

 

I love these girls. Thanks for the laughs.

 

Nephews

Every so often I have to make a trek to Salt Lake to see my nephews. They just enrich my life so much. I can't go too long without seeing them. 

One Saturday the weather was kind of rainy and so I couldn't do a long exercise session outside so I took Andrew to the flight exhibit at the Leonardo. We had a really fun time.

 

Inside the fighter plane!

Building a robot together

 

 Making tube routes for the marbles

 

Experimenting with switches. I wasn't very good at this. We had a fun afternoon just the two of us!

One Sunday we walked to visit Nancy. We took the stairs. He did so good walking up four flights of stairs. Isn't he the cutest in his BYU jersey?

 

 Little Emerson was so funny this evening. He was so mad Moki kept taking his sticks. We put him on the table for a break and then he kept dropping his sticks down the center hole. He was SO MAD he couldn't reach his sticks through the hole. It was a traumatic day for him.

 

Andrew playing the game I sent him for his birthday!!! Can't wait to play it with him.

 

It is so crazy that this adorable boy is four years old. It has been a huge blessing to live so close to him.

Fall Hiking

Fall in Utah is amazing. The weather starts to cool down and the leaves change. It is really fun to live somewhere that has four seasons. I have loved getting out after school and hiking with Moki and different friends. We have done stewart falls, the Y, and rock canyon. We have done all of them multiple times. Hiking with Moki is the best because she gets so much exercise. 

This was on the Bonneville shoreline trail. It was a beautiful evening.

 

 Stewart falls

 

Rock Canyon

 

Bonneville Shoreline Trail

 

Shoreline Trail again, this one is so close to my house!

 

The rattle snake he should have bit Moki on a hike up Rock Canyon. We saw two on the same trail in two weeks, yikes!!!!

 

Sometime we run on the Provo River trail. It is also beautiful in the fall.

 

The Y. It's been an active fall, which has been so nice. I feel like I am getting some of my fitness back. Last year was so emotionally hard and the summer was spent sitting way more than I ever had. Fall has been good to me. I have loved being out in nature so much.

Random Fall

 

Aaron finished the deck at my parents house. It looks amazing. I was just home this weekend and it works great. He did an awesome job. I know he and Jacklynn sacrificed a lot to make that happen. I am so grateful for their willingness to help.

 

I tried to copy Erica and put up a gallery wall. It is not perfect but I am enjoying it.

 Sariah was in Utah for a couple of days and I got to see her one evening. So fun. Love this girl. This was let at night and it shows:)

 

Traditional general conference breakfast. It was so delicious. It was only Dan, Nancy and me this year, we still made the most of it.

 

Mikila lost her mom suddenly this fall. It was horrible to hear that news. I am heartbroken for their family. I loved Nancy. She was one of the nicest people and I spent a lot of time at their house as a teenager. I was blessed to associate with her. It is hard to believe that we are old enough to deal with this kind of loss. It just seems way too hard.

 

I wrote a grant and got $1000 worth of fitness equipment for my classroom. I am so excited to use the new equipment. 

Wonder Woman

Amber and I signed up to do a century ride in September. Wonder Woman was a great option. It started out in Payson and went as far South as Mona. We lucked out and had gorgeous biking weather. 

 

I ended up only riding around 76 miles. I was not in good shape this summer and my body was DONE!!! That was really disappointing but it was still great to be out and participating in something I love.

 

Next year hopefully I will have a better biking season but I am glad I got in another long ride before biking season closes out.