I REALLY want to quote some Salt N' Pepa "Mighty Good Man" right about now. Darin was never a fan so I will try to refrain....but it is going through my mind as I type.

("My man is smooth like Berry, and his voice got bass. A body like Arnold with a Denzel face")

ANYWAY,

Darin is pretty boss.  He set the goal to ride 2000 miles this year, most of them bike commuting to work.  Last Wednesday on his commute home he did it!! This is even more amazing when you realized that he set this goal before being called to jury duty, which wiped out all of June commuting (one of the best weather months to bike in Utah).  These days he is taking off in total darkness in below freezing temps.  

("He keeps me on cloud nine, just like the Temps.  He's not a fake wannabe tryin' to be a pimp"

sorry....I can't help myself.)

Chillin' with the boys on the roof.  While doing some home maintenance (including the removal of the moose weathervane HOORAY!) he let the boys climb up.  The whole family, plus one of Miriam's friends ended up there after awhile.  It was probably one of Bub's lifetime highlights. Next 4th of July, we are totally going up there to watch fireworks (if my nerves can manage it).

I love Halloween, I enjoy dressing up, I really like parties...and I like to talk for hours on end.

Darin doesn't...Halloween is fine, but he could pass on the parties and the talking late into the evening. There's a hard no on the dressing up, but he is so good at it!! He rocked Bob Ross, and helped me pin my hair up for the paintbrush. 

Also, this post will embarrass him but he will put up with it.

"What a mighty mighty good man"

School Pictures

We had Student Educator Parent meetings tonight at the kids' school.  As we sat there with each teacher going over school work and making goals I was almost brought to tears with gratitude.  I felt how sincerely my kids' teachers care about them.  Miriam's teacher spent an hour with us....an hour (!) and it was all positive; praising where she is, but also encouraging her to push herself, always backing her expectations with assurance.  I left the meeting a bit overwhelmed about what is expected, but also grateful the bar is set so high. I know her teacher is using all the best research and resources she has at her disposal to give her students as stellar education.  How do you thank someone for that kind of effort?!

Byron didn't seem to enjoy talking about himself, or his work.  He turned pretty stoic, stared ahead and didn't say much of anything. His teacher was unphased and patient. I could tell she "got" him. She recommended testing him for the gifted program and then followed up with "he may not enjoy that kind of program"....yep she gets him. She knows he is bright even if he doesn't like to share that with others. At times I get frustrated with his hesitance to speak up, and yet I really admire that he doesn't grandstand.  It's a gift to work hard without needing to be praised about it. I wouldn't change him even if I could.

This year's school photos

Byron 1st grade

Favorite book this year - The Hobbit (family read)

Favorite school subjects - Art, computers, and recess

Byron's Reflections entry this year.
He worked hard, and enjoyed coming up with this project.

 Look closely, he is now sporting the quintessential 1st grade grin!
He lost one of his front teeth on Monday.  It fell out while eating pretzels and he swallowed it!
It wasn't funny then, but we can laugh about it today.

Miriam 5th grade
Favorite book this year: Far World Series
Favorite subject: Science

Her Miriam poem:

Miriam
Active, crazy, anxious, curious
Daughter of Elisa and Darin
Lover of ballet, music, and chocolate
Who feels nervous, happy, and excited
Who needs books, cake, and family
Who gives effort, service, and smiles
Who fears scorpions, darkness, and deadlines
Who would like to see Denmark, the Philippines, and South Korea
Resident of Utah USA
Ray

She is pretty self aware I would say.

It's fitting to be filled with such gratitude in the middle of November.  When those old feelings of lack start to descend or I begin to panic with that "fear of missing out" I am going to re-read this post.  My kids feel safe, they feel loved, they are part of a balanced community where both achievement and creativity are encouraged. I feel nothing but abundance and gratitude today.

And seriously, can I ever say "thank you" enough to these women?

Zion Trip for Grown-ups

The Narrows

(most photos taken by our friend Tim Hawkes)

Oscar's for dinner...so good.

Angels Landing

 

 

Ate at a sub par restaurant that evening...but it's a funny story, and the conversation was great.

Beautiful vistas, engaging people, physical exertion, lucious sand = Great memories.

Thanks to my family for watching the kiddos for my bucket list check trip. Especially Julia who watched my kids ON HER BIRTHDAY!! And thanks to Lisa and Craig for the beautiful accomodations.

Halloween Day

 We entertained ourselves with pumpkin carving, and pet costume designing.  Byron seemed less than enthusiastic about all of it which was unusual but, he was very excited about his trick or treating plans with a friend.

By 3:00 pm things were not looking good.

In tears he told me to call and cancel....I ran out and bought ginger ale hoping we could settle his stomach and save the evening.

But no...the puking started about 4:00 pm.

He proclaimed it "the worst day of his entire year".

I would agree, it was pretty dang sad.

Miriam had plans with friends to trick-or-treat without an adult this year (although they were being tracked by a cell phone). 

She was thrilled, and had the best time.

Talk about extremes.

So that left Soren and I to demand candy on our own.

He was very cute.  Whenever someone would comment on his "toys" he would correct them "they are accessories".  He was good to give a few lighting moves to entertain the neighbors. 

I carried a bag around and asked if I could get some candy for my sick 7 year old.

Of course people had a good time with that "sure...sick kid at home, not a candy addiction or anything".  This proves that I will endure anything for my kids.

Soren could have been done after 10 houses, but I encouraged him to keep going for Byron, and he rose to the occasion.  It helped that we got a hot dog and homemade donuts along the way.

I love this photo...candy and a puke bowl.

Not all was lost, Darin finally got to watch Galaxy Quest with at least one of his kids.  He has been wanting them to watch it for months now!

some more teasing....

The famous Centerville Elementary Parade.

I love this event. It's crazy, crowded, and always starts late but ITS WORTH IT.

I love how the staff goes all out.  The principal was "smartie pants" and gave out smarties, the office staff were dominoes and dominoed right in front of us, partly on purpose.

Byron and his friend coincidentally bought the same costume...but no one else in the school had it which is CRAZY because we bought it at Costco.

Miriam wore Aunt Sarah's childhood pirate costume and loaned mine to her friend. Aunt Julia's is here at my house for any 5/6 year olds who aren't dressing up as Elsa or Anna.  My mom was always super cute about Halloween costumes (see this post and this one both costumes from my childhood, wish I had the Princess Leia one.... it was awesome!)

I had lunch with Thor today

He is an entertaining lunch date.  We swang, went down the slide backwards/upside down, and jumped in the crunchy leaves.  Then we had about an hour to get ready for Byron's class party.

I changed things up with the pretzel dipping rather than cookie or cupcake decorating.  Equally as messy, costs about the same but a fun change.

Still need to carve those pumpkins...but I think I am done Halloweening for the day. 

Halloween Teaser

OgtoLo and CovetoPort

Darin and 2 friends came up with and completed the OgtoLo bike ride.  It all started with the CentoFarm (Miriam named that leg of the day) Centerville to Farmington Station, where they caught the train to Ogden.  

The guys rode from Odgen Station through Hwy 89 up Sardine Canyon to Logan. They made stops for apples along "fruit Highway" and lunch at Maddox. They made great time, and it was an easier ride than Darin anticipated.

I drove the kids up to Logan to meet up with Darin and the other families there.  The kids got pizza and the disney channel at the hotel while the adults went to celebrate at El Sol with amazing Mexican food! I haven't been that stuffed in a loooong time. I have a love hate relationship with those fresh fried tortialla chips. Then free fried ice cream...so good....so full.

Saturday we zoomed down to Price to see Claire get baptised.  Claire was happy, and sweet and wet! That evening the older guys when to Priesthood sesson while the ladies and small boys had a session of decluttering Grandma's storage area.  Namly the Halloween costume section. We came away with some doozies.

The next morning Darin and I did CovetoPort, 24 miles from my parents house (covecrest dr.) up airport road. The best part about our ride was being completely alone for mile after mile.  We had the ride to ourselves 95% of the time, had more run-ins with cows than people.

Beautiful ride, beautiful weather!

I think we ended up going 24.7 miles...need to check with Darin on that.

The flooding in that area had just happed the week before so a few of these ravines that hardly ever see moisture were filled with water.  Those desert storms are amazingly powerful.