Trip to Las Vegas and End of Fall Sports Seasons

James has missed a lot of school days taking care of me.  We had fall colors this year like we have not had them in the recent past.  A more gradual cooling turned the leaves instead of making them drop.  They have been beautiful.

Hyrum had a 55 yard kick-off return at Ki-Be, just a few yards short of a TD!  His team did and up scoring so that was good.

James did make it to school to teach the Liberty Jail lesson which I think was really meaningful to the students.  He was also there to electrocute a pickle (visual aid for the power and authority of the priesthood).

One of Sariah's Halloween costumes.

On our way to Las Vegas Sunday afternoon to see Dr. Olson.

After our first visit with Dr. Olson we set out to find the temple.  It was brisk outside but we loved walking around the temple enjoying the peace which was in such a stark contrast to the atmosphere of our hotel on the strip.

We so appreciated the temple the first day that we went there every day after the time we spent at the clinic.

Wednesday night we were able to do a sealing session.  It is a beautiful temple.  I could have sat in the celestial room forever.

On our way out we stopped in the atrium to see the olive trees.  A little Gethsemane.

Talmage had an all mission conference with Elder Cook.  Talmage is on the back row circled in red.

Before we left for home we stopped at a park.  It wasn't green, but it was warm and a nice walk seeing birds that we don't have in our area including a road runner.

The kids stayed with Taneil while we were gone.  Sariah placed 9th in District Cross Country and qualified to go to state.

In fact, it was a nice surprise that her whole team gets to go to state.

This year's Halloween featured Sherlock Holmes and two of Santa's elves.

Rex and Lyle's Glory Academy class.

and some cousins!

James took the little boys to the ward trunk or treat while Sariah drove herself to a Halloween party in Connell.

Afterwards, we helped Rex and Lyle carve pumpkins.

They turned out pretty good--two happy football fans.

 

Sariah's Sweet 16!

Our first Glory Academy Field Trip was to Whitby's dairy.

It was a little mucky and smelly for some of the students.  Most of us these days are pretty accustomed to our clean circumstances.

Last week Hyrum kicked an onside kick and recovered it himself!  

This was after Hyrum's onside kick and recovery.  Quite the play!

Our strong Sariah pushing through.

Made it to the podium at Apple Valley Run.

Taneil and Sha Nielson swooped in and made Sariah's surprise birthday party so beautiful.

I think she had fun.  22 kids, volleyball, some games, 9-square and some fancy treats.

Lizza had made some incredible cakes.

Celebrating with Spechts.  Everyone was drooling over Lizza's amazing cake.

Making fleece tie pillows was a huge hit at Glory Academy this week.  Rex wanted to make one for Sariah for her birthday that night so we scrambled and got it done.

The birthday girl on her Sweet 16.  James helped her print off her temporary license that night and she drove to school the next day.  A heart-stopper for all of us, but she made it back and forth all week long.  She did see a wreck that happened right before they got to the intersection at 395 though and that was scary.  She drove herself to her YWs meeting today before church.

All cozied up with their reading group books.

Not a fun event to report, but true all the same.  James and I spent Friday in the ER hoping for some help with my eating struggles.  Not much for help or answers, but it was nice to spend the day together (expensive date!) and James read to me from the secret garden--a story of hope and healing.

Time to sell pumpkins again.

A gorgeous day and lots of supporters.

James said Rex was quite the salesman.

Don't know where this idea came from...

...but they all thought it was pretty funny.

Hyrum ready for kick off.

Trick play: half-back pass from Hyrum complete to Shaddix, Leisl's son.  

The only complete pass of the game.  Way to go Hyrum!

 

Fall Sports

Hyrum's first football game on the high school field.  He played the whole game, only one player on the sideline as a sub.

Thursday we traveled to Walla Walla to watch Sariah run.  Beautiful afternoon.

Friday night we went out to Connell's Homecoming game, the first football game we have been to since before COVID.  Fortunately, it was a very pleasant nigth.

It was National Daughter's Day last week.  We couldn't be more please with this beautiful girl that blesses our family so much.