Getting Ready for Halloween

Two weeks ago we went up to Snowbird with Mindy and Ryan to ride the tram. Every year this time, they give free tram rides with a canned food donation. Last year it was snowing when we went. A little nicer this year.

We left the kids and went down to Vegas for the annual scuba trade show. We were way busier then we had planned. We brought our bikes but never got out for a ride. We spend 1 night on the strip to watch the Bellagio fountains. That is by far our favorite spot.

We have just a few days to get all the Halloween traditions in. We started with the Pumpkin Patch trip this evening. We go to a nursery that puts up a bunch of fun things this time of year. They have a few cut outs for the kids to stand behind, a few ghosts and skeletons and a small hay maze. Last year they added a pirate ship (the Black Pearl) and this year they added a few life size pirates (which are for sale at almost $2000 each).

Now here is the hard part. You see I love the idea of strolling through the pumpkin patch to find and buy the perfect pumpkin. I have fond memories of going on a Sunday drive as a child and going to some rural farm and buying our pumpkins there. The only problem is this place is a rip-off!! They want $5 for the really small decorative pumpkins and it goes up from there. We need one pumpkin each plus a few extras for school projects, like I'm going to spend $40 on pumpkins!! So off we speed to good old Walmart where they were $2 each regardless of size. I guess I am a sell out. I feel so cheap.

September and Early October

So the computer issues continued including losing all our pictures from the last year or so. Yes, we have now learned to back up. Anyway, here are a few things from the last few weeks.

London took a sewing class with some friends from school and made these lovely items. She made 2 skirts, a handbag, a pillowcase and a dress and small pillow for her doll.

Noah started his last year of preschool. He came home in the first week with a picture of his body which had to be hung in the kitchen for all to see.

Tee and Dave raced in Lotoja again. Our cousins Alan and Jon rode the whole thing (210 miles) while we took part in a relay and only did 105 miles. We were excited to drop about 20 minutes off our time plus they let us start earlier so we finished in daylight.

Predawn group picture with Jon and Alan.

Getting ready for the last 20 mile stretch.

The Tetons are getting closer!!

Tee crossing the finish line!!

Dave and the kids and Uncle Ryan did an overnight with the ward up above Heber. The kids enjoyed running around with friends all night long.

Dave went with some friends down to Zions National Park at the first of October to do a little canyoneering. They left one car at the base of the canyon in the park and then drove outside the park near the top of Mystery Canyon. They hiked in about 2 miles then started descending into Mystery. After about 1000 feet, it turns into a slot canyon with some scrambling and 10 repels ranging from 30 feet to 130 feet. The second to last repel drops you into a large pool that you have to swim out of. The last repel drops you over a waterfall into the Narrows of the Virgin River in Zion's. That is always the best because you have a crowd watching you repel down 130 wondering where you came from. Dave didn't take any pictures of the last 2 because he forgot to take the camera out of his pocket before landing in the pool. They hiked down to the shuttle bus and took that back to the waiting car at the bottom. This was the second year that they did this.

The view looking into Mystery Canyon.

One of the shorter repels.

It gets a little narrow and wet towards the end.

London had to do a project involving collecting and categorizing leaves. We went up along the Alpine Loop and found some nice ones but were about 1 week late for the peak colors. It was nice to look up at Mt. Timp which had a little snow on it from the days before.

And lastly Noah lost another tooth. Here is a funny story. We received a book called, "Dad Are you the Tooth Fairy." The kids found it and had a few questions. Naturally I told them of course I'm not the tooth fairy, where are my wings? Where would they get the idea that I'm the tooth fairy.