October 2026

October was such  a beautiful month. We had a lovely family ride up at Park City over Conference Weekend.  Babysitting Honey dog is always a favorite.  Then a Harston family dinner where we can all chat and talk.  

I LOVE having all my kids at home.  Sunday pizza day with Darren cooking for us.  but also just the space of having everyone lounge about and be together.  Monday and Tuesdays are special because Tyler and Ella come home from college.  I love to be home with them and cook for them.  Sending them home with some meals with protein and veggies is fun.  Tyler started working at the MTC and is even teaching our neighbor Parker Finnish.  Tyler had a Finnish Family over for dinner.  He is and was a great missionary and son.  Abby, Charlotte/Charlie, and Evelyn weren't up for a photo in front of the middle school.  That made me laught! Abby still enjoys riding and that makes Darren so happy.  They hiked Barren Ridge the other day.  3,000 vert is more than I could do on any day.  

And Halloween.  Bike ride with Jane... and Nolans family.  We love that Abby has some cool friends around.  Then trick or treating at my parents house.  We were dressed up as mnt bikers! 

 

Fall Break with the Nolan Balls Family

 Great start to a long weekend.  Klondike Bluffs with the crew.  14 miles of great riding. 

It had been raining for days prior to our trip so there weren't many canyons we could do.  Looking Glass was a great a climb with a fantastic rappel.  Everyone did so well on the 2 pitches to the top.  After lunch at the campground we headed into Arches to do Not Tier Drop.  Great big drops.  Beautiful views. The sun was just setting and the panaramic view was lovely.  

The next day was all did slick rock.  It was amazing for me to remember the first time I did it when Darren and I were dating.  Those are some great downhills and some punchy uphills or walk a bikes!  Then we headed back to Arches to do U-Turn.  Short and simple.  These canyons are all about family time.  Talking and stretching ourselves.  Its amazing to see everyone learning and pushing their limits.  

Each night we had dinner together and sat and visited.  "Amy questions" are fun.  Ranging from misisons plans, college plans, baby plans, girl friends, etc.  I love hearing it all.  On Sunday we opted to have "Canyon Church". Hike to Longbow Arch and have a few spiritual thoughts.  I even shed some tears seeing Gods hand in out lives, adding Sandra and her family to ours.  

September 2026- Dallas Texas South Mission, Spanish Speaking!

 September was a full month.  I spent a lot of time working for Canyons School District.  Testing special needs kids and subbing.  In my spare time, I worked on framing 20-plus pictures for our house.  I got in some bike riding with Abby and her middle school team.  And when Tyler and Ella came home every Monday and Tuesday, I cooked and prepped them food.  I got in a good hike with childhood friend, Tawnie Baldwin.  We hosted about 20 Finnish missionaries one Sunday.  What a great group of kids.  Then we got to watch them play steal sticks, which is always entertaining.  

The big news of the month was that Ella got a mission call to Dallas, Spanish-speaking.  So exciting.  She will be loved by so many there, and I know she will love it.