October 2024

October.  Some great hikes and biking adventures.  Battle Creek Loop was beautiful. Hiking up Cherry canyon was perfect since the ground was frozen and not sandy.   Biking in Eagle Mountain was beautiful until we got rear-ended on the drive home.  Carbon Fiber bikes and being rear-ended dont mix.   

Darren went to Kansas City for a few days.  Such a beautiful place.  

Abby and I got bangs and Ella chopped her hair.  Lots of fun changes.  Abby is doing great at school.  One of her teachers sent us a note about how great she is.  I enjoy Waffle Wednesday when Ella brings friends home and I get to see and talk to her friends.  

Great Halloween Brunch by Valree.  I was the only one not dressed up.  Thanks to a hat and an orange blanket it was ok.  I love book club and even more... just getting together with ladies I love.  I did "Dress Up" for Halloween.  I was just Amy- Dressed up.  Ella was a scarecrow adn Abby a giraffe.  Halloween also means Jordan and Michaels Birthday.  Fun to be with the Harston family.  

Abby and friends went biking a few times in October.  A new experience for some of them.  So great to have strong girls.  We need more girl bikers. 

We miss Tyler and think about him a lot.  P Days are so fun to talk to him. 

Tyler- Headed to Finland

 Darren had to work in Kansas City for a few days.  How amazing that he ran into our neighbor, Sister Emma Smith on the way to her mission.  The best part was landing in SLC at the same time Tyler was taking off to Finland.  They got to see each other for 45 seconds and he was off.  I am counting that as a miracle.  

Cedar City Mnt Bike State Champs

 What an adventure of a weekend.  Ella racing in her Junior year for the Varsity Team.  We had a great VRBO with the Larrabee clan.  We had a great prep talk the night before to talk about mind over matter.  We went to bed to wake up to snow and our pit zone was destroyed.  Amazing to see other teams donate tents so we had some kind of pit zone.  They cancelled all the races on Friday.  Snow and mud was no good.  So we went down to Leeds to hike Yants Flats.  It was beautiful and warm.  

After a fun day of cold and exploring we wateched Boys in the Boat and Abby fell alseep.  She is a great little sleeper.  

The next day was all a bit question.  The plans were changing and improving as the day warmed up.  Ella got to race two laps.  She started in the 6th row between 30 and 36 girls.  She finished at 26.  I was proud of her.  It sure doesn't look fun to me.  The picture with Darren and Ken makes me laugh.  They are two dedicated dads.  

And the Rupp family.  My favorite.  They are amazing!

Balls Family time in St. George Day 3& 4

 Some people went and rode Zen in the morning.  I took Sam and Chris and went and explored the Bloomington Cave some more.  In the afternoon we went and did Ghost Rider.  So fun to have kids try new things and do awesome.  Everyone was missing school so they did have some time to do homework.  

Saturday was a fun day.  Ranell and family left early that morning.  Then Grandma and Granpa headed home.  The rest of us drove into Snow Canyon and Johnsons Arch Canyon.  We moved quick for a big group.  The water wasn't too deep.  The setting sun was perfect.  Marshall was the biggest success.  He got his confidence and was amazing.  

Sunday was church and then driving to Cedar City to ride the course again.