October

I drive to Springville 3 times a day (6 back and forth). Then karate 3 times (6 back and forth) twice a week. 166miles just driving the kids in one week. I am LOVING it; I love all the time with my kids. I love the book listening time.  I Love ME time. Something I do; painting my nails, (love feeling girly), read a book. Something I am NOT ok with me is mice dead or alive. There was a dead one in the garage. I yelled for Greg to come save me. I am not a huge decorator, but I love hanging pictures. (If it were up to me every wall would be covered in pictures.) I finally switched out our old pictures for updated ones and hung a few more. Azalyn is officially on the wall. I am working on becoming a better mom. 1. I need to run when feeling over welled. 2. Work on not yelling as much or getting overwhelmed with the kids.  3. doing more things the kids want to do. (like face paint) 4. Take my Vitamin D. I finished part one of the Old Testament.

A few fun things: I took Azalyn to story time. She was so fascinated by all the kids. She just sat on my lap the whole time, but she loves music. We (it was really a family project) pained the deck. It took us ALL day! The kids had to babysit. The boys had to be reminded a few times. Considering the whole day, they did an incredibly good job. We only had one accident; Greg fell of the latter. Nothing was broken or badly hurt but he was sore for a few days.  While painted the deck we listened to conference. Again, because of COVID, no audience. The weirdest part for me was when a joke was told, no laughter just silence.
Sad news: A guy from our old ward died. At one time I was really close to his wife. He had 5 kids 13-3. I cried and the funeral was really hard. (Blessing; family was in town to watch the kids).
See Baptism blog for more family stuff. Quick overview, all my sister and their families were here for the weekend. It was a crazy fast fun time.
October is all about pumpkin patches for us. We took the kids to Jackers. A tradition we have had since Denali was a baby. The kids all had a blast. The boys were soo good to help their sister on the slide (they made sure other kids did not butt the line).  Azalyn has no fear of heights. I almost had a heart attack. She climbed up a huge silo, I could only do it twice. (open stairs I still hate them) We let the boys pick any pumpkin they wanted. The only rule, they had to carry them to the car. Of Couse they wanted the biggest ones they could find. They got them to the van. (not my fault if they have back problems at 12).
Sometimes you come across a deal you just cannot pass up. This summer Tana gave us a Green Huffy (like a BIG wheel with slick tires to drift). We had a tire brake to the point of unrepairable. We were not sure if we were going to get a new tire or just a new bike. We found 2 for the price of 2 tires, yes please. We had to give them to the boys (no were to hide them) we told them they are early Birthday Presents. Well worth it. They ride till Dark. I rigged sister’s car so the boys can pull her (the boys have to take turns pulling her) Win for all; fun for kids and free time for me. McCarty has been looking for a puppy. She found the perfect one in Springville. The boys and I got to go checked out the puppy. SO CUTE! My boys fell in love. I almost had Greg talked into another dog.
We must start every trip with memories. We are loading up for Vegas and Colvin can only find one shoe. I looked ALL over for it Nothing. I think that it ok’s we are going to warm weather there has to be something. Timbers: nope Colvin has a bigger foot than Holden. Wal-Mart St. George: Nothing, Vegas Wal-Mart: Nothing (not even flip flops) Dollar Tree: had 3 flip flops and 1 work, miracle. NO hot tube and we had to "wait in line" for the pool. Thank you, Cory!  He held our spot at the pool all day. We did bring our Wii, so the boys had something to do. Game room and all activities cancelled. Thank you, COVID. The highlight for the kids was the 10th floor. There is a stunning view. Yes, we did have to wear a mask if we were outside our room. I saw a lady swimming not just in the pool but swimming with a mask on. That might kill you faster than COVID. We went to the mall and I found a fantastic sale of mini bags. I had to go back twice. We walked the strip with the kids. Observation; the uglier the girl the less clothing they had on. We took the kids to a park in an old part of Vegas. We were the only people there. The kids had a good time. We also went to a Chocolate factory, and a cactus garden. I now have Curious George Goes to the chocolate factory memorized. Azalyn decided she did not want to sleep in her bed. She would only sleep with us. That stopped the moment we got home. I got to take a bath, the last night, in the main bathroom. I so miss my big bathtub.
When we got home the weather was starting to turn. I left with tomatoes and cucumbers for my neighbors on my front porch. I come home and pick all my Green tomatoes. I have a BOX full! I hope some ripen. We started getting ready for our next adventure, the wet cold coast.
There have been a few good things come out of COVID. One is ZOOM parent Teacher conference, LOVE! Colvin is doing Great one of her favorite students. (what a difference a year and a good teacher can make in a student’s life) Denali is definitely his teacher pet. (Not a bad thing). A few things to improve on, Colvin: shapes (yep skipped that last year) Denali Spelling (as his speech improves so does his spelling)
We borrowed Hulu from Sonya and watched Trolls II.  You would have thought it was Christmas morning.
Azalyn and I went to Idaho with Timber and Darlin, to my Cousin's wedding. It was COLD but I was glad we went. We got to stay with my Aunt Darla, so many happy childhood memories.   We got to go see my Grandparents (Nefs) Grave. I am taking the boys next summer. On the way home we went to see my Granma and Grandpa Amy. Really it was just us saying Good-by. We walked through my parents’ new house. My mom has some great plans. While the girls were in Idaho the boys took school pictures. Greg's friend Richard took them. They turned out GREAT!
October’s weather is different day to day. We had a really cold spell like 30’s then went back up to 50’s.  We love Spanish Fork and it just keeps getting better. We now have an In-N-Out. Yes, we went on day 2 of it being opened. Denali found his dream job.
2020 could not stop Halloween. WE all needed the candy. Trunk or Treat was crazy but ended good. We did a family theme of "Gamers" Denali: Mario, Colvin: Luigi, Azalyn: Peach, Greg, and I Gamer one and two. We went around the neighbor this year. The boys were really good to help their sister get candy. (most of our neighbors put out bowls of candy on the porch). Denali and I finished the whole neighborhood. He loves one on one time. We wanted dad to trick-or-treat with us, so we had to banish him to his office that morning. Denali said: poor dad I almost feel bad for him.
*COVID-19 joke: God: Angle did you get everything ready for the 2020's Angle: Oh yes...wait did you say 2020'sss God: YES, what did you think I said? Angle: 2020 God: You put 10 years into one? Angle: Yes, and the Americans have the election God: OHHHHHH!!!
Though: I Believe the show will go on and on.