Jason's Adventures

I have a folder on my computer desktop labeled "Jason" where I collect fun pictures of the adventures he has without us.  I know. It's hard to believe that any fun can be had without us, but he manages.

Some of the photos are work adventures.  Here he is with his co-workers, Nicole, Dave, and Roger.

The team worked together to build a ramp for this little girl who needed help getting into her home.

A similar ramp project that they completed more recently.  It's hard to overstate how much this accessibility matters to these families.

ASSIST also took a trip down to Moab to help Community Rebuilds, a group that focuses on straw bale housing.  Pretty renewable resource!

Judging by Jason's pictures, they spent a spectacular day in Arches as well.

Jen, Dave, Nicole, and Jason.

Photos of other women?

I guess it's okay as long as he has photos of their spouses as well.  Here's Jason with one of his board members and a neighborhood friend, Ben Schreiter.  Jason and Ben met up at the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Convention in Las Vegas.

They shared a pretty fancy schmancy dinner atop the stratosphere.

Jason liked Vegas more than he thought he would.  (Which was not at all.) 

This Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center seems worth the trip.

Plus, there's no shortage of fancy hotels.

This was Jason's favorite vendor display.  We could definitely use one at our house!  Would work for small children too.

Next trip, Omaha!  Jason drove back with my father after one Papa Kay's visits.  They got right to work felling trees and finishing up the gorgeous new patio.

Nicely done, Papa Kay!

The main purpose of Jason's trip was the Romahoak Ride between Omaha and Red Oak.  He was delighted that his co-workers at APMA invited him.  Here's their early morning crossing into Iowa.

Yup, this mural's pretty awesome.

Almost as awesome as Ben Turner's ensemble.

Out in Red Oak, Jason's name is still on the door.  His friend Daric just can't bring himself to take it down.

Sure love you, Peanut Butter, and love all your adventures!  Now just be careful on that bike.  ;)

September Stuff

Time for another blog push to catch up on our fun.  Here is a random conglomeration detailing how we amused ourselves in September.  

The Avenues Street Fair!  Who doesn't love community-approved graffiti?

Our street fair fun was even better since we were babysitting.

Yup, so adorable. 

If we ever surprise you with Wheeler #5, this cutie will be to blame.

In September, Brooklyn joined the Krakens Ultimate Frisbee team, convincing a group of her friends to join as well.  She loves it and carries her disc with her everywhere.

Here she is throwing with her siblings at Red Butte Gardens.

Such a pretty place!

Meanwhile, Eli enjoyed another great season of Avenues baseball.  Brooklyn assisted with his training.

On the musical front, Talia continued to excel at the violin.  Sometimes Annika finds her lessons to be exhausting. 

On the positive side, Annie enjoys playing at Sugarhouse park while Brooklyn rehearses with her orchestra at Highland.

Here's Eli joining me for Music and the Spoken Word at the tabernacle.  We are trying to savor the proximity of the Salt Lake temple before it closes for the next four years.

I also did a bit of trail running to savor fall.  On my last day of being forty I ran to the top of City Creek Canyon just to prove to myself that I still (sort of) could.  I walked a stretch at the end where it gets wicked steep.

Then on my birthday I ate a bunch of ice cream to make up for the calories burned.  Jason and I also saw a new musical, "Fly More Than You Fall" at UVU.  Highly recommended, but make sure to bring plenty of Kleenex. 

This September we hung out with Cousin Ruby in her sandbox.


We also enjoyed Grandma Susie's blackberry cheesecake on a Sunday afternoon.  So delicious!

The very sweetest moments were spent at home...

...sweet, home.

Papa Kay's Visit and Eli's 10th Birthday

Since Papa Kay was already in town for the Big Cottonwood Half on Saturday, September 14th, we talked him into sticking around a couple more days to celebrate Eli's 10th birthday with us.  Retirement has its perks.

After the race, Papa Kay drove Brooklyn to Ultimate practice, then joined us at the park so we could toss a disc a little more.

Hungry after burning so many calories, we all headed to the Spaghetti Factory for a pre-birthday dinner.  I think Ruby enjoyed her meal most.

Justin and Brianna kindly invited us over for some celebratory cake, candles, and gift opening.

With legos from Grandma Susie and Grandpa Charles and running shoes from Justin, Brianna, and Ruby, Eli's birthday wishes came true.

 Of course, there were a couple more packages on Eli's actual birthday.  This new bat may have been his favorite.

In our family, we trade off friend and family years for birthdays.  Since Eli had a friend party last year, we celebrated Eli's double digit milestone as a family this year with a ride aboard the Heber Creeper.  

Papa Kay is always content with a lap full of grandkids.


Can't forget the stand off between the sheriff and the outlaws.  Papa Kay, perhaps if you grow a beard, that could be your retirement gig.

All aboard.

 What a fun place to open gifts!  Eli loved the knot book from NomiAnn and Papa Kay.

Jason loved the mountain views.

Always stunning.  The perfect place to fall in love, right Peanut Butter?

Back at home, we finished the evening with some coconut cream pie.  Happy birthday, Eli!  We are so inspired by your kind heart and your inquisitive brain.  We love you immensely, and are ever grateful that you are part of our family.

Back to Papa Kay's visit, he got to enjoy West High's Homecoming Assembly.  Well, I'm not actually certain he enjoyed it, but he did enjoy turning off his hearing aids so that it wouldn't be quite so loud.

On the other hand, I'm pretty certain he did enjoy his snuggle time with Annika.

He also took a special trip to the Sons of Utah Pioneers so that he could get a "Faith in Every Footstep" plaque for his great grandmother, Sarah Howard Bawden.

 

 

Having walked all the way across the plains, I'm sure Sarah would have been touched by this memorial.

He even accompanied us to the Salt Lake City Public library so that we could apply for new passports for the kids.

The library waiting area is much nicer than the post office.

Thanks so much for the visit, Papa Kay! 

Now remember who you are and keep smiling!