Dog Life

It used to be that our kids made all of the messes. Nowadays it's the dog.  I closed my eyes for a fifteen minute nap and when I opened them again, I found this.

Zion had completely disemboweled the toy pig given him just hours earlier.  Oh pup, what are we gonna do with you!

The good news is that he's a fierce protector.  Last night he suddenly started growling and barking and trying to get our attention.  When he wouldn't stop, I sent Eli to check out what he was so upset about.  Eli soon discovered the intruder that had Zion so upset.

Glad to know we are well-protected from all cereal box Quakers.

As for today, I took Zion for a seven-mile run up City Creek Canyon.  I was pretty proud of myself for working him hard enough that he actually panted--that rarely happens!  I was proud of me too--I haven't gone for a long run in a long while.  

Feeling the leaves crunch under my feet, I was reminded that sometimes I actually do like to run.  Running in autumn is the quintessential sensory experience--the sights, sounds and scents encapsulate fall.

I especially enjoyed running through Memory Grove on Veterans Day.  Zion and I paused to reflect with gratitude for the many who serve.

Then he went and chased a squirrel.  Such is life with our dog.

Fall leaves and Dear Evan Hansen

Blogging today is different!  I’m blogging from my phone (boo—I’m terribly slow and awkward at typing on my device.)  But, it’s the only option because I’m blogging from the school bus  I ride the bus for an hour with my client, and it’s a good way to pass the time as I watch his oxygenation levels and listen for alarms. 

So Wednesday was crazy busy—I started the day running with Julie  By the time we finished, the sky was growing light and you could see the beautiful fall colors.

The rest of the day was filled with appointments and Zoom calls, including our very first visit with a financial planner  Blech.  A little late, we know, but better now than never  I squeezed in a Bar Flow class (I have a 30-day promotional membership), improvised a pretty tasty savory French toast dinner, then headed to the theater with Eli and Annika  Callie, NomiAnn and I saw Dear Evan Hansen at the Pioneer Theater Company last week. The message was so powerful that I wanted to come back with the rest of the family.

It took a couple of days, but we all made it (except for Brooklyn.)  Last night Talia took the Front Runner up from Provo and went with Jason while I was at a youth activity  

Still, the BEST part of my day yesterday came at 10pm when Talia walked in the door.  Gosh, the house feels happy when more kids come home.  Just imagine what it will be like when Brooklyn is here too!  

Zion was so silly.  He laid on my legs and gnawed his toy for a full hour.  What a time waster!  Still, it felt pretty lovely to gather all together.

So glad for the recharge! I work a 16 hour day today, so I’m gonna need it. 

Kicking off November--Grandma Hansen's 100th Birthday

Saturday, November 1st was a pretty special day. We traveled up to Rupert, Idaho to celebrate Grandma Hansen's 100th birthday.  All of Jason's siblings were there--even Lance who flew in from Texas--a definite accomplishment given his recent back surgery.  The Wheeler family backs are struggling right now--Christy is next in line to have a herniated disc repair.  Hoping Jason and Justin can avoid the curse.

Aunt Julie designed these beautiful poster boards featuring Grandma's life.  It was fun to read about her love of the outdoors.  We may not be blood relatives, but I feel as if I could have inherited her love of camping and the mountains.  (A love shared by my Grandma Helen as well.)

I enjoyed feeling the connection to a shared community as I read how Grandma was born at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake.

I also learned that her favorite poem is A Dog Named Beau by Jimmy Stewart.  Rather reminds me of Zion: 

He never came to me when I would call 

Unless I had a tennis ball,

Or he felt like it,

But mostly he didn't come at all.

Loveable, but sometimes naughty. 

Back to Grandma's party, Christy and Susie were amazing, baking homemade lasagna for the entire crowd.  Susie even made "Boobaspaetzle schenkele"--a fried donut that Norma's mother used to make.  Delicious!

Talia came up from BYU for the party, even though it meant starting her bakery job at 04:30 am so she could get off in time.  What a sweetie!  Eli and Annika were there too, so it felt good to have most of the family gathered.  Brooklyn, next month we will be with you too.  :)

Grandma and Cousin Mike.

To Susie and everyone who made this day so special for Grandma, thank you!

Even though it was pretty late when we got back on Saturday, we got an early start on Sunday morning in order to attend Music and the Spoken Word at the Tabernacle with my Aunt Alison.  Every time I attend, I wish I came more often.  This was actually Annika's first time hearing Music and the Spoken Word as well, making it special on many levels.

Before Talia had to head to back to BYU, we went for a short walk through the neighborhood.  The fall colors are so beautiful!

Days are getting shorter with Daylight Savings, so Monday after school Annika and I headed straight to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail to get Zion a little time off leash.  While our dog can be a pill at times, he is always a gem on the trail.

As for today, not much to report.  A 5:45am run with my lovely friends Julie and Sonja, dropping Annika off at school, picking up Annika up from school a couple hours later because she was feeling sick to her stomach, a zoom meeting, then a work shift.  But even in the mundane, life is good.

#Uptodate

One last miscellaneous post and I am up to date!  Excepting today, of course, which happened to be Great-Grandma Hansen's 100th birthday celebration in Rupert.  While surely something to celebrate, those photos will have to wait until tomorrow.

In the meantime, here is an assortment of photos from September and October.  My Aunt Pat and Uncle Steve came to visit my parents in their new place.  It was so delightful to see them for a bit.

The leaves started to change up Millcreek.  Thanks to Justin's suggestion, Zion and I explored the upper section of the Pipeline.  Less crowded and still delightful.

More foxy photos.

Annika wore this mask to FanX (thank you Make-a-Wish) where she picked up this super cool glass pen and etched box.

Jason stopped by Provo to see Talia and her cute dorm.

They ate lunch at the MOA as well.  This display has been there since I was a student, and I still love it.

Continuing on, Jason had a work trip to Torrey.  In the morning, he went for a run in Capitol Reef.  Stunning!

A word of warning for those searching for the trail.

Breath-taking.

Meanwhile Annika traveled with her Girl Scout troop to Southern Utah to see the Little Mermaid at Tuacahn.  While a great opportunity, she missed the Heart Transplant picnic hosted at Sugarhouse Park. But hey, with Coldstone, pizza, cotton candy, face painting, and games, the rest of the family still went to represent. Here's a photo of the transplant kids and their providers.  So many faces we know and love who have impacted our lives! Dr. Lal, Dr. Ploutz, Dr. Milligan, Dr. Kalb, Transplant nurses Karla, Ethel, Michelle, NPs Marissa and Angie, Social worker Krystle, Medical Assistant Faith, and others.  The providers actually outnumber the heart warriors in this photo. It's amazing the size of the army that works together to keep these kiddoes strong and well with healthy hearts. We will always be grateful.

Among the strange questions Annika has asked her transplant team is whether or not she can have a tarantula as a pet.  Fortunately for me, they said no.  Looks like Zion found one anyway.  (This is a different one than the spider we found on Eli's birthday.)

Yup, Salt Lake is a beautiful place to live.

Even with our naughty pup.

And there you have it!  #Uptodate