Solidly September

Nothing says Utah more than the Great Salt Lake.  This September Annika's class took a field trip out to Antelope Island to conduct science experiments and study the ecosystem.  What a cool experience!  Here's Annika testing the salinity of the water.

Hiking out to Ladyfinger Point.

Annika's friend Wren.

The hiking wasn't easy for Annie, but she made it.

Here's the class with one of their teachers, Mr. Fearick.

Annika was super excited to find these ribs and vertebrae to study.

Young scientists at work.  They even got to bring home some brine shrimp.  Happy day!

Next adventure, a Salt Lake Bees game.  We wanted to cheer them on before they move locations out to Daybreak.  It was a rough game, but to quote the mascot, "Beelieve!  We are only down 1 touchdown."  

Many thanks to our friend Tara for the tickets.

I had another birthday in September.  Hard to believe that I'm still 29!  Many thanks to Talia for making the cute strawberry cake.

Inspired by Eli, we wanted to roast hot dogs up Millcreek, but there were no spots open so we crashed the Wilhoit's backyard instead.  Pickles didn't seem to mind.

Glad Papa Kay could be there.

Wilhoits, thanks for sharing your home and your pup!

Back at home, we made a banana cream pie and celebrated with the Millcreek Wheelers.

Thanks to everyone for the great birthday.

Per tradition, I made time to hike Mount Timpanogos.  This year, I hiked it with Callie and my friend Jamie.  My favorite thing to do with some of my favorite people.  It's a beautiful life!

By the time we reached the rock field there was snow...and mountain goats.

Views across the Wasatch. 

11,763 feet.  We made it!  Obviously we were not the only ones.  Hiking Timp on a beautiful fall Saturday is not the trek for solitude.

Still, totally worth it.  Callie and Jamie, thanks for hiking with me!

Making our way back down the mountain with the late afternoon light.

The trail felt pretty empty by the time we finally made it back--that is, until we got to the meadow by the trailhead.  The number of photo shoots happening simultaneously among the aspens was positively hilarious!  Gotta catch the Golden Hour when it comes.

 

Other outdoor adventures--paddleboarding on Tibble Fork Reservoir.  The lake could have used a bit more water, but otherwise we had a great time!  Callie, Elia and Anders joined Eli, Annika and I for this fun.

Bringing Eli is always the best because he works so hard at filling the boards.

Anders switches out the paddleboard for a pineapple float.

Annika glides on.  This coming year, Annie's not supposed to swim, but I think we might let her paddle board as long as she promises not to horse around and intentionally fall in.  A summer without any water just doesn't sound like much fun at all.

Chilling on the "beach."

Now onto random sites from home.  Apparently Annika preferred sleeping on her stuffed frog to sleeping on her bed.

A friendly neighborhood kitty named Mr. Fluff made his way into our home when I left the door open a crack.  As cute as he is, he was promptly escorted back out.

Evidence that Jason went grocery shopping.  This man loves his cereal!

Annika loves to create in miniature.  

These are individual backpacks she crafted for her tiny friends, each filled with a lunchbox and barbell for gym class.

Obviously Rex needed to work out his arms a bit more.

A habitat for the axolotls and lizards.

As a bonus, you can buy fish from the store beneath the gorilla.  

Back to the world on a larger scale, we had the chance to attend General Conference.  Best of all, we got to hear our friends Melanie, Will, and Carol sing.  Melanie sings with the Tabernacle Choir, Will sang with the Primary choir, and Carol sang as a service missionary.

We also drove the Alpine Loop and explored American Fork Canyon.

Missing Brooklyn.

The loop may be devilish in autumn as the narrow winding road is crowded with leaf peepers, but it's worth it for the color.

Cascade Springs.

Leap for joy!

Talia, you nailed it.  We love you!

Happy Birthday, Eli!

In ten days, I go back to work.  I think.  I hope.  That's the plan.  

The truth is, I'm terrified.  I've lost all confidence in what I learned before, plus it is going to be so hard to leave Annika home alone during these long days when she can't go to school and is bored out of her mind and missing friends.  Add to that the stress of night shifts beginning a month later, and it's enough to talk me out of working forever.  But I digress!  The point is, I'd like to be caught up on this blog before I go back to work, which means I have to hustle.

The last time I blogged chronologically, it was September.  We left off at Eli's birthday.  Happy 15th on the 16th, Cheezstick!  You make every day brighter.  Eli is the peacemaker in our home.  He willingly helps with anything I ask, whether taking out the recycling or setting the table for dinner.  He is extremely responsible and gets himself up and out the door to school every morning.  This year he learned to ride UTA and takes the bus home from robotics practice so that I don't have to pick him up.  He even rides the bus to early morning seminary.  Eli has a super rigorous academic schedule, but works hard and is earning straight A's.  He is a super speedy runner and rocked Cross County in the fall, although lately he's switched over to cross country skiing with West High.  The only thing better is downhill skiing.  This year Jason admitted that Eli's so swift that he can't keep up with him.  Now that's saying something!  The best part about Eli, however, is his kindness.  He loves spending time with family and always makes time to play with his sisters and cousins.  We love you, Eli! 

For Eli's birthday, he asked to have a hot dog and marshmallow roast up Millcreek Canyon with family.  It's become a great September birthday tradition.  Grandma Susie, Grandpa Charles, Justin, Brianna, Violet, Ruby, and the Wilhoits all made it!

The perfect roasting coals.

Girl power.

I got Eli's age correct this year, but he made me change it to 12 just for fun.  Can't blame him--growing old is overrated.

Back at home, it was present time.  Look who got his very own snowboard!  Good thing too--we need something to slow him down on the slopes.

Also, a Lego Vespa to celebrate the newest member of the family with a driving permit.  Gotta love the powder blue.

We love you, Eli!  Happy, happy birthday.