We tried to make the most of our very, very busy fall season. We did a short visit to Mueller Park for the beginning of the changing of the leaves; not peak fall colors, but still beautiful.
Paul has been really busy with Student Council, Hope Squad, and doing the school musical. George has had a lot more homework than Paul somehow and Arthur has really started understanding how to sound out letters and read words. He's worked out a few little words all on his own without even being prompted, which is I think is pretty neat!
These kids are goofy.
In October we managed to squeeze a trunk or treat into our busy schedule, one of the more elaborate ones we've done. It was at the theatre I teach at (shout out to OPPA!) and they got an incredible turn out.
The boys got to spend part of their Fall Break having a big sleepover at Grandma Karen and Grandpa Dave's house. Their favorite place!
Paul and George's school photos actually turned out pretty nice this year, look how cute they are:
Our other fun Halloween themed activity was the City of North Salt Lake Zombie 5k. Paul and Arthur did the little short kiddo run, but George, Lee, and I did the 5k. The zombies got me. I didn't "survive"--in part because I threw myself in the way to make sure that George did. I consider that a success.
I had so many night away at rehearsals in September and October, there were a lot of boys nights without me at home. I don't think the kids missed me one bit.
Arthur got to go do a fun pre-school fieldtrip to a pumpkin patch in Farmington. While he was there I visited the nearby bird refuge for a bit of a walk and some amateur photography.
I thought it was quite gorgeous, despite the drizzly weather. I did see a cute little zebra finch and a hawk (not sure what type of hawk specifically).
On Halloween we kept really busy. We went to the school costume parade, two class parties, and trick or treat on Main St. in Bountiful, then actual trick or treating, then the Improvables Halloween show. It was nonstop for 12 hours.
Paul really, really wanted to be this inflatable shark, so he convinced Lee to be a diver/swimmer/victim.
George really, really wanted to be a Plague Doctor, so he convinced Arthur to be a plague carrying rat and convinced me to be his patient.
We managed to carve exactly one of the 7 or 8 pumpkins we ended up with. It was carved in theme with our decorations, which were selected based on the my most time consuming thing of the fall: Little Shop of Horrors.
I got to be in a production playing Audrey, it was genuinely such a blast. Seriously, don't bring it up with me unless you want me to talk about nothing else for far too long, I have a problem.
The boys came to see it and seemed to really like it, but Arthur cried at my (spoiler alert) tragic death. I didn't anticipate that and I feel rather guilty about that.
Dovetailing with the final week of Little Shop was birthday week: Paul and George turned 12 and 9 this year! We tried to fit the fun into our limited time, we opted to celebrate at Kid's Empire and Pizza Pie Cafe.
We had an awesome visit in Grand Junction for Thanksgiving. The kids had so much fun hanging out with cousins, eating all the delicious food, going to the movies, and even (gasp) going on a hike.
My boys would very much like to just live at Aunt Laura's house and spend every day hanging out with their cousins. They had so much fun and it was a great way to spend the holiday with family!
We hiked on the Mica Mines trail and yes, there was sparkly mica all over the trail.
I never complain about hiking in Colorado, what a gorgeous place!
Paul did his grade school play: Olympus the Rock Musical. It was a really cute show and he did a great job! He had to go to early morning practices and I am pretty sure he hated it, but he worked really hard and we're proud of him.
And the Christmas season is upon us in no time! My brother got us tickets to go see Nate Bargatze for Christmas, and it was a fantastic show. My dad only sort of fell asleep once...or twice.
Arthur dressed like a Grandpa for his 100th day of pre-school celebration. I think he pulled off Pa's look pretty well.
Lee and Paul got to go visit Temple Square for a youth activity, still under construction, but all lit up just the same.
Arthur had his first ever birthday party with friends this year at Kangaroo Zoo. It was so sweet, he was so excited and he had so many friends that were able to come and play. Best 5th birthday ever!
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Arthur's birthday party was swiftly followed by his actual birthday and Christmas! The kids declared it the best Christmas ever, I guess Santa really stepped it up this year, though I question the wisdom of arming Arthur with Hulk fists. Mea culpa.
Our California cousins visited for Christmas break. I think they were planning--and hoping--for a bit more snow, but all we had was moderately cool weather and dead grass. We had to head up to Soldier's Hollow where there was some man-made snow to go tubing.
We spent New Years Eve on snacks and puzzles, it was a nice cozy way to end 2025. The next year is going to be...who knows what it'll be, but I'm glad to get to have my family with me for whatever it is.
