Amy Fall Photos

Amy's roommate had a little fun shooting some photos of Amy up in Provo Canyon. I don't always get to take a lot of pictures of her, so I am glad when someone else does!

Air Force Football

Chris and Kristen went to the Air Force football game this year. Misha was supposed to go with them, but she got pretty sick. I put together a care package of food and meds that Chris dropped off on their way to Colorado Springs.

Getting to see the flyover is always the highlight. They were glad that they took puffy jackets. It got cold pretty quickly once the sun went down. 

Like Father Like Daughter

Hmmm, who is whom?

Kristen's Senior Photos

Misha has been working on Kristen's senior photos for her.

They have had fun on a couple of photo shoots. Isn't she lovely...

I would still like to take a few myself, so hopefully sometime this week before the weather changes.

Kristen to Utah Again

Kristen went out for Fall Break to spend the weekend with Amy.

While Amy didn't have too much planned (think nothing), they both enjoyed a restful weekend of taking naps and going to a movie.

The highlight for Kristen was visiting Julie and Patrick and getting to meet their newest arrival, Makayla. 

Kristen stayed the night at Julie's house and then took the train to the airport for her flight home on Monday afternoon.

Sunday Afternoon Walk

Chris and I took a Sunday afternoon walk around the lake. The color in Colorado is pretty brilliant right now and probably won't last too much longer before the leaves all fall off the trees. I think there is a possibility of some rain and snow mix next Monday. I am so not ready for the cold weather.

I am loving the brilliant colors in our yard.

As well as the color around the lake.

He Had a Birthday Shout Hooray!

Kristen was gone for the weekend to visit Amy, but Misha came for dinner on Sunday afternoon and to help celebrate her dad.

We are sure blessed to have Christopher in our lives. He is supportive, he's a cheerleader, he understands girls, and he's just fun to have around.

Happy birthday to my favorite guy. The photo isn't so clear, but the other one I took had him closing his eyes.

Chris Travels for Work

Chris was able to travel over the past two weeks to Austin. The first time to meet with the team he manages at the beginning of a new quarter and during the second week with more of the sales teams.

During the second week, coworkers surprised him with a birthday celebration (for four others who had birthdays in October as well, thus the five cakes). Chris was impressed that they would remember and celebrate him.

One night during the week, the work group went to a concert called Spazmatics. They have a nerdy image (on purpose) and play songs from the 80s.

Misha's Concert at Red Rocks

Misha's roommate, Sara, bought Misha a ticket to a group called Young the Giant as a birthday gift. Unfortunately, she only bought one ticket so Misha ended up going all by herself.

The concert was held outdoors at Red Rocks. It got a tad bit chilly as the night went on as Red Rocks is an outdoor venue.

Still Misha enjoyed the music and was brave to go on her own.

Amy Home for a Visit

Amy came home for a quick visit. The girls have discovered that if they fly Frontier, they can often find pretty inexpensive flights if they pack lightly. They can't bring more than a backpack that has to fit under the seat in front of them.

She brought her best friend Liz and they enjoyed going to the gym together, going out to dinner with the family, and catching up on naps.

It was also Kristen's homecoming, so both Amy and Liz helped with Kristen's nails and hair and pictures.

Misha was able to pick the girls up from the airport after work on Friday afternoon and then kindly took them back to the airport on Sunday evening.

You know Amy's been here when all of the raspberries are gone...

Kristen's Senior Homecoming

Kristen has a great group of friends that she went to Homecoming with this year. The dance is fun and all that, but I think the girls have the most fun dressing up, posing for pictures, and the going out to dinner all fancy.

Amy and Liz helped Kristen to get ready and Misha, Amy and Liz all helped take pictures of the girls. I think they had more fun than when I take the pics.

The girls came back to the house around 10 pm after the dance and just hung out in the basement. Unfortunately, they were probably a little loud for Amy and Liz who were sleeping down there.

Produce in Cold Storage

Following my dad's advice, I washed all of the potatoes and onions before putting them in cold storage making sure they dried completely. Feels good to be done with most of the garden for another year.

The carrots are still in the ground and the Brussel sprout tree is taking forever.

Misha's Art Class

Misha is taking a life drawing class this semester. Yes, she gets to draw people who come to pose in the nude.

She did a really nice job on this lady's hair. Even her teacher complimented Misha's work.

Misha's teacher also suggested that Misha should create a book about drawing hands and feet because she is so skilled at it.

Lavender

I picked lavender from my garden. Love the smell. 

Kristen and Homecoming (HOCO)

Kristen is going with a bunch of her girl friends to Homecoming this year. She decided that she would formally ask her friend to go with her. (I think she just wanted the chance to be creative making a poster).

Clean Fireplace Cover

It is a little chilly outside today for the 2nd day of October. Add to that, one of the main floor windows was left open all night long. It was in the los 60s in the house when I woke up. Brrrr.

Chris cleaned the glass on the fireplace and it is nice and shiny and clear. And it's the first day we have turned the fireplace on this Fall.

General Conference Sunday

I always love General Conference weekend, especially Sunday. Who doesn't love being able to watch church on tv?

Misha came home for the day. We are looking forward to the chance to see Amy next weekend.

Garden Clean Up

I took advantage of the beautiful Fall day and worked to get most of my garden cleaned up for the season (that is, after I weeded for a couple of hours and trimmed back flowers in the front yard).

I pulled out all of the potatoes and onions and have some that I can now store and use for the next few months. I gave away a lot of potatoes this summer since I am trying to cut back on carbs.

I clipped back all of the strawberry plants and will add leaves on top of them in a couple of weeks as the leaves begin to fall. 

The carrots I will leave until after the first frost.

This monster tree is the Brussel sprout plant. It has just started forming the small sprouts so hopefully we will be able to eat them. Not sure how they do with a frost.

There is still more to do to button everything up for the winter, but it was a great garden this year. My cucumbers were out of control and so delicious.

Mishap with Airpods

Kristen fell asleep with her air pods in her ears. Unfortunately, she was also sleeping with her heating pad. One of the air pods fell out and found the heating pad. Kristen woke to find it melted, misshapen, and ruined.

She can still use the one air pod fortunately.

Student Ward in Denver

Kristen is getting to that point where she is ready to try a student ward. Misha has a YSA ward not too far from her house, so while Chris and I went to Stake Conference, Kristen drove to Denver to attend the ward with Misha.

It was a first time attending that ward for Misha as well.

Ypsilon Lake Hike

Chris and I decided at the last minute to go hiking. We could get into the park without a reservation IF we were at the ranger station before 9 am. That gave us 25 minutes to get and out the door...and I had just put biscuits in the oven.

We hurried to pull everything together, get snacks and lunch, and pack water.

We arrived at the station three minutes before 9 am. We didn't have too many slowpokes driving in the mountains either.

We chose to hike to Ypsilon Lake. 2,100 feet of elevation gain in 4.5 miles. Ugh. We had hiked part of this trail with our girls when they were much younger and turned around because it was too steep for them.

2,100 feet of elevation gain is no joke. I read a review on the hike which said, "It is all uphill for the first 4.5 miles. After that, it is all down hill from there!" Right.

We finally made it to the lake and were happy to sit and rest for a bit. We pulled out our lunch and noticed trout lazily swimming in the water right by the shore where we were sitting.

The aspen trees were just beginning to change. 

I sure do love hiking with this guy. Our mismatched heights don't seem to slow us down. I usually take the lead on the way up the hill and his long legs lead the way for us on the way down the mountain.

Random Llama

Misha sent a random llama picture. She was walking in the park in Denver and just came across these llamas hanging out in the park.

Cobweb Art

Look at the delicate drops of water on this cobweb. (You may need to click on the pic to enlarge it).

Flowers in the Front Yard

It usually takes all summer for my begonias to look pretty awesome. They are looking great right now. Until the first frost and then they are done for.

My hydrangea bushes have taken a couple of years to reach their full potential. I love that the flowers start out white and gradually change to a dusty rose color.

Bloodwork

I went for bloodwork for my annual physical. I was impressed with the bracelet of blood vials.

The nurse said it took a little bit to get used to being coordinated with it, but now it is easier to change out the vials. 

And yes, six vials. That was a lot of blood taken.