October 2025 - Swinging into my 40's

Audrey asked Tyler to give her tiger face paint and then proceeded to cry that she looked like a tiger. Being 2 is hard.

Tyler has been really enjoying his first flag football season. He did have one game in the cold, pouring rain and was thoroughly drenched and freezing, but his team made the most of it.

Tyler also had his first school orchestra concert. He is not a fan of his Orchestra teacher but still loves playing the violin.

Tad has been doing a lot of cool science segments in his 4th grade class. They studied the skeletal system in October and had to learn the names of each bone.

Kyle surprised me with a getaway to Moab for my 40th birthday. We stayed for the weekend and did some great hikes. He also surprised me with a canyon swing where you jump off a 500-foot cliff and freefall into a canyon. It was quite the mental exercise to willingly jump off a cliff. With skydiving I think they pushed us out of the plane because you're connected to a tandem instructor who doesn't really give you a choice or ask if you're ready, but with this you had to choose to jump. The view of the canyon was breathtaking. There's a video link at the bottom of the post.

Our sweet Liam boy turned 8 and wanted to go to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate because he loves a YouTuber named Preston who lives in Texas. He ordered a hot dog at Texas Roadhouse and we laughed. He got a coding robot, Press Start books, and lego cars for his birthday. His birthday party was Minecraft themed.

Tyler and I went on a date where we rented ebikes and rode through Provo canyon to Bridal Veil Falls. It was so fun! The fall colors were beautiful and we were right along the river and up against the mountains for most of the ride. 10/10 recommend.

Our neighbor Emily did a Little Shop of Horrors theme for Halloween and made Audrey some absolutely amazing Audrey plants. Our family dressed up as Burt Macklin and Janet Snakehole (Parks & Rec), a Utah Dad, Harry and Lloyd (Dumb & Dumber), a Grim Reaper, Weird Al, Mario, and Princess Peach.

Other random happenings:

Nathan and Audrey playing air hockey at a friend's house

Audrey's hiding spot for Hide & Seek

Cute sisters eating Mexican food together

We took family photos up in the mountains and are once again reminded how quickly our kids are growing up!

We were very saddened by the loss of our Mission President, Tad Callister, but glad he is no longer suffering from ALS. There was a large gathering of missionaries at his funeral in Salt Lake.