Cecret Lake Hike

Jeff was away this weekend and we went out to explore a new hike. This one was to Cecret Lake up by Alta. Apparently this was the last weekend the road would be open ahead of ski season. This hike did not disappoint. It was stunningly gorgeous. There were great paths to walk, things to climb on, a half frozen lake to throw rocks on and into, and great pictures to be had. We will have to take Jeff here when it reopens after ski season. 

Emily Fall Volleyball

This fall, Emily tried a new sport: volleyball. She had a good time learning the game. Her team was all learning together as this was likely most of the kids first time playing volleyball. 

Halloween

Halloween in Salt Lake City is way different than the Halloweens we had back in Raleigh. Then again, Utah is very different than Raleigh. 

Our neighbors have ghosts holding hands. 

We went for a hay ride to pick out some pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. 

We carved pumpkins at home on our deck and lit the fire pit for some post-carving s'mores. 

Jeff made his classic face on a pumpkin, Kyle carved a monkey, Emily a wolf howling at the moon, and I carved Darth Vader and Yoda for myself and Aaron. 

Cross Country season

Kyle and Emily ran cross country this fall and had a great time with it. They had 3 meets to run against other kids in Salt Lake area. They improved their times and raced well. Kyle was able to best the field in 2 of 3 of the races and the 3rd race he took 2nd. Emily improved her times at each race and always ran with a smile. She even had her mile PR time within the 3k races. Nice running! 

Fireworks

Growing up, we set off fireworks from our driveway each July. We were over at our friend's house here (friend from HS moved out to SLC the same time we did) and he had some fireworks. My favorite growing up was the snake. It didn't make a lot of noise, wasn't a big burn risk and was just funny. This one takes the snake to a whole new level. I give you: the Poopy Puppy. Just try not to laugh.

Jeff's birthday

Happy birthday Jeff! We went out to a special fancy dinner for this big birthday. It was a delicious meal up in the mountains in a beautiful setting. 

Octoberfest at Snowbird

Snowbird knows how to celebrate. They host Octoberfest up there each year for several weekends. We had to partake and of course enjoyed ourselves there again. We tasted the tastes of Octoberfest and followed that up with a walk on the mountain. It was cook because it was really fall colliding with winter. 

Homestead Crater

We visited Homestead Crater, a hot spring out in Midway, Utah. It is the only warm scuba diving location in the US. You can scuba, snorkel, or swim. It was pretty neat to swim in this crater and we all had a nice time floating around in this hot spring. Despite Kyle's fear of Yellowstone with all of its geothermal features, he was able to deal swim here though we didn't quite tell him the full explanation of how it was heated until afterwards. 

Just living

Just scenes from our life here in Utah.

Biking around town. We missed that in Raleigh.

Aaron soccer game

Biking to school

Coloring before school

Carousel at the zoo

Sleepers

Some more sleeping kid pictures.

Aaron taking up a king size bed.

Kyle not taking up a bed at all. This boy just doesn't stay in one place when he sleeps. 

Aaron totally ready for his soccer game... 

Yellowstone

Jeff's entire family met up in Yellowstone to celebrate family and Papa's 70th birthday. We 'glamped' and it was loads of fun. The time with family was incredible and seeing Yellowstone was something else. Kyle did not like seeing Yellowstone because he was too spooked by it being over a super volcano. I carried him kicking and screaming through Grand Prismatic. But he otherwise had a great time with his cousins and camping. We stopped through Jackson Hole on the way home since it wasn't too far out of the way and Jeff and I remembered our fun trip there many years ago to ski. Jeff and the kids stayed there overnight with Adam's family and Jon to further explore Jackson Hole. They had a great time going up to the top of a mountain, having waffles, and eating a delicious dinner. 

Blackberry ice cream stop in Idaho

Glamping

We went to a rodeo. Because why not. When in Montana... The kids got to go out and chase a baby cow in the rodeo ring. 

Walking around Yellowstone

At a general store soda fountain having a cherry milkshake

Old Faithful or Grand Prismatic. Likely the latter since Kyle is not in the picture. He would not pose there. It was too much for him. 

Old Faithful eruption

Driving south out of Yellowstone through Teton National Park

Quick stop. 

Jackson Hole

First day of school

The kids started their 4th elementary school today (started K in Madison, then through 2nd grade in San Diego, Raleigh 3rd - 5th and now Utah for 6th). Aaron starts Kindergarten next week because apparently it's a think for K to start a week later. The first day also coincided with the eclipse. We were about 90% totality here so it didn't get quite as dark as we thought it would but was neat to witness solar / lunar history.