Wind Stormageddon 2020

We've had a pandemic, an earthquake, and the earth decided it was time to throw a wind storm at us. And holy freaking cow was it a windstorm! We knew it was coming - the meteorologists said it was - but I don't think people truly believed them, because honestly, how often are they really right?

The night before, my dad called and told me to tie my trampoline down. I wish I had taken his advice.

They said winds reached upwards to 90 MPH in our area, Hurricane wind speeds. Luckily our tree's survived, thanks to Greg and his quick thinking, but our neighbors weren't so lucky. But, it knocked out power, so that was fun to deal with as well amid all of the other crazy going on.

Turns out we didn't have rope, so Greg grabbed extension cords and held the tree's in place while I tried to secure the cord to the stakes Greg had pounded into the ground. Quick thinking on his part, and a learning experience for us. Buy rope!

The aftermath.

We were foolish and didn't pull our peaches before the storm. Lesson learned.

Power got wiped out. This was the 3rd time in 3 years we have been so grateful to have this little stove. Our neighbors aren't so lucky and had to go elsewhere. Not us! We cooked on the camp chef and stoked the fire. It was awesome! It was fun to use lanterns at night too. It helps having excited little girls - they make everything more fun.

I saw this porta potty and was dying! I pity the fool who had to clean it up.

Cooking crepes on the stove. They were delish!

Once the power was out, and Greg wasn't able to work from home. He promptly left us to fend for ourselves and drove in to work where life was normal. I'll be honest, I was really upset with him for abandoning us while everyone else's husbands stayed home to help clean everything up. While I flipped the tramp back over (with the help of Sofi), cut and raked up the limbs, cooked on the camp chef and kept the house warm, Greg was in his office, blissfully typing away. Don't worry, I've gotten over it. But boy was I mad at him for awhile.

Pics Greg got on his way to work.

I really hope this isn't our future

Aftermath of the storm down in the Hollow. I went running down there the night after the storm, and couldn't even get my way through. It was so crazy down there I had to bushwack my way up to the main road and hobble home from there.

Logan and Peach Days COVID Style

We've been planning all summer to make a trip up to Logan, and when we heard Peach Days in Brigham were cancelled, we knew we had to do something. So, we loaded the girls up one morning and off to we went to Cache Valley. 

Going through Sardine Canyon, Greg and I were amazed that we finally owned a car that could sail up those hills without a problem; bless those college cars. 

I was nearly Giddy with excitement when we coasted down into Cache Valley and Logan came into sight. Cache Valley has a special place in my heart - it became my home away from home and was the perfect escape for me in a critical time in my life. It is my happy place, and I absolutely love being there whenever I can.

The first thing we did was go up to the USU campus and get Aggie Ice Cream. Claire downed her Blue Mint and the ice cream was just as good as we remembered it.

I want to always remember the major unicorn phase Claire went through this summer. Please notice the pink slap bracelet unicorn on her wrist. It went everywhere with her. Everywhere! And I love it!

Next, we toured the campus, and it was so HOT that day. We made our first stop in the Library to get out of the heat and reminisce on old times. I even got to show Greg and the girls the Old Ephraim skull. I couldn't believe Greg spent 4 years in that library and never actually explored the place. Such a waste! It was weird being back in the library with the glass partitions, thanks to COVID, and mask signs everywhere. 

Greg is pretty proud of this shot.

There was this weird branch house outside, so we of course had to go explore.

We ventured over the Old Main and walked around the building. They have added these beautiful fountains on either side of the main staircase, and the girls had fun playing around in the water. We even got some cute shots on the 'A.' Sof refused to be in any and all pictures, but Claire did not disappoint!

So many memories on this sidewalk. 

That foot pop though!

After leaving Campus, we headed to Al's Sporting Goods to check out their Labor Day Sale. Greg ended up getting a cute bell for his bike, and that's about it. Next, we took the girls around the neighborhood to see our cute apartments. We lived in a fun area of town and had some amazing friends. Have I mentioned I love Logan?

Next we went to the Cheese Factory where sadly they weren't giving out any free samples, but we spent way too much on cheese and the awesome shelf milk stuff (food storage, camping) it has so many uses. Luckily we brought a cooler, or our cheese would've gone bad in the heat. It was so hot!

On the way out, we stopped at Cox Honeyland and, well, bought some honey. I love that place. You can take whatever container in, and they will fill it up with honey, you just pay by the pound. Sadly I didn't bring a container, so I had to pay full price in the store. Oh well. Next time.

The girls couldn't wait to get to Peach City. We've been talking about it all month and how it was such a special place, and how grandma LuAnn used to work there. The girls couldn't wait to go! The food is always so yummy, and the peach shakes are incredible! We definitely left way too full. Especially Greg - the girls hardly ate anything and he took it upon himself to leave nothing behind. Literally.

This is the only picture I got all day of this girl looking at the camera. She's a stinker when it comes to taking pictures! So let it be known that it can happen, I just have to be sneaky about it.

On the way out of Brigham, we stopped at a Peach Stand and bought more peaches, which was a good thing ... our peaches didn't fair well. I'll get to that in a different post.

All in all, we had an amazing day, and I'm so glad that even though COVID has ruined all the fun, it has also allowed us to get creative and plan some fun events just for our family. Sometimes it is nice to be forced out of our comfort zones, to learn to adapt and go with the flow. It seems like it's only the adults who are doing all the complaining anyway. Maybe there truly is something we are all needing to learn from this pandemic.

Regardless, we had so much fun as a family, and it was a sweet thing to be able to take the girls back to where our cute family began. 

Kindergarten, Here She Comes!

Sof started Kindergarten! I am so glad she was able to start at all, during this COVID time of life. She had to wear a mask, and only went Monday and Wednesday for the first part, but a few weeks later, they opened it up Monday-Thursday, with Friday being a remote-learning day. She has loved having a social life again and is thriving! She is one of the smarter ones in class, so she is a good helper for the other kids. She is reading so well and rarely needs help anymore.

She has Ms. Loosle and goes in the afternoon, which is ideal on the days she decides to sleep in. She has made so many cute friends and I have loved having her come home and tell me what she learns each day.

Greg worked from home and was able to walk her to school, her dream come true. Sof is thriving and is so grown up. It is going to be a fantastic year!

Bryce Canyon!!! Saturday-Sunday

We had so much fun Saturday! Every year Bryce Canyon does a rim-to-rim ride where they shuttle your bikes, and you, into the park. Then you ride all the way out. You either have the option to stop at Ruby's Inn (like we did) or continue the 10 miles to the end of the Park, where they will shuttle you clear back. We didn't go that far, but one day we will! It was the absolutely perfect way to end our vacation.

Bryce abided by COVID regulations, so there was a plexiglass partition that separated the bus driver from everyone else, and we were only allowed to use the back door to the bus, and everyone had to be masked. But, it was so fun! We got free t-shirts, snacks, and other goodies. 

Claire woke up early and was put in the van for being onry.

We went swimming a second time, and it was just as fun as the first time. There's just something about swimming in a hotel pool with kids - it takes you back.

The clouds rolled in, and we saw an incredible rainbow over the lookout point. It was so pretty!

We also got more ice cream while waiting for my parents to get back from their extended ride. The girls abandoned Greg with their cones so they could ride the stick horse, and it was hilarious! His face looks like he's mad, but his nostrils tell us otherwise 😆.

Later, we had dinner with our fun campsite neighbor, who we got to know a little bit. He was a freelance photographer/private pilot on break because of COVID, and so he was touring Utah's National Parks and taking pics. Afterward, we took the girls to their first rodeo (which they were very unimpressed by, probably because we missed the barrel races), and then the night was finished with fireworks. It was so much fun, and the girls now have a deep love for Bryce Canyon.

Claire is living her best life. Chocolate milk and barefoot in the dirt.

His face kills me. He was put in a difficult situation .... but made the best of it.

On the way home, Sofi said her favorite things were hiking, and biking. The two more rigorous activities we did, but definitely memorable. We had a lot of fun and already can't wait to go back!