A Quick Trip

 It's not very often that I get to make a quick trip out somewhere for a long weekend, but that's exactly what I did last weekend. The reason behind it was to watch Victoria perform at Extravadance, which is the fall dance showcase for the BYU I dancers. Each dance is directed and choreographed by a student dancer. Other dancers try out the 2nd or 3rd week into the semester and are placed by the choreographers accordingly. 

Victoria was chosen to perform in a contemporary, 2 tap pieces, a disco/funk piece, a jazz piece, and the closer piece. She worked really hard through her displaced rib, bronchitis, broken thumb, and strep throat, taking breaks as needed. Less than 2 weeks prior to the performance, she sprained her ankle at a trampoline park- badly! She was doubtful I should even go out there. I assured I would still go out and attend, whether or not she performed. 

The night before dress rehearsal on Monday, she and some of the choreographers decided that she should step out of the contemporary dance and the closer, because of the tricks she had to do in those dances. She was able to dance in the 4 others since they weren't quite as strenuous on her left ankle. She iced, heated, taped, and tried to use her ankle in healing ways so she could do her best in the 5 performances of that week.

I flew into SLC on Thursday at noon and my mom picked me up. I drove us up to Rexburg in time to hang out with Victoria before watching the performance that night. Afterward, we went to Applebee's with most of the dancers. Victoria still performed so well and has an amazing stage presence! Her ankle hurt a bit, but she hung in there!

We couldn't take pictures, but someone took some of Victoria in a couple of her dances at the dress rehearsal. This is one of the tap pieces. 

Jazz- Michael Jackson!

The Closer. Victoria wasn't in the main part, but she was out for the bowing and celebrations.

Her roommates!

Roommates and dance buddies.

A friend who graduated came to watch!

Friday we went grocery shopping for my poor college student, clothing/Christmas shopping, and lunch at a very delicious Mexican restaurant, El Rancho Taqueria, that Jason and Victoria found when he dropped her off at school last year. My mom and I shared some street tacos and a sopa de camarones- so, so good! We toured the school and her apartment area, which were getting decked out for the holidays and so cute! We even went on a quick hike for about 15 or 20 minutes on what they call R Mountain. It's out in the boondocks, not far from campus, and so pretty. I have to say that both gimpy people did well on the hike (my mom with a recently replaced hip and Victoria with a sprained ankle). While Victoria went to class, my mom and I got our hair cut at the newly opened Great Clips which had a grand opening sale. They were offering haircuts for $5.99! I couldn't pass that up!

The menu at El Rancho Taqueria. It's hard to see, but it's ok, most of you who read this are in the West and can get good Mexican food, unlike me in MI!

The Tetons from R Mountain.  

R Mountain looks more like a hill when compared to the bigger mountains, but it's definitely mountainous compared to Michigan. I never saw the R, I think it's on the left side. 

Looking toward the north.

While my mom rested, I hung out with Victoria and also took her to urgent care to get the official word that her ankle was sprained. She had to get a note so she can medically withdraw from her Modern dance class since she hadn't been able to complete the dance test in that class because of the movement required on her ankle. She's kind of bummed about that, but happy with her decision. She wants to get a good grade in that class and will do so next semester.

While she got ready for Friday night's performance, my mom and I hung out at the hotel. We enjoyed the performance Friday night even better than on Thursday. They all did so well and Victoria surprised me again, dancing on her sprained ankle the way she did. 

I hung with Victoria after the performance for another late night, but we didn't have to wake as early on Saturday, so that was good. My mom and I got to use the pool at the hotel again and enjoy a small breakfast before picking Victoria up for a brunch of pie. When Victoria told me she wanted to take us to the White Sparrow Country Store for some delicious pie I was surprised and a little doubtful. I thought pie in the middle of the morning a little odd, however, she had gone on a date there and assured us how good it was. It was also out in the boondocks, not far from campus (everything around Rexburg is in the boondocks!) 

The White Sparrow Country Store is about the cutest thing I've ever seen! Adorable Christmas country decor for sale and extremely delicious pies! Victoria got the apple, which I tried and it was divine. My mom and I split a gyro and a blackberry (savory and sweet). It was one of the best gyros I've ever had! And the blackberries....mmmm! The crust was so light and not overwhelming, which is my biggest dis with pie, I'm not a huge crust fan. And these were encased in crust, like empanadas. So, if you're in the area, go visit the White Sparrow Country Store!

We had to leave after one more visit to our favorite cute store in Rexburg, Real Deals. Luckily, I know I'll see Victoria in less than a month for Christmas! 

My mom and I went back to her place. I will see her and Jim in a few days for Thanksgiving. I went over to spend some time with my sister. We went for a little hike Saturday night, followed by dinner, visiting, and watching a show. We both were tired so we went to bed early so we could go for a longer hike Sunday morning before she took me to the airport. We don't get to spend enough time together, so it was nice to catch up.

We visited Blake's gravesite. 

Returning from our hike on Saturday.

This is the Stewart Falls hike. 

I was back late and up early again to start my week at work, but my weekend rejuvenated me!

And That's a Wrap

 Austin successfully completed his Sophomore year in cross country with an official 2-minute PR over the entire season. The team is officially the 4th fastest in Salem history! Last Saturday at States was an incredible experience! Sam and Owen came along for moral support, which was so nice since Jason was in TX. and Erik was at his final soccer game (they finally scored a goal!) Kade made the hour drive out to cheer Austin on, but couldn't commit to the full time of Austin arriving early and then the cool-down process at the end. 

Owen and Austin have been friends since birth, but we started having play dates with him when they were 3. Owen's dad is our Bishop. Sam and Austin have been friends since 3rd grade. We really got to know Sam when I coached STRIDE at Miller Elementary. Sam has always been a fast runner. It's always been his thing. Owen has an older brother who got him really involved in xc and has always been fast as well. The two of them have been such great friends and examples to Austin. They were a big part of the reason Austin chose to do xc rather than marching band or swim. They're very fortunate to be at the same high school as well. Since the high schools are selected via lottery, not everyone gets assigned the same school as their best friends.

At Michigan International Speedway, where States is held every year, there were tons of spectators and schools from all over Michigan. We met Coach Goodrich on the way over and Austin rode in with him, so I was so glad to have Sam, who knows the stadium from having been there to watch the race cars, and Owen who just knows where he's going. We met up with Austin amonst all the tents so Owen and Sam could warm up with him. Then they mapped out the best places for us to go to see him run. I met Kade when he arrived and we followed Owen and Sam during the race to try to catch Austin as much as possible. It was pretty hard to do with the pressing crowds. The race started in the stadium, and then the runners ran out, so all the spectators had to squeeze through the very small openings to get out and watch, which is no easy feat when everyone is rushing to see their runner! They finished in the stadium as well. That's when it was the hardest to see. Kade and I decided to stick with Sam and Owen to see Austin the second time outside the stadium, which meant a quick sprint back to the finish line. With everyone pressing through the opening in the gate, we were stuck in a crowd before we could get out and sprint again. Which, Kade and I are definitely not as fast as Owen or Sam!! They were sweet to try and slow down for us, but they had to leave us to make it to see Austin cross the line, which was another difficult feat with all the people there. I did get to see him about 100 m before the finish line, but I was far back and there were so many people in front of me. 

Starting line: he's in the white amongst the Canton runners in the black and red.

The group running out of the stadium. 

This is coming up to the finish. He just barely passed someone!

He's in the white, so far away!

Austin finished 127th out of 252 with a 16:30 time. The top 30 finished 15:48 and down, so that tells you how many came in during that 42 seconds of time! He looked and felt good, for which we're so happy about! Coach was so proud of his efforts! Owen and Sam cooled down with him, definitely determined to make it to States as a team next year! We went to Panera Bread on the way home to enjoy Austin's favorite restaurant. 

His name is under Divison 1, at the top.

The xc banquet was on Friday and Austin was awarded to Coach's Award. Some other teammates got well deserved awards as well. The next day, Saturday, was the final meet, though not necessarily part of the season. It's called the Meet of Champions and anyone can run in it, but not sponsored by your school, though times count toward the season. Austin hadn't been feeling well the 2 days leading up to it, but still ran a 16:30. Jack came back with a vengeance, as I thought, and ran a 16:10 and Isaac got his senior PR of 16:18, so we were happy about that. 

The whole Salem Team.

The sophomores. They're such a great group of kids.

Austin's special award and his blue teeth from his cake.

I didn't get to the meet yesterday because it was 2 hours away and I was going to the DSO (Detroit Symphony Orchestra) with Kade and the school orchestra. That was a beautiful night of music. They played Gustav Holst's The Planets. We got back very late to Jason and Erik watching the BYU game. Needless to say, we're all extremely tired today!

Halloween Happenings

 I probably mention it every year, but Kade really loves Halloween. It's his most favorite holiday. We decorated on the first day of fall this year, even though Kade wanted to do it earlier. Kade also got a seasonal job at a haunted house over the weekends of October, which he loved! And he finally got to have a Halloween party at our house with his friends, like he has talked about doing for years, but never got a chance, being in color guard and all their activities in October.

Halloween party feast. He put out the spread mostly by himself. Jason and I grilled the hamburgers and hot dogs.

They wore their costumes, ate, and played a couple of games, but mostly just goofed around.

Kade put up lots of spiderwebs! One of the games they played was the throw the bean bag in the ghost cup you can see in the sunroom.

Kade was Casey Jones. He made his mask from scratch!

Here's Kade in the field of the hayride at the haunted house. He mostly worked in the field, but one time in the actual haunted house. His job was to scare everyone!

Here's his makeup under the mask!

Earlier in the month, Jason and I went to see the annual scarecrow display in Downtown Plymouth with Erik. Then, Kade, Erik, and I visited Downtown Northville's skeleton display last week. The weather was nice all month long, so it was very comfortable outside. 

I've always liked Popeye!

Room on the Broom is one of my favorite children's Halloween-type books.

An electric company sponsored this one!

With all the political happenings...

This was during the time Victoria had her displaced rib. Jason suggested we send this chiropractic-sponsored one to Victoria!

Schoolcraft College is where Kade will go next year.

Northville Skeletons

Selfie with the selphie skeleton!

Edward Scissorhands!

Soccer players!

Skateboarders!

We went to the ward party for the trunk-or-treat, the kids carved pumpkins with friends instead of at home, and they went their various ways on Halloween night. Erik and Kade went trick-or-treating with friends and Austin handed out candy with a bunch of friends at Sam's house. He was prepping for States which was 2 days away and not supposed to eat of ton of candy.

Owen (Marty McFly) and Austin (MF Doom) were kinda twinning with their red vests.

Erik was the Grimm Reaper.

We were has-beens. (Cheerleader and Tennis Player)

Kade was Alvin at school with some friends, but they didn't wear their chipmunk costumes!

Ready to hand out candy!

Ready to trick-or-treat! 

Jason was in Texas supporting his parents during his dad's open heart surgery, which was successful, so I just got some stuff done while handing out candy at our house alone. I can't believe October is over!