Something Special

October 2025 will be one to look back on as something special for sure.  It is undoubtedly our favorite time of year at home, the cool weather, the crisp feel of the air, having moved into a good routine and no longer mourning the freedom of summer.  We got to take a little break from the school schedule for a day or two and attend Gage and Ashleigh's wedding in Colorado.  Really, only Katelee and I went.  

We stayed in a nearby hotel and met everyone the morning of the ceremony on a beautiful fall morning in a stunning garden.  

It was so fun to see Haley and Devin and Brad and Angelique and especially the bride and groom!!!

Everything turned out lovely and we had a fun dance party afterwards.  My zumba classes are paying off-I had some secret moves no one knew about and probably hope to never see again.  We are so excited for the newlyweds and were happy to spend time with fam.  After the ceremony and reception, we parted ways so Katelee to meet up with a friend from her HXP trip to Tonga.  

She had a great time until they were longboarding behind a car and her friend fell and got super hurt.  He brought Katelee back to the hotel (a friend of his driving) and the next day following up with the x-rays of his broken clavicle.  

The month continued on with seasonal delights-our annual walk about at the Witches, which has dwindled to 3 of us attending this year.  

One day it will be just me and I will still have a fabulous time.  But, we are loving these days while they last. 

The highlight of the month was our fall break trip.  I have been longing to go to the Oregon Coast for ages and I got my wish this year.  Katelee had her opt out of vacation last time with South Dakota, so she was required to attend...luckily it was a destination no one would refuse.  

We flew into Portland and drove to an AirBnB in Depoe Bay.  It was a little condo off the ocean with a little hot tub outlooking the crashing waves.  

We spent each freezing evening in the warm tub watching/listening to the ocean.  

It was fabulous.  I did wake up one night scared we were being attacked-the wind and waves were so violent with a storm, but I guess that's part of the experience!  

The first day we explored a few beaches, went in the tide pools-seeing starfish and anenomes, looking for sea lions.  

One of our stops was Secret Beach- see that little tiny carved out doorway in the rock?  We entered one side and came out to a pretty isolated area.  

We hit up the Tillamook Cheese Factory, a destination I fondly remembered from a childhood excursion.  These guys sampled the fresh ice cream while I blissfully chomped on my cheese curds.  It was delightful.  A bigger smile was brought to our faces when we passed the local high school advertising their Friday Night Lights- go Tillamook Cheese Makers!  hahahaha

Our drive was to the north this day all the way to the iconic Canon Beach where we had a photo shoot.  

Lets be honest...with these two gals, every place was a photo shoot..  Take one here, take one like this, 

usually including someone saying, 'mom can you just be real.' or 'mom, just have a normal face.'  The struggle is real for me, I just can't take these posing sessions seriously.  

After a good nights rest, we headed out to hike God's Thumb.  Caleb had told us it is one of his favorite hikes of all time, but there is a short cut in getting there that would cut the hike by at least an hour.  

We thought we had the directions down, but alas, we did not.  It was a long hike but it was totally worth it-even when Harrison thought he would perish because we were rationing water, even when Dave squealed 'sssssss SNAKE' for the little guy across our path.  We didn't want to point out the ones in the grasses as we scaled up the hill.  

The route there was lush and beautiful but the top was absolutely stunning.  

We saw a bald eagle soaring, deer frolicking, it was like we were literally at the end of the world.  

Pictures don't do justice, but it was pure magic.   It was a big hike and it tuckered some of us right out.  

Dave got a good little snooze while the girls did some thrifting.  

We had two sunny/warmish days and then the storms came drizzling in, which we actually helped us get the full Pacific Northwest vibe.  It drizzled while we explored Devil's Churn... 

but that was nothing, compared to the spray Brenna was caught off guard with.

She was busy...you know..posing.  

We drove to Heceta Head lighthouse and trudged up through the rain to the building.  Across the way is a cool bridge as well.  We were loving the whole feel.  

One of my favorite stops was the hike to Hobbit's Beach.  It was a short walk through the forest to this incredible beach.  

We were the only ones there for awhile (so plenty of photos sessions commenced) 

as did exploring and standing in awe of the nature around us.  

After we were all feeling pretty soggy, we went back to the condo to dry off and play games where things got heated and I had to take a time out.  But don't worry, things got back on track the next day.  It was really pouring the next day, so it worked out that we were going to see the Aquarium.  

We thought...but it is mostly outside and we thought it was meh.  

Especially when we got to see sea life au natural just down the road...

These guys were going crazy.  We had the best time watching them fight for space on the planks.  They were yelling and squirming and the stinkiest things, but we loved every minute.  

It really was the best trip.  We are so blessed to live in such an incredible world- to get to see things that are spectacular and don't even feel real because their beauty takes your breath away.  But, we had to wrap up and get back to real life so we could participate in all the Halloween fun.  

Harrison was supposed to pick out a costume while Katelee and I were in Colorado, which he did. Katelee got a text from a friend who worked at the Halloween store saying 'your family just came in to buy a costume.  Bro wants to be skibidi toilet.'  Words we never expected.  We kind of game him a hard time and were laughing so it was up in the air if the kid would actually get into his costume.  He happily did for his school parade, but trick or treating took tears and bribery.  Well, it is a costume we will never forget...

We had our neighborhood dinner, I stayed back to give out treats, Dave bribed Harrison do get in his throne and collect treats.

Brenna hit the town with some old ladies (Nora, Cate and Brinsley)

and Katelee was a party animal with Izzy and Brooklyn.

We had such a special month with a wedding and fabulous trip and parties. 

 Good times and good laughs! (here are the stellar librarians of the high school, we think we are so fun) 

Fall, Football and Fun

Nothing tops kicking off the crisp fall air than our week up at Snowbird.  

We are so lucky to have these majestic canyons so near to where we live that we can pop up anytime.  Saving that week 36 for Petrick-fest makes it all the more amazing up there.  

We hike, swim, play games, talk small walks, play bingo if we are up that day-we still go up and down with school, work, dance, lacrosse, etc.  The older Snowbird patrons are not sad when the McArthurs miss Bingo.  It brings a new level of intensity and a decibel they don't endorse at typical Bingo events.  

Dave has decided he doesn't love to sleep up there since there is no air conditioning.  He needs that cool night air, so he comes up and down the most.  He was describing his drive up and trying to relay a story when he fumbled for his words a bunch.  

Now, mind you, the Presidential Debate between Trump and Biden had just aired so as he was searching for words, Harrison says 'hello Joe Biden.'  Yikes.  Dave gathered his thoughts quick and continued on with determination.  hahaha

Katelee brought multiple friends groups up throughout the week and Harrison and I spent a lot of time enjoying the gorgeous setting.  But, he and I did have to go down to coach Katelee's Powder Puff football team.  

Katelee won the championship last year and she claims it is one of her highlights of HS, so to be stuck on a team with Buffy and me as coaches has not been thrilling for her.  It had been quite the drama as the teams were clearly stacked.  But, that's why we called in the big guns, our secret weapon-Coach Harrison McArthur aka the dominator

He made a whole playbook based off his plays from flag football 

that we bound and flipped around as we tried to lead the girls to victory...but alas we just couldn't catch  a break and we had some frustrating games.  We had a good time but Katelee will not be able to end her high school homecoming football tournament on a win.  She will have to look back on junior for all of time as the best time of life.  

I took Harrison to a game or two at the high school with me.  He painted his white generic helmet he got one Christmas.  I had begged him not to, he had insisted and it actually turned out pretty well.  I need to trust this artist-he knows his stuff.  

He was completely covered in color from the elementary school fundraiser fun run!  Not sure if he thought those colors blended, but I got a good kick out of it when he came in the door...notice the picture had to be taken in the garage because I wouldn't let him step foot in the house in that state.  

Katelee didn't just have the powder puff game to look forward to homecoming week-she also went to the dance with her good friend, John Coleman.  

She had a fabulous time!  yes...that is my thumb, but she looked so cute in this photo, I still wanted to save it.  After the dinner and dance, they went to a haunted house downtown.  I had asked Katelee to take her earrings out that she borrowed because she has lost some of them in the past at dances.  I wanted her to just put them in her bag as soon as she was done with picts.  Well, she forgot and yay that she did because while they were getting their fright on their car was being broken into.  The glass was smashed in and all their belongings were swiped.  Someone has a nice new homecoming dress now, cuz Katelee had it in her bag.  One boy had his wallet taken, but the saddest awas her friend how had her great grandmother's heirloom jewelry that had been passed down in her purse that was taken.  Stinking thieves! 

Brenna is fully in dance mode...as if that ever stops.  She is dancing at the studio  more than ever this year and is even assisting a couple of younger classes.  

She is also taking some honors and an AP class at school, so she is always busy.  

We just keep running running running...but not our refridgerator.  It decided to no longer run at all.  We kept seeing little puddles of water on the kitchen floor and we thought maybe ice cubes hadn't been picked up (stinkin kids do that sometimes ;)  but, nope everything was defrosting.  Once we realized it, I spent a whole day trying to save the meat we had in there- boiling, baking, shredding, grilling, etc.  Harrison ate so many chicken nuggets and bacon etc he turned to me and expressed, "I hate to say it, but I think I need some vegetables."  hahaha!  New fridge, more veggies coming right up! 

Getting Big

We blinked and another birthday/school year is upon us.  This stud is now 11!!

Harrison is the GOAT.  He brings so much happiness, laughter, historical insight and massages to our house.  We love celebrating this caboose.  

We took a few of his friends (Dash, Paxton, Mason and Camden) to this park he had been eying in Spanish Fork.  They hung out for an hour or two and then we took the little turkeys to dinner at Brick Oven for pizza.  

He had a couple of others join us at our house after and then they got wild and we told parents we were ready for their boys to be picked up.  hahaha!  

His designing talents came through as he decided he wanted to have a go at the cake, not baking it, but just ensuring it had a great BYU Cougar on it.  Costco made it, Harrison added the blue cougar. Not too shabby.

He still loves all things sports related.  He follows football intensely but he loves playing basketball the most.  

It has been fun to see him play flag foot ball as a 49er. 

He hasn't been the only one getting a workout at these games.  These three thought it was a good time to work on planks...I opted to sit and watch.  

Fall brings football- here is Grant when he came down to go to a game with Dave.  He got to see his buddy Cameron who recently returned from a mission.  

And, more important than football (although Harrison would disagree), fall brings new school years! 

Brenna has her final year in junior high.  She is a freshman, but we do 9th grade in our middle schools, much to her dismay.  

Harrison will be in Mrs Earl's 5th grade class, which we hear is a great fit for him because she is a history guru, so we anticipate he will be in the perfect class, even though none of his friends are in there.  

and our little Katelee is a SENIOR!  dang it.  She has one final year in high school and is determined to make it memorable.  I think everyone is off to a great start.  

Except me... hopefully we are not buying into omens/signs for the school year because on one of my first days back in the school library, I had quite the mishap.  My right cheek was hanging out and I had to run out of the media center with my hands covering my back side and get home to change my britches.

Maybe it is just an indication that we will need to be ready for change and to go with the flow this school year.  We will go with that!  

 

Meeting the Mediterranean

It has been a minute since Dave and I went on an ADP President's Club trip.  When the destination was announced last year as a Mediterranean cruise, we knew this was the one we wanted to make a reappearance with.  

We flew out a couple of days early to spend some time in Athens, make sure we didn't have any travel hiccups or delays that would cause us to miss our boat, and because I do not adjust to long distance travel well.  It was a perfect place to get acclimated.   

Athens was phenomenal.  We dined overlooking the Acropolis, spent some time there as well.  We went to the Acropolis museum (and by that I mean I explored it and Dave sat on the benches inside til I was ready to leave).  But he did love journeying up to the Parthenon and looking around.  The history of that city is incredible.  We loved walking around with the exception of the blistering heat.  

We pretty much felt like we were going to melt into a bubbling puddle and decided walking was not our best option, so the electric bike tour alleviated the heat just a tad with a little breeze.  

It seriously was so fun.  

We zipped along the small streets, up and around the palace place with the changing of the guard all the views and historical sites we could fit in.  

Plus we got to chill with our guide Alex, who took us to eat some of his favorite local snacks.  One of the highlights of travel is getting to meet and connect with fabulous people and see their lives, perspectives and culture.  We love Alex! 

We do wish we had grabbed more street food and gyros in Athens, but we had a couple good meals.

Dave wasn't sure the Mediterranean diet would be up his alley, but he ended up loving the cuisine.  Not necessarily the Greek salad that I kept ordering, but much of the other local fare.

We said goodbye to our little Athens experience so we could board the ADP boat and meet up with his colleagues for the cruise adventure.  

There was a welcome party and meet and greet where Dave connected with the ADP peeps and we were off!  Our first port was in Santorini.  

We strolled the streets, took in the scenery, overlooked the beautiful water with the white buildings against the cliffs,

had a surreal lunch overlooking the sea, and took respite in shade whenever we could. Santorini was beautiful.

Our next port was in Kusadasi Turkey.  We chose to take the tour of Ephesus and it was amazing! We didn't do the longest tour because, again, we were in fear of the earth/sun scorching us out of existence.  There was in fact a spontaneous fire that ignited off the side of the road as other tour groups were leaving after us, they had to evacuate.  But, anyway...

It is unbelievable what is preserved still from this ancient city-with so much left to uncover.  We loved every bit of it.  We walked little around the port and then our friends asked us if we wanted to sign up for a Turkish bath.  We did indeed.  

We traveled a short distance from the port to a little hotel that had a mini spa in the basement.  We had to start our couples Turkish bath in the sauna for an exceedingly long amount of time where I was sure I was going to perish.  I got up and told Dave I didn't think I would make it and had to open the door to stick my mouth out and get fresh air.  Finally our service ladies came to retrieve us and escorted us to a room where there were giant marble slabs for us each to lay on.  They had me roll down my swim top and those gals scrubbed us good.  They drenched us with water, had these long towel things they would squeeze out immense suds and foam us up.  They lathered and scrubbed, rinsed and massaged a bit. We are big fans of Turkish baths.  

After feeling refreshed and revived, we made it back to the boat for a day at sea and to prep for Dave's award ceremonies.  

One of the reasons we wanted to go on this President's Club was because Dave hit his 15th Club- which is a huge accomplishment.  He was recognized on stage and the crowd went wild ;).  He works so hard and we are so proud and lucky to have his ethic and drive as an example to our family.  ADP has been challenging, but good to us for sure.  

Our final destination on the cruise was Mykonos, Greece.  We were going to take this boat tour we hopped on as an extra excursion, but when the loaded all the passengers on this ship, the winds were whipping so fiercely, we had to get off the boat and cancel plans, which turned out to the best ever.  We walked to the Hertz car rental and the two of us spent the day exploring the little island at our own leisure.  

We stopped at multiple bakeries/eateries and beaches.  Did we happen upon a nudie beach, yes we did.  Did we stay and get in the water?  Yes we did.  When it Greece, right? 

Final night party was gold themed and lots of music and celebration.  

It was a really great trip.  Next time head that way, we will do it when we are not in danger of heat related maladies, but we sure would love to see it again.  How lucky were we!  

The kiddos did great at home.  Katelee mostly just ran the house (as Grant was away in Minnesota for sales) and did a wonderful job being momma.  I am sure she liked the freedom and opportunity to run the fam as she saw fit.  We had hidden tons of these little animals around the house, I labeled them on the bottom with their number so throughout the trip, they would happen upon a little dino or chicken or what not.  They found most of them, but there are a few missing so the fun will continue for months to come I guess!