Fall Sports

Seth had another great year in tennis. He played number one singles all through the season and into the tournament. There were some really good players in this year's bracket, but Seth was at the top of his game. He easily won a first round match. Then in the semi-final, he lost the first two games to a kid that hit the ball really hard. We thought he was done for. But, like he always does, Seth rallied and won the next five games, barely dropping a point along the way. At 5-2, he had a game point to end it. At 5-3, he had 2 break points to win it. At 5-4 he had another game point. Finally, after it got to 5-5 he was able to finish the last 2 games for the win. Unfortunately, it was a very hot day, and while Seth was winning that long barn-burner of a match, the other finalist had coasted to a 6-1 victory. He was cool and rested. Again, Seth fell behind early, and again, he rallied. This time, though, he was just too tired to finish strong. He ended up a losing a close one in the final tie break. 

Seth got really great at his serve.

We are so proud of Seth! He played like a champion.

Seth also had his first attempt at flag football. Since no one signed up, Dad ended up being the coach with Seth's friend, Tyler's Dad. It was a new experience for Dad, making up plays and designing and offense and defensive scheme. There were some teams with really good players that had played a ton of football. Still, Seth and Tyler were athletic enough to carry their team to a 6-4 record overall. Seth mostly played receiver, but he was a successful quarterback, too, calling and carrying out his own plays in the huddle. At the final practice, he and Tyler designed three trick plays to try in the last game. Only one was successful, but they still managed to pull out a win. Flag football was definitely a good experience!

Seth making an amazing interception.

Seth was a great team leader.

Seth being the quarterback!

On his way to a touchdown!

Last game playing quarterback!

Such a fun little team!

Mark also played flag football with his friends. His team lost a few of its best players, so he and Nathan anchored their squad. Mark was fast and played great defense. He was first on his team in interceptions, and he was consistently a deep threat at receiver. Unfortunately, there were lots of times that the play didn't last long enough to get a deep ball to Mark. Worst of all, unless Nathan was quarterbacking, the ball was often underthrown, which negated Mark's over the top threat. Still, he had a great time. His team did well in the playoffs and ended up losing a close game in the final. It was Mark's last year in rec flag football. Next up will be intramural football at a college somewhere!

Apparently we didn't take any photos of Mark playing, but here is his awesome team!

Significant September

Here are some fun adventures from September. Always a busy month with the Fall season!

Mom and Dad are enjoying the last shows at the Hale before they move to a bigger place.

Mom and Dad also enjoy trying new restaurants.

And sneaking out to get ice cream.

We all got together for Jessica and Hayden's wedding.

Mark comes home for lunch almost every day and Mom loves it!

We went to walk through the day haunt again. It's so spooky and fun. 

Last Books and Buddies for Seth.

We went to a Real Soccer game for the first time.

It was super fun!

Mom took Seth and some Webb kids to Cross E Ranch for the fall festival.

Seth loved the climbing wall. 

We had a lot of fun!

The chickens started laying eggs. It was so exciting!

Seth and Dax watched the BYU game in our bishop's backyard.
It started at 8:15, and they didn't quite make it. 

We went to a new Fall adventure. It has a corn maze and lights. And some fun photo spots.

Dad does love Corn on the Cob.

Such good boys!

The lights weren't spooky, but fun!

We had an awesome walk through Halloween light show.

Seth at the cauldron!

Mark and Seth

We took a lot of fun pictures!

Spooky Dad!

There were some fun light swings, tunnels, and stepping stones.

And we got a free pumpkin!

Mom's Hiking Buddies

Natalie started going on hikes with some friends. She was she excited when her friend texted and asked about going on a hike. Natalie doesn't like to hike alone, and so it was fun to be able to enjoy some nice Fall hikes with friends.

They hiked Stewart Falls, above Battlecreek Falls, Lake Mary, Martha, and Catherine, and Primrose Overlook. Once it turned cold, they were done. 

She also got to hike with Melanie one day when she had the day off, but our kids were still in school. So we went and did Buffalo Peak.

The bottom of Stewart Falls

Lake Mary

Lake Catherine

Buffalo Peak

We also drove up to Big Springs!

Above Battle Creek Falls.

Primrose Overlook

Weekend in Park City

We have been really busy with renovations and chickens. All that staying home to babysit roofers and floor refinishers was really driving Mom crazy when she needs to be out in the Fall leaves, so we were glad to take a trip to stay in a nice house in Park City. This one sat right up on the mountainside and overlooked the entire valley. Best of all, the leaves were in full splendor, and the pictures really show it. 

We showed up Saturday night and mostly enjoyed checking out the house. We each staked out a bedroom (Dax and Seth went for the loft, and Mark for the basement bedroom with private bath. Then we played games and read scriptures until it was time for bed. The boys also checked out the hot tub!

This house was so lovely!

The views from the house were amazing!

We enjoyed sitting on the deck and the porch to enjoy the views.

Dax and Seth also loved the hot tub!

The next morning, Mom was really excited to go see the leaves, but first, we watched the BYU game and had lunch. Then we spent the day exploring a little bit. First we stopped at the McPolin Farm and the colors were bursting! We also stopped at the Olympic Park because we love this museum and watching the ski jumpers. Finally, we ended up doing a short hike along the Pioneer Trail. The leaves in this area were bright red and orange, and the boys took some pictures of their own for the Reflections contest. Mostly, we were just glad to be up in the mountains away from the 90 degree temperatures on the valley floor. It was also nice to be away from the house and the hundreds of things we have to do and let the new wood floor cure a bit.

Seth watched a movie upstairs while the rest of us watched the BYU game.

Mark has become a pretty serious fan.

McPolin Farm

Mom is always happy in the mountains in the Fall!

We also dragged the kids to a park for the website.

We love the olympic museum!

The curling stone is so heavy!

No one is allowed to do the luge or skeleton in our family.

We took a family pic with the green screen.

This trail was so nice!

Isn't Fall amazing?

One last Fall with Mark before he is gone for a few years.

Fall and Family--Mom's favorites!

So many pretty places. 

Cutest couple.

The mountains were just covered in color.

Back in the hot tub!

The next day, we said goodbye to the house and headed over to the Swaner Eco Preserve. This area has some wetlands and a few hikes to do, since Mom has to keep working even when we are on vacation! Then we went to the resort. We spent a good portion of the day riding the Alpine Slide and Mountain Coaster. Everyone had done this before except Dad, but it was still fun. We even saw a massive buck right under the chairlift on our way up the mountain.

We didn't see too many birds, but the area was pretty.

We did a short hike.

Dad's first time riding the coaster.

The ride was spectacular.

We couldn't have picked a better time.

Mom loved it!

Heading up to ride the Alpine Slide.

Just as fun and beautiful!

Park City was perfect this Weeknd.

We grabbed lunch in the village resort and then made the ride up over Guardsman Pass and onto the Alpine Loop. This was the most spectacular leaf display we'd ever seen. There was a sea of shimmering gold as the aspens had just turned. The pictures are good, but there is really no way to capture the vibrance and beauty of that valley! Further down, the reds, oranges and greens became more prominent, too. It really was a day to be grateful to live in Utah!

The sea of gold Aspens was breathtaking!

Mom was in heaven.

It was amazing driving through here!

So much beautiful yellow!

The van took this family picture.

There were some good reds, too!

We spotted a big horn sheep on the Alpine Loop.