September and October

 Oh I'm barely keeping this little blog going.  Must not quit as it's the only place our family events are documented.  Even though it's poorly done, at least it's something.

September and October were mostly full of mountain biking, with some cross country thrown in for fun.  Holy cow.  Sage had a lot going on.  Between school, mountain bike practices, mtb races, cross country practices, cross country meets, and a little bit of work when she could squeeze it in she was one busy girl.  Which means her parents were also busy.  We spent the weekends at either a mtb race or a cross country meet.  It was fun, and exhausting.  Then we also threw a trip to Maine in the mix.  Yep, busy.

Sage went to homecoming while we were in Maine.  I was super sad to miss it, but also couldn't pass up a trip to Maine.  Kate came to the rescue as usual and drove home for the weekend.  She and Sage got to hang out and she helped Sage make it to the dance.  Sage looked beautiful and had a great time.  Hooray!

We headed to St George for fall break, and Sage's state mountain bike race.  I decided for my birthday I want to climb Angel's Landing in Zions.  It's one of my favorite hikes, but it's been years since I did it.  I got on right when permits were available and scored some over fall break.  The weather was great all week, except the day of our hike.  It rained a ton and was not warm.  We of course still had to do it because those permits are hard to get.  Scrambling up the very top when it was wet and slippery added a whole new level of fun.  But it was still beautiful and the plus of the weather is that there were way less people there.  It was a great birthday present.  We missed Zack and Kate, but Zack got to hike it earlier in the year, and my gift to Kate was not making her hike it with us.  That girl does not like heights, so Angel's Landing is not the hike for her.

We ended up in Boise to close out October.  My Grandma Spjute passed away at 95.  Still kind of crazy that she's gone.  She was a great lady and it was fun to celebrate her life.  I really enjoyed seeing so much family that I never get to see.  In true Spjute fashion I didn't get any pictures with the family.  But we did actually see each other, even though there's nothing to document it.

Phew.  Those were busy months.  But we made it and even managed to have a little fun!

Also, there are people in our family besides Jake and Sage, but since she's the only one home it doesn't look like it.  We miss you Zack and Kate!

Jake scored free tickets to an Eric Church concert.  The tickets were in a suite.  These pictures always post in crazy order, but there was yummy food and treats.

Passing the time in Boise

Eric Church

Because of the rain there were cool waterfalls everywhere.  

Sage is a hard worker.  We started the spec in St George.

The day after we got back to Maine we came up to the top of Guardsman for a mtb ride.  The trail was closing the next day.  The light and leaves were amazing.  These pics don't do it justice.

A relief society activity I was in charge of.  I could never do it without my amazing committee.

Homecoming

Andrew and Sage

The beautiful light at the Beaver race

Sage got to go to the salt mines for her agriculture class.

Manti race

Sage's first cross country meet.  I don't think she knew at all what to expect, but she did a great job!

We went on a last second overnight trip to Bear Lake with Greg and Tracy and some of Greg's kids.  It was fun to have everyone on the boat.  That lake is beautiful!  Also, poor Zack couldn't get in the water due to the cast on his arm.

I had to include this even thought it's blurry (covered in grease from the scones).  It's been years since Jake came to Swiss Days, but he came back this year and I think he even liked it!

This was actually the first race of the season at Snowbasin.  Sage was showing off the bracelet Henry made for her.