Dog Days of Fall

 The weather has recently changed cold and we are no longer enjoying the warmth. Fall finally has truly arrived with vengeance. I am not excited about it, but I was excited for a text from my friend Ang asking for a doggy play date. 

Odin and Rozz are good buds and Rozz goes crazy when Odin is around. 

These little play dates always make me laugh and can even make this new cold feel warm. 

I also enjoy time with Ang. She always is fun to chat with and I’m glad we are friends. 

Dia De Los Muertos

Dia de Los Muertos-Day of the dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated around Halloween time. This time between October 30th and November 2nd is a time to honor past loved ones. If you put a photo of your loved one on a mantle kind of space(ofrenda) the belief is they can come visit you from the other side that day!

We have adopted this tradition of ofrendas at our house. Basically, you create a space that honors your dead loved ones. In this space, you include photos, food, and other trinkets that your ancestors enjoyed or things that remind you of them. 

My kids have fully embrace this celebration. Each insist on doing their own space even if they contain the same people and pets. 

We also watch the movie Coco, which creatively tells a wonderful story of family, tradition and Dia De Los Muertos!

We honored Reub’s parents, Perry and LaVaun, my mom Sue, my grandma and grandpa Rita and Cy, and our last dog Reno. 

Who would be on your ofrenda?

Happy Halloween Indeed! And why I Went as Ilona Maher.

Zarah is so funny. She originally wanted a unicorn onesie but this popped up on Amazon when we were shopping. Every time she put this on, I instantly was laughing. Glad for the laughs!

It was just us trick or treating this year. Other friends were too fast or got tired too quickly. I ate up every moment with this unicorn riding princess. 

Thought of my dad. Not because of the skeleton, you weirdo, but because he had a blue dune buggy when he lived in Utah in the 60s. 

The only picture I have of Ellis this year. As soon as pizza was in his belly and his feet hit the ground in Eagle Mountain, he was off. This year he went with a school friend and I hardly saw him. 

Me as Ilona Maher. My favorite Olympian and rugby player. 

This is why I was Ilona:

I wish I had women sports figures to look up to that had positive body image. Instead, all I really saw of athletes were the male pro-athletes. Women in sports was a thing but we didn’t have many in the spotlight like the men were. 

There also weren’t woman with my body type highlighted in sports. I have always been taller than my female peers and I also have always weighed more. I was born with big shoulders and more muscular curves. Ilona shows us that there is a place for bigger women. We can be beasts on the playing field and still get all fancy with clothes and makeup. There is room for both. 

Ilona also encourages people to get out and move and to try new things and get out of our comfort zones. Both Zarah and I have loved watching Dancing with the Stars and Ilona slaying it there. My favorite moment while watching was during one of Ilona’s dances, Zarah flexed her biceps, looked over at me and said: “Look Mom, I’m strong like Ilona!” 

Ilona is what girls today need. They need to know that their bodies are miracles and can do amazing things. They need to know that there is space for all body types in sports. They need to know that being strong is okay, in fact it is something we all need be strong to live long and happy lives. They need to know that fueling their bodies should be a priority and should be enjoyable.  They need to know that it’s okay to have a voice and a personality.  They need to know that they are just like Ilona: beast, beauty, and brains(Ilona’s tagline…oh how I need one of her shirts!)

I loved my short time playing club rugby at Utah Stare University! I am so glad that watching Ilona and her amazing teammates play has reminded me how much I love rugby. I needed it back in my life. 
 

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today this guy turns 82. I called this morning and left an obnoxious message. Didn’t call back. Of course I thought to call after it was too late. I guess this year I’m not the prized child!

Dad taught me lots of things. Important things like, the importance of family dinner(20 minutes at the table even if you finished eating after 5), how to be a proud American(this is hard these days…especially when I am the only one standing for the Pledge daily in class.), the importance to Veterans Day parades, the importance of the 4th of July and fireworks, the importance of working hard and doing it well, the love of gardening(I was always in the garden with him…even as a baby in a “car seat”), the love of football, the art of keeping things organized(I now ask the same question: “where are my scissors?…kids make organization hard), the meaning of did you check your tires?(which means I love you!), and so many more important things!!!

Like the value of Polka and how to dance it. Dancing with him at my wedding was one of the most special moments(besides marrying my wonderful husband of course.)

I can already tell that being a grandparent is a sweet blessing. He is a great one!

And of course humor. My dad sure can make a room laugh. I think his skills have also spread to my kids. Look how E is mocking his grandpa being old. 

Happy Birthday Dad! Hope today was as special as you are! 
 

Kids being kids…

 Fun fact: my favorite class is my bike class. Another fun fact: this is one of my favorite students. Another fun fact: this is one of my favorite pics from the last week. 

Nothing is more ridiculous than an almost grown human riding a kids’ bike. Truly, one of my favorite parts of working on bikes! You’re welcome.