October 2021

October happenings!

I got my bottom braces off!  I am braces free!  I have a permanent retainer on my bottom teeth and have to wear a clear retainer on the top day and night for the next six months.  Once again, I am in love with my simile and so thankful for my orthodontist, Tri-Valley Ortho. 

Uncle Alan and Aunt Heather and their kids came for a visit.  We all loved visiting, hanging out, snuggling the baby, playing with cousins, and Heather braided Wyatt's hair.

Will is wrestling in worlds in Greece this month but that will be its own post.  Lorien came out to watch the kids while we went.  I made everyone sit for a timer family photo.  I am so glad I did.  We are good looking people and I love us.

Wyatt had his senior photo session for the year book.  He looks like my dad.

The school had their Halloween parade on a Wednesday, even though school went until Friday?  I totally messed it up and didn't send Colter with a costume.  The school called and asked if I could bring one over.  Thankfully I had some crap for him to choose from.  Also, miracles of miracle, the school office had one extra costume Colter could have picked if he wanted.  The fact that they even called me to help was enough to make me love this school forever.  I love that they know me and our family.  

I have attended the Halloween parade every single year since we moved here.  Well, I didn't go to the very first one because I didn't know it was a thing parents went to.  Once I knew (and knew how sad my kids were that I missed it) I went to every one.  Sitting on that black top cooking my butt off every year. 

This year, because of COVID, parents were not allowed to attend.  I was fine with that.  I've put in my time.  The kids never see that I am there.  I have to take photos of them to show them at home for proof I was there.  It is silly but I do it.  Some parents were allowed to go and take pictures for the yearbook.  One mom texted me these pictures of Colter.

He loved being a cowboy.  He tipped his hat and called people ma'am and sir.  Everyone told me he really hammed it up.  

Clare had her first indoor, in person choir concert.  She was wonderful!  She even had a solo/trio.

Lorien went all out being Asane, an anime character from a show called Death Note.

Colter was Appa, the air bison from Avatar again this year.

I took myself to prom for the ward Halloween party.

Wyatt was a lumber jack.

Clare and her friends were Christmas Jammy wearers?  I don't know.  She has this little quartet of friends that I love.  Clara is her best friend and they have two guy friends: Austin and Jake.  Austin took Clare to homecoming.  I think Jake was Santa?  I don't know.  They are cute friends.

Adell was an ice cream cone.  She came up with the idea all by herself and made it.  She is awesome!

Lorien had a cozy costume change for Halloween night: Kirby.  She gave out king sized candy bars at her house in San Diego.  She didn't get a lot of trick or treaters but she had a good night.

Will and his friends are training for an ultra marathon (50K) in November.  They walked the entire length of the Iron Horse trail for training one Saturday.  It took all day.  I met them with my friend, Ann, in San Ramon walking the rest of the way.  The guys walked from Danville up to Concord, took an Uber down to Pleasanton and walked back up to Danville.  It was a crazy trek!

Greece part 4 (Athens)

Athens was a spectacular, busy, crowded, graffiti-filled, ancient-stuff-filled, wonderful city.  We toured the Acropolis, the white marble Olympic stadium, ate loads of delicious food, had a food tour, saw the National Gardens, and the Palace Guards at the Presidential Palace.  It was a great last four days in Greece.  

Greece part 3 (Arachova and The Temple of Delphi)

This was for sure my favorite day/night of the whole trip.  We stumbled on this place on our three hour drive out to see a recommendation from friends, the Temple of Delphi.  We drove through this adorable mountain town called, Arachova.  It is the Swiss Alps of Greece.

 

Will booked us in a charming hotel perched on the mountain side.  He went up into the mountains for a hike the next morning.  He got some glorious views while I slept in.

In our one impromptu night in Arachova we walked through the tiny ancient streets and to a recommended restaurant.

The food was the best we had had (and did have) in Greece!  The owner/chef once again, took care of us.  He picked the dishes and told us all about them.  It was such a fun experience and the restaurant itself was so charming.  

This was the sunset view from our hotel room.

And this was our darling hotel room!

Oh and the Temple of Delphi was amazing too.  Delphi was considered the center of the whole world.  Apparently Zeus sent a couple of birds out and about and where they crossed paths he threw a stone down marking the center of the world.  Delphi was first the meeting place for the Cult of Apolo.  It grew in popularity and soon all of the city states were building treasuries there.  The treasuries held the treasures of the city states but they weren't riches in the traditional sense.  People would bring things as offerings to specific Gods.  For example, if a soldier was saved in battle he would bring his helmet, make it holy by declaring it a votive, and leave it in the treasury.  Interesting, right?

This is what the whole Temple of Delphi would have looked like constructed in its glory.

There was a theater and an arena for Olympic style games.

Also, on our drive out to Delphi we stoped at an Monastery.  It is a UNESCO heritage sight preserved for its high quality tile art.