IHS Cross Country 2025

 First day of school - check out the Christmas jammies!

Jalen started practicing for cross country over the summer. He worked all summer long. He participated in the car wash fund raiser. And got a t-shirt!

He tried to run, but had so much pain. He kept trying and kept having to go to the trainer. He ended up being diagnosed with patellar tendenitis. We were told that if he kept running, he'd end up needing surgery to screw his tendon into his shin. So he quit running.

Cheering at the one meet he competed in.

Coach Balogg, Coach Farr, Alexa, and Baylie

Lexington is actually a bad luck course for him because he got hurt there last year as well.

He went with the team to work the carline at Irmo Elementary. A lot of the cross country kids went to IES so it was a fun reunion.

End of year banquet. He got the paper plate award for Karaoke King. Very fitting.

Jalen actually hates distance running, but he loves this team.

Halloween 2025

We always like to have the elders over to carve pumpkins. It's something they don't always get to do on their missions. Elder Carter was with two missionaries we hadn't met before.

We combined eating and carving. Not sure what's going on with Jalen here.

The kids went with a 6-7 theme. This may not mean anything in the future, but this year it was a big deal.

I have no idea what the elder's theme was.

Porch pumpkins

Baylie and Rachel dressed up as ???.

I can't remember if Jalen dressed up. What I do know is that our family theme Halloweens are officially over.

Blythewood Rodeo - October 25, 2025

On October 25, Baylie and David had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the Blythewood Rodeo. I had submitted a video of them and they were selected. So cool!

Cute kiddos

Cute parents

Waiting to sing

The actual performance is too long to upload, but you can listen HERE.

The rodeo wasn't as good as Strawberry Days, but we had a good time and it was fun for David and Baylie to sing the anthem together.

Colearn Fieldtrip - Native American Living History Day

We went on a fieldtrip to the Native American Living History Day. It wasn't very well organized, but it was interesting and they had a lot of cool handicrafts and hands on activities.

Jalen and Samuel joined a group trying to grind acorns with rock on pestle.

Jalen trying out his archery skills.

Cool handicrafts

Teaching them how to do a circle dance.

By the time we were finished, it was hot and everyone was a bit tired. But it was an interesting fieldtrip.

BYU vs. Utah - October 18, 2025

Every year the kids and I try to go to a BYU football game. Grandad lets us pick first because it's the only game we get to go to. This year we chose the Utah game on October 18.

We flew through Chicago where the airport was decorated in honor of their hockey team, the Blackhawks.

We had time for some Garrett's.

And we made it to Utah without a hitch.

Tiffani and her kids joined Grammy & Grandad to surprise the kids at the airport.

Jalen and Lauryn

Clara and Baylie

We all headed to Garner's Village, which is always fun at Halloween.

We bought carmeled apples - a Grammy favorite.

And enjoyed the festive decor.

Tiff and I helped Grandad make sourdough. These loaves cooked the same amount of time. No idea why they turned out so differently.

That evening, Baylie spent some time with the Bailey twins and Talia Stroud whom she has missed so much since they left South Carolina for BYU.

with Kaitlyn

they made her pictures

Kaitlyn, Talia, Natalie, Baylie

They live at King Henry, which is quite the happening place.

The next day was game day! We joined Tiffani's nephews for their tailgate. They always do a fantastic job.

Asher wasn't going to the game, but his parents dropped him off for the tailgate so he could spend some time with us.

Jefferson, Karl, Cameron, the girl cousin, Tiffani

Jalen and Asher always love spending time together.

Grammy, Lauryn, Clara, Tiff, Grandad, Kaitlyn, Jalen

The nephews made these amazing shirts.

The game was a super exciting nailbiter that BYU won 24-21. It couldn't have been better. It was so worth the trip and I'm glad we didn't miss it.

The fans rush the field.

After that, it was time to head back home. The SLC Airport is interesting.

I think we connected in IAD.

And we made it back home without getting bumped at all.

Perfect trip!