Keeping Up With the Joneses

These are just some pictures that didn't make it into their own posts. McKay making a funny face at preschool. This last weekend we went to a "Better Days Utah 2020" event celebrating Utah becoming the first state to give women the right to vote in 1870. Myles is a big fan of the BYU sketch show "Studio C" and got a picture and autograph with some of its stars. MacKay with one of his many best friends at preschool, Willa.  Labor Day weekend Marshall and I took a quick trip to LAs Vegas while the kids were in Delta. We stayed at the Bellagio, got lots of time by the pool, went to the David Copperfield magic show, and I enjoyed the spa.  We have been in a bit of a rut with date night--always dinner and a movie. A few weeks ago we found this new cafe called "Good Move" and spent three hours playing games there.  Just the boys lounging around.  I bought tickets months ago for Newsies at Hale Center Theater. Myles was sick so we ...

Summer ended early this year when the kids returned to school on August 12th (way too early). Mason is in 8th grade at Centennial Middle School. Myles is in 6th grade at Wasatch Elementary. Max is in 3rd grade at Edgemont Elementary. McKay is starting his 3rd year of preschool at It's Fun to Learn Preschool with Miss Linda.

This summer I was accepted to present some research at a conference in Amsterdam, so Marshall and I decided to make it a fun trip and ended up spending 2 weeks in Europe. We started off in London, then took a ferry to Amsterdam, then flew to Scotland where we spend a week driving through the  highlands before flying back to London for a day and then flying home. It was a fantastic trip. We went to a "Evensong Concert" in Westminster Abby. Marshall captions this photo "smells like urine." I LOVE fish and chips and these ones by the Tower Bridge were by far the best I've ever tasted.  In London we took a Big Bus tour so we could make sure we saw everything. This is the parliament buildings (Big Ben was under construction).  15 years of traveling together.  The Canada House in London.  We got to see "A Midsummer's Dream" in the Globe Theater in London. This English major's dream come true! St. Paul's Cathedral. ...

During our last trip to Waterton we got to spend time with the entire Goates family and have an "epic" water-fight. The kids were shocked that Marshall was coming with us to Waterton (finally).  After the Water Fight. Grandpa's (losing) team. The cousin team. Fortunately everyone was still friends after the water fight. 

One of my favorite things that I do in the Spring term is teach Introduction to Global Women's Studies at BYU. This year was no exception. It is amazing how much I love every moment of preparing and teaching this class. This year we ended the term with an "activism lunch" at my house where everyone wrote their wishes for the future of feminism and wrote to their local leaders.

The kids spent a lot of time in Waterton this summer with absolutely no complaints. Our first trip of the summer to Waterton is always so magical.  The park had a "learn to fish" event.  Max caught a "seer-toothed sucker" or something like that. Turns out it isn't native to the park.  One of the times we went to Canada, Mason brought along his best-friend Daniel. We had a great time showing off Waterton.  We bought a few paddle boards this year and Mason has become a pro.