"Last Ride"

Corey and I were watching the weather this weekend and it was 60 today! And forecast says there will be snow tomorrow. So... this is our last chance! Thus we took another "last ride" today. We did a repeat of our Saturday ride, parking a bit before the tollbooth, riding up to the Rattlesnake Gulch trailhead, up the switchbacks to the Pipeline trail. Today we took it west to the peak at the beginning of the canyon, then turned around and rode it all the way east until we got to the elbow! It was a serious climb. 15.68 miles, 1781 elevation gain. Took us 2 hours 10 minutes. Here we are at the elbow, with sunset upon us, and so we've just got 10-20 minutes to make it back to the car before dark. Luckily that's pretty easy via the road.

Let's keep it under 30 mph, allright? I was surprised to see the road was not plowed. We were riding in a winter wonderland! We were glad the trail e climbed up on the north side of the mountain wasn't snow covered like this. But it felt kinda hardcore, so it was fun. We didn't slip and slide. 

And when we got to Maple Grove where a winter gate was blocking off the road to cars. Ah ha. So I learned that this is the Millcreek Canyon Nordic Track in the winter. Fun! Someday maybe we'll get fat bikes and do winter riding around here. So we were riding for 2 plus hours, plus the car drive out and back. We also went to Macey's to get a treat for FHE. So, we were gone for a bit. Corey said we should probably stop pretending that we're retired. But we've got good babysitters, so it's ok, right? As we pulled up we were a bit surprised by what was happening at home with our children. Owen was throwing the carved pumpkins from his open window onto the driveway. 

"Hey Owen, don't do that. Close your window" He pointed out that a pumpkin was stuck on the roof. Corey said he'd get it. Ahhh, I'm glad Peter and Daniel weren't in there with Owen, they might have gotten a little too excited over the open window. Ugh, so, calmly bring them back inside. Daniel went out to help Owen put all the pumpkin pieces in the garbage. Another mess that was waiting for us - Katharine drew on her dress. I wouldn't have really minded this IF she was open to wearing other dresses to church. So we'll see what this Sunday looks like, if she: wears a nightgown, wears a colored on dress (Maybe spray and wash will get it out? but I doubt it) or maybe something new? Pretty please Katharine? 

Aww what a sweet little face. We have trouble standing up to her. She drew on her baby too, all over the face. I was glad that washed off with the magic eraser, yay.

Otherwise this baby would shortly be retired to the trash. Cause I kinda hate toys with pen or marker all over their faces. (see Lily's baby and Woody). I got that fixed, Baby will have to deal with blue clothes now, cause I'm not sure if that will come out in the wash. Then we got dinner and dessert ready. I picked up Pumpkin cream rolls and butter pecan ice cream and caramel, and we made a fall dessert. Kids approved. 

Kids ate it as they cut out leaves for our Thankful Tree that I made today, you can see it on the coat closet door behind Daniel.

Boys were still proudly wearing BYU Blue today and feeling thankful for that holding call, haha. Abi stayed home sick today, her sleeping with K on the floor this morning, where the essential oil diffuser peppermint can try to help her congestion. 

K loves to sleep with Abi. So with Abi home, I was tempted to try and go on a ride solo earlier during the day around 11, cause I wasn't sure if Corey and I could get our act together to go together, but I'm glad we did. It was good. Corey had taken the van, I loaded up our bikes on his car at home, and brought A&K along with me in Corey's car, we met at Skyline to pick up Lily from school, then ALK switched over to the van and Abi drove them back home, and Corey and I went to the canyon for our ride. Glad we got one last ride in. I've got a 5 am appointment at the Jordan River temple for initiatories in the morning. Years ago, when we were in the "pink house" and I had JMEH at home, the only time I could go was Tuesday mornings at 5 am, and I remember I really liked going at a set time each week when I knew I wouldn't be missed at home, so excited to give that a go again.