October brought us updates from Simon on his mission (waiting for his visa to Kenya while serving the good people of Newport, Maine), Halloween celebrations, Sophie’s acceptance to Utah State, a trip to local favorite Apple Hill, two homecoming celebrations for Sophie, a trip to visit my best friend Mckay in Arizona, a much needed change of seasons in Nor Cal (it was hot for WAY too long), and lots of other things… Here are a few updates for October 2021!

Look at this kid thriving in Maine! And yes, that is a sword that he found in his apartment. We did not ask a lot of questions 🙂

I finished 75 Hard and it was so so so hard every single day. BUT. I did it! I lost 14 pounds and gained muscles I never knew I had and confidence and motivation. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself. So incredibly worth it.

Sophie was accepted early to Utah State, exactly where she wants to go to school! We are thrilled and excited for her and if it is possible, she is even more excited than we are!

Sophie was celebrated along with her fellow senior tennis team girls; it was fun to join in an celebrate her season. This sort of began the first of the high school lasts 🙂

Sam and I went back to Apple Hill which really made it start to feel like a proper fall. Apple Hill is about 50 minutes from our house and is filled with fall goodies…and of course lots of apples.

I finally finished weaving this little guy…

I went to Temple Hill in Oakland to watch my brilliant friend Janette accompany David Archuleta for his concert and it was one of the best evenings of my whole year. They are both SO incredibly talented. My heart was filled.

I went to Tuscon for four days to see my best friend Mckay. We had not seen each other in person since late 2018 and it was just the best thing ever to hang out and be ridiculous while being pampered at the JW Marriott Starr Pass. So much yummy food, floating down the lazy river, very very long talks, bad movies and lots of new memories made. Plus, I have always wanted to see these giant cactus’s up close and personal – they are amazing! I’m a big fan of these Saguaro cactus’s!

Sophie and I traveled back to Fairfield so that she could go to homecoming with her best friends. No one got to have a homecoming last year thanks to Covid so this was extra special. Diego was crowned Homecoming King and the whole trip was exactly what Sophie had hoped for.

Fairfield is a little over an hour from our new place so going back never feels hard or too far. It’s the perfect weekend trip.

Sophie also went to homecoming back at home with Justin; they had a great time and we were glad that she was able to have homecoming experiences at both of her high schools. Covid stole 2020 prom and homecoming but 2021 gave these high school rites of passage back. I’m glad she got to have them!

We celebrated Halloween and Seb’s costume was maybe the best of his life? Simon wore this when he was about 10 and when Seb picked out the same one at Spirit Halloween I was so happy.

Auburn continued to look lovely at sunset from our back porch.

We had a truly epic storm that involved something called an atmospheric river; Sam and I walked around the property to make sure nothing was flooding. We ended up digging a few trenches to help redirect run off water but were generally pleased to see the canal and our drainage systems doing what they are supposed to! Auburn ended up receiving 6.8 inches of rain in a 24 hour period. I don’t recall a time when that has ever happened while we have lived in California!

We finished out October taking Sophie’s senior photos. You can see my favorites and read all about the process here. I love how Ethan captured her and love that we took most of them in downtown Auburn!