Outstanding October

The fall leaves were bright and full of color for the first half of the month. The canyons were a blaze of color and SO PRETTY! I got a few good pictures when we were driving through Sardine one Sat. morning that give you just a glimpse of the beauty. 

We got a plea for help from Garrett and Zandra to come and help them make apple juice and possibly applesauce and bottle pears with them. They had been picking the apples off of their two small trees and had WAY more than they needed. They also got quite a few pears. It definitely was a good year for their apples. The kids even got up in the tree and helped picked the apples.

So, Dale& I headed over the mountain and we watched Jorie in her last soccer game. She has improved over the season. Maybe having her dad as a coach was the key? I think they both had fun, and who knows Garrett might try coaching again.

Then we went to Garratt & Zandra's house after the game. They weren't kidding when they said they had a LOT of apples!! They were everywhere!! On their kitchen table, on two blankets on the floor, and on their dining room table! We definitely had our work cut out for us.

We had Gloria, Zandra's mom, helping as well as the kids. It was a team effort. We filled all of the bottles that Garrett & Zandra had and I filled a box of quarts for Dale and I. However after all of that their were still a LOT of apples left, so we took a box of apples and some pears to share with the kids here and our neighbors. We also did up some pear juice and where they were ripe we took some home with us as well. 

We didn't get home until around 1:00am.that night. It was a full day of some fun and a lot of work!!

Dale's mom celebrated her heavenly birthday this month. We miss her laugh, and smile, but know she's making others happy in heaven. Happy Birthday Mom and Grandma Hansen!!

Dale and I packed up the trailer one last time before we winterize it for winter. We went to Lava Hot Springs for a couple of nights with our friends; the Bullen's, the Masuyama's, and the Perke's. We played games, the guys went golfing (Dale went fishing), and the gals went on a nature hike along the river to see the fall leaves and the beauty of the area. Then we went and soaked in the hot springs, played games and visited some more. It was a bit chilly at night, but the days weren't too bad. Time spent with friends made for a fun weekend.

Time spent with family always makes for a great weekend as well. We headed back from camping Sat. morning because Danica threw a Day of the Dead (because her 20's are behind her now) Party. We all dressed up and Danica and her Aunt, Jill Kapp, threw quite the party. They had a food truck, played games, did a pinata, and gave away some pretty nice prizes. Zandra won the best costume. It was a fun way to celebrate Danica and Halloween all in one. 

The Logan Temple was closed for cleaning and we got invite to go do an Endowment Session at the Ogden Temple with Garrett & Zandra so we took them up on that offer as well. It was another beautiful drive through the canyon and nice to be in the House of the Lord. The peace, and tranquility felt there was a much needed break from all the busyness going on. 

I was able to usher the Cirque Mechanics show: Zephyr, at the Eccles Theater. It had kind of a circus theme. It always amazes me how people can do these acts. I know it takes a LOT of practice as well as some grit.

I got a new calling in our Church. I was asked if I would be the first counselor to Cami Fowles, in the Hyde Park Stake Relief Society Presidency, and was called and sustained in our Stake Conference. I've got a lot to learn, but I'm looking forward to getting to know more of the sisters in our Stake. 

Garrett & Zandra's daughter, Jorie turned 8 this month. They pulled the family together to have dinner and celebrate at their house. Luck had it that Nate had a medical conference in Salt Lake the weekend they had the get-together, and Diana was on a climbing trip in the Las Vegas area so they were both able to join us before they flew back to Washington.

It was a nice day, and we were able to get a family picture taken. I sure love this family of ours, and seeing them all together puts a big smile on my heart.

The kids played, the adults visited, we had a mini guitar concert put on by Titan, and we all ate the yummy meal Garrett and Zandra made for us. It was a nice evening. 

I was able to don my witch hat again and sit for a couple of times as the witch at North Logan's Pumpkin Walk. This is the Pumpkin Walks 40th year!! Pretty amazing. Do you like my witch look?

Danica, June & Amie stopped by to say "Hi" while I was witching in the afternoon. I also sat as the last witch of the 2023 year. Till next year!!

We were able to have those that could come together for our annual Hansen Halloween Howl.  ----

Those that wanted to, dressed up, we ate Zombie eyes over intestines, Skeleton bits, Mummy bread, Witches hats, Wicked smiles, Witches brooms, and played Minute to Win It games. We had our annual Pumpkin carving with the guys, and the kids painted or decorated mini pumpkins. We ended with doing a pinata, which finally took our youngest sons swing to break it enough to get all the goodies out, after all the kids had a chance twice. Fun times!!

Nate and Diana are staying busying at the office and Diana's still taking on two jobs by doing her Air Med job on top of helping out with Nate at Hansen Foot & Ankle. 

They both got in some climbing in Washington and even while they were visiting here, in Logan Canyon, as well as Diana getting in some when she got away on a girl's climbing trip. I'm sure when she was gone Nate got in some type of physical activity as well.

It was great having them in our neck of the woods for a short visit. They were able to go and visit Andrew & Lindsay and the kids and finally see their new house. They stayed the night at our house and after breakfast were able to go and get in some climbs that Nate used to do when he lived here. Then they met us with the family for Jorie's birthday dinner and celebration. It was great seeing the WHOLE family together visiting and enjoying each others company. 

Amie & Matt were able to wind down on soccer this month with it ending. I was able to see Kennlyn play her last game, and she did great. 

Kennlyn also passed the written test to get her learner's permit. She's starting to drive!! Matt & Amie will have two teenagers driving soon. Why do kids grow up so fast? 

Andrew got home from his work tour and got his ground all leveled out and ready for sod to be put down. He had Dale, Matt, his friend, Josh Nuckles, a neighbor, and some Young Men from his ward come to help lay the sod. The kids and I pitched in some too, and Lindsay rewarded us all with pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and dinner. It looks nice. Goes to show that hard work pays off.

It wasn't all work and no play at their house though. They found time to go to the new Richmond Straw Maze and to paint pumpkins to get into the Halloween spirit. 

They also got their front porch looking like fall and Halloween and Lindsay made herself and the kids some fun Halloween sweatshirts. Fun times!

Eloise had her last soccer game as well. We were able to go watch her play. She's improved a lot this season. That's what makes it fun to watch and see happen. 

With Zandra being the Mountain Green Elementary's PTSO Pres. she didn't have to twist Garrett's arm too hard to don the Mountain Green Eagles mascot suit for the kids "The amazing Race" to help raise money for their schools' programs. The kids loved seeing their eagle dad pick up their mom! The race raised a fair amount of money for the school, so it was worth the work for all involved.

With Jorie turning 8 years old, Zandra hosted a birthday party at their house. They played games, did face painting, ate cake, and watched a movie. Happy Birthday Jorie!!!

Dale and I also took Jorie on her Birthday Date later in the week ---- We went to Animal Land at the Watkins Party Store, and she picked out a soft cuddly Panda Bear to be stuffed with a heart in it. Jorie got to push the pedal that put the stuffing in too.

Then we went to Tropical Sun and had a tasty smoothie together, and stopped at Deseret Book to let her look at scripture cases, and bought a gift card for her to get one when she gets her scriptures next month when she gets baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After, we got to our house, we got things set up for our Hansen Halloween Howl party. It was a full day of fun for Jorie and us as well.

The kids also supported their school by taking the pledge to "Stay Safe and Drug Free" at school during Safety week at their school.

Jorie got done with soccer and the next week started basketball. Garrett & Zandra aren't slowing down much.

Danica celebrated her birthday this month. Jason put this post out on his Instagram about it.

I thought it was well said. Happy Birthday Danica!!

Danica and June had some fun with Jason's sisters, nieces, and mom by getting in a girls night out and going to the Witches Night Out event dressed up as witches! They all had a wonderful time.

They were able to don their Jazz gear for a surprise birthday party for his cousin at the Vivint Arena. It was pretty cool, and they said they got true VIP treatment. 

Danica and June also got out and enjoyed the fall activities going on around the area and went on some walks and hikes. I think the beauty of their surroundings helped make her carrying June feel a little lighter. 

With the weather being perfect cooler days, but not to cold, Jason got June out on the golf course and let her help him pick the balls up. I'm sure he showed her how to tap the ball too. You can't start to early teaching those young little ones, they're always willing and ready to try it all.

We woke up to snow on the mountains and cold temperatures a week before Halloween. It never really warmed up much and forced us to get our leaves raked up and the plants cut down. But it sure was a pretty sight.

We had a cool thing happen around us. There was a total eclipse that happened. We never got to see it, but here's a few pictures that were shared on social media. Dale's sister took the one with the clouds from her house in North Logan. Pretty neat, huh?

This was in Cache Valley Daily ---The entire eclipse — from the moment the moon starts to obscure the sun until it’s back to normal — lasted 2 1/2 to three hours at any given spot. The ring of fire portion was from three to five minutes, depending on the location.

People watch the moon passes between earth and the sun during a rare “ring of fire” eclipse of the sun Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Saturday’s U.S. path: Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas in the U.S., with a sliver of California, Arizona and Colorado. Then: Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Brazil. Much of the rest of the Western Hemisphere got a partial eclipse.

Next April, a total solar eclipse will crisscross the U.S. in the opposite direction. That one will begin in Mexico and go from Texas to New England before ending in Canada.

The next ring of fire eclipse is in October next year at the southernmost tip of South America. Antarctica gets one in 2026. It will be 2039 before another ring of fire is visible in the U.S., and Alaska will be the only state in its direct path.

On more of a somber note---Taken from a news report on Oct. 14th, in the Times of India---

Thousands of Palestinians fled the north of the Gaza Strip on Saturday from the path of an expected Israeli ground assault, while Israel pounded the area with more air strikes and said it would keep two roads open to let people escape. Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas militant group that controls Gaza in retaliation for a rampage by fighters, who stormed through Israeli towns a week ago, gunning down civilians and making off with scores of hostages. Some 1,300 were killed in the worst attack on civilians in Israel's history. Israeli forces have since put the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, under a total siege and bombarded it with unprecedented air strikes. Gaza authorities say more than 2,200 people have been killed, a quarter of them children, and nearly 10,000 wounded.

And from an ABC News Report---UN Calls For $294 Million For 'Urgent Needs' In Gaza, Occupied West Bank

The United Nations on Thursday issued an emergency appeal for $294 million to address "the most urgent needs" in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The funds would be used to help more than 1.2 million people, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said, stressing that aid groups do not have "the resources required to adequately respond to the full range of needs of vulnerable Palestinians."

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement about the Middle East violence.

 We are devastated by the recent eruption of violence and loss of life in the Middle East. Violence of this nature is abhorrent to us and is not in harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is a gospel of peace. At such times, our hearts ache for all victims of this atrocity

As servants of God, we affirm that He calls upon all of us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and we pray for a peaceful resolution of all conflicts.

President Russell M. Nelson called for more peacemakers during one of his talks at the church’s April 2023 international general conference. He said, “Contention never leads to inspired solutions.”

He added, “Let us show that there is a peaceful, respectful way to resolve complex issues and an enlightened way to work out disagreements.”

                We truly do need more love and understanding in our world today.

We didn't have as many trick-or treaters knock at our door this year. My guess is because it fell on a weeknight and because our area already did a "Trunk-or-Treat" for the kids. Nevertheless it was fun to see those that came dressed up in costume.

I was able to get some pictures from our kids from their Halloween activities. I must say, we've got some kids that love Halloween! 

Amie & Matt -- Robber & Cop

Langston & Mazin w/friends -- Ninjas and Kennlyn w/friends -- Hard core motorcycle gangster

Luke & Zandra --Transformers & Garrett & Jorie -- Dracula & Mavis from Hotel Transylvania

Titan in self-made Spider Man costume & Nora -- Princess, Arwyn -- Punkster & Eloise -- Cheerleader

Jason -- Jack Skellington, Danica -- Sally & June -- Zero (characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas)

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” – Anne of Green Gables