Marching into Labor Day 2024
Graham looked sharp marching in the Swiss Days Parade. Matt and I have really enjoyed browsing Swiss Days for the last couple of years. It works best to go on both Friday and Saturday. On Friday, you go to see what there is. If you are still thinking about it on Saturday, then you should buy it. On Saturday, I decided to go ahead and buy the chicken sandwich.
Go Big or Go Home
There is a vacant lot on our street called "The Jump." The kids have blazed bike trails through it over the years. Everyone held their breath when it would go up for sale. The sale never took and it has remained an empty lot for over 20 years. However, during the fall we saw a foundation being dug. Then one morning, a house came down the street. An actual house. It was hideous.
Yet, it was fascinating that it could be maneuvered onto the new foundation. We watched as it was fussed over for the next nine months and became the nicest-looking house on the street.
Team Effort
I signed up to do a Cross Country (XC) team dinner the weekend between the summer school and fall semester. I made pink sauce for the first time and it was so yummy!
We love supporting our high schoolers. It is great being down to just one school.
Murray Race, September 8, 2023 (This was the same day we bought the Venza).
Playing Hooky
The wet winter gave way to a glorious spring and an equally as glorious fall. Needing a break from my schooling, and wondering if Matt needed a break from figuring out his new job, I went down to his office and suggested we get grasshopper shakes. He was game. We decided to drive to Cascade Springs to enjoy the magnificent leaves while we ate. It was such a beautiful day that we decided to walk the loop.
I was wearing sandals but we made it work. It has been years since I have been there. It is worth the drive. It was a lovely outing with just the two of us. Besides, playing hooky is my comfort zone.
First Day of Fall
Matt took the reigns for a date night. He had researched parking, made dinner reservations, and bought tickets for a show at the Eccles. I appreciated these little details being taken care of. Unless I was to be graded on it, my mind could not absorb additional problem-solving. After a delicious Italian dinner at Brio, the rain started up. Matt had to run to the car to ditch the leftovers so I suggested I wait and he bring back the umbrella. He did. More points!
The Eccles Theatre never ceases to take my breath away. Though we have seen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat numerous times, this was a little bit of a spin, with it being hip-hop. Casey Elliot and Lexi Walker's voices really shone.
Funny story about my white button-down shirt, which I wear to the temple often. It was hanging in the laundry room after I ironed it. One Sunday morning, when Graham was running late, he ran into the laundry room, grabbed a shirt, and off he went. He said he was embarrassed when he realized he was wearing a woman's shirt. He wondered if anyone would notice. Uh, no way would anyone ever notice.
Birthday Baby, 22!!!
September 11, 2023
I'm not used to having an adult kiddo in town for their birthday. I took Ava to lunch on her break. I had a bag of silly gifts but spending time with her is what was nice. She is always good for a fun time and good conversation as wellBig 22! She had a party at her apartment that evening. Grayson and some friends went as well. He was going to be in Heber, so I sent him with fired-up mac n' cheese, salad, and dessert.
Homecoming Babies
I love that Graham and Callie are at Wasatch together this year. They ended up in the same shield time. They took each other's photos simultaneously.
Homecoming Parade
Graham in his flight suit! Callie with XC!
I had agreed to something crazy that morning by going with a gal and cold-plunging in the Provo River. I knew it would be cold but oh boy I have never felt such cold water. in. my. life.
September 16, 2023
Graham asked a date to HoCo and Callie's group of friends decided to go stag. Both of them looked so completely adorable. Matt and Grayson were in L.A. so they weren't able to see them off.
The day for me had been what a perfect fall day is made of. It began with attending Callie's race in Sugarhouse, it was beautiful weather. It's been so fun watching her race.
Before heading home, I snuck into a nearby bakery for a slice of cake to save for later. It was a treat to drive the canyon with the leaves at their peak. Back in town, I bought perfectly ripe peaches from the fruit stand and a delicious drink. The rest of the afternoon consisted of thrifting and crafting! I am not a crafty person per se but there are times that I feel the need to create. I made corsages for Callie and her friends. At the thrift store, I saw a Suzie Kim mannequin head that reminded me of Katrina, I sent her a photo to see if she wanted it;) As I was browsing the warehouse, I overheard a lady on the phone who was holding a super ugly painting that read, "Be Anything You Want to Be." She was saying to the other person, "Don't you think that's sumthin' a kid oughta hear? Be anything you wanna be? I'm gunna get it. It's cute." I enjoyed repeating her conversation—in the way she said it—on my drive home." I almost sent a voice memo to my kids, "Be anything you wanna be," but figured it was more of a had-to-be-there type of a thing.
After the babies were off, I had my cake and watched Gone with the Wind, which I had picked up at the thrift store. I waited for Callie to text for a ride home, not realizing that I had taken my watch off and my phone was silenced after 10 p.m. She was frustrated with me, and rightly so, when I picked her up. I mustered the courage, "I am sure they were happy to have your help cleaning up..."
Daaaaaaaang. So, the day had almost gone perfectly.
The Master Creator
Unexpectedly, I got a second bloom out of my dahlias. God is the master creator.
The following day, a Sunday, it was just me and Callie home. We took our dinner to Duck Pond.
I think sometimes Heavenly Father gives His children a calm before a storm so that we can get through it more easily. I realize posts like this focus on mainly the sunshine and roses of life. Truth is, some stuff is hard. Too hard to even write about. I assure you that I have experienced it all. September brought one of those times. Counting my blessings gets me through the tough stuff.
BOYZ WILL BE BOYZ
Graham headed to the airport the morning after Homecoming to meet up with Matt and Grayson, who were already in LA. They were all headed to SoFi Stadium to see the Rams play the '49ers. To their dismay, there were more San Fran fans in the stadium!
Yes, this is the same stadium where Callie and I saw the Eras Tour the month before. How different it looks with football going on; Matt had to fly home Monday, so it was Gray and Graham's turn to party in LA! I loved picturing the two of them together. Grayson says it was the best trip ever.
Sunsets and Showers
The sunset view from my cousin Rachel's backyard. We were celebrating the upcoming marriage of her daughter, Taylor. It was so good to visit and catch up. Alivia told me later, "We looked over and you guys were crying. Then we realized that you were laughing!" Rachel is that kind of a cousin.
Go Fish
It's fun that Graham gets to have Matt at YM Activities. Both of them are so busy and they each miss a lot, so to have them both at an activity on the same night is a big deal!
Doin' My Own
Matt came upstairs one day just I sat down to lunch. He thought it was so perfectly crafted that he snapped a photo, "Lookatchu....having your lunch...."
THEXAS
If you blur your eyes, this Wheat Thin resembles the great state of Texas. Kat thought it was a stretch.
