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August Surprises! 2024
August was a big one! Milestones, anniversaries, and goals that reached the sky (you'll see!)
Surprise! Our front yard is getting torn up! The neighbors had a clog in their pipes, which was inconveniently located under our front yard.
Surprise! We get the Olympics again in 2034! (Announced on July 24, 2024).
FSY at UVU
August 5-10, 2025
Surprise! Your friend is not staying at FSY the whole time. Though disappointed, Graham said it had been rather difficult pushing him everywhere in a wheelchair. I understood completely. I once again had big-time trouble figuring out where to check them in. And why is it always so hot on those days?! The dorm rooms left much to be desired. I asked Graham how the bathroom situation was. He said, "I just kept my eyes moving rather than focusing on anything too long." Gotchya.
Mason and Kenzie
August 10, 2025
Surprise! A Wedding! Mason and Kenzie were married just a few months after returning from his mission.
The couple and the evening were absolutely gorgeous. When I looked at my camera roll, I was surprised that I had not taken a photo of the bride and groom!
Life
A Sunday evening visit from Binnie. Surprise, little did we know it would be the last mellow Sunday we would have for the rest of the month.
Free food...again! I should quit being surprised. Graham's Costa Vida job provided an opportunity to pay as he went for flight school in Provo.
Back-to-school shopping with Callie. I was looking forward to it. I thought it'd be just the two of us. Then she invited a friend, so I invited Matt, but she had uninvited the friend in the meantime, so she got to shop with both mum and pops. At first, she was disappointed that we took her to Fashion Place in Salt Lake, but they had every store she had on her list and she left with loads. The mall was as busy as you would see at Christmastime. It was a vibe! It turned out well that we had three of us. While Callie browsed the clothes, I waited in line for a dressing room, and Matt waited in the checkout line. What a guy!
However, the chemicals in Sephora got to him. As he waited in line, samples of perfumes and products were being sprayed around him. Unfortunately, I think that is what led to our next surprise.
August 18, 2024
A hospital visit. Ava had a friend over for Sunday dinner. As we chatted at the table, Matt began to cough a little and then a lot. He excused himself and went downstairs. After he didn't resurface, Gray went downstairs to find him. He came back up and said, "You should check on Dad." When I went down, I saw that Matt was having a very difficult time breathing. I suggested he get a blessing, but I could not find the oil anywhere. When I went back downstairs, Grayson was visibly upset. "We should take him to the hospital. I can't stand this." He also reminded me that blessings are good, but sometimes a hospital is better! We had to help Matt up the stairs because he was having such a difficult time. Ava was concerned and said, "Will you call me with updates?" I asked Graham to get in the car with us as well. I didn't want to be left without options if Matt passed out on the way to the hospital! Only a five-minute drive, Grayson checked us in while we waited in the car. He said the lady at the desk was nonchalant while he was feeling frantic. Once Matt was settled in the room and on oxygen, I asked Graham to go into the hall and call the girls with updates. I was glad that I had my boys with me—even though anything hospital-related gives Graham the heebie jeebies. The doctors couldn't get Matt's oxygen to stay above 80, so they decided to keep him overnight. He was having some sort of asthma attack, combined with pneumonia. Matt admitted this is the third attack he has had in the last couple of weeks since he's been sick, but he's always been able to weather them out in his office or somewhere. This was the worst attack. Ava came up with a good family rule: "If you can't breathe, don't isolate yourself." Here, here! I took the boys back to the house and then quickly packed an overnight bag for Matt. As we said our goodnight prayer, I realized that due to the hustle and bustle, Matt hadn't received a blessing. I thanked the Lord for honoring the desire of our hearts.
Matt was exhausted. Over the next couple of days, I spent the day killing time at the hospital with him. I couldn't organize my thoughts enough to be productive. I didn't do much but just be there. One bit of awkwardness is that in a small town, we knew half the staff, which made Matt feel half-staff.
I updated Matt's mom since he wasn't up to talking on the phone. We had a family party scheduled at the Cash's the following Sunday with my side of the family, so I thought I would update my family on our group chat, but then...
Surprise! It's a GIRL for Reag and Tyrell! Big sis calls her, "Shottie." It was much happier news than my hospital news.
Back to School
Aug 20, 2025
Back to School for Callie! Beginning of her Sophomore year. She had a heckuva time trying to decide on a backpack at the Cotopaxi store. There was something she didn't like about each one. Matt said he had a brand new backpack at home that she could have. She went from deciding between crazy muti-colored options to solid black, but her new Owala adds some fun color.
Graham is 100% online for school I guess. I didn't even know that. I don't feel like I got to properly close his high school chapter. I asked if he had any classes on campus. He said, "I'm not even allowed to be on campus" (guess since he wasn't enrolled). I was happy to learn that he still wanted to be a part of homecoming. In preparation, he scared up this cool look from around the house.
I went back to school as well. I was part of Club Rush for THRIVE.
Since it was held over lunch, I asked Callie what she could do for me. She said she would bring me a salad from the cafeteria. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but not this! Surprise!
My co-workers were ogling over it. I told them, "This is what school lunch looks like now."
Market on Main
Aug 22, 2024
It was sponsored by Wasatch Behavioral Health. We picked that night because the high school would be introducing its sports and clubs, including cross country. Backing up: Callie had attended HARC (high altitude running course) at the beginning of the month and came back injured. The pediatrician and team medical specialist referred her to a sports doctor, where we learned she had double fractures in her fibulas. She couldn't run for six weeks. Since cross country is a six-week sport, she was out for the season. This was a blow to her. We looked at the positive: her injuries weren't worse, we were able to get a diagnosis, and she still has a couple more years of cross country ahead of her. She later spoke about this trial and the blessings that came from it in her sacrament meeting talk.
She swam or rode her bike alongside the team during practices and stood with the team as the season was announced. She also attended every game, earning her the coach's award!
I was at the event with work peeps promoting family bonding, when lookie lookie who showed up!
The BIG Surprise.
THIRTY!!!
THIRTY!!!
Matt was examining the new concrete in the backyard when Mallerie came waltzing back! We laugh when we watch the video because instead of a big hello, he says, "Don't step on the cement!" (He even went as far as bribing the neighbor kids with cookies to stay off it—Hoodlums, he calls them.)
Note the sideburns that Matt let run loose after being released as Bishop (he was able to come to the conclusion on his own that they were better 30 years ago).
Back at the house, Katrina and Michael walked in! More surprises! Ava was the tender soul who orchestrated all of it. It was so touching. I have realized that when I am surprised, I am the person who lets my mouth hang open. It was crazy to look around the room and see everyone...except for Gav. BUT Mal said that he would be flying in on Sunday! 
Friday
Ava had purchased tickets for Concerts on the Slopes in Park City to see an Aly and AJ concert. We went shopping at the outlets beforehand, and I thought it would be fun if we all got matchy-matchy necklaces. Charming.
The concert was poorly attended. Katrina and Michael had seen them recently in Austin, and they said the place was packed. We were seated on the lawn even though there were many empty chairs in front of the stage. The crew was not allowing anyone without a proper ticket to access the chairs. Seemed silly. So there were a ton of empty chairs and then scattered blankets up top. The hill was very steep. As the concert went on, my legs and feet went numb. It was the weirdest sensation. I needed to get off that hill. I hobbled down to use the restroom and then texted Matt, "There are benches out here around a fire pit, which is quite lovely." He soon joined me. Due to some suspicious weather, the show ended early. Aly and AJ walked right past us as they entered the hotel. We basically had backstage passes.
Saturday
We didn't see Kat and Michael a ton after that. He has never been to Utah, so there was much to explore, including camping. We did some exploring as well by taking the chairlift to the top of Sundance. The last lift left at 5 p.m. We were pushing it—now that you have to park up in them there hills and shuttle down. Matt scurried to the counter and had the clever wits to ask if there was a locals' discount. The lady printed out the tickets and just gave them to us. Not sure if that is the discount or if she wanted to close up shop. Surprise...FREE tickets!
The moment we got above the protection of the mountain, the wind turned downright frigid!
On the way down, we saw a groom headed up. Oh man, we shuddered at the arctic winds awaiting, especially since the bridal party was in strapless gowns. We gave a thumbs up to the unsuspecting bride who was bringing up the rear.
Brrrr.
We spent time at the Riverwoods' Chalk the Block on our way to the movies. One of Owen Wilson was our favorite, but there were many impressive pieces, including 3D.
The rest of the weekend was just as dandy.
After morning yoga on Sat, the 25th, I purchased the most delightful anniversary flowers—grown locally.
Sunday, August 25th
Surprise! If you blinked too long, the zucchini doubled in the garden. Background: Matt had the privets professionally trimmed this year. They looked great (and hopefully won't be so heavy in the winter).
Ava had arranged with Ashley to have a party with the extended family Sunday (even though Violet had foot surgery just two days before).
Gavin flew in to complete our group!
Mallerie had picked him up from the airport in the minivan. Gav was not okay with the undercarriage dragging, so he fixed it. Thanks! Matt has to rig that same spot from time to time.
So fun to have such a great group. Many were meeting for the first time.
Ash is good at making up games on the spot and making even the unlikely participate!
You've got to really zoom in on some of these faces to properly get the vibe!
Ash devised a fun relay activity, which she made up on the spot. I watched Matt struggle to make a basket—he was so out of breath—I worried about him being so freshly out of the hospital.
Ashley cued up "Linger," while Matt and I danced to our song—we did the pretzel—our signature move.
Those who got the memo lined up oldest to youngest.
Ava arranged for a family photoshoot—through her dear friend, Kennedy—the following day on our
THIRTIETH Anniversary, August 26, 2024.
And...she bought a cake! We were in love with it even before the first bite (which was delicious).
To properly recreate our cake cutting, I closed my eyes.
I surprised Matt by shoving cake in his face since we did not do that the first time.
Maybe we should have.
The best group there ever was.
XOXO.
We had taken Costa Vida to the City Park that afternoon, where the question was posed, "What is 30 years of marriage like?" (probably having no idea what a loaded question that is). I imagine it would be different for whoever answered it—the answer might even be different every day. But most recently, it could be summed up as knowing what to grab for an overnight stay at the hospital.
It was staying even while hearing, "You don't have to stay."
The years have ticked by.
Mallerie pulled out her baby and school days books to show Gavin. It is moments like these that you realize all the effort and love through the years do indeed make a home.
Matt described it this way:
This is a teaser of the photo shoot. I'll do a post dedicated solely to it.
But lastly, one more SURPRISE.
GRAHAM IS A PILOT
August 30-31, 2024
This time, I did ask for prayers on my family group chat. While Matt and I drove to Hurricane, Utah, Graham was flying SOLO from the Provo airport to the Hurricane Airport to take his private pilot's license exam. My stomach was aflutter to say the least! Shafer sent this text: "Way to go, Graham! Now come crop dust some of that youthful ambition over our house." And of course, the Top Gun
comparisons were pouring in.
On Thursday, the 30th, Graham had scheduled his oral exam and flight with the instructor. We had a late lunch at Lupitas while he went over his calculation (yes, a special calculator is required). That evening, Matt and I watched as Graham flew the plane in the skies above us, maneuvering this way and that. Gah! Baby flying a plane!
HE PASSED! He was all smiles. We went to dinner to celebrate. Not so subtly, I let the restaurant staff know we were celebrating.
The following morning, we drove back to the airport. Matt had determined to be Graham's first passenger. I had decided that I still needed some time.
There is quite a series of checks that need to happen before Graham even takes off into the air,
including pulling the plane into position!
Then they were off! Down below, I watched them take off. All a flutter, I was!
As I sat outside the mini airport, I realized that I wanted to go up in the air too! I hadn't expected to feel that way. After they landed and were all smiles, I said, "I have FOMO." Matt surprisingly had not heard that term, so he told me to take some deep breaths. "Huh?" He thought I meant I was having some sort of anxiety attack. Once he realized that I was experiencing Fear Of Missing Out, he said,
"Let's get you up in the air!"
"Let's get you up in the air!"
I was all too happy to wait for Graham to double-check those figures one more time.
We were doing this!
All of it was so smooth! Up in the air, it was surreal to look over and see my seventeen-year-old son flying the plane.
The views over Sand Hollow State Park and beyond were breathtaking. Is that a football field in someone's backyard?
I'm not used to my shadow looking like this.
Since we were missing Swiss Days that weekend in Midway, we decided to attend Peach Days in Hurricane. I hadn't spent much time there up to this point, save an occasional girl's trip where we stayed at Paul and Sharon's. Then what do you know, there they were at Peach Days!
We also saw alpacas. I was dying! We should name them Paul and Sharon.
We came home with a case of peaches, which I turned into peach jam. Surprise! Don't use expired pectin.
He had flown over 50 hours with his instructor. It always surprised me when I'd see his bubble read that he was going over 100 mph.
I got chatting with a lady who hand-paints peg dolls. I love minis, so I bought some.
If I ever find where I stashed them, it will be a SURPRISE!
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