1/2/25
Themple Thursday
I had missed weekly temple worship as part of my life, so I started with a bang on January 2nd with a visit to the Provo City Center Temple—the perfect place to begin a fresh new year.
Utah Symphony, The Music of John Williams
January 4, 2025
Abravanel Hall, SLC
For one of Graham's Graduation gifts, tucked in the Christmas tree, were tickets to the Utah Symphony featuring the music of John Williams. We presented it to Graham on Christmas Eve (after he helped us set up the 85" TV).
We enjoyed a delicious meal across the street from Abravanel Hall at Café Bistro in Nordstrom. Graham is fun to take out on the town—he is one to appreciate the finer things. A regular gent. He also appreciates soundtracks.
Characters from the iconic films that John Williams composed greeted us in the lobby, such as the Weasleys and Hagrid.
The line for Star Wars was too long, so we headed to the back of it for a pic.
ChewBACKa.
This guy really did look like a young Harrison Ford.
I was excited for the symphony, but also excited to show Graham Abravanel Hall.
It is hard to upstage the Chihuly glass, however.
I went into Maurices that day to find something symphony-ish to wear. It was the same sales gal who was there when I went in for our Anniversary pictures, helping me. I kept hearing Mal's voice imitating the sales gal, "Super cute shirt," about the shirt I bought, which was actually just so-so, but desperate situations call for desperate measures. The gal is really great at her job, though, and she was able to find a perfect pair of pants for me out of the tall stack.
The gold-gilded walls never cease to impress me (12,000 square feet, to be exact). We were happy with our seats, but decided that for another time, tier one along the side would be even better.
The Utah Symphony sounded amazing!
Callie is a Little Lady, Herself
1/7/25
She gave making dinner a whirl and was quite good at it!
There was an afternoon, somewhat recently, when I had some cornflakes and marshmallows, so I combined them on the stove (and threw in some sprinkles) for a warm marshmallowy after-school treat. We stood in the sunshine of the kitchen window and picked at it right out of the pan. It was heaven.
There was an afternoon, somewhat recently, when I had some cornflakes and marshmallows, so I combined them on the stove (and threw in some sprinkles) for a warm marshmallowy after-school treat. We stood in the sunshine of the kitchen window and picked at it right out of the pan. It was heaven.
1/9/25
Saratoga Springs Temple trip,
just a jaunt from the Springers. So grateful for friends like these two!
1/11/25
Grandpa Woolf
He would have been 104 on January 10th (born, 1921). His favorite cake was German chocolate. I tried one from scratch in honor of that fact. Growing up, we also played kazoos at Granny and Grandpa Woolf's during the holiday season. I had some English crackers that included a kazoo in each one. Downstairs, we buzzed out some tunes. I'm a sucker for nostalgia.
1/14/25
Boys' trip to DALLAS!
Graham wanted to check out a flight school, so the three of them flew down. Grayson said he was impressed with Graham's knowledge as he talked to one of the instructors, which sounded like a foreign language to Gray.
The boys went out on the town, including a Mavericks game. At the mall, Graham helped Grayson pick out his first pair of Ray-Bans. The salesman always just sits back and lets Graham do the work. Though I can't help but wonder if Gray was more interested in the VR headset. Graham was sweet and gifted both Matt and me with Ray-Bans for Christmas. He said he was prorating it since he'll be gone the next two Christmases.
1/14/25
Prevention Winter Summit
The UPCA Winter Summit was in Ogden at The Eccles Conference Center. I drove up and back each day with my work ladies. The theme was Back to the Future.
1/17/25
Ogden Temple Trip
At the end of the week, Matt had an appointment in Ogden. Back to the future, I went! I joined him so we could go to the Ogden Temple. I haven't been since the open house. This temple is one that still takes my breath away. Equally so was the sunset as we walked out of the temple, which made the edifice glow.
1/20/25
Inauguration
Hold on tight! Trump and Vance 2025-2028.
1/22/25
Orem Temple
The way the cherry blossoms pop in the stained glass at night is worth seeing!
1/23/25
Wisdom, Gone!
Graham had his wisdom teeth out for mission prep, and well, just part of being a teen, I guess. He was loopy on the way home, saying such things as, "I feel like I did cocaine or weed." I assumed he must feel awful, but then he said, "I can see why people do it." Then he asked me, "Where can I get drugs, Mom?"
When I told him I didn't know, he told me he has a friend who can hook him up. Apparently, a friend who shoots up (as he imitated a needle).
When I told him I didn't know, he told me he has a friend who can hook him up. Apparently, a friend who shoots up (as he imitated a needle).
When I reminded Graham he wouldn't be able to be a pilot, he said,
"I see your point."
While recovering, he chose to have an Indiana Jones movie marathon: "I love Indiana Jones!" Graham said. When I told him I would have Dad hook that up, he said, "Yay!" and waved his arms.
I am leery about giving pain medication and didn't fill the prescription (especially after his enthusiasm for illicit drugs!). He was okay with just Ibuprofen. To that, I waved my arms, "Yay!"
1/23/25
Winter Summit for Teens
The THRIVE Club Winter Summit was held at the Wasatch County Library. We were pleased with our turnout! We served nachos to the middle school groups, and our high school club leadership presented topics that will be given at the State Capitol during the Legislative Session.
1/24/25
As part of the session, we attended a 7:30 am breakfast with the legislators, where we each took a turn sharing our platform. To one of my fellow prevention colleagues, I noted that it was the same catering company that did our last training. I wondered if they are the ones behind all of this, just so they can get catering gigs, haha.
(Gosh, even on the bottom step, I am still a head taller than everyone.)
1/25/25
Winter Shenanigans
Callie made a vision board at Young Women. It was on a poster board, so everything was too spread out. I totally fixed it! Haha. I even added some things. We have a "shared vision";)
1/30/25
Grayson joined us for our last temple trip of the month.
Okay, okay, you get the gist. I will not be posting weekly selfies in front of the temple. Besides, the photos are horrible, as I'm sure you do not need to be told!
1/31/25
I blended a spoon!
My work hosted a Parents' Empowered event at the local bowling alley. Matt supports my work events whenever he can and brought Callie.
Parents' Empowered is about having regular mealtimes with your family and keeping the channels of dialogue open, especially regarding underage drinking (The Food Nanny has been preaching this for years!). I looked at Matt and Callie sharing dinner—the evening was a success! (Other than when I asked someone if they were with their mom, when they are sisters.)
Speaking of nostalgia, our bowling alley gives all the feels. The malt machine is from the 1960s!
