After such a long winter, it is delightful to see the calendar turn to May. Still, even if the weather is gorgeous, I am a homebody at heart.
I got a text from my dear friend Pam who wanted to take me to lunch. Even though my first instinct was to pass I felt that I should go, however, I will admit I went with trepidation.
The lunch date was enjoyable and the view from our table was delightfully quaint. I once again was reminded that sometimes it is good to chat, and listen and learn from close friends who have our best interest at heart. Also, it made me grateful for friends who continually reach out even though they are the only one doing so:/
In a rare form of socializing, we had dinner plans at another couple's home the next evening. It is hard to describe the touch of dread mixed with anticipation at going to a dinner party these days. There were couples there who I know well, others who I do not know at all. Soon after we arrived, Pam and her husband arrived as well. Neither of us knew the other would be there. She laughed and said, "Ha, I am wearing the same thing I was wearing yesterday!" I looked down and realized, "So am I!" It was a fine night and I even walked away winning $42 bucks.
Temple to Temple May 4, 2019
The fun and food continued through the weekend when we attended Sam's baptism in West Valley. I had committed to have Callie lead the music and then we were late. I was appreciative when Lindsey was gracious and only expressed gladness in seeing us. After the baptism lunch we took full advantage of the perfect weather and walked to the Oquirrh Temple.
Similar to when we do the Temple to Temple in Provo, we were not in any rush. The kids played at any open space we passed.
Look its Cal's name! He said from the get-go that he did not want to go on the walk. He stuck to his guns, no matter how exciting we tried to make it, he didn't want to be there. Newly baptized Sam also joined in the picture.
I just love looking at these people that I adore in this picture.
Grayson Sweet Sixteen May 9, 2019
True to every other birthday we have celebrated, he wanted nothing to do with a party. Remember, "I don't want people here eating our food. Dad works hard." Ha!
The thing we probably love best about Gray is that he knows what he does and does not like.
Here is a perfect example: His new gifts did not make him stretch too far out of his comfort zone:
His mannerisms that day were reminding me so much of my Grandpa Woolf and Uncle Ross.
The only request he really had was that he wanted to get a burger. We made arrangement to pick up Grandma Donna and we all enjoyed a meal at Red Robbin in Provo sans Ava who had to work.
How sweet is it that our sixteen-year-old would rather go to dinner with his grandma on his birthday than have a party?
The two of them have a sweet relationship.
Grayson said dinner was perfect, "I didn't even know Red Robbin was a place." Well, now he knows, and he also knows about the bottomless steak fries.
At home celebrated with a chocolate tart. I know the tart is more in focus than Gray...that was intentional. It really was a beautiful tart.
Knowing that the Happy Birthday song isn't his favorite, Callie really gave it her all while Ava filmed.
I completed my 2018 blog book and had it printed. I decided to wrap it for Grayson's birthday even though it is for the whole family. He absolutely loves to sit and read the blog books. Seeing the kids cozied up with our family tales in hand really is what gives me the motivation to keep this blog going.
I wrote last year how Grayson is a homebody like me. Not a whole lot has changed in that area. He went to Lagoon with his physics class the week after his birthday. He doesn't enjoy how he feels after amusement park rides and the lines were long. As he stood in a drizzle in yet another line he told me, "I kept thinking about the times when we are all downstairs watching a movie and comparing it to crowded Lagoon." See, why does one really need to ever leave home, haha.
He is very considerate and though sometimes he gets hangry, he will always come to me later and say, "Sorry for being grouchy today." I usually can't even remember what he is talking about. When I follow suit and apologize accordingly, he'll say something like, "No need, you're great, it's understandable, don't worry about it." He also goes out of his way to tell me and Matt, "Thanks," "I love you," and even "I have the best parents."
A burger isn't always his first choice though. He came home after playing ball one day and said that all his friends had gone out for a burger. I asked why he hadn't gone too. He said, "Because your food is better and I don't want to waste my money." Did my momma heart proud and also the Food Nanny's heart. They were doing a LIVE when I made that comment. I had already told Lizzy that story but she said, "You have to share it during a live!" She said, "Abby I love this!" I played that part for Grayson and he felt like a downright celebrity, "Wait, you know the food nannies???"
I wonder if Grayson got as much joy out of his birthday card as we did picking it out.
I will say that my favorite thing about Grayson right now is that I can still get him to belly laugh. Every. Single. Day.
Mother's Day 2019
Mother's Day weekend consisted of taking Ava and Graham to the temple. I was anxious for a picnic and packed the basket before heading down the canyon. After the temple, we spread a blanket out on the lawn at Kiwanis Park and enjoyed some long-awaited sunshine. Afterwards, we took a fresh baguette to Granny to wish her a Happy Mother's Day as well.
These two were done well before I was so they enjoyed the grounds. Ava said to Graham, "Watch, mom is going to say what a beautiful day it is when she gets in the car."
On Sunday May 12th Matt cooked up a Dutch oven meal for me and his Momma. He also grilled some Lobster tails. I made an almond cake that Graham says is his new favorite.
Ava tried her hand at the whip cream flip that Cade was demonstrating over spring break.
Teddy Bear Picnic
For our annual Teddy Bear picnic, we put together May Day bags for the widows in our ward. This is one of the most popular activities we have all year and we had a ton of Young Women and Activity Day girls in attendance.
My Laurels. Oh, how I love them.
The only activity Callie and Ava will be at together ever again... 
Callie had so much fun knocking and running that we delivered some more loaves, just the two of us, later that night.
Spring Band concert at Timponogos Middle School
My Birthday May 18, 2019
Saturday is not typically my favorite day of the week, it never has been, so I don't love it when my birthday falls on a Saturday. We all have to take our turn, right?
I was grocery shopping when Missy texted me a Happy Birthday and asked how my day was going. I texted back that after making and cleaning up breakfast, I cut the boys hair and was currently at the grocery store. After that I was headed home to work on laundry. She wrote back, "Oh it's that kind of birthday, some years are better than others." It made me smile. Another mother understands.
When the chores were done, we headed out with some of the kids to dinner at Fanny's grill. I was pretty certain it is only open for lunch. It is. I have teased Matt since then that he owes me a lunch there. It looked like it would be pretty to sit out on the patio.
We headed to Zermatt to dine instead. Ava was checking her messages while we waited and asked if she could hang with her pals after dinner. Of course, little lady.
A nice chap offered to take a picture of all of us.
Mmm. Sweet Tooth Fairy! Really, just being with my babies was celebration enough. XOXO
A Sundee in May
A little backstory, I remember when we first moved into our home, I was sitting in sacrament meeting behind the Bishops wife. Her two daughters were leaning on her and she would periodically play with their hair. Though her girls were a couple of years older than mine at the time, I could not picture my girls laying on me like that. I thought to myself,
"They are so close. She is a good mom."
I haven't thought of that experience until recently when my Laurel Adviser sent me this picture after church one day in May showing my little Callie laying on my shoulder. Callie is such a sweet, tender little soul and we have a very special bond. For her to lean on me during church, or anytime is completely natural. So...it turns out it was them not me. Hehe.
"We are so close. I am a good mom."
We were listening to a beautiful piano piece by one of my Laurels. I have never heard someone play their testimony like she can. In fact, she prefers playing to speaking. Knowing the challenges she has had to overcome from brain surgery, made it all the more meaningful.
My graduating Laurels were speaking and I presented them each a framed temple. I had the thought to make one for one of my girls who recently moved from our ward. She was there that day and I was so happy to have one for her.
May 20, 2019
Grayson tried to not steal his dad's thunder when he got his driver's license on Matt's birthday. Grayson didn't express any interest in driving until everyone started asking "WHEN???" He thought, "I better just get it so people stop asking me that." It has been great to have another driver actually.
Happy Birthday Papa May 20, 2019!
Matt's new binoculars with a night vision laser kept us and the cat entertained.
This strawberry cake...forget about it. SO good.
Matt loves a good theatre production. Who would have guessed? I mean, now that I think of it, a lot of our dates were going to plays, but I sort of thought he was doing it because he assumed I was into plays. He said he loves how he can just get lost in the storyline and get forget about life for a little while. He had tickets for us to see Matilda, the musical at the Hale in Sandy. It was really well done.
Last Fourth Grade Program
With Callie being our caboose, everything is a last at JR Smith Elementary.
I usually don't film very much of school programs but I have quite a few videos on my phone of the Utah program. I love the songs; I love the pioneers and I love Callie. I enjoyed the program BOTH times I attended.
I was back and forth several times to the school that day because I was also helping with the Girls on the Run luncheon.
I drew the line though at helping with the make-overs after school. I don't enjoy doing make-up and hair for my own kids, let alone foreigners. I ran Callie's things to her after school and the gym smelled like burned hair with all the curling irons going. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.
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| Cute Callie |
Greece- May 24, 2019 - Pioneer Theater
"Greece" was playing at Pioneer Theatre so we took Ava, Katrina and Giuseppe. I haven't been to Pioneer Theatre since my18th birthday. So, twenty-five years ago! I was looking forward to the play, but it was a bit of a bow wow. How do you mess up Greece? They managed.
Here is something else I managed. Without meaning too, I made chloroform. I thought the effect was cool and almost sent the idea to Mal to do with her school kids. Glad I looked into it first!
Memorial Weekend
The weather had the hardest time warming up! Memorial weekend was barely warm enough to have a picnic but we did anyway. It felt so good to finally get outside again with the family and eat a good hotdog. Grandma and Grandpa rode over to Scera park to join us.
The kids let off the rocket right under the tree and it got stuck. It took Matt throwing a ball at it to get 
it down.
We tried to see Aladdin afterwards but it was sold out. We ended up seeing A Dog's Journey. Now that I have seen both, I think I prefer the dog movie!
On Sunday I packed yet another picnic of baguette sandwiches and we headed to the Salt Lake City cemetery. We had a heck of a time getting a group shot. When Matt showed me the picture I said, "It's perfect." I am sure the Woolf Pack was smiling down on us. We ate at Lindsay grove. It was a delightful Sabbath.
We made BBQ in a cup and visited with Granny and Grandpa as the rain went pitter pat.
Ollie was the entertainment.
I was at the mall after my temple shift the following Tuesday when Ava texted that the canyon was closed. She had come down for an ortho appointment. We shopped and ate crepes at the River Woods but the canyon was still closed so we went the long way through Parley's with her following me...through a downpour! We sent these pics to Mal to let her know we were shopping without her.
Peter Pan May 29, 2019
Earlier in the spring the director sent a plea to ask if anyone wanted to take over the scenery for the nursery. I really didn't want to bother with that and figured another mother would pull through. However, when I went to help set up the other props I saw that she literally had nothing! She slapped a couple sheets on the platforms to represent beds and put out a faux fireplace, hobby horse and rocking chair.
I came home and started rummaging in my storage and went back over to the school, it was still unlocked so I added some more to the nursery. Nothing fancy but it was what I had in a pinch. Callie thought it was fun and took notes so that she could set it up without me.
Oh my goodness, before you knew it we were back at JR Smith for yet another of Callie's performances!
Callie was in the ensemble as Lost Boy and she sure had a fun time with the production.
"Peter Pan is the greatest and strongest of all boys!" (played by a girl)
Always lots of love and support from her biggest fans.
They kept changing the dates of the Peter Pan performance and Matt and I had a couples get-away planned for Vegas! We cut a day off our stay so we could go to the morning performance but we really had to get on the road because we had CELINE tickets for that very night! Ava represented at the afternoon performance. As usual, when we tell the kids we are thinking of getting away, they always say, "GO!"
It's funny the perspective a road trip to Branson Missouri will give. Now a drive to Vegas seems like nothing!
VIVA LAS VEGAS! May 29th-31st 2019
We ate dinner at the Mesa Grill, which had the most delicious corn chowder last time. We sat at the bar next to a couple who was seeing Celine for the first time. They couldn't believe we were back for a third time. "YES, she's that good!" I told them.
We only ordered an appetizer to share and it was yucky! The bartender was gracious to bring us something else, which was eh as well but at least edible.
It was good to be back in the gorgeous Colosseum at Caesar's Palace.
Just like the poster, Celine came out for the first song in this gold suit and she totally did that back bend at the end, "...of the Power of Love..." bum bum bum bum. The crowd went wild.
The gal next to me was taking constant photos to add captions to before adding them to her social media. Not only was she missing the show, she was making me miss it as well. When we stood during a song, I asked to switch seats with Matt, "I can't take this girl anymore."
The show was as amazing as one would expect but we both agreed Celine's personality has gone loopy. She has ended her Vegas residency a couple of times already, so we will see if this time it sticks. We saw one of her very last shows.
We oohed and awed at the spring gardens in Bellagio.
Just as I hit 10,000 steps, so did Matt!
When we walked outside, the Bellagio fountains were at their full height and the Eiffel tower was lit up. The air temperature was ideal. It was Vegas perfection.
As we were leaving that evening there was a group of ladies also leaving the hotel. Ironically, they were in the elevator also heading up the elevator when we got back. I asked them how their night was. They had goofed off in a lot of dumb casino's and lost money. I am glad I don't do Vegas like that.
We spent a chunk of the next day hanging by the roof-top pool. We were very surprised at how small it is. And it was only three feet deep. I was glad I hadn't bothered with water aerobics that morning.
That evening we got ourselves together to enjoy another show; Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay. You will remember how last fall we went to the wrong Michael show...it was redemption time.
This cirque du soleil show does not disappoint! I'd see it again (mabye two more times;)
Oh dear...
Our stay in Vegas was short but long enough to rejuvenate and connect. The vacation club was spacious but I did not ever use the kitchen.
We dined out for all our meals, including a breakfast at The Egg and I on our way out of town.
We also had to stop for a souvenir photo. We celebrated our honeymoon in Vegas twenty-five years ago at the Stardust....which has since bitten the dust. Michael and Celine were topping the charts 25 years ago so it all came full circle.
In St. George we stopped at my favorite cupcake joint which is appropriately located at T
WENTY-FIVE AND MAIN.
Look, a rainbow that matches our t-shirts:)
