I'm Caught Up

It's that time again that comes up every +/- four years or so... I'm caught up on the blog! (June 2021, Nov 2017). I've been giving the blog priority the past few weeks over anything cleaning wise, and it is showing. Katharine is over at Scarlett's house right now and I just finished last week, so now I'm caught up!! Go me. Now the question is: Can I stay on top of it from here on out??? We shall see.

It was my turn to host the kiddie playdate this morning. I woke up Katharine at 8:55 and her friends starting showing up at 9. She had a granola bar for breakfast, they ate sugar snap peas for a snack, and they all had a good time playing with the Little People that have been all over the house for the past week. 

They played while I cleaned up the kitchen, which was a mess. Yesterday Ethan and Bella came over for a visit before they went to dinner at Bella's sisters house. It was fun to see them, though I went to read for a minute and fell asleep so I missed most of the visiting, doh! Alvie is such a cutie. It was funny to see him hold his ground as Corey growled at him. After they left, we hurried and got dinner ready. Dinner was scheduled for 5:10 and Wayne joined us. We had salmon, ravioli, mashed potatoes, and Natalie also made crepes, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream. All of that left a lot of big bowls that we didn't clean up last night, so today there was quite a bit for me to wash. There was also the usual daily usage of cups and plates... it was a lot. 

Unload, load, wipe of stove, wipe back of stove, counter, sweep, wipe out microwave, dishes, table, benches, wipe wipe clean clean. Yeah, I haven't done much at all to clean the house for the past month. Yesterday I knew I had to get to it this week, and I picked up my bedroom, and prepared myself mentally for a kitchen cleaning morning today. I did a good job. Took me three hours to finish the kitchen, but I did it. This was my "almost done" pic at the 2 hour mark.

Dishes drying on the island.

I recovered from all that good work with a ride to my beloved canyon after the kids get home from school. Abi called from Panama, her emails are really fun to read! She's funny.

I love the colors in the mountains! First day of fall is tomorrow!

Got home, cleaned myself up, Lily made curry for dinner (we all like it when she cooks dinner!) I took Peter and Katharine over to parent teacher conferences - Daniel at 7, Peter's at 7:15. I went and talked to his teacher even though he's not here. Still up in Idaho - 

Daniel's teacher was behind though, so at 7:15 I told the person waiting for the 7:15 slot to tell the teacher to skip us from the 7 time and I'd come back at 7:30. Over to Peter's class, then came back to Daniel's class room. Peter made a temple.

Sunset tonight was at 7:25, so it was dark by the time we're done at 8. I'm glad I got in my mountain time in before the conferences. 

Here are some more of the photos that Hyrum sent us today of their fun up in Rexburg.

On Sunday night they took Daniel to a party, and they celebrated his birthday again there. They had a cake with candles for him to blow, and a group of like 50 adults all sang to him! Corey said "Why do I think you'd have less people willing to give that kid such a memory at most other schools...." I love BYU Students. Too bad for us, we're never going to be able to compete with that!! Hyrum took him to a Lauren Daigle concert Friday night (I think). 

He wasn't that impressed, haha.

He's been having so much fun that Hyrum commented "I do feel like he’s already becoming a little bit of a monster. Sorry about it and good luck with that" We'll put him back to work when he gets home! I'm glad he's having this experience though. 

Daniel is 10!

Daniel is having a lot of fun up in Rexburg with his brothers. They got him some presents, my treat -

They got those at Hobby Lobby - I'm not sure if they let him pick out things he wanted or if they surprised him. I'll get the details from Daniel after he comes back and we have his second birthday party here. I think the best birthday memory will be a Dino nugget volcano that they did, something fun and to check it off Wesley's bucket list. Hyrum preparing the place of art -

Making the potato landscape, taking their art very seriously - 

Daniel working on the volcano.

Their friend Sebastian. 

Excited to see the sculpture taking form. 

Wesley shard this video with us on the completed work. Looks like a masterpiece to me. Bucket list #9 complete! So that is super fun. They showed Owen such a good time with a trip to Yellowstone and a lego revealing ceremony. Now Daniel gets a birthday party and dino sculpture dinner. They better be careful, they are keeping expectations high! Peter is excited for when it's his turn! 

I did a bit of recreating today. I went on an early morning walk up to the Great White Icicle. Someday maybe I'll have gear to climb it. But for now it was really cool to be right up next to our granite cliffs. 

I got to touch the mountain. 

Then I walked back down the narrow path - if I come up here again I'll bring some clippers and clear the path a little wider for myself. I got pretty dirty today!

After the hike, I took Owen to his soccer game. I went to the rec center this afternoon for 20 min in the sauna and 40 swimming, and then I hurried home so Corey and I could do a ride before it got dark. Yeah, I might have done a bit too much today, but I'm just looking out for my mental health! Yesterday I played up the canyon too - I hiked up the creek past Hogum fork until I could see the Ruins waterfall. 

I was so surprised I got to the ruins from the south side! And I figured out a way to climb up and around to get to my spot. As I've been on the top before, I've never before been able to see a way down around it, but coming from the bottom I saw how to do it. It was really fun! So that was yesterday, and yesterday after I got home, I saw Natalie was at it again. 

This has practically become a daily thing. Last night she was making herself a zombie, using glue to make it look like it's peeling off. 

I thought the green was a bit too dark - more witch like than zombie, but what do I know about face art - Natalie is the expert! And she's rubbing off on Katharine!

Lily actually did that work, not Natalie. Kinda fun. Messy, but fun. 

Three Favorites

Corey and I had the (currently) rare opportunity to go on a ride together early this morning. Hyrum was home and he got Daniel and Peter out the door for me, thanks Hyrum! As we got to the top near Lisa Falls, it was lovely to see the colors on the mountain.

When we got to the ruins, I did a little bit of puttering around and was glad to get this photo from the other side of the creek of my favorite person and favorite trail during my favorite season.

Hyrum was playing with Kat after we got home.

He was telling us about the game they were playing "Her majesty demands that all the boys come in and watch the girls sleeping, which is a little weird to me (sigh)..."

Followed by "I'm so tired..." 

"It's the same story over and over again. The Erics forget her name every five minutes, and then they have to fight for her..." Haha, thank you Hyrum! He's such a good big brother. They all are. After we got back, I cleaned myself up and then Kat and I had to go - my dad was picking us up at 11. I had to work to sweet talk her away from her toys, but she eventually got ready and willingly came with me to my dad's car. We drove down town, picked up Beka, and then Neil and Jerusha met up with us for lunch at City Creek.

I ordered Katharine some fries and chocolate ice cream from Shake Shack. 

I went across the patio and ordered the Chimichurri steak from Vitality bowls. We had a nice visit, talking about some of their work stuff, almost officially being retired, maybe on Oct 1st! And what he thinks would be good for him and my mom as they move on from realty management and how we can help. Some talk of turning mom's home office into an art studio, which we'd all love. Good visit. As we were walking back to the car, we passed a store with a big pink throne. Katharine had to sit and feel her true princess identity come through. 

She's such a character! My dad dropped me off right at 2. He came over to see my rose, and I told him the whole story of the bushes getting annihilated and how thrilled I am that I've had roses this year. This one is a real beauty!!!

As he got back in the car to head home, Hyrum pulled up - he picked up Daniel from school at 2, and they were going to head straight out to Rexburg, but Daniel forgot some stuff and/or wasn't fully packed. We got him Sunday clothes, Sunday shoes, a towel, tooth brush etc and they were off. Daniel is going to spend the week up there with Hyrum and Wes. So fun Daniel!

Hyrum said the school office ladies were excited for Daniel when Hyrum said some of the stuff they plan on doing - music concert, country dancing, and maybe Teton National Park. Hyrum said that he thinks having Daniel there will be beneficial to him as well, to get the attention of some ladies he hopes. "It'll be like having a puppy." haha. They left then came back after 10 min - Daniel forgot his medicine for his lymph nodes. He has a few more days of taking that. Daniel is super excited to be going up to Rexburg for the week! 

One more pic of my rose at sunset today, isn't it BEAUTIFUL!?!?! I would cut it and bring it inside where I could enjoy it more, but there are three buds around it, so we're gonna leave them all together and let those bloom, exciting!

I skipped dinner last night so I woke up really hungry this morning. I had recently seen a video for a carrot cilantro salad, and I bought the stuff for it last night, so after waking up the kids and getting some bread started, I made that for myself for breakfast, I loved it. 

Roots of Knowledge with the Grandpas

Katharine and took my dad and Corey's dad down to Utah Valley today to see the Roots of Knowledge Gallery. The first and last time I came and saw this gallery was in 2021. 

Corey's bike has been in the shop, and it was finished today, so that was an other purpose for this trip. My dad and I were planning to come yesterday, but pushed it to today when Corey's bike wasn't ready yet. Today after Corey got the text that it was done, I called my dad and we decided I'd pick him up at 11. Then I called Wayne to see if he'd like to join us. I picked him up when I dropped Corey off at his house (Corey works there) and then we got my dad. We enjoyed a nice visit on the way down. We were in Corey's car with no AC, but kept the windows up so we could hear each other. It didn't get too hot - the temperature has been more bearable lately so it was fine. I got a little warm, but the grandpas were comfortable. We arrived, found a good spot to park and didn't have too far of a walk. Katharine came with us. It was an outing with the grandpas.

One thing that I don't remember hearing from last time, is how the roots of knowledge go along the bottom in each glass panel, reaching forward to the future and the tree at the end of the gallery, the Tree of Hope for Humanity. Likewise the branches from that tree reach back to the Tree of Knowledge. As explained on the website.

Roots of Knowledge portrays a story of human achievement and the pursuit of learning through time. The roots and branches that weave through each column signify the interdependence of the human family. “The Tree of Knowledge” in column A marks the beginning of time and invites us to reflect upon our origins. Concluding the work in column Z, “The Tree of Hope for Humanity” calls us to conscientiously shape the world of which we dream.

Katharine was most excited about the treasure box!

There was a crown, jewels, gold, and other luxuries.

My dad is like me, taking photos of all the quote he liked. 

We were there for about an hour. Afterwards, my dad wanted to see what it looked like from the outside, so we walked around there, and the campus was having a club expo. Dad asked them if they have an astronomy club. The person he asked didn't know. Wayne wanted a corn dog and treated us to one. My dad go last dibs and said he was treating, gave me $20 bucks, which almost covered our three "mini" dogs at $7 each. I let Wayne cover the last $3. Corndogs with the grandpas!

We had our fill, so we're saving the BYU Museum of Art for another time. Heading back to the car -

Picked up Corey's bike on our way home. Dropped off Wayne first, then my dad, and then Kat and I went to Target to buy her a toy, cause I had to bribe her a little bit to come with me today. 

After we got home, I skipped out for a bit on the rest of my responsibilities and I went and explored in the canyon for a bit. I found a big human nest.

And climbed up the creek on the south side. Pooh corner from the south looking north. 

I'm getting less freaked out at being on the south side of the creek. Thankfully haven't run into a moose or anything yet on that side. It's fun to see familiar places, like Pooh Corner and Techy, from a new vantage point. 

What else... yesterday Natalie made a Halloween costume for Peter. He's going Jack from the Nightmare Before Christmas.

She asked if she could cut up a costume, I said yes, but if I had known it was that one I would have said no. She cut up the jacket and pants, sniff. Good bye Zoot suit. RIP MJ costume for me. So I'm sad about that, but good on her for being creative and developing a skill. 

Went over to my sisters house for a visit last night, giving her some moral support.

I went there while Corey took the kids to the elementary school's family skate night. Today - a pic of one of my roses!

I cut it and brought it to my desk so I could admire and enjoy it a little longer.

Time to go to bed after I write out my 5 things of gratitude in my simple abundance journal (I've done it for every day this year!)

Reckless Bricks

I got a facetime call today from Hyrum. I was confused as to what he wanted and why, but soon figured out he and Wes are in Tuscon AZ, where they took a spur of the moment trip so they could go to Reckless Bricks. They saw something on Instagram about it or whatever so they drove all night to go. 

Are they open yet??

They got there early cause they thought there would be a line. There wasn't, lol.

But lucky them, they got a photo with Reckless Ben, who wasn't going to be there, they were flying out, but came back to the store cause someone in his group left something at the store. So these boys got lucky, and their siblings were jealous. 

And one from this angle.

Hyrum called me asking if I want a lego set signed by Reckless Ben. I didn't think we needed to pay extra for his signature on the box - the kids wouldn't really appreciate it, they just want the toys. But I did ask him for a "We Steal From Old People" shirt, which I think will make a pretty good gift for one of the girls maybe for Christmas (girls, pretend you didn't read that)

So that is fun that they're able to do spontaneous adventures like that, but... Wes what are you doing down there?!?! Today is the first day of classes for you!  

Getting breakfast or lunch at Denny's? Not sure if this was before or after the store. 

And now they're doing the long drive back. I guess it's fun to be young and free and single. We shared the photos with Abi and she was jealous. She will be calling on Mondays now - today was her first pday in Panama! Fun to touch base with her after her first week in the mission field. Well, first 5 days. She is smiling, so that's good. 

She is with a Spanish speaking trainer, who speaks about as much English as Abi speaks Spanish, so that will be a good experience for both of them. Her trainer is from Guatemala. This pic from last week after she arrived, with her comp there on the left.

They don't use fb messenger in so she called us on whatsapp. We got the rest of the kids on the call later when she called again around 4 when kids were home. She wished she had been able to go to Reckless Bricks, but she's doing more important work. I left the kids visiting with Abi via my computer and went for an afternoon ride. I love our canyon. I puttered around at the ruins for a bit. 

After I got home, I put away my bike and drove straight over to my parents' house where Corey was helping with a technical issue on my mom's computer.

I guess I went over for moral support cause I didn't contribute anything, other than document the moment in time.

They are almost retired and my dad and mom have hopes of turning her office into an art studio after work is all done. That will be so great for her! 

I'm sure it will be a bit of work to make the transformation from office to art, and we siblings have been talking about we can best help with the process, so we'll see. 

Last great news of the day - I have a few fall roses out - and they are BIG and have pink! I'm so happy. These are the kinds that I'm used to seeing before the bushes got too much attention from Wesley. I have been cutting them and bringing them inside to enjoy. SO SO SO pretty.

Kat had a scheduled playdate this morning. They get together Mondays from 9-11. As soon as I dropped her off, I got a call from the elementary school. It was Daniel. He forgot to take his medicine before he left, doh. So the first 20 min of my 2 hours to get stuff done, I had to ride a bike down there to administer his medicine, then I came back home and tried to blog. I did catch up, yay, and Katharine had fun playing with her friends. 

She's the 2nd oldest in the cute little group.