First Day (3rd Day) Summer Traditions

Bike ride first thing this morning. Felt so good! Love summer!

And then worked with Cliff and Chad and Louis and Heidi to figure out a solution on how we have to change the rock wall that is currently measuring to hit directly on the window!

Somehow the pool house was built about 2 feet too far forward... Never ending things to figure out.

Cliff was in a bad mood for the first time ever (maybe second), 

but it happens so rarely it made me laugh. (And he wasn't mad at me.)

It's good to document a photo of Cliff and Louis because they're practically like family.
Here they are with strings so we can show our landscape architect the problem and
hope he can help us with a solution.

And then my dream came true in keeping my summer tradition alive of 

taking the kids to lunch and shopping on the first day of summer.

The tradition actually started with me taking all the kids to the bookstore on the first day to choose four books (or more). Back in the Carlthorp days, the kids had books they had to read over the summer. Nicholas had summer books at Waterford too. We went to the small local bookstore for several years with employees who had all sorts of ideas for good books. 

Other years we went to Barnes and Noble.

This year I didn't even bother asking if they wanted to go to the bookstore. Because they don't. 

BUT... they were happy to go shopping for t-shirts and swimsuits! And lunch of course.

But on Tuesday, the original day we planned, Nick made plans with friends who he hadn't been able to spend time with for the entire year. So we postponed until today. 

TJ Maxx was our first stop because they always have great deals. Then to Mr. Mac so Chris could try on shoes that we're actually sending to Marty for his birthday. California Pizza Kitchen for lunch. Finally, the mall to check out the new Zara, look in Pac Sun, buy underwear at American Eagle and a pair of shorts at Aeropostale. Rounding it out with body wash at Bath & Body Works.

I'm so happy the boys were willing to indulge me in continuing our First Day of Summer Tradition!

Me: Thanks, Chris for coming with us, even though you didn't have much you needed. I'm sure Nick had a lot more fun with you along!
Chris: Mom, I always have fun being with you. Even when it's just me and you. So I'm sure Nick does too. But it was fun being with all of us too.
(That kid really knows how to make a person feel good!! No seriously, its one of his talents!!)

Me trying to get a quick selfie for documenting on the blog. But not wanting to embarrass the boys.
That's my, "I think I can do this" face.

Wednesday Hike

Wednesdays, Dan and I are going to try to take hikes together. We went to Grandeur Peak today, but to all the way to the top because Dan had to get home. But SO CLOSE... About a half mile. Can you believe we turned around anyway? I try to think, "We have something to look forward to next time!" And it makes it ok to not make it all the way! (We parked at the top lot just before the trail -- after all the picnic tables. It's about 3.2 miles to the top. We went 2.67. About 2900 of elevation gain on my watch. (Higher than it says on the map, but I think the watch counts extra if you go down a little than up again.)

It was soooo beautiful! So glad we got out and enjoyed the mountains!

Pictures simply don't do it justice. Everything so green and lots of flowers blooming in all colors.

Life Lesson: Don't soak cashews because they turn out really gross!
And apparently, you don't need to soak cashews because they're not really a nut... I learned that on the internet AFTER I'd soaked them. Even after dehydrating, they lost their crunch--which to me is the best part of the cashews.

The pecans and almonds aren't too bad though.

Mom and Marge came over in the afternoon. They had gone to Marge's heart doctor appt. together which Marge was super happy about because Mom always asks lots of questions and isn't afraid to keep asking questions until she understands. Then I got to hear all about the good information they learned together. AND that the doctor was very nice about answering questions and explaining everything. I am always grateful for doctors (and landscapers and retail sales people and teachers and customer service reps and.... on and on... everyone who is patient answering questions.)

(Marge has a thickening leftover from her heart surgery. Even though they scraped some of the thickening away, it's still thicker than normal. And a lazy valve or flap or something. The good news is with the medication she's taking and drinking plenty of water, it won't be a issue to be concerned about.)

We went to Costco together so I could buy the ice cream Chris and Nick love (each their own box because it wasn't quite fair last time). Then Dan came home and grilled salmon and the four of us had a lovely dinner outside on the patio. Nick was with friends and Chris doesn't like salmon anymore so we didn't bother to wake him up for dinner. (He loves his naps!) And he was grateful we didn't.

Good news of the day is I had an eye appointment and am getting a stronger lens for my 

right eye contact. It's always exciting to be able to see better!

Too much nature indoors. I asked Nick to stand with me for moral support,
but he ended up being brave enough to kill it himself. Brave kids are the best!

Summer, Day 1

Luke and Anders slept over with Nick last night. Today they walked over to Sharon's cafe for brunch. Then made a 1:06 tee time for golf at Old Mill. Nick got home in time to change and have dinner before his last baseball game of the season. I love it when these boys have fun plans that keep them busy all day!

I tried soaking and then dehydrating nuts. Something my mom is always hinting at but I've never wanted to bother to do. But Nicole recommended it and so did a bunch of websites, so I decided between my mom and Nicole it was "out of the mouth of two witnesses," so I gave it a try. Plus its summer and a chance try new projects. And the steam oven works as a dehydrator so that made it more possible. And I have a butler's pantry now where the nuts could soak and wouldn't annoy me sitting out on my counter. The stars all aligned. 

Courtney is home from her trip to Europe so we talked for almost two hours today! I've been looking forward to getting to talk to her all about her trip!

Off to a Great Start!

I love the first Sunday of summer. Its the best feeling at night knowing there's no school the next day!

Sunday morning, Nick and Miles made pancakes and even got this giant one turned without breaking it!




Chris blessed the sacrament at Holladay Healthcare then he and Luke hurried up the canyon to The Spruces to reserve a campsite for their annual Memorial Day campout. They set up their tent and made it back in time for church.

After church Chris hurried around gathering supplies then left with his 9 friends. They've been doing this since the summer after 8th grade. I remember being so proud they wanted to camp and got everything figured out all by themselves. That year one of the dads, Dave, got a campsite nearby so he'd be close if they needed help. But they were great. The next year they still needed parents to drive them up and drop them off. But by Sophomore year they were on their own.

Nick and Miles watched a movie and Dan and I took a walk with Kershaw. Later I finished my homework for the week. I made a goal that I wouldn't work on it on Sunday and take away from family time. For the most part I've been able to accomplish it, or at least get up early on Sunday to finish before everyone else was up. But this week I still had a story to finish.

It's been so rainy. So much water has collected at the end of the street that the ducks think its a pond!

Dan wondered if I wanted to go to my dad's gravesite for Memorial Day, but I definitely did not. I felt very strongly that I did not want to even think about it. So even though I can talk about him dying, I'm not ready to go actually visit his gravesite -- essentially visit him dead. I'm preferring to just remember him alive.

Monday morning I had an appointment with Nicole (the holistic healer person I'm seeing) and we talked about eating -- which I'm doing very well on. I came home and no one was home, so I took a jog. When I got home from that, still no one was home. I called Dan and he was picking up the truck from Chad's because he'd just bought a driving simulator from his friend who he's been going racing with lately.

You can imagine how disappointed Miles was when it was time for him to go home right when we were unloading the simulator! However, it took most of the afternoon to figure out how to set it up correctly and download the software, create an account and get it working properly. But the boys all are having so much fun with it!

Dan and I went to the new Star Wars movie, Solo. In preparation we watched the new one that had come out at Christmas that I never saw. (Maybe I was sick...) I loved them both!

(We also watched Jumanji with Nick and Miles on Saturday night. Lots of good movies this weekend -- perfect alternative to being outside because we had lots of rain.)

Earlier in the day we'd shopped at Trader Joe's after where we found pre-made pizza dough. 

Dan was super excited to try making pizza on the grill. It turned out delicious!!

He has a goal to grill every single night this summer. Or at least the nights he's home early.

I wouldn't mind eating outside every night. At least right now the weather is cool and our porch and backyard are so beautiful and welcoming!

 Sheree took these amazing photos while she was here!

School's Out!

SUMMER!
Yesterday Nick and Chris both only went to school for a few minutes to collect their refunds. Remember when $10 was SO awesome and everyone walked down to McDonald's after Jr. High to get lunch and the last day of school was so exciting? Well they still get $10 but it's not quite as exciting. I guess because they walk around to get lunch every Friday after early day.


We thought it would be fun to grill burgers for dinner to celebrate the last day. Nick said he'd invite some friends over, but none could come. But fortunately Miles called and came up in the evening. And Chris had his friends over who originally said they weren't too hungry but then all the burgers disappeared. So it felt like a party.

What is cut off in this photo is Chris doing an incredible side backflip on the tramp. Also he's wearing his pink romper.
Sorry you can't see it. Wait. Actually my friend sent me a photo a few weeks ago...

And in only the few weeks that the slack line has been up, so many kids are getting to the end of it! I'm wondering if Chris will be doing tricks on it soon.

Today was so nice we wanted to grill again, so Dan and I bought a cheap fire pit from Costco, and we built a fire in the forest (behind our house) and roasted hot dogs on sticks. Hot dogs, corn on the cob, watermelon, and chips and guac. Totally feels like summer.

 Also Chris said he didn't realize our property went back that far. (Must have felt like one of those dreams where you're like, "where does this door go?" and you find out you have a whole big portion of your house you never even knew was there.

Aren't they nice to pose when I asked for a photo?! Love these boys.

Here it is. The romper. He's so dang cute!

Preach My Gospel

Since the beginning of his mission, Marty has been asking us to read Preach My Gospel. Now that I'm finally done with the Old Testament, I began PMG in earnest. I've read parts before, but this time I started at the beginning with the intent to really study. I was only a few pages in when I realized I needed my highlighters so I could mark it with my system: yellow = wisdom; red = doctrine; green = personal. Those are the colors I use most.

Quite a bit of PMG relates to parenting. Which makes sense, because one of my biggest responsibilities is to teach the gospel to my children. And teaching in a way each different child responds to takes listening to the spirit for guidance. I'm basically a missionary in my own home.

Scripture Power

Today I finished the Old Testament! It has been a long challenge to study the whole thing start to finish and include the Institute study guide throughout so I could understand it better. I think I started about the time Marty left on his mission. Or maybe even when he left to college.

There were times in my reading that I thought, "I don't even like this." There were times I was confused and my readings seemed meaningless, but then I read the study guide and came away with "Wow! That makes a lot more sense!" And other times my readings were just what I needed in my life. I was so inspired or my mind was opened and a seemingly random verse or chapter from 2000 years ago was totally applicable to my life today. I received answers, understanding and impressions.

I didn't use my colored marking system, but just underlined important parts with a pen and tried to write some helpful facts from the study guide in the margins. I wish I'd used my colored system because I feel like then I would never have to read it again start to finish. But without the markings, it feels less personal and I want to have it personalized like my Book of Mormon. Its probably a good thing to have a reason to go back and do it again. Not soon, however. It's like having a baby. Hard. And something I don't want to do again for a while.

Counting Down to Summer

I am making lists and jotting down ideas of what I'd like to do this summer.

Morning prayer, meditation, scriptures, exercise.

A hike once a week. A long bike once a week.

Boating one evening a week. Deer Valley Symphony.

Another writing class...

I keep asking the boys what they'd like to do this summer. 

Summer to them isn't about planning like it is for me. (Part of the fun of it for me.)

But we do have things we all want to do like:

Bees Games, Drive-In, Hammocking & Hot Dogs in the Canyon,

campout at the spruces, boating, kayaking with the Wingers at Tibble Fork,

Maybe a hike to Timpanogos Cave? Baptisms.

Nick has BYU lacrosse camp, a couple weeks of tennis, Scout 50-miler,

neighborhood lacrosse camps and is teaching swim lessons with a friend for a couple of weeks when our pool gets done. (So fun that he and his friend came up with this idea!)

Chris is going to Mozambique with HEFY for three weeks.

Aside from that he just wants to hang out. Hopefully that includes working some as well.

Speaking of working, I am making a list of chores for the boys as well.

And my projects include organizing the books/papers/loose photos in my office

and putting photos in all the empty frames throughout our home.

We are all looking forward to a summer where we will be home more and not traveling as much as last summer. Which also included moving and moving in. 

AND swimming in our new pool!!!

Non-Stop

Thursday Nick had a baseball game right after school and a lacrosse game right after that! 

Whew!

Great win at the baseball game and a blowout loss at lacrosse. 

It was freezing! The weather is so crazy this time of year!

Friday he had another baseball game and Saturday he volunteered with the Stake Youth pulling spent tulip bulbs in the morning, Go Karts with the Rigby and Dan & Chris at Larry Miller RaceTrack in the late morning and his final lacrosse game in the afternoon! 

And then when we got home at 3 p.m. I gently reminded him it was his day to mow the lawn!

He is so obedient he didn't even complain, even if he did sigh deeply!

Chris and Dan spent the day at the track racing their real cars. 

Chris got to drive the Mustang because there was a problem with the tires of the BMW, so Dan swapped him. Chris was nervous at first because its so powerful, but then he got comfortable and LOVED it! (They ride with an instructor who told Chris he was doing awesome at handling it!)

Dan reported his smile stretched from ear to ear. 

And when Dan and Chris were retelling me the story, Chris' smile stretched just that far again.

Look at these boys all swinging together! And the clouds! 

Nick and Will at the track.

Could you get a more beautiful backdrop? Nick is on the front row, 2nd from the right.

Player of the Game

Nick made an awesome catch in left field. Then in another inning at 3rd base he made an amazing snag even though the catcher overthrew the ball. Got put in to replace the pitcher and closed out the inning. Then up at bat hit a true double way over the right-fielder's head. It was amazing!

They lost the game, but when they were giving their cheer the coaches asked the team, "What do you want to say?" (Usually "1, 2, Hillcrest!" or something like that) and one of the players said, "1, 2, Nick!" Ha, ha! Remember that great feeling when you've made your team proud?

And yet, he wouldn't give me a real smile!

Today Nick got an award at the Awards Assembly for being a strong student in College and Career Awareness.

Although this smile is pretty cute!

And what's been going on with Chris? He rode the Vespa to school today (feels like summer!) and is going rock-climbing almost every evening. Last night he went racing with our bishop. Kind of a cool thing they have in common. More racing this weekend. Friday and Saturday for Dan and Saturday for Chris. Nick may go on Saturday if they've have a go-Karts session.

Last weekend Chris caught two fish on the trip with Dan. He had a great time. 

Mother's Day with Marty (2)

Marty needs his own post!

We get a laugh that Marty still uses his old gaming handle "Nightwielder."

Mother's Day Dinner (1)

Mom!!!! You did exactly what you said you would never do again! 

Take all the photos and not be in any!

Since my mom was in town, Sheree's family came over to join us for Mother's Day dinner.

After a non-stop rainy Friday and Saturday, it was a beautiful, warm Sunday!!

So glad we could all be together!

My expression!

What is that look?!

I had a giant piece of steak in my mouth and couldn't smile!

My Funny Brain

My brain works in a really funny way.
Today I got up and spent most of the morning finalizing my lesson.
Here's my kitchen table: Computer, Scriptures, Books, Ensign. Spent probably 3-4 hours.

BUT, just when I finished eating lunch, Traci, a RS Presidency member dropped by. She brought me a little gift to say thanks for teaching on Mother's Day. And she said, "Are you working on your lesson?" And I said, "No." Because in my brain, I wasn't. I was eating lunch.

After she left, I was laughing at myself. There are times my brain is so literal. It's an Adair-family trait. We have to clarify everything! And not take any credit that seems over-stepping!

Others: "What a beautiful home! You've done an amazing job!"
Me: It wasn't me. It was Catherine and Lance and the Architects. And the craftsmen.

Others: "I love this cake!"
Me: "I know! It's not my recipe though. It's my friends' mom's."

Others: "Those are such cute pants!"
Me: "Thanks, I got them at T.J. Maxx!"

The thought process goes like this:
"I can't say that I'm working on my lesson, because I'm not working on it right this second." (Never mind that I've spent all morning working on it.)

Anyway, I'm a weirdo. Fortunately, so are all my sisters in this regard. So we just laugh at ourselves!

Shout out to these headphones who went through the wash and 

still worked perfectly on my run this morning!

24 Hours of Me Time

Today Dan is headed off at 2:00 to take the scouts fishing in Flaming Gorge. 

Chris is going up to meet him later in the evening. 

At 4:00 Nick is going on an overnight backpacking campout with his scout troop.

I am having the next 24 hours to myself!!!!!!!!

KT and I did BodyPump class and then I had a hair appt. Cut and Color. Because I'm not going gracefully gray. I was just lazy about scheduling an appointment!

It feels good to have rich color and shine again!
This should be called, "Pre-Glamour Shot."

 Nick and I spent an hour getting his food ready and everything finalized for his trip.

(We'd packed earlier this week. The smart Scout leaders had the boys bring their packs on Wednesday to get weighed. Nick's backpack was still heavy in spite of me helping him think through what he needed. The pack itself and tent are so dang heavy. Dan thought they were just fine. But then reconsidered and surprised us with a new pack and tent. He was surprised that his gear from 20 years ago was so outdated! (Way to go Marty hefting it on your 50-miler!) The new gear cut 10 pounds from the overall weight. And is so nice, it got me kind of excited to take a backpacking overnighter to Dog Lake with Dan this summer.

Since I've hiked it before, I know what I'd be getting into. It's not extra steep, and not too long. 

Long and steep enough to be challenging but not enough to make you hate it. (3 miles one way)

Then... I worked on my lesson. Worked on my homework. Took a nap. Ordered a takeout burger from Citris Grill. Watched 3 shows of Frankie and Grace. Finished my Short Story for Workshop.

Went to bed and watched another Frankie and Grace.

Will I ever get tired of alone time?

Everyone in their rain gear and heavy jackets. It's going to snow!

Awesome scouts!

Got snowy and slipper for the last 1/2 mile.

 Boiling water for cup 'a noodles. And wearing the snow hat I made him take.
The only thing he said he didn't want that I said couldn't take out. 

Looks a lot different with snow than it did when I took Kershaw up in the fall!