Not Much

 We didn't do much for Memorial Day.
Dan and I were still exhausted from our big hikes and bike rides from the weekend.

But Marty and Lizzie ran and biked in a family triathlon with the Rosens in the morning 

and had friends over to swim in the afternoon. 

Nick made homemade syrup for breakfast and hung the hammocks back up with his friends.

We talked to Chris this evening. He said he's started reading the Old Testament and is loving it.
He loves the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Jose. 😂

Four Years

Visited my Dad's grave for the first time.

Seemed like a good thing to do on Memorial Day weekend, especially since 

Nick, Marty and Lizzie could come with us too.

I wished I had begonias, but clipped some roses and a few hydrangeas from the yard

which turned out really pretty. And gave him a shishito pepper plant too since Dan bought eight, which is way too many, and knew my dad would get a kick out of it. He loved anything spicy.

Someone else had been there and brought mums and another plant as well, 

so his spot was well decorated and colorful. 

Once we were there, we didn't quite know what to say or do. 

I remembered from visiting graves with my family 

that you could pull up a little vase out of the ground, so we did. 

I've always liked secret compartments!

(Grandma and Marge is who I remember visiting the cemetery with, finding family markers and 

making impression rubbings with crayons and paper.)

Someone asked how old Grandpa was when he died so I told the story of gathering and singing for his 75th birthday, and the awkward trail off at "and many moo...."

I feel like he would definitely want us to laugh about it now.

On The Trail

Hiked to Lake Blanche. 

A little slower on the way up... our muscles are tired!

We've each had a couple of long rides, runs and/or hikes this week.

But, so glad to be out enjoying the mountains and great weather!

Hard to see, but this is the waterfall, two miles up the trail.

Dan soaked his foot in the lake. He twisted an old sprain on his run earlier this week

and was feeling pretty sore at the top.

Naps by the pool. Then pizza at Jay's house with Brent, Chase, Morgan, Marty and Lizzie.

Jazz game to finish the night. 

Start of the Long Rides

We were supposed to move in to the bunk house in Pagosa this weekend. 

But like all building projects, it won't be finished as originally projected.

On the bright side, we've been travelling so much through April and May, its kind of 

refreshing to have a weekend at home.

But we're committed to doing something fun each day.

Today we rode up Little Mountain at the top of Emigration Canyon.

33 miles round trip. 

As we left the house, two little deer were nibbling on the bushes in the front yard.

Darn, I forgot to snap a pic at the top, but I stopped around the first corner on the way down

and made us document there. A little late, but glad we did.

Not gonna lie, that last mile up was tough and the last tenth of a mile was a back killer.

Felt good to get off the bike and fuel for a few minutes.

Riding downhill was a speedy eight miles. So fun! 

And a fast spin the rest of the way home. Love my adventure buddy!

Dan grilled steaks and Marty and Lizzie joined us for dinner outside. Feels like summer!

Watched The Intern with Marty and Lizzie tonight--they're spending the weekend here.

And Brent came over. He's in town to help his dad after surgery.

Work at Home

Last night while Dan and Nick were at the Jazz game,

I worked on my submission in the backyard under the bistro lights. 

Finished and submitted this afternoon sitting by the pool buried in the scent of wisteria.

Doesn't get better than this.

Feeling Good

 Wanted a good hike, but something different from Desolation Overlook that I did last Saturday.

Decided to get as far as I could up Grandeur Peak in an hour and a half, 

giving me about one hour to get down.

Made it about 100 yds from the top and I was fine with that. 

Pretty awesome to bang out three miles up Grandeur Peak without giving it a second thought.

Ran a lot of the way down and felt pretty good about that too.

Tuesday I rode to mouth of Little Cottonwood and did 3000 East in three minutes, fifty seconds.

That's a pretty big deal for me to go that fast for that particular stint. 

Especially at the beginning of the season. Go me.

Dress-Up Visions

 Today while I was shopping in J. Crew, an 8-year-old girl pointed to the child mannequin's outfit and called across the store to her mom, "Is this your vision of how I should dress?" 

Laughing, the mom replied, "Yes, that's exactly my vision." 

The little girl responded, "I don't know about that." 

Moms and our visions. 
We get about three years to choose clothes for our children, and after that, 

we can try, but I've wasted a lot of money on unworn outfits. 

(I hope some day my kids look back and are really sorry they didn't take me up 

on all the cute clothes I offered to buy them from J. Crew!!)

By the way, if you're thinking of shopping for a new top to match a striped skirt you haven't worn since before Covid, don't bother. All the racks in all the stores are jam-packed with sweats outfits. 

Every style, every color--mostly tie-dye--you could want. 

But here's the thing, wasn't that so 2020?

We're going out again. We don't need sweats anymore.

Nordstroms, Loft, J.Crew, Banana, T.J. Maxx -- Sweats. That's it.

Nick Dan Lake Powell

Pics from the Lake Powell trip.

They had a blast. Dan's exhausted.

 

Alone

 I've had two days alone and I've loved it.
After I dropped off Michelle at her father-in-law's on Friday
(Jay had emergency back surgery so Michelle stayed to be with him a couple of days),
I came home and fell asleep for an hour. Maybe longer. 
The minute the last of my family left, my adrenaline faucet ran dry and I completely crashed.

Pried myself awake by watching a show and then when the grogginess wore off, 

got all my homework done. 

Saturday morning I hiked with Kershaw up to Desolation Overlook,

then worked on my submission for four hours or more.

Today I woke up with time to listen to Music and the Spoken Word 

while I read scriptures and wrote in my journal -- pages and pages of catching up. 

This time alone has been restorative. I needed it after all the activity of the last few months.

A chance to ponder, clear my mind, and refocus.

As I read my scriptures, I had a thought about discerning between good and evil. 

We have so many voices in the world. So many versions of truth. 

When we keep up on the "little things" like scriptures and prayer, we're allowing ourselves to stay in tune with the Holy Ghost and protecting ourselves from becoming deceived. 

We're able to see more clearly to align our will with God's will and allow him to direct our path--

our own unique path--one that will bring us the most joy and growth and bring us closer to him.

My mom used to say, "Be thoughtful about what you pray for.

Do you want what you want, or do you want what God wants for you?"

I've learned that God cares about what we want. He can see how to get us there. 

He also sees the bigger picture and what might be better for us.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine might and lean not unto thine own understanding; 

In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path."

I choose God.

More Newlywed Game Pics

 My mom sent me more photos from the Newlywed Game night! 

Suns Out, Guns Out

 Not sure where they got the tanks, but they look hot!

Blooming

You know what's fun about hosting a wedding? 

Leftover flowers!

BBQ centerpieces

Also BBQ

Reception centerpieces

And the garden is showing signs of life!

The cilantro reseeded itself everywhere and I'm going to let them grow and enjoy it as long as I can.

It goes to seed as soon as the weather gets hot which makes me sad!

Also, outside a layer of pollen is covering everything!

Laundry Talent

 My mom has done loads and loads and loads of laundry the last couple of days.
Sanitize cycled all the shower towels, pool towels and at least seven beds of sheets.
She's got a system down and revels in burying her nose in the clean smell of germ-free!

When I walk in my laundry room everything's pristinely folded in neat piles.

At 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday Nick said he needed to do laundry but someone had a three-hour cycle going.
Those were the pool towels.

She offered to stop the cycle, but I said I'd just throw his stuff in in the morning. 
I totally forgot.

Late morning I realized everything was washed and folded or meticulously laid flat so no wrinkles. 

Mom! When did you do all this? 

"Oh, when I got up to go to the bathroom at night I'd swap a load."

That had to be at least four times throughout the night!

I've finished off the rest of the sheets, towels and comforters that needed to be cleaned today. I've used the sanitize cycle, used extra hot water, extra rinse and steam boost, exactly how she recommends. 

But I still don't think they're turning out the same. 

Update: She just confided that she used three pumps... maybe four... of detergent since it was extra rinse.

Think I'll go throw my towels in right now!

Nick and Dan were invited to Lake Powell this weekend staying on our friend's houseboat and Dan driving our surf boat. Have fun boys!

Home Haircuts

 The paramedics came to Clara's house a couple of times last week when someone heard her calling for help and another time we don't know who called 9-1-1. 

She was struggling to breathe and couldn't remember where her Flovent and Albuterol were.

I've had quite a few conversations with her daughter following up after Home Health recommended more hours of care. In the meantime, I've been able to sneak away each day to check on her. 

Every time I'm with her she comments on how long her hair is getting and how she needs a cut.

I thought it would be a fun surprise to bring her hair stylist to her. 
We set it up for the stylist to come on Tuesday and cut her hair at home. 

Clara's daughter also came that day so the two of us could discuss care options. 

Clara really liked the surprise of seeing her daughter, but she wasn't too happy about the haircut! 

It made her REALLY uncomfortable that she was getting a trim in the kitchen where hair could get in her food or on the floor (never mind that she doesn't eat food anymore)!

In fact, at one time she even exclaimed, 

"This was a Stupid idea!"

I promised her up and down and all around that I would clean up every speck of hair and her daughter said of all the things she was very fussy about, hair was probably the biggest one. 

I was actually relieved to have her daughter there 

so we could wink and giggle and commiserate with one another!

Clara didn't complain at all when she got to move to her comfy chair to get styled. She said she felt like the Queen of Sheba with all the attention and us watching.

Well, after styling it, it looks fantastic! 

But, I'm wondering how long I'll be hearing about this!

Michelle's Birthday

 Happy Birthday, Michelle! 

It was so fun that Michelle arrived home from her girls' trip today (to my home) 
so we could celebrate her birthday with Mom and Sheree! 

She even brought her own birthday balloons... 

why throw away perfectly good balloons when you can use them again/!

The four of us went to dinner at Maria's then sat by the pool 

to open a few presents and enjoy a perfect evening outdoors. 

Finished the night watching Ted Lasso because Sheree had never seen it before. 

One of my favorite parts of "wedding weekend" is how much time we've had with everyone.

Experts

 The plant people were right. This bonsai needed direct sun.

The Trickle

Rachel, Jeremy & their kids spent the day with Jer's family. 
Brent, Isaac and Ethan left to Chicago at noon.
Courtney & Michael left to NYC 1:00.
Michelle left before dinner to join her out-of-town girlfriends in Midway for a couple of nights.

We used all of the frozen chicken, rest of the vegetables, lettuce, bread and potatoes for a fantastic outdoor BBQ with everyone who was here. 

Dan left on a business trip at 7:30 p.m.
Bekah, Matt & Family left to Oregon at 9:30 p.m.
Rachel's family goes home tomorrow. 

Michelle comes back Tuesday. 

Marty and Lizzie are spending the week here since they're working in Salt Lake. 

Dan & Nick leave to Lake Powell on Wednesday. 
Never a dull moment around here. 

Bekah & Mom visited Marge in the hospital today. 
She had surgery on Friday to add an additional implant to the original heart valve replacement which is now leaking. Fortunately they were able to go through the groin since open heart surgery isn't an option.
The surgery went great and she's recovering well!

Mom took lots and lots and lots of video of all the festivities from the Newlywed shower through to the wedding to Marge could enjoy as if she was here!

She'll move to rehab next week.

Wedding Day Re-Cap

What a day!

Heading to the temple

Married!

The luncheon

Getting ready...

There was time for relaxing for a few hours before the reception and then WOW! what a party! 
The yard, decor, lights, food (pizza, tacos, shakes, italian sodas, Crumbl cookies), 
and weather was absolutely perfect. 

We gathered to watch the cake cutting then first dances, 

(I was teary watching Brent cry, but when I saw Morgan bawling, the waterworks really let go)! 

But after the formalities were finished, the DJ flipped a switch and the party really got loud! 

Funnest music and dancing! Everyone was having a blast and it was so fun to kick up our heels! 

Strobing lights, fireworks, confetti, the works. 

So many people said, "Now we know what Chris' wedding is going to be like!" 

More pics!

Lots of Wingers, and Bekah: Elise & boyfriend, Bekah, Sheree, Soren, Jared, Monet.

Mom, Livy N., Soren W.

Bekah, Lucy & Livy

Jeremy, Rachel and Fam.

Dimitrios with Michael & Katie's kids

Matt, Isaac P. and girlfriend.

The Sendoff

 The college kids all jumped in the pool, of course. Someone whispered to me, "the kids are all planning to jump in the pool. Are you okay with that?" I said I'd be disappointed if they didn't. 

It was a night and celebration to remember. What a wonderful day!!

I got so many compliments on our yard and the party, but I honestly didn't do a thing! It was all Michelle and Morgan! (And our landscapers for making the yard beautiful.) We just live here and got to enjoy all the fun!

My sisters all asked if Lizzie and Courtney felt bad that their wedding days were different. When asked they both responded that their wedding days were perfect for them. No regrets!