Life As Of Late

 With covid everything is slower and harder to get than it usually is. So when we finally found patio furniture that we could get in a reasonable amount of time we bought it. I love the rug and what it adds to the space. We already spend a lot of time out there enjoying it. 

Although Joy has retired for the play officially some how she is always involved. We were happy to go and support her and the play Anne in Garland for Wheat and Beet days. After the play Joy gave the kids a tour of the sound booth.

Along with our patio furniture we ordered a propane firepit for the deck. We are planning on putting one in the yard but who knows when that will happen. We have been enjoying sitting out on the deck and roasting smores. 

Hallie won the snipe award at girls camp this year....she is pretty proud of that.

We also found hammocks for our stands and have been enjoying them. The kitties hang out around the hammocks and wait for someone to come along and love them.

I finally got around to decorating a little. I refinished the bookshelf and added the chair. At some point I will sew the fabric around the cushions but for now tucking it in will do.

More of Gracie's cooking class creations

I came home from work and usually I jump right in the shower and change my clothes so as not to bring germs from the hospital home with me. On this particular day Liam wasn't having it. He cuddle right in and fell asleep. I was a little concerned about getting him sick and if something was going on with him but he must have just been tired. After a short rest he was up and going like normal for him. I can't say I complain about cuddles ever.

Matt sent me this picture while I was at work. This kid is known to fall asleep late afternoon if you put him in the car and take a drive. 

Som eof the beginnings of our outdoor spaces. They are coming together nicely.

Liam loved helping test out the patio furniture as I built it. The kitties weren't there by choice Liam loves to find them and haul them around.

Trying to find a place for all the garbage when you no longer have a dumpster is rough business. After we took the playground off the palettes I wasn't sure what to do with them. They were heavy and awkward but we decided to break them down to haul them away. Lia, loved getting to use a hammer. 

Hallie Goes to Girls Camp

 Hallie had her 1st year at girls camp this year. I wasn't sure how I felt about it since the kids don't usually spend many nights away form the family but she was ready and so excited. Matt dropped her off at the church since I was at work. She called me on her way there and told me she had been up before her alarm because she couldn't wait. They were to a ranch outside of Heber city in the mountains where there is no cell service. They had a ton of activities and provided all of their meals...very different from the girls camp that I knew growing up.

Hallie called me after their first night and told me how terrible it had been because it was so cold. We had sent her with warm clothes, a good sleeping bag, and a blanket but her and most of the other girl hadn't slept much because they were so cold. I gather blankets out of our closet and started making a plan to get them to the girls. Shortly after I received a text from one of the leaders and they were arranging for someone to pick up warm clothes for all the girls. I took 16 blankets to the drop off and felt better that they would be taken care of. Hallie called me the next morning and thanked me for taking the time to get the girls the blankets. Other moms had dropped off warm clothes, sleeping bags, along with hats and gloves to help provide for the girls. I couldn't help but think about the pioneers and the people that went out to help them when they were struggling. I love our little community and how we all take care of each other.

Donuts For Everyone

We are learning to make more things...donuts included! While Matt was off at the Jazz game the kids and I made donuts. They all had their own jobs and it seemed to make them all happy. We did donuts and donut holes. We also did chocolate, maple, and cinnamon sugar. Gracie has loved her cooking class and this is one of the recipes she brought home. I love making memories with these kiddos. I have a love/hate relationship with the idea of them getting older but love them all so much.

Parade Of Homes 2021 & Family Time

The Utah county parade of homes has become some what of a tradition in the last several years and something that we all really look forward to. It has given us some really great ideas to add to our home or for a future home if we get to that point again.

After we were done we decided to take the kids to experience Tucanos. Hallie out ate all of us and Liam loved the lemonades. 

After dinner our plan was to go back to the hotel and take the kids swimming but we were drawn in by the happenings outside the restaurant. They had a live band playing and the splash pad was going. The kids were so excited and asked if we could stay. It was the first time in a while that covid didn't seem to exist and all felt right in the world again. 

By the time the night was over the kids were soaked and it was cooling off as the sun went down. So when they shut the fountains off we knew it was time to call it a night.

It was such a fun night. We headed back to the hotel, got everyone bathed, and to bed. Everyone went right to sleep. The next morning we got up and headed to breakfast and after we had all eaten we went swimming before we needed to check out. 

It is a fun but simple tradition that doesn't require a lot of planning or funds but we have really enjoyed this and I think will continue it for years to come.