August 30, 2026
We kicked off this week with getting Desi's stitches out on Monday. He did a really good job! If only he was that calm when getting dropped off at nursery or daycare haha. He is starting to become more clingy these days. But he did great! We played in some puddles before the office opened and he was a great sport. He had a fun week of playing at the park, splash pad, and more. He is very interested in rain and sprinklers. He also has started singing more often such as "Rain rain go away!", "Baa baa Black Sheep", and "Twinkle Twinkle". He loves music, and even if he hears a small bit of music from anywhere (such as while watching Remember the Titans) he starts moving his body and head banging.
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| Ready to get the "pokies" out |
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| Rain rain go away |
Greyson was throwing up with a fever for a couple days this week but has recovered after missing two days of school. Desi, Addie, and I all had some throat pain but seem to have avoided the worst of it. We've had some crazy rain/thunderstorms mixed with hot afternoons. Sort of reminds me of summer in Florida. I've been keeping my fan going in the front room office to help me stay awake in the warm afternoons. I had a few interviews with another company this week and am interested in the prospect of that role. I expect to find out if they will give me an offer sometime this week.
Addie had a fun sleepover at Kate's along with Sadie. Everyday she comes home from school and is easier to get on "the cousin chat" with those two. I'm grateful they are such good friends. She also went to a friend "late over" on Saturday for a birthday party and had a great time. She seems to be doing ok in school despite the loud kids. Hinckley has started up swim again and has good days and bad ones. He and I are just a few episodes away from ending our Cobra Kai series watching on VidAngel. That's been a lot of fun for both of us I think. He is still doing the Space Center volunteering and came home with a boutineer he made in his career class at school (apparently they had a floral design unit). He talks a lot about saving money and seems to be feeling some anxiety and pressure at school about figuring out his whole life this semester. Hoping he can take it easy! But he comes by it honestly.
We were able to coordinate a time to get a tour of Carthage Jail with Millie on Saturday. It was really neat to experience that and see her in her element! What a great experience for her and folks like us on the receiving end!
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| Virtual tour of Carthage Jail |
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| Hot Wheel boys |
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| Swinging boys |
August 23, 2026
This week was the first week back at school, and everyone seems to be adjusting all right. On Friday night, Kassie and I had a fun date with some friends—we got a Pizookie at The Chocolate in Orem and did a small scavenger hunt at The Riverwoods. On Saturday, we had a ward event called Hogs and Dogs, where the kids decorated bikes, we ate potluck with hot dogs, and everyone had a good time!
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| Back to school |
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| Riverwoods scavenger hunt with the Gurrs |
Monday night was back-to-school night, and Hinckley seems relieved that he’s not new to the junior high. He starts swim back up this coming week. Hinckley also had a shift at the Space Center and said it was a much better experience when all the participants were adults rather than kids his own age.
Addie seems okay with her teachers and the kids in her class—not thrilled, but also not overly sad or anxious, which is a good thing. She’s sticking with soccer, though she doesn't really like her overly strict coach.
Greyson is also doing fine with his teachers and classmates. On Saturday night, he and Kassie had a date watching the Michael Jackson movie on VidAngel. Greyson is completely obsessed with Michael Jackson's music—even Desi can sing some of the songs in his own way!
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| Prayerful baby |
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| Watching for Hinckley's bus |
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| Outside the UVU art museum |
Desi’s had a rough transition this week going to his daycare/preschool. It's a tough thing coming off of summer where he had a nanny catering to his every need. It probably doesn't help that he has those stitches on his chin and seems a little bit sick as well, making him overly sensitive. Desi is very much set on wearing PJs all the time, everywhere he goes, and taking his socks and shoes off. He throws some pretty remarkable fits when he doesn't get his way! I did get to go with Desi to the UVU Art Museum, which was in a really amazing building with some fun artwork, and I really enjoyed watching him go up and down the stairs there.
August 16, 2026
This was a very full and memorable week! Monday we went up the canyon for an enjoyable dinner to celebrate Sadie's birthday. It was so nice to be up in the trees and near water with good food and family. I went with Hinckley the next morning to get his new ID card and Chromebook for the new year and he was pretty excited about his new picture which he explained was "a big glow up" from last year. I admit he looks like 5 years older.
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| Desi with Nana-Grandpa |
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| Nana supports Desi eating |
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| The glow up in action |
On Tuesday I took the three older kids up to a Real Salt Lake soccer game along with Rach, James and George. We had a blast and enjoyed seeing them win 3-0 for our first pro soccer event as a family. The bigger hit however was visiting the Root Beer shop nearby that had over 100 brands of different root beer.
Kassie and I had a great 15 year anniversary date to a restaurant we love followed by The Scarlet Pimpernel at the Ruth Theater in Pleasant Grove. It was great to see that again and hear the familiar music from my Provo High pit orchestra days when PHS performed that same musical.
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| Ready for the game |
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| With Rach, James and George |
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| Seated and ready (Addie made in the jump screen for 1 sec) |
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| Joy |
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| Post game euphoria |
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| We gotta get back |
Thursday Hinckley and I met many family members at the Lindon temple for baptisms which went well. Then we all met up for the memorable dinner in Orem where a torrential rainstorm brought an abrupt ending to the event. The wedding was the next day (Caleb and Tori) and we had more rain at the Manti temple but all turned out. It was a little crazy! The kids loved having the food - especially cookies and soda - in the small waiting room building by the temple. We stopped by Trent's house and then Grandpa's farm on our way to the Payson reception center. Once there Desi enjoyed running round and exploring with Katie while the other kids enjoyed the food and treats and time with cousins. The ceremonies were beautiful and it was great to see Caleb and Tori so happy.
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| Temple baptisms in Lindon with cousins |
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| With Nana and Grandpa |
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| The girls |
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| The littler boys |
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| The littles |
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| The bigger boys |
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| Sunday night dinner at T&N's |
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| Jolly monkey ready for stitches |
The week ended on Sunday evening at Trent's for a great dinner to celebrate Kate and Hallie's birthdays. Unfortunately Desi cut open his chin after falling down and it looked pretty serious. Kassie and I took him to the AF emergency room where he sat with remarkable calm and patience for over 30 min before they gave him 5 stitches. He even gave his "NO MORE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED" performance at full volume while laying on the hospital bed (the irony was not lost on us). He seems to be ok now and we are hoping he'll have very little scarring.
August 9, 2026
We had a great week and enjoyed celebrating Addie's 11 years with lots of family this evening. She requested breakfast for dinner and beach-themed cake. It was epic! Desi kept saying it was his birthday and got very excited with the candles and cake. He was overjoyed to see all the family as he has been saying "nana grandpa" nonstop daily for weeks now. Addie had her first soccer game of the season this week and really enjoyed it! She seems to be more optimistic about it now that she discovered a girl from her school is on her team. That's good. Desi was a great cheer buddy at the game and kept repeating anything me or any other parent said. Helped me stay positive! haha.
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| Blowing out the cake |
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| Mom and Addie for 11 years |
On Friday we went to Lagoon (Desi stayed home with a babysitter) and the kids took us down many many roller coasters. I was exhausted by lunchtime! We had a good time, and Addie even tried some of the more intense ones and found she loved them as long as she kept her eyes firmly closed. Greyson couldn't get enough of "Cannibal" - probably the most intense coaster at the park. He wanted to go on it over and over again. I had to sit a few rides out as I felt like I would lose my cookies.
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| Hinckley printing |
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