We were able to go back to church for the first time this month. Our ward was assigned the first Sunday of the month. They had three, separate sacrament meetings of only 50 people in each session. You were supposed to wear a mask the whole time, not talk or touch anyone and sit at least one pew apart from other families. No singing. No Primary or Sunday School. It was only 30 or 40 minutes long. The bishop was the only speaker. I don't think we would have gone except for the fact that Travis had to be there. We took our masks off once we sat down. I looked over at Weston one time and saw this. Masks are realllly effective.
I don't think I've made a fruit pizza since junior high, when they had their heyday. Got a little creative with the fruit. It was an Evans week, afterall!
I was having one of those weeks where you need a frozen hot chocolate from Dairy Queen at night. I think I had one three nights in a row. Mondays really sink me.
Jefferson cut himself on a countertop at work and Travis stitched him up real nice! Not without an audience, of course!
Voting day! Leah won her race! So proud of her! I knew she would. She's put in the work for sure.
I can hear Kevin's line from Home Alone in my head "A whole cheese pizza all for myself." Except mine is a margherita pizza! No one else in the family likes it, but I love it.
Peach season! Channeling Grandmother and her peaches and cream for breakfast.
Oh, Tanner's eyelashes!! I swoon.
The kids wanted to make slime. I'm the nicest mom ever. My contact solution must not be the right kind because the recipe called for like 6 drops of it and we went through almost an entire bottle making the 4 different colors for each kid!
Mr. Tanner caught some nasty illness that had him down with a fever for 5 straight days. He didn't have any other symptoms but he was lethargic and basically just laid on me for a week. I LOVED it the first few days, but by day 5 I needed to get on with things and he wasn't having it! Travis and my dad gave him a blessing Sunday night and by Tuesday his fever was finally gone. Thank goodness. Really makes you appreciate your kids' normal, good health.
We had a girls night at Grandma's house that was really fun. I tried the salmon salad from Boca and it was ah-mazing. My mom, Marcie, Abbey, Abigail, Shelley, Trellany, Leah and Sarah all came and it felt like we just laughed for hours. It was SO nice to just eat and relax and visit and LAUGH. Love my Udall family and the memories we share.
Since we never got to give out end of the year gifts to the kids' teachers, I reached out personally to Olive's teacher to see if we could drop something off. She invited us to her house and Olive could hardly contain her excitement, seeing Mrs. Pinti again. I loved the card she wrote her. "You are the best teacher ever. I love how you teach me every day. It is like you are always by me all the time." Heart melt. Olive really lucked out having her this year!
Got an itch to bake a dessert a little out of the ordinary. I made homemade cannolis and key lime tarts for Sunday dinner! Took lots of time, but was fun to branch out of my normal routine with desserts. Don't love cannolis enough to probably ever do those again, but key lime tarts are on my love language list!
One thing this pandemic created was a drive to finally get a garden started! Grateful for a husband who makes my dreams come true! (In more ways than one!)
Shelley suggested we go out for a couples date night to teppanaki! It happened to be the same weekend as my parent's anniversary so they got the birthday song sung to them at Osaka. It works! It's our family's birthday! Afterward we got dessert at Fruitlandia, then went back to their house to play games. It was a really fun night. I recognize the enormous blessing it is to have all of us live so close and all enjoy being together! Yay for big, happy families!
Not visible is Olive on my legs. It's not very often we let alllll the kids come snuggle on our bed. They were soaking it up. Until, of course, someone cried.
Waving their Title of Liberty!
I absolutely love that Tanner will fall asleep snuggling me.
Marcie told us about a new soda shop called Twisted Sugar on McQueen and Warner that does tours and cookie decorating so we signed all our kids up. Well, the tour consisted of taking us behind the counter to their closet sized kitchen and pointing to the mixing bowl (lame) and then decorating three cookies each. I guess when it's coronavirus time, you're desperate enough to pay $40 for your kids to get out of the house for an hour. Of course, I couldn't help but buy a few cookies myself. The "twisted sugar" cookie is bomb. Gimme all the coconut and lime flavors.
Tanner is starting preschool!! He wasn't so sure about Meet the Teacher day, though. His face and body language say it all, haha! But I bought him his own shark backpack and waterbottle and talked up preschool ALL weekend and by the first day of school he actually happily went in! SCORE. This was an enormous blessing I didn't take lightly. He goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-12 and I am over the moon that he has a fun activity to go to and I will have some free time!!!
I thought it would be fun to meet Travis's partner and his wife for dinner so we did a double date at a nice place in Scottsdale called AZ/ 88, then got Balboas for dessert. Quinn and Joy are the nicest people. We first went out with them a year ago last May, to hash out the idea of being partners. It's kind of crazy that it's been a year and half! What a blessing their friendship and partnership have been. They live in north Mesa, are nearly 10 years older than we are and have a daughter leaving for BYU in a couple weeks, so we don't super match up in phases of life, but when we ARE together, it's easy and enjoyable.
I'm getting a little more relaxed in the kitchen and try and let the kids help me when possible. This particular Sunday, I was able to find a job for all 4 kids to do! Busy beavers helping get French toast with peaches and cream on the table!
Lucky Dad had a dozer during church.
For FHE, we made a huge fort in the front room and had our lesson inside, about how the Nephite fortified their cities against the Lamanites and how we can make our home a refuge from the storm. Ironically enough, an actual storm was raging outside during our lesson and we could hear the wind blowing the trees and the rain coming down! Couldn't have planned it so perfectly if I had wanted to!
There he is!! My little preschooler. Ohhh, can time stand still please? Just for a moment. I remember when my other kids were at this stage and my heart longs for them, looking back at the pictures. But now? Right now I might be on my last and I can't bear to think about it. For as many times as I wish my kids were a little older and self-sufficient, I always think about how much I love this kid at this age and I don't want to wish away a second of it. I'm smitten with this little boy. He's a boy but he's a doll. Such a cutie with a really pleasant personality and his lispy voice is my favorite. No "r's" and no "l's" are very clear. His leg is his weg. He loves to watch Paw Patrol... Pawtwoll and Blippy.... Bwippy. He loves bike rides and meat. All forms. Chicken nuggets, meat loaf, beef jerky. Lately, he only wants socks and shoes on, no flip flops. He loves books and playing at the park. He's not great at playing by himself, though. He wants me or a sibling to play with him. Usually me. He's my little companion everywhere I go. When I don't have him with me, is when I feel like I'm missing my right side or something. His preschool is right around the corner with Miss Heather, so I ride my bike to pick him up every day and when the door opens and he happily yells, "Mommy!" and runs into my arms, I can't think of a better moment, ever.
Took a picture on his second day of school when he wasn't quite as wary of his teacher, haha! He loves his new excavator shirt!
Rachel posted a picture of her new, shiplap wall and a lightbulb went off in my head. That's exactly what my front room needed! I always felt like it was incomplete. It just needed a finishing touch. Travis had basically 48 hours notice and he was on it. Olive's birthday party was on Saturday and Prenda started on Monday so we had one day to do it! We got started Friday, late afternoon. I helped, but Travis was in charge of all the cutting. Unfortunately, the wall was 12 ft. 4 inches and the boards were only 12 ft. long.
After getting all the kids in bed, he was finishing up the very last board on the front porch when I heard him shout out, "Dang it". I knew instantly he had cut himself and my stomach twisted into a thousand knots. I ran out to see and he was clutching his hand with blood on the ground. It definitely needed stitches. I ran upstairs to tell the boys I was driving him to the hospital. It was 10:30pm, but they weren't asleep yet. Poor Collin was stricken with fear. Because of Covid, I wasn't allowed to even step foot in the waiting room. I had to drop him off and go home to wait. Thankfully, around 2am, he was done and ready to go home. 3 stitches inside and 9 stitches along the outside cut. I felt so bad for him. And totally felt like it was my fault! He was working on MY project! They took x-rays and it didn't seem to have got to his bone though, so that was an enormous blessing. He went into work on Monday, but rescheduled a lot of his patients. He can't bend it or get it wet, so getting gloves on was the main problem. Thank the heavens it was his left hand!
Gold Medal started doing their open gym hours again and no one was more thrilled than this guy!
Trying to use my Utah peaches as much as possible! Made a peach, breakfast cake for Sunday brunch.
Back to School teacher gifts. Thank you, Pnterest! Although I couldn't find a tag to print for the cookie one, so I made my own!
My Classroom, everyone!
It's not complete, complete, but it looked pretty good for the first day! I found the two, big desks on OfferUp, which was a great find. I love how the wrought iron clock shows the ship-lap through it. And I really love the vibe of the alphabet I found on Etsy!
So cute seeing the kids' school clothes all laid out for the first day!
I figured it was only right that I get my picture taken on MY first day, too! Haha.
My first choice would have been to teach the older kids, but we ended up deciding to have just two classes. The K-2 class and 4th-7th grade class. I felt like Collin and Weston would enjoy going to someone else's house more than staying home, so Kristen will be their teacher. I will teach on Mondays and Wednesdays and Alyse Hill will teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The younger kids only go to school M-Th. The older kids go M-F, so Alyse and I will always "sub" on Fridays for Kristen so she gets a day off. It seems like a good set up. Fingers crossed!
My mom offered to help watch Tanner on the days I teach, which is the biggest blessing! Travis will just drop him off on his way to work those mornings. He was happy as a clam when I went to pick him up! So much attention from Grandma would make anyone's day!
I love this picture so much. Kristen is a phenomenal teacher. These kids don't realize how lucky they are! So far, they are loving Prenda. They look forward to it every day!
The sun looked so cool on my morning run! Can't wait for cooler temperatures!
Kristen's daughter, Charlotte, and Olive get along famously. How adorable are they?!
Olive's birthday fell on a Wednesday this year so I got to decorate her desk! The class got cupcakes to help celebrate!
She chose steak and mashed potatoes for her dinner. Her outfit is the result of not wanting to wear her ballet leotard for hip hop, lol.
It was finally the day!! Rachel came to visit!!! WOOHOOOO!! This trip was scheduled back in April, but got postponed by you know what. I feel like Covid should be treated like Voldemort. He who must not be named.
She flew in on a Thursday evening and I was literally doing a giddy, happy dance at dinner knowing I'd be picking her up from the airport soon!
So sweet.. she brought Olive the cutest personalized bracelets for her birthday!
Wonderful Travis took the day off work so Rach and I could play all day! We started by paddle boarding down the river! Leah came too and it was so fun to have two of my favorite people get to know each other. The water was really high and the weather was beautiful! Loved every second.
After showering at home and getting our bags packed, we headed to Genuine Fresche to get a quick, delicious acai bowl. Then it was off to the salon for pedicures!
Megan Shaheen had text me Thursday night to say their family was coming to town last minute. So they came to see our house and we scooped up Megan to take her with us shopping and out to dinner!
The kids had so much fun seeing each other again! It's been almost a year since they came. Collin and Lilly used to be best friends. Then they were in kind of a weird stage where they were old enough to not be interested in the same things anymore and they didn't know how to play together. Now, they're full blown into crushes and were acting awkward around each other. Once they got over that, Travis said they were always together talking. When Travis asked him what they talked about he said they discussed where they wanted to live when they grew up. Lilly said Utah. So Collin also said Utah. When Travis was telling me this I laughed at first that he copied her, then I suddenly got so sad! What if he DOES move away?! It surprised me that I got tears in my eyes and my whole soul felt so sad. I don't want him to move away. It's silly to worry about it, since it's so far in the future, but I didn't like that glimpse of loneliness I felt at the thought of him being far away from me. I would miss him so much!
I LOVE this restaurant so much! We had a great time shopping at Scottsdale Fashion Square and visiting during dinner. I am more of a "few close friends" type person, over having dozens of casual friends. I feel safe sharing and talking about anything with them. I value their opinions and ideas and love any time I get to spend with them. We all go back 12 years and I see many more in our future.
Rach and I stayed at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch and it was lovely! We laid poolside all day Saturday then did some more shopping before meeting Travis and Bron and Megan for dinner. Travis had taken our kids during the day and met the Shaheens for lunch, then went swimming at their resort pool. They got pizza at Grimaldi's for lunch and Travis said Tanner picked all the red onions out of the salad and scarfed them down plain! Silly kid. Us adults went to Tia Roses in Mesa for dinner then took them to Travis's new office to show them the remodel. Finally, we finished off the night with ice cream bars at Balboas...my new favorite place! It was all so fun. We missed having Doug with us to round out the original Buffalo group. I wish all weekends could be spent pampering with my best friends.
Rach and I stopped at the grocery store to buy stuff for Sunday brunch and I had to laugh at the butter packages. We are in the midst of a cultural upheaval right now in America with people being very offended over brands, logos and names. The Land of Lakes indian had to go. It's all very silly.
Rach promised the boys a story before bed and she delivered! I don't know how she just creates stories in her head on the spot like this, but they love it.
We loved having Rachel around to do all our Sunday activities.... brunch, Sacrament meeting and nursery singing time with Tanner! I hated driving her to the airport. It's cliche to say, but it's the honest to goodness truth. IT WENT BY SO FAST. I love Rach like a sister and ate up every second with her. Why does Texas have to be so far away?!
Weston got veryyyy creative with his crepe. Crepes are everyone's favorite Sunday meal.
I bought myself a birthday gift and it finally came! Don't Just Stand There, bust a move, doormat. Ha! It's PERFECT!! I swear it was meant just for me. :)
For one of our Create projects, they turned boxes into spaceships!
