Today was the start of what I feel will be a weepy week! I seriously cannot believe that Luke is graduating from high school. The time has gone way too fast. Tonight we went to Luke's seminary graduation. He committed four years to seminary. I love that he had a break from the world every other school day to feel the spirit and study the Gospel. I am so proud of Luke and so grateful for his amazing teachers that have inspired him over the last four years.
Tonight Joey and I got to go to our first concert of 2022- Penny and Sparrow. We were so excited. We love their music and could not wait to see them live. They were performing at the State Room where we had seen Donovan Woods and Ruston Kelly a couple of years ago. We went to dinner at Village Baker and then arrived at the State Room around 7:30pm. The doors opened at 8pm and we were lucky to get the front row of seating. Us old folk do not want to stand the whole time! The show started at 9pm with the opening act Lera Lynne. Joey had heard her music before but I had not. She was super good. She did about 30 minutes and then it was time for Penny and Sparrow. They were amazing! They sounded even better live. They were so funny and shared so many stories about their songs. It was a pretty much perfect night! I love that Joey and both share a love for the same kind of music. It is amazing to experience all of these concerts snuggling close to my best friend.
Today Luke told me that his friends wanted him to go to a fireside with his old seminary teacher. He said that he had a lot of homework to do so he was not going to go. Joey and I went on a walk and he drove by saying he was going to the fireside. I thought it was a little weird that he was going so early but did not ask any questions. When he was not home at 8pm I looked to see where he was. He was in Salt Lake and I was so confused. Turns out he went to the conference center to listen to a young adult fireside given by President Nelson and his wife. Tyson's grandma was able to get them tickets and they sat about 3 rows back. What an amazing experience! I am so grateful he got to have this experience and I love that Luke has such great friends.
This weekend Joey took Gray on his 12 year old trip. Gray at first wanted to go to Ohio but the flight was really long. Since they only go for a long weekend, he did not want to spend so much time on the plane. So he opted to go to San Francisco. He was super excited. He was supposed to fly out at 5:15pm but their flight got delayed to 7:15pm. So we went and picked up Joey at 5:00pm at work and I dropped them off at the airport. They got Shake Shack for dinner before boarding their plane. They arrived in San Francisco a little after 8pm. They got their rental car and made their way to their hotel. Thank goodness I had chosen a nice hotel for them- you never know when you reserve it online! They got a good night sleep, resting up for a full day on Friday! They woke up early, enjoyed their free breakfast, and made their way to Alcatraz. Gray really enjoyed the Alcatraz tour. I think Gray sent me over 90 pictures! So glad we gave him the phone early so he could keep me updated on every moment of their trip! After the tour of Alcatraz, they went and drove by the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf. They then went to the beach at Half Moon Bay. It was pretty cold- all people on the beach had on sweatshirts or jackets. This did not stop Gray. He spent over an hour playing in the waves. He was in heaven. They went back to the hotel and rested up for a day at Six Flags Discovery on Saturday. They spent the morning and afternoon at Six Flags. They got their before the crowds and got to ride many of the rides. Unfortunately Gray got a stomach ache so they left in the early afternoon. They went back to the hotel to rest for a bit and thankfully Gray felt better after resting. They decided to go back to the beach where Gray spent a lot of time playing in the waves. They flew back to Utah on Sunday morning. I really missed them both but I am so grateful that they get to make these memories together.
Last Friday, Mindi took me to Cooks to buy all the vegetables and fruit for our garden this year. We purchased another garden box so we could do one vegetable box and one fruit box. We planted two Cherokee husky tomatoes, two yellow cherry tomatoes, red peppers, jalapenos, and tomatillos. In the fruit box I did 2 raspberries and 6 strawberries. The weather has been so crazy with several days below freezing so today I was finally able to plant them today. The kids are so excited to hopefully get some home grown fruit this year. I hope that they all grow. I cannot wait to enjoy my tomato toast with balsamic glaze this summer.
Tonight Harlee had her 9th grade dance. It was being catered by Olive Garden. Harlee went with Audrey and Nicci. They all looked so beautiful and way too old! I was so happy that they got ready over here so I could take pictures. They met up with Sam and Noah. After the dance they came over here and hung out for a while. I am so grateful that Harlee has such great friends. They have so much fun together.
Today Gray and Joey are leaving on Gray's 12 year old trip today so Joey and I decided to give him his phone. He was so excited and I am hoping that I will get more trip details. I cannot believe that he will soon be 12. Where does the time go? Happy Early Birthday Gray!
Today was the Dance Festival for Gray and Tag. Harlee and Nash got checked out of school so they could come watch with me. This is Gray's last one! Seriously where has the time gone. Gray's Dance was first and he did his dance to We Will Rock You. They performed with big sticks. For the first half Gray held the sticks and for the second half he jumped over the sticks. He did such a good job. Tag was the fourth class to perform. He did his dance to Move Your Feet. He was so excited to see us watching until he realized I was videoing his performance. He freaked out slightly so I stopped but luckily my friend Andrea picked up where I left off. Tag performed with the biggest smile on his face and he knew all of the steps. I was so proud of him. I loved watching both of them perform.
Today was a perfect day! Joey and the kids were way too good to me. We had an amazing breakfast of bagel sandwiches with eggs, bacon, and cheese. They were so good. Then they showered me with gifts: chocolate, a new shirt, a new bathing suit, and a blow dryer brush. Each of the kids and Joey took time to write me the nicest cards. Seriously my favorite part of Mother's Day. After church I got to relax all day and even took a nice little nap. Joey made a yummy dinner of different Chinese food. We finished the day with chocolate layer cake. I am so grateful that I get to be a mom to five wonderful blessings. They teach me so much and I know I am becoming a better person because of them.
Tag woke up so excited because today was his field trip day. All of the fourth graders were going to This is the place Monument park in Salt Lake. He had a great time. He said that they did lots of activities and he was even chosen to be the kid that did not do his homework. When he was chosen all of the kids cheered for him. I am so grateful for the kindness of his classmates and how they encourage him. So happy that he had such a great time.
Thanks so Joey's amazon deals, Gray had a great option for Crazy Hair Day! His teacher is doing May Days where they do a lot of fun activities for the last month of school. Can't believe Gray will be graduating from the 6th grade. So crazy! I love that Gray is so outgoing and wants to participate in the fun. He makes a cute blonde!
Nash has been thinking about getting his patriarchal blessing for a little while now. Harlee told him of how they did a devotional at HXP b...
