Author: Abe Darais

AXB Reunion

Sophomore year of college, my friends and I created a fake fraternity called AXB. We have stayed close ever since and still exchange Secret Santa gifts every year. The six of us haven’t all been together for 9 years (Jon’s wedding), that is, until this weekend when we all got together for a long overdue reunion. I was essentially the host since everyone came to my neck of the woods. I organized basketball, an escape room, dinner at the Lakehouse, a hike to Stewart Falls, Dinner at the Foundry, Tubing down the Provo river and Top Golf (Top Golf was a last minute group decision) and the rest was free time to cook, sit in the hot-tub, chat, and play beirut. It was all so much fun. Today was the basketball, escape room, and dinner. Details and pics/videos below:

Basketball was so much fun. We played 3 on 3 and it got really intense. Andrew hit a hook shot over me as one of the first plays of the game. He and Liem were shooting particularly well. Unfortunately Lesi twisted his Ankle, but we all had a blast playing both 3 on 3 and knockout.

The escape room was incredibly fun. It was a sci-fi contagion spreading at a space station theme. It was one of the hardest in the valley with a 15 pass rate. We did not complete it, but we had a lot of fun trying!

We ate dinner the Lakehouse on deer creek. It cooled off by the evening (days have been very hot), so sitting outside was incredible. The food was great, but not enough so we all ate snacks back at our cabin. Our cabin was perfect, and I now really love the Stewart Mountain resort.

Fort

Today the kids made a fort they were very proud of. I’m not sure who all was involved building it, but Ammon and Clarissa were very excited about it and gave me the tour. Picture and video below.

Also, here is a pretty flower that bloomed in our yard. Lily was so happy because she though they were ruined when our yard workers chopped them down early in the year, but they’ve come back beautifully!

Of Playmates and Pants

Ammon and Clarissa are the best play-buddies and they often spend hours entertaining each other with silliness and play. Lily first let them play with my pajama pants and then I let them also have a vest. They got a lot of mileage, probably over an hour, playing with these two items.

Manny Camacho and Outing for Kids

After work today, I went to the 40th birthday party for my friend Manny Camacho. He lives in Texas and works for the wind-power industry, but he happened to be in Utah, so he invited old friends to hang out for his birthday. It had been so long since I had seen him, and it was so nice to connect! He has a beautiful family.

Also, Lily took the kids on an outing today, and I’m not totally sure what it was, but it looks fun!

Spartan Race

Today I completed a 13 mile Spartan Race with Kicker, Trace, Paul, Max, Paul and Dave. It was so fun! Kicker is Trace’s brother, and the rest of the guys are people I used to lead on team Spartacus. It was so amazing to get back together with them. The race was so fun. Some parts of it were very long stretches of steep uphill or downhill. Dave and Paul both got bad cramps (Dave’s were the worst), and not everyone in the group were runners, so we walked/hiked most of it. Still, I had an amazing time and the obstacles were so fun. I was so grateful to Lily for supporting my run this day. It was so fun to be with the guys and have fun with the race. I’m hooked and want to do more!

Happy Birthday Georgia!

Happy Birthday Georgia! Today, we celebrated Georgia’s 78th birthday! We had a wonderful time having her over today. Lily made a fancy German Pancake Breakfast, and then Georgia spent time with the family. I came up from work around noon to help finish the Cobb salad Lily made and grill the chicken. The BQQ chicken Cobb salad is one of my all time favorite dishes and it was so fun to share it with Georgia. Lily also marinated the chicken deliciously, and we had some yummy spicy sauce for those interested.

Georgia, we love you and we are so grateful we could share this day with you. You have faced your challenges with grace and courage, and you continue to bless our family with love, kindness and your smile. Happy Birthday!

When I took Georgia home, I was delighted to find that Legacy Village (her care center) had won the “Best of State” award, and it made me very happy to feel affirmed that Georgia is in a good place. I also loved how the people at the front desk exploded with happy birthday wishes when I walked in with Georgia, and when she got back to her area, they had cake already for her and every sang happy birthday and she blew out candles. I got it on camera.

Also, in the evening, Ammon built a magnetite creation that he was very proud of.

This is the Place, Mercantile, Cascade Springs

Today I took the day off of work and spent time with the family in Salt Lake. We also had Lizzie along which was so fun! First we ate Spitz together in Sugarhouse Park.

Then we all went to “This is the Place Park”. We checked out the monument first and then all the kids panned for gold and searched for gemstone in the fake sand while Lily and I relaxed.

Then, for a date, Lily and I went to the Mercantile restaurant in Heber. We had a difficult time emotionally together and I think it is because of all of the stress we have both been under. We walked around Cascade Springs and the beauty was wonderful. We were both feeling better the next day, but this night was quite difficult for us.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Today I made an oatmeal breakfast for everyone and then we broke camp and saw Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It was a remarkable canyon and is the most remarkable canyon in the US when one takes into considerations narrowness, steepness and depth.

We were blown away by the views and excited to get another National Park checked off the list. That was the last remaining park we hadn’t seen that was within 10 hours of our home. We then drove the 6 hours to make home in time to watch fireworks. And there were so many fireworks all around us! There were neighbors setting off fireworks and a lot of public shows we could see near the lake from our view. I stood outside with the Lydia and Ammon (the usual firework lovers) and chatted with neighbors while enjoying the show for a good 45 minutes. The weather was perfect as we watched fireworks (as it was the whole time in Black Canyon of the Gunnison) and it was a really pleasant 4th of July evening. Lily even made a peach cobbler to boot!

Heaven on Earth (ie camping)

One of my favorite things on earth is camping with my family. It doesn’t make much sense why it makes me so happy, especially when one considers how much work is involved, but still, for some reason I can’t explain, I love every second of being in nature, and camping with my family. Everyone enjoyed today, but most especially Basil :).

We started driving at the end of my work day and made it to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison South Rim campground around 7PM. We had plenty of day light to put up the tent, set up sleeping bags and mats and cook dinner. I really enjoy cooking while camping, and Lily did such an amazing job on the tinfoil dinners (she used halloumi cheese, it was so good!). After dinner, we ate banana boats. After dinner, I hung out by the fire alone for a while just to be with nature, my thoughts and the campfire (while everyone else went to bed) and it was very peaceful and good for my soul.