Author: Abe Darais

Tonight, Lily and I played games with the kids. We did Zingo with everyone, and then I played Otrio with the older girls.

Today was one of the most crazy work days I have had in a while. I was working by about 7:30 and I had 13 or so straight meetings (with no breaks except the occasional bathroom or food run that made me late for my next meeting). I barely pulled away in time for Alexander’s Birthday party (leaving around 5PM), but even then I took a meeting or two in the car on my drive down. Lily stayed home because she was feeling strained and needed to recover for a bit.

Once I arrived, the party was so much fun. It was so fun to see Andrea, my dad, Suzanne, Christian and his daughter, Isabella and Ali, Ed, and especially Alexander, the birthday boy. It had been a while since I had connected with him and we had a great time catching up. I learned that he is pretty plugged into the rap community and even had a renowned rap writer (Kocaine) write a song about him. But the most fun part for me was playing basketball with Alexander, my dad and Christian. We played horse and pig. For the most part, my dad and I got whipped by Alexander and Christian who are by far the best shots of the bunch. But one game, I was shooting really well and had a chance to win everything. I made it to the point of being just me against Alexander, and I was ahead! I did a trick shot where I was sitting on a cement wall, from three-point range or close to it, and I shot the ball while remaining sitting. The ball went in and I was sure I won the game. But I couldn’t believe it when Alexander matched my shot and then proceeded to hit an even harder trick shot over power-lines from very far away and I couldn’t match it, so I lost. It was very, very fun.

I also at 6 or so slices of pizza. The kids had an amazing time too. Isabella chased Ammon around and showed Lydia and Mary her guinea pigs. Clarissa liked playing in all the plants in the garden area. It was very fun to connect with everyone. I wish I would have got a picture of the birthday boy, but I did manage to take this picture before leaving:

Andrea drove home with us and it was very fun talking with her.

At home, I collapsed on the couch and woke up around 11PM, a couple of hours later, and then transferred myself to the bed. I was very, very, very tired.

Today, Lydia recommended that we go to Orem’s dog park at Mt. Timpanogos Park at the base of Provo Canyon. It was such a discovery! Not only did Basil play with some other dogs, but we got to ride our bikes on the Provo River trail that connects with the park. Lydia, Mary and Ammon all road with me and did an awesome job!

After the park, we had dinner and then went to Menchies to celebrate Mary getting into the A.L.L. program at Foothill elementary. As part of the celebration, we allowed her to buy the kiwi head stuffed animal you see up high in the background.

Today was an incredible Saturday. Lily walked Basil in the morning so I could get some extra rest and then I took care of the kids and cleaned, and made lunch before leaving for a bike-ride at noon. I had an amazing ride up South Fork canyon with Daniel Olsen.

When I got home, Lily and I left to Salt Lake and had an amazing time doing an escape room at get-out-games with our friends Matt, Courtney, Chris and Jen. We went to Barrios for dinner and Normal for ice-cream afterwards.

My dad and Suzanne babysat which made the whole thing possible. We had such a good time, as did our children with Baps and Bapa.

Also, here is a picture I took of a poster Mary recently made.

Today Ammon had a playdate with is friend/neighbor Casey

Today Lily mailed Meera’s toys that were left at our house when Clark, Swathi and family visited. They were really special toys to Meera that she missed. Lily took some fun pictures of the toys having adventures in our yard to send to Meera before she mailed them.

Also, just yesterday, we got a package from Clark and Swathi that had a Stephen Hawking book for me, a cook book for Lily and the whole series of Wayside School fir Lydia and Mary. It was such a kind thing for them to do. I was especially happy because I was literally researching Stephen Hawking books to buy yesterday, the same day the book from Clark and Swathi came!! It was such a kind thing for them to do, and we are all so happy with our books. The girls and I read our books over dinner tonight. Here is a picture:

Also, today I dropped Basil off to get groomed. I thought it was cute how he sat in the booster seat so I snapped a photo.

For school, Lydia completed a report about Esther Peterson, a remarkable consumer and women’s advocate from Utah. Here is a video that Lydia submitted to her teacher as part of the report. Great job Lydia!

Today was really nice because Lily and I both relaxed and spent a lot of time with the kids today. Here are some highlights:

In the afternoon, I took the kids to the park/church parking lot near our old house. We flew kites, saw the Kahlers, bumped into Jay and Liberty and their new dog peaches, and the kids biked.

I later played action figures with Ammon before bed and had so much fun with him.

It was a wonderful day!

Today we left the house around 8:30 PM to drive to Moab. We arrived a little after midnight.

Today we left the house by 9AM to go to Goblin Valley. While I exercised, the others got the kids fed and ready and made a picnic. I felt very grateful for getting a workout as it helped me to release steam after my quarter-end. I was also very grateful for the lunch everyone made. We had egg-salad sandwiches, peanut-butter and jelly and tons of sides. The temperature was perfect under the sunshade in Goblin Valley.

Basil seemed to have a wonderful time. I think Lydia had a lot of fun leading him around the hudus.

The kids all had fun climbing!

Clarissa and I made it to the top of the green mountain and then we all went back. People started to struggle because of the strong winds that were blowing sand in people’s eyes. It was really fun, but the wind did put a little bit of a damper on things. All in all, it was sunny, gorgeous, and as always a really fun and interesting time walking around the hudus.

After Goblin valley, Swathi had the idea to do another hike and the group liked that idea. We all drove an hour an a half to Capitol Reef and did their Hickman Natural Bridge trail. It’s the first time we’ve actually hiked in Capitol Reef! Lily stayed back with Basil and took him on a dog-friendly trail, because the Hickman trail did not allow dogs. Clarissa and Mary stayed with Lily. The rest of us enjoyed the trail. The weather was perfect, and the trail was so beautiful.

After all the events of the day, we drove home (stopping for subway). What a fun adventure today was!