Category: Uncategorized

Mt Rainier

Today we woke up at the Holiday Inn, had breakfast and then hit the road. Before leaving, we caught a view of the gorgeous fields in Pendleton Oregon.

Around 3:00 we made it to Mt. Rainier. We were blown away by the view of Mt Rainier, and we were also stunned by the wildflowers. We wandered through the paradise area trails, and I think it was the most spectacular display of wildflowers that I have seen in my life. We had an incredible time. Lily says it is her new favorite National Park. It’d have to think about it, but it’s certainly up there for me, maybe top 5. It was an incredible visit.

Afterwards, we drove to Clark and Swathi’s. They hadn’t arrived home yet with Meera and Soren (they were still traveling back from a Croatia/Switzerland trip), but Mani was there and she fed us a delicious authentic Indian dinner.

Clarissa Biking, the Dentist, and Covid Boosters

Today we all went to the dentist and then got Covid boosters for the kids (apparently it’s no longer recommended for adults who have already been boosted). My boss just got back from a cruise and her husband got Covid, so that made me think to have the family get boosted. While waiting, we sang, “The Wellerman” while banging on Clarissa’s back like a drum:

A man at the dr.’s office commented on my beautiful family to me. I agree!

Also, this week, Clarissa learned how to start the bike on her own at Eli’s kid’s camp. I spent some time with her today having her show me her progress. I was so excited, and to celebrate, Lydia helped Clarissa order a new helmet, gloves and a bell which I had promised her for when she learned all the way.

Clarissa Learns To Start On Her Bike, And Fun With The Easton-Flakes

Today was a very intense day for me at work, but I was delighted to get a call from Lily telling me that at Eli’s kids camp, Clarissa learned how to start peddling by herself on her bike. I was thrilled and told her I’d ride a little with her on my lunch break the next day. Clarissa learned with me how to ride after I pushed her, but I’m so grateful to Eli for helping her to learn to start herself. What a great update!

Also, the Easton-Flake kids came over to our house today. We love them and we love having them over. It looks like they all had fun!

Fun with Anthony, Malika, Emil, and Amalia

Lily and I were delighted to learn that Anthony, Malika and their kids were available today to spend time with us. I worked today, but everyone else went to Tibble Fork and had an incredible time with the sand and inflatable boats. It wasn’t crowded and the water was cold, but that was a contrast to the very hot weather. They had an awesome time. I was beyond jealous that I missed it, but so happy for the time they all had.

Luckily for me, they were all able to hang out at our place when I got home from work. Even more luckily for me, we got to teach them our favorite of all favorite games, Wingspan while the kids had a blast running in and out of the house and playing together.

We love spending time with Anthony and Malika and their kids so much and are so grateful they shared this day with us!

Also, when Anthony and Malika and their kids left, Lily and I played picture charades with the kids, and then I played Apples to Apples with the older kids while Lily put down Clarissa.

Day 3 AXB Reunion

Today was the last day of the reunion. Andrew left early for a flight and the rest of us took our time packing up, having breakfast, and chatting. We loved the cabin, and even more, we loved our time together.

We had one last activity and played golf at Topgolf. It was great to hold a golf club again. It’s been a very long time for me. Also, the wings were delicious!

After TopGolf, we all went our separate ways. I had such a good time, and I’m so grateful for such an incredible group of friends. We are already talking about where our next reunion will be!

Day 2 of AXB Reunion

Today we started the day with a hike to Stewart Falls. I spent a lot of time hiking with Levi and Jon, and caught up a lot on their lives, which was really nice.

Afterwards, we all had lunch at the Foundry Grill at Sundance. It was a bit rushed, because we had a 3:30 tubing appointment, but still a great time.

Tubing was a blast. The water was freezing, but that was a great contrast to the weather in the 90s. A highlight was when Levi was standing up in his tube and completely capsized. We all had a lot of fun floating, goofing off, and enjoying beverages on the river. The canyon was beautiful.

After tubing, we went to the cabin (which was perfect) and sat in the hot tub, grilled burgers, hung out and played Beruit. The whole time we listened to tons and tons of music from the 90’s and 2000’s. It’s hard to describe how good of a time it was. I had so so much fun hanging out with everyone.

Meanwhile at home, Lily took the kids to the library and they also dressed Basil up in a tu tu. It seems like they had a fun day too!

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.