My heart was stretched so thin in Utah this time around because there are so many people to love there! I do realize that’s the best “problem” to have, but man, there were so many people I wanted to spend time with up there! There was lots of emotion amidst the college tours too. I mean, if we’re already hanging on by our fingernails with college on the horizon I’m scared for what’s in store the rest of the year. Phew!
But we made it and loved being there amidst all that Utah Fall foliage GLORY. That is a beautiful place I tell you!
Here are some of the things we crammed in during our time up there.
Chamber Orchestra Concert
My parents hosted a chamber orchestra concert with these three incredibly accomplished musicians and we were in LOVE.
We felt so grateful we got to be there. Oh I love how much Lucy loves music, and there was something so fabulous about that whole room being filled right up with almost tangible music.
The violinist is the granddaughter of my mom’s cousin, and she has this awesome idea to make chamber music more accessible and tailored for “modern” audiences. I love that she is doing that.
A bad photo with GOOD information if you want to know more.
Dave’s cousin Heather came with us and boy, we sure love her.
Family & Friend Visits
We got to have a quick visit with Dave’s sister and her girls en route to Utah State, love them so much! And then we got to visit with Dave’s other sister down in Provo when we went to tour UVU, and ALSO got to meet our newest little “grand-niece” we love so much.
One of Lucy’s favorite cousins lives in Utah and we got to have an impromptu dinner together under their bistro lights, our conversation and love filling up the air around us.
I was so happy I got a breakfast in with my high school girlfriends too…man I love these women and how our lives intersect.
General Conference Weekend
Loved watching what we could of General Conference together.
I mean, we had a few distractions…ha!
Dave and I went on a hike with Max and Murphy (photo above). Oh I love that boy with all my heart. And also the chance to take turns carrying murphy and show her all that wonder.
But we made our traditional cinnamon rolls,
Had family breakfast:
…and leaned into those words washing over us from our church leaders.
SO many good messages I would recommend listening to. I’m still re-listening and learning so much.
Fun to have Isaac join us at the end.
Apparently there was something very funny at game night this night…
Park City
We LOVE Park City, and the weather was so perfect for a weekend of conference and being together.
Ultrasound Visit
We got to go to Fetal Fotos with Abby to have Grace give her an ultrasound and show us our new grandbaby. So fun to see her squirming around in there, and also to see Grace at work doing this new thing she loves, working that ultrasound machine like a pro.
Lucy’s Birthday
I already talked about Lucy’s 18th birthday, but here are some other photos I didn’t include in that post.
I couldn’t believe it when I saw only Grace’s head popping out of all this corn at the apple picking. Ha!
Murphy wasn’t as big a fan of that stuff…
Oh we love this girl!
College Tours with Unexpected Additions:)
I talked all about Lucy’s two college tours over Fall Break, and even one of Claire’s volleyball teammates (and dear friend) we ran into.
But Grace’s boyfriend and his parents, AND our friend from back home all happened to be there at the same time too. It really is such a small world I tell you! (Isaac was there being recruited for the basketball team which was exciting).
Alpine Slide
We met up with Isaac’s family at the Alpine slide, and then ended up grabbing dinner with them too. They are pretty awesome.
Yep, we jam-packed that week. But there aren’t many other people I’d rather jam-pack life with I tell you.
Happy weekend!
That grand baby sure is a cutie pie! What a special season of life this is- even if you’re stretched thin trying to see all your loved ones at once. How exciting to have that “problem” grow in only a few short months with the return of your daughter from abroad and the arrival of your newest granddaughter!
Oh we are SO excited about those new arrivals!
xoxo
Just curious, do you own another home in Utah?
yes wondering this too…or is it Max and Abby’s place?
She probably owns it and Max and Abby live there for free. How else could they afford living in his one income?
I believe she mentioned her son has a job in technology, and those can provide for a small family. I could be wrong and they do help their kids (which would be well within their rights), but I don’t know that it would be my first guess given how they’ve spoken of giving their kids financial responsibility at a young age.
You’re right, SJ, Max does have a good job and works hard. They both worked full time for four years before they had Murphy and as I have mentioned before, they have become great savers. Especially since they wanted to have an option for Abby to work from home with the kids.
Hortense, if you’re curious, for more about the 10-20-70 rule you can check this out: https://71toes.com/money-matters/. That system really is magical!
xoxo
I just re-read that post I linked, it’s so funny that Max could NOT save a dime to save his life back then. Now he is the most diligent saver you could ever know!
That’s very presumptuous, and comes off jealous and mean.
Who cares who owns the home, who lives there. Max works outside the home. Abby works inside the home. They are a team, what they choose to do with their lives is quite frankly, none of your business!
Haha Hortense! People live on one income all the time, especially when they are frugal and are great savers as Max and Abby are.
Yes Tara, we do have a condo in Utah.
This seems to be a trend! Several of my mom’s friends who habe recently become grandparents are downsizing their homes in retirement and getting a condo or apartment near their kids and grandkids in order to visit more easily. Makes it so easy to pop in whenever you can, especially on shorter notice and with so much immediate family right there. I cherished my grandparents’ visits so much and I’m sure your kids + grands will as well!
Shawni, I’m very happy about your new grandbaby 🙂
It must be such a beautiful blessing to see your children fly on to their lives – going to college, having children, etc. It looks like a sweet reward from God after years of focused, deliberate parenting. you and Dave have done and still do. I think you are both deserving of savoring this moment 🙂
Thank you for your kindness and for sharing with us.