Camson Cabin and RZR Riding

 

Cal and Keaton work for Camson Electric, and at the end of August, the company had a team-building getaway. Hanging out at a cabin, with ping-pong challenges, and then hitting the muddy roads on the razors. I didn't get a lot of feedback from the brothers, other than it was MUDDY, and the tires threw the damp dirt up all over the machines, and the people in them.

Thanks to Keaton - we have some pictures!

At least there were no issues as with some of Grayson's earlier rides (Off-Road Reality). 

Cal&Kate Collages (Family Photoshoot)

Last fall, Cal and Kate adopted a little doggie, Vera. The cute couple, now a trio, had a photo shoot done. Fabulous photos! Here's some favorites ...

Callahan almost always has a cap on ... 

so they had to get some with a slight change of clothes, hat added. 

This post will be backdated to January 2024. 

Callahan and Kate - 2021 Recap

 

We started the year off with LOTS of home improvement projects! We had shutters installed on our windows, replaced all of our underground plumbing, converted one of our bedrooms into an in-home yoga studio, and xeriscaped our front and back yard. Cal also replaced nearly every light fixture in the house, so our house is officially up to his electrical standards. ;)

Cal completed two more semesters of school and is preparing to test for his journeyman license next year. He is quickly moving up in his company and is one of their top crew leads. I graduated Summa Cum Laude in psychology and positive psychology from the University of Utah in May. Due to the pandemic, I couldn’t bring guests to my graduation commencement, so we celebrated with a trip to Kayenta Art Village in southern Utah. Kayenta is our favorite place to rest and recharge, and we enjoyed spending some time with my grandparents after not seeing them for nearly 6 months during the pandemic. We saw Beauty and the Beast at Tuacahn Amphitheater (which was the first live event we were able to attend since March 2020), enjoyed the sun and red rocks, and shopped and ate at Xetava Garden Cafe. A few weeks later we threw a graduation party in our newly landscaped backyard with friends and family. We had a chocolate fountain, played corn hole, and sat around the fire talking and laughing well into the night. It was so nice to finally have friends and family over to see our house and feel some resemblance of normalcy.

In June we celebrated our first wedding anniversary! We had a romantic trip to the Bahamas planned, but the pandemic reared it’s ugly head once again, and the resort shut down weeks before we were supposed to arrive. Instead, we planned a trip to Oahu, Hawaii with my brother and sister-in-law in August. We ate açaí bowls, Hawaiian poke, and shaved ice nearly everyday and enjoyed sunbathing and playing cards on the beach.

In addition to the Blackham Seattle trip in July, we took an Allen family trip to Kayenta over Labor Day weekend and attended my cousin’s wedding in Arizona a few weeks later. I got to show Cal my childhood home, my first elementary school, and introduce him to some of our old neighbors. We ate at Rubios, the Mexican restaurant that my brother and I used to work at together, for nearly every meal.

In October we celebrated our 5 year dating anniversary at our favorite bar, Trolley Wing Co, and ate the best vegan wings and fries. We reminisced about our first date, our senior homecoming dance, and got all emotional about how far we have come together. Trolley has become a favorite for us (and for Keaton as well!)

Despite being vaccinated and wearing masks religiously, we came down with COVID-19 at the end of October. It felt like we had been hit by a truck for about 10 days, and had lingering symptoms for about three weeks. We both agree that getting COVID was the lowlight of 2021.

Some other miscellaneous details: Cal played in several men’s leagues and started participating in Tsports monthly basketball tournaments. Cal and his team were invited to play in the season finale tournament in November and took 3rd.

See highlights from one of the games HERE (https://youtu.be/XvgqlyACPkI)

I was a student TA at the U, which upon graduating I received a post-baccalaureate TA position that I am really enjoying! I didn’t know I had a knack for grading papers and helping students write thesis statements, but am looking into routes to possibly become a professor.

We went snowmobiling in Midway and rode razors in Moab, attended several friends weddings, met the first baby of the “friends from childhood” group, visited the Van Gogh exhibit downtown, had a little photo shoot with Jade for her 10th birthday and enjoyed babysitting her while my parents traveled this year.

... and that was 2021!

Kate Graduates!

 

After high school, Kate got a couple of years at SLCC and then moved to the University of Utah. She got a year of "normal" school in, before Covid hit and complicated things. Although ... taking classes from home in pajamas wasn't all bad ;) 

Kate graduated Summa Cum Laude in Psychology and Positive Psychology from the University of Utah! She spent her senior year studying Post-Traumatic Growth while being a TA for her favorite professor and proposed a Sustainable Campus Grant proposal that addressed plastic waste and period poverty on campus. She and her team worked to provide free menstrual cups to U of U students and women’s shelters in the Salt Lake area.

To celebrate graduation, Kate and Cal threw a little graduation party at their house for a few friends and family. Grayson was happy to break out the chocolate fountain, which is always fun. 

Cal and Kate put a ton of work into their yard as part of the prep. They added a fence, some sod, pavers and gravel, a firepit ... it looks really nice! Here's Coop and Colton getting in a little cornhole during the grad gathering.

ConGRADulations K8!

Oops He Did It Again ... AGAIN!

Remember when Callahan was in 8th grade, and he broke his foot? And then after it finally healed ... he broke it again. Well he did that again! AGAIN! I actually never even got around to blogging his break last fall. That one was October 16. He broke it playing basketball. In the boot for months and finally the okay for it off at the end of December. Then January 17th, he was at work and stepped off a ladder. Maybe landed a bit wrong and ... AGAIN. It took us a few days to get an official diagnosis (the weekend and MLK) but guess what? It's broken. Unlike the time in 2013, the back to back break IS the same foot, and the same spot. 

Because this happened on the job, we filed a claim with Worker's Compensation (I'd emailed my brother to get some guidance there, as that's where he works). We wondered if surgery or something might be an option (since this is the fourth time he's broken his foot, the third time in this spot) but pretty much decided to just wear the boot. In fact, he didn't even get a new boot, he still had the old one. We should have had him get a new one though, because after a week he was back to work (WCF was paying the medical bills but no employment compensation).  Trying to stay off ladders, but ... so slow! As I'm writing this blog post in retrospect, it's taking months! Anyway, the boot would get so dirty that we bought another boot off Amazon so he could have a "work" boot and a clean boot to wear when not working. 

Silly Keaton put them both on and said to Cal "I really don't know why you like these?"

Of course Cal HATES das boot!

He need to STOP BREAKING HIS FOOT!

In the top collage, the upper right photo shows Callahan with a gift basket ... right after the break, Keaton put some goodies together for Cal, just some things to make him feel better. Keaton is not only super silly, but sweet too!

Callahan ~ School Snapshot

Pre-K through 12th grade ... that first picture is pre-preK. I had taken Landon in for Kindergarten pictures, and hadn't really planned on getting the two little boys done too, but went ahead and got that classic Callahan photo. So cute to see how he changed and how he stayed the same through the years. Can't tell when he got his braces off for sure, with that closed mouth smile for several years. Love the spikey hair! Sometimes he had such a ridge there at the front, that he gained the nickname "shark-boy" ...

He attended Columbia Elementary, which was our boundary school. Supposedly walking distance, no buses, but it was a long and unsafe walk (I would walk it with Colton in the stroller during Cooper's Kindergarten year) so we carpooled for dropoff and pickup. Callahan had his older brother Landon a few grades ahead, and Keaton coming up behind. He had a couple years with both brothers there.

Callahan made some friends during basketball, and because of that we decided we wanted him on a path to Copper Hills High School (the boundary school when we moved in, but then the boundaries were changed ... a majority of kids in the neighborhood still planned on CHHS). We put in a permit to West Hills. It was the same distance as Elkridge (where Landon had gone) and Joel P (boundary school) and as we still weren't considered in the bus route, I would be driving him to/from school regardless. No carpools to WHMS though. As Callahan and Keaton overlapped, Keaton also was on the West Hills/Copper Hills track with permits. Callahan played on the 9th grade basketball team at West Hills, and on the Copper Hills team in high school. It was a West Hills and Copper Hills that he would meet his future wife and make lots of great friends!

Here's a look back at the school pictures from elementary ...

... I've tried to hang onto his yearbooks from middle and high school, as he just doesn't seem that interested in them. He might someday ... but he and Kate do have duplicates, as they went to school together all those years.   Check out the "school" label for more peeks at the past!

Callahan and Copper Hills Graduation

 It's time. For the Tassel. 

We ordered the cap and gown and made up an announcement ...

Graduation.

I snagged a couple shots in the cap and gown before Callahan left. The graduates needed to be early. While Landon's graduation had been downtown at the arena there, this year Copper Hills was at the Maverick Center in West Valley. Initially, I thought I'd like it better. I don't do downtown ... but parking was NOT set up for his magnitude there in West Valley. Hubs and I ended up illegally parking at a nearby hotel and hoping we wouldn't get towed. We were a little late, but because of that, we caught the kids as they were waiting outside for their entry into the building. Photo op!

Inside it was crazy crowded. The Vivent Center had enough seating at least ... here, we weren't sure if we would find any. We ended up climbing over a wall to get into the box seating sections.

So many graduates! Callahan was close to the end, although it was hard to tell, even with the binoculars Maga had in her purse. 

Every previous year, there had been both navy and green for the caps and gown. The girls wore green. I guess someone complained, some issue about diversity "what is someone identifies as ..." so the school accommodated and changed the tradition. It will be interesting to see if they go back to two colors other years.

I'll admit ... ceremony and sitting and crowds, it's not my favorite thing. I didn't even want to go to MY graduation(s). We knew several of the speakers personally though. The Valedictorian lives in our neighborhood, as does the class president, so we knew both girls well. Cal used to go out with the VP so we knew her too. The principal spoke for quite a while, and of course the presentations of the diplomas for a class that size took a lot of time. A couple hours there ... and then tons of time in the parking lot. Oy, I wasn't sure we'd ever escape. Maybe that's how some kids feel about the whole high school experience *Ü* Now off into the big, wide world!

Feeding a Basketball Team

Team dinners before home games ... I guess it's a tradition, eat together, play together, get the parents involved. I always stressed out about it. This year, Gray stepped up and said he'd smoke stuff for the team dinner.  How many ribs exactly for 35+ athletic boys, plus coaches. A LOT.  And it was a lot of work. Seasoning them all, sticking them on the smoker, then dividing them, adding sauce, and wrapping them up in individual packs, 4-5 ribs each for ease of assembly line eating. 

Grayson was even prepared with little bottles of BBQ sauce and "wipes" for messy fingers.

Other parents provided salad, rolls and paper products.

This was for all the teams, not just varsity, so Keaton and his crew were there to eat as well. 

The ribs got rave reviews. 

Cal and Kate - Homecoming 2016

Homecoming 2016 ... Callahan didn't go to Homecoming his sophomore year. Last year, he had a girlfriend (so it was an obvious ask). This year, he really wanted to go. The gang had plans, but he just wasn't sure who to ask. He told me there was "one girl" that he talked to sometimes ...

The guys set up an elaborate ask ... music videos. They spent SO MUCH time and effort on this. I'll admit, when Callahan would say he was leaving to go work on the video some more I'd get a little frustrated. Just do something quick and simple! I must say though ... when I saw this finished product? It's a treasure! I loved it ... I hope the girls did too.

It is a little long - Callahan's "solo" is at the 3:50ish mark, but he's in most of the other videos too (just not the lead singer lip sync). I'm never confident about links to other people's accounts, so I managed to download a copy of the video to have, just in case. Sure enough, after a bit, the original link was no longer available. But here's my copy (https://youtu.be/v8mLztVv8r0) So anyway ... she said yes.

 Friday night was the homecoming game ... 

Cal with the guys.

... and the girl.

They started Saturday (the day date) with paintball!

 Cal and the guys 

... and the girl

Then it was time to get all dressed up for the dance.

A fun photoshoot at a friend's house before heading to the high school ...

Silly Socks (they matched each other ... and nothing else!)

 Five guys (most of the senior basketball team!)

Cal's date Kate was named Homecoming Queen.

... and the final formal shot.

Callahan's senior Homecoming ... in the books. And on the blog!

Callahan's Crossing (Trek Time)

All packed ... no, Oreo didn't go.

The stake participates in a pioneer trek every few years. Grayson had gone on two here, once when he was in the Young Men's Presidency, and once while in the bishopric (also once when he was 14 years old back in the Cottonwood stake). Landon went a few years ago. Now ... it was Callahan's turn (Keaton was also eligible but didn't feel the pull and we didn't force him). Cal made the run to DI to grab some clothes (boys are so much easier than girls to outfit!), we gathered the gear ... and of COURSE the old "stinky pete" hat that Gray and Landon had worn. It's fourth time going out. 

Callahan and Travis

Tuesday morning, July 26, we were up early and to the church by 6 a.m.  Then they were off.  The trek historian posted pictures and their progress as internet access would allow. This trek was to Martin's Cove. They did some walking Tuesday, with square dancing in the evening. Callahan said the dancing was fun, and was his favorite part!

A little dancing to end the first day ...

 As they are put into families (Callahan was in #12 - Brother Hansen in our ward was with him), Callahan mentioned how quickly everyone got to know each other, and how they really did become family. 

Jordan Oaks Stake

Serious shot

Silly shot

Of course, being the pedometer person that I am, I made sure his Fitbit was running and ready for the trek. He is using the Zip currently, which was perfect for this, as it has a replaceable battery that lasts longer than the rechargable ones (my Charge wouldn't make it four days). One Wednesday, he got 26,651 steps. Thursday was the BIG day, with 44,687. Back on busses on Friday for the return home (synced the Fitbit, and while Callahan came close, he didn't quite pass me on my Fitbit friends list). 

Welcome back Callahan! He wore his old basketball shoes, and said they worked perfectly. No blisters. He does have a nasty looking toe (ingrown?) that we will be keeping an eye on (I remember we got Landon's toes fixed a few months before his trek, but I hadn't been aware of Cal having any issues until now). I'd had to do most of his packing (as he was working a lot before leaving) and he hadn't realized I'd put a set of scriptures in his bucket, so he stuck a set in his duffle ... so he had two. He also didn't notice the spray bottle (for cooling off) until the last day. I packed sunscreen, but he didn't use any. His nose and hands got pretty toasted!

Upon his return, he took a shower, then went to Costco to grab some dried mangos they'd had on the trail. He was craving them! Then he and Keaton went and played basketball for a couple hours. Back to the usual routine!

KFC Callahan

Callahan got a job! He is 16, and with the basketball team planning on a trip to Disneyworld in December, he needed to earn some money. He had a friend's brother working at KFC who told Callahan he'd be hired if he applied, so he did. It's really close by, and he looks so cute in his KFC cap!

Callahan has turned out to be a very hard worker. I know as a mom I'm a bit biased, but I've been so impressed by his loyalty and commitment. They are lucky to have him! He's moved up the ranks pretty quickly.  

He actually didn't work that much during the summer, when he had the most time (they had some college kids home from school for summer who wanted shifts). I was a little worried when school started, and suddenly he was getting more and more hours. Sometimes even full time! He'd be working so late, and up so early (with early morning seminary). 

There were some troubles ... a couple accidents (both involving his buddy Ben) with some bad burns, and a bunch of people quit. Callahan was always ready to step up and step in.

In addition to KFC, Callahan also worked concessions at the Real games at the Sandy Stadium. This was another hookup with a basketball buddy. Between the two jobs, he made more than enough to finance his trip to Florida all on his own, and still have money left over.

Even with busy with basketball, he's still working. KFC offers some nice incentives for college scholarships, which is something he's working towards. We don't go visit him at work very often, but we have a time or two (much to his delight!) He'll often act offended if we go to Popeyes or Chick-fil-a instead. 

So if you are hungry and in the Jordan Landing area ... go check out KFC and see if Callahan is working. It's finger licking good!