St. Patty's ~ 2026

St. Patricks Day isn't a big celebration day ... but I have aquired some green hats over the years. My Zumba class was the day before (Monday, March 16) but I sent out a group text encouraging wearing green, and we had a couple of Irish Jigs on the playlist. 

I set out the hats, telling Grayson and Cooper than they could/should wear them to work the next day ... Cooper declined, but Gray actually went ahead and did it. He took a picture for me, and then got a little help from AI to make another photo even more festive! 

Got green? No pinchies! 

Parade Preview and Holiday Plans

The 24th of July ... what was on deck for the Blackham Bunch on this Utah holiday? Both Camson (Cal and Keaton) and DLP (Coop and Colton) had elected to work on Thursday, and have Friday off. Gray's work gave the day off ... but Grayson still went in ;) Landon had the day off and took off Friday as well for a little St. George getaway. My usual Thursday activity (pickleball with the ReliefSociety ladies in another stake) was cancelled for the holiday. 

There would be the usual Days of 47 Parade ... I don't really have an interest in watching that, but I have enjoyed checking out the floats up close in the annual Parade Preview at the air conditioned expo center in Sandy. We've hit it sporadically over the years, me, with a kid or two (2010, 2012) or at times all five boys and extended family (2011, 2017) and a couple of times just Gray and I (2014, 2013) and last year ... I just went by myself. And I did that again this year (after Zumba on Monday, July 21, just as it opened at 11:00, and already very busy!)

I think this QuickQuack car wash was one of the more popular ones, with people standing in line to receive the swag they were giving away (little "duck" blower whistles and sunglasses). 

I thought the taffy pull was cute - I have memories of pulling taffy in my younger years.

Some of the usual sponsors ...

Chick-fil-a, KSL, BYU as well as other Utah things, like Fry Sauce!

 

Mother's Day and Memories

The second Sunday in May ... Mother's day. 

It was a "memory" filled Mother's Day this year. 

Had the traditional breakfast and the bouquet. 

I never really know what to get my mom for Mother's Day. This year though ... she's been trying to get me involved in a big photo project, organizing and labeling pictures from all throughout the years. I'd just never really gotten on board. A couple of times when there were difficulties figuring out how to keep certain written memories with pictures, my mind would think "this would work well in a blog".  So that's what I did. I made a blog. 

It's a little like scrapbooking. Coming up with a cute title, making themed pages (like "Do You Want To Build a Snowman" showcasing snowmen built over decades, or featuring the autobiography of Grandma with a collage of photos or showcasing the California Vacation of 1980.  I got several topics up, and all the annual Christmas Letters (from 1997 - present).  I knew Mom, Chris and Wendy had been discussing ways to keep track of current correspondence too. The weekly/monthly letters we siblings send out. That didn't quite fit my thought for The Westra Way blog, which I wanted to be more classic stuff. So ... I made a second blog (Write On) for that and grabbed the last month or two of emails to include there.  That was my gift, and a gift that will keep on giving as I keep it up (I know, I'm behind on my own blog, but ...) So I sent my mom the link that morning.

After breakfast, we went out to the cemetery. 

First Mother's Day without mom for Gray. 

It was just three little boys, as the bigs were off doing their own thing.

I was trying to recreate some grass pictures taken in 2011.

We'd had a family Zoom meeting the week before for Pammy's birthday.

We then stopped by to see my folks ... with the whole Covid-19 thing still going on, we just visited out on the porch for a bit. I forgot to grab a photo. We also drove by Pam's old house (where Gray grew up, where we lived in the basement apartment when we were first married, that the kids knew as Maga's first house) and then by my old house on Hermitage. A memory-filled morning.

My brother Chris had asked us all to write up memories of Mom.

I turned it into a blog post too ...

Memories of Margie (May2020)

Landon and Sol came over for games and dinner.

Gray made a yummy dinner with tri-tip, mashed potatoes and asparagus ...

When I was growing up, there was a large orchard by the house. We kids would go wander, and asparagus grew wild there. It was tricky to find, amidst the trees and weeds, but I was a really good asparagus finder. I didn't want to eat it though, and my mom couldn't make me ... because then I just "wouldn't find" anymore. It wasn't until this last year that I tried Grayson's sauteed style. One of the very few foods I've learned to like in my old age. 

Mothers Day 2017

This Mother's Day will be memorable to me. The boys recreated some favorite photos from back in the day. They were SO cute! We had to print extra copies to give to the grandma's as well.  You can see one of the pictures in the frame here (being a FLAG PHOTO, I stuck it one a patriotic blog post, so you can see it better there) and I'll include the other two below. 

The morning was fairly standard. They always do up a breakfast in bed ... although I don't always stay in bed. It's fun to come into the kitchen and see all the boys busy helping out. 

We were able to have both grandmas over in the evening too, to pass on pictures and presents.

The day before, Olivia set up a surprise for Pam, Courtney, Ana and I ... pedicures. It was fun to get together and chat and relax while we got our piggies prettied up. 

Grayson got me a lovely boquet ... and an Amazon gift card.

I do love Amazon!

... and as promised, here's the cute photo recreations!

Little Landon

Cute Callahan

Father's Day 2016

 Father's Day ...

It's also the annual Westra gathering at Scott and Amy's house. This year ... sans Scott and Amy, who were in Switzerland for a work trip! Their kids stepped up and hosted though. I also thought we'd be missing the Blackham bunch, as it was the scheduled Seattle vacation. But Grayson decided to pull the plug on it as his Meniere's has been acting up, and he's had so much pinched nerve pain. I was pretty happy to have him around on Father's Day though. I would have missed him tons!

As we headed to the party, Grayson pulled out a slack line kit. He had purchased it months ago (maybe even a year or two?) and we'd never gotten around to putting it up. There were two trees in the backyard that were perfect. It was a hit with the kids!

It was fun to visit ... Shane and Alicia were even in town from California, and Jensens had made the trip (they usually do, but not always). So other than our missing missionaries, Callahan working, Mckenna and Spencer back East ... and of course Scott and Amy, we had a pretty full house.

 There was some frog kissing 

(okay, it's a toad from under the tramp).

... and some baby throwing.

(There MAY have been some photoshopping of this photo). 

So happy Father's Day to THIS guy!

I can't believe I didn't take pictures of HIM on the big day. He'd bought himself a smoker, and was getting the bacon ready, so no breakfast in bed for him today. Keaton did step up and make the waffles (usually Grayson's job). See that HUGE wood cutting board? That's what I got him for Father's Day (after he sent me a link to it in an email earlier). I did good didn't I? He's pretty happy every time he uses it ... which is pretty dang often!  It's true. Gray started smoking!

Father's Day 2015

Generally, we have a traditional Father's Day breakfast in bed ... but we were a little too slow this year, and Gray got up. He went outside for some morning duckie time, and we brought him his breakfast outside. But it was so beautiful out, and this way he got his feathered babies in the picture too (well, you can see at least one of them there at the back). Such glare on the plate! We made french toast, hashbrowns, bacon, sausage and eggs. And milk of course. 

 It was so nice out, the kids joined Daddy for breakfast in the yard.

The ducks joined Daddy for breakfast too. Mealworms. Yum!

Every year, we have our annual Westra Family Father's Day BBQ at my brother Scott's home. Scott doesn't sound out emails often, but we enjoy it when he does, because they showcase his humor. I've laughed over them in the past, and thought I'd include it here (for future reference and posterity!) 

Greetings! 

Here is your formal invitation to the annual Father's Day BBQ at the Draper Westra's. The weather report is indicating sunny with clear skies and a high of 86 degrees. 

We plan on starting at 5:00 pm with dinner. We will have some gluten free chicken and hot dogs and baked beans and a fruit and/or seven layer salad. We would love it if you could bring some Brazilian cheese rolls, chips, salad, desserts or Brazilian cheese rolls. 

Special invitations and activities: 

1. Significant others are of course invited but don't expect any of us to be on our best behavior. Take that as fair warning. For the FIRST time ever, in an effort to be more inclusive, Roxy, as well as Grayson's duck(s) are invited to participate. Sorry Chris, the only chickens allowed will be those on the grill. All other species will need to be cleared with the Father's Day BBQ Committee and we assume no responsibility for the health or safety of your pets (or for you or your children for that matter.) Disclaimer: We have placed snail bait in the flower gardens and will "fog" the yard with insect spray two hours before guest arrival. 
2. The annual Westra Family Father's Day photo session will take place between 6:10 pm and 6:11 pm (yes, we realize that creates a minimal familial time commitment of 72 minutes - deal with it). 
3. Immediately following the family photo session will be the first annual "Lamar Westra Look-Alike contest." That's right, get your multiple plaid button down shirts and baseball cap on and grab your trekking poles. Winners will be determined by the number of likes for all pictures posted in Instagram! The cut-off for judging will be 8:00 pm. 
4. I will fire up my cotton candy machine about 8:00 pm. A power washer will be available if you want to clean off any family members prior to departure. 
5. Optional Hike: Suncrest to Triangle peak to watch Sunset on Summer Solstice: Kemery will lead this under 1 mile (1/3 mile up and back). Sunset will be at 9:02 pm (but the actual summer solstice will have already occurred at10:39 am). Depart Westra home at 8:30 pm, return by 9:30 pm. Note: sacrificing of virgins is NOT permitted within Draper City limits at any time and summer solstice is no exception.

Note: Amy reserves the right to alter the menu or activities schedule at any time, including the day of the event. 

We look forward to seeing you this coming Sunday! 

Scott

Our Father's Day celebration was actually in jeopardy this year though. The Tuesday before, my dad had a heart attack. Tuesday night and Wednesday, there was some question as to whether or not he would pull through. Then, the physical recovery looked quite optimistic, but there were still some worrisome neurological issues. But happily, Grandpa Westra progressed leaps and bounds ahead of what was expected, and the doctors actually released him on Sunday, and he was able to come to the Father's Day party! If you weren't aware he'd just been in intensive care for the preceding days,  you wouldn't have known!

 Ah, the annual family picture! We were missing our missionaries (five of them). Mckenna was in Washington, Rick was gone to EFY, Callahan had to work a REAL game... 

As promised, there was a cotton candy machine. Yum! Pink ...

... and blue!

There was frisbee fun, water balloons, some juggling, jump-rope, lawn darts ....

Until next year!

Flags, Fireworks, Floats

For many years when the kids were young, we would grab the flag shirts at Old Navy and take pictures. We hadn't done it in a while, but Landon brought it up, and was even willing to go to the store and make it happen! The kids weren't as happy about posing for a picture ... I had said the last person out would have to unload the dishwasher ... can you tell Cooper wasn't happy about that? Landon even picked up shirts for Gray and I ... although Grayson never wore his!

We didn't do too much for the Fourth of July. Grayson, Landon and Keaton were at Lake Powell. I took the three remaining boys and we went swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's pool (why didn't I take pictures?) and then out to eat at Red Robin. We picked up some simple fireworks on the way home (snaps, sparklers, parachutes, and some new ones you activate with your feet that Cooper really liked). As usual, the neighbors put on a really nice show!

Every year before the Days of 47 parade, there is a parade preview at the South Towne Expo center. I've hit it with Cooper, we tried one year as a family. This year, Grayson and I went as a date. Our ward had created a float this year, and the young men had spent quite a bit of time working on it. We probably should have brought the boys, but it was a bit of an "anniversary date" for us.

We grabbed a few more fireworks for the 24th, and again, the neighbors put on a great show. Grayson was working a bit on some firestarting with the boys (flint and steel) ... a poor man's fireworks! But they seemed entertained. 

Flags, Floaties and Fireworks

Happy Independence Day!  Gray was on FLAG duty of course ... Cooper went and helped in the morning, and Keaton and Callahan (unwillingly) helped at take down in the early evening. We didn't have a lot on the docket in between, so Grayson decided to take the boys swimming at Maga's community pool. Landon and I stayed home (we both have had minor procedures lately that prevented us from swimming ... that and the 'burb was making a horrible grinding noise, so Gray ended up taking the truck, which only fits five anyway). 

They had the pool to themselves for the first hour or so, 

then it got crowded.

Back at home we pulled out the fireworks. We hadn't purchased any this year, but I had a lot of pop-its and sparklers left over from last year. Gray and Cooper went to one of the firework stands and picked up some parachutes, tanks and even some of the new legal aerials. They were actually pretty impressive!

Of course MOST impressive are our neighbor's fireworks, we have a couple that really put on a show! Grayson wasn't around for any of it though ... he was on an unplanned night hike of Mt. Olympus, looking for Livi, who had gone hiking and was now lost. Poor Grayson didn't get home and in bed until 2:00. Not quite the holiday evening he had planned, but Olivia did get home safe.  We did save a couple of the big fireworks to do with Daddy the next night.

Green Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Cooper went all out ... green shirt, green shorts, green socks. Even his basketball matched. I'm not sure about the collar shirt and the basketball shorts combo, but it's one Cooper does fairly often unfortunately (in red, yellow, blue ... he likes color coordination). Colton was quite sad (he was actually crying) because he didn't have any green pants (how many people DO have green pants?).

I saw SO many St. Patrick's day ideas floating around Pinterest, but St. Patrick's just isn't really a "holiday" I spend too much time on.

We had a family party in the evening, I made some marshmallow brownies (with green frosting) and some green cookie press cookies ... that's about as green as I got!

Pie Day

While National Pie Day actually falls in January, Pi Day is March 14, get it? 3.14 ... it's much more fun and easy to remember. Occasionally, Gray and I would celebrate Pi Day. One of our favorite mini-dates would be to go to Marie Calendars for a piece of pie.  I'm a little boring, I just get chocolate creme. Grayson would get either razzleberry or lemon cream cheese ... he would always have a hard time choosing between those two favorites.  A loooooong time ago Grayson worked at Marie Calendars. As a cook (pre-mission), then a waiter, then a manager (post-mission).  When we were dating, I'd go in, sometimes alone or with my little brother as my date ... I'd leave a tip of Hershey's kisses, or a $10,000 bar if he was the waiter. I once gave his truck a "heart attack" in the parking lot. Many "Marie" memories ...

It was several months ago that Grayson drove by the restaurant in West Valley (which was the one we would go to) and said it looked closed ... sure enough, it was. They also closed the one in Midvale, leaving the only the one on 3900 South (which incidentally, was the one Grayson worked at).  We haven't made it there yet.

We miss Maries ... especially on Pi Day.

Leap Year, Blizzard and Jazz

Some months have 31 days,

some just 30 ...

How many months have 28 days?

All of them, and this year, February had 29. Leap year ... I hope we all got something accomplished on this "extra" day. Landon's youth group decided that since this day only comes around once every four years, they should do something special. They decided they should go to a Jazz game ... and they did! 

Of course a nasty blizzard also hit that night, I was a bit worried about the boys traveling in the storm, but of course they were all ok. And the Jazz won that night too. A great way to finish up February.

Fireworks

We didn't do a lot of fireworks this year (not that we really do ANY year, but still, this year was even less than our normal). But with the new laws, allowing aerial fireworks legally, the neighbors provided more than enough of a show (and there were still plenty of illegal fireworks I think!) For the 4th, I had purchased a few parachutes, tanks and sparklers. With Utah having it's state celebration, the fireworks stands were still around a couple weeks later for the 24th, and I did hit one of the booths and pick up a few more things. Popits, smoke bombs, and more parachutes.

A couple years ago I had found these "Osama Bin Laden" fireworks ... it lets out a screaming noise and then the top blows off. Landon had liked them then, and when world events happened a couple months ago, Landon remembered these fireworks. The booth still had them in stock so I picked up a couple.

Colton didn't love the sparklers, which is actually ok by me. Callahan had received a box of fireworks for his belated birthday, so the boys set those off as well. We still had some parachutes, smoke bombs and snaps, which we took out to Mom's house and set off while visiting cousins. I am ready for all the fireworks to end ... seems like people have been shooting them off every night! I'm ready for a little quiet as I head to bed.

Fun on the Fourth

Independence Day Weekend ... I read an article in the paper, wishing people would call it "Independence Day" rather than just "The 4th of July" to help everyone remember why we are celebrating. The boys were on scout "Flag Duty" in the morning (putting flags up all throughout the neighborhood ... it does leave you feeling patriotic to see all the flags flying).

Anyway, Grayson's brother's family was in from out of town for the holiday. On Thursday, we went up to Maga's to visit and roast hotdogs in Grandpa Rex's new firepit. The kids had a fun time playing with their cousins. Then we had a big get together again on Monday at Uncle Clay's house. Maga had brought a big waterslide for the kids ... and where there's water ... there's a waterfight. I had my camera out for some pictures and video ...

I hadn't purchased many fireworks for our family (some sparklers, parachutes and tanks), but the neighbors sure put on a show! Keeping "Independence Day" in mind, it really did make a difference as the fireworks exploded overhead ... the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air...

St. Pat's Picts

Happy St. Patrick's Day! My boys got up and got dressed in the traditional GREEN attire. You can't see it, but they have green underwear and socks too! They were happy to find GOLD (chocolate coins) left by a leprechaun!

Last year after St. Patrick's Day, I found this cute shirt (the one Landon is wearing). I am glad that after an entire year we actually remembered we had it, and were able to locate it! Callahan pulled out the old green soccer socks and big green glasses to complete his outfit.

He's trying to do an Irish Jig ...

Keaton tried on a different hat and some green star sunglasses ... the kids had found some shamrock shades in an Oriental Trading Co catalog (see below) but I didn't get around to placing an order this year ... maybe you'll see them NEXT year!

And for a fun little activity,

you could print out this hidden picture puzzle.

My kids love them!