Symphony #KOTH 2024

Last year, in 2023 there was a "Hiking Challenge" at Symphony Homes. Gray got going, and took pictures and did write-ups. Built in blog posts! I had to divide it into three posts, there was so much content. See the first one (with links to the second and third) HERE. This year, there's another challenge, a little more all-around activity. This will be a post in progress ...

The official flyer with the "rules" ... 

One might have think Grayson's work at Symphony was all management and construction stuff, but he does a LOT of team building, outreach, activity organization and party planning too (organizing this competition, the upcoming diaper house, see last year's involvement HERE, a ping pong tournament, Fisher House).    Of course in addition to setting up the #KOTH2024, Gray then "needs" to set the standard, staying active and competitive. His work write ups with recaps, hashtags and plenty of pictures give a little look at what he's up to ...

0511

I give you the Men in Black – Farmington Half Marathon – May 11- 13.1 miles. Bonus photobomb by the one and only Bill Dodd and his banana peel.  #koth202 #doublepoints #thismedaliswood

0517

On Deuel Creek South, where the day was pristine,

Jon, Zac, Jadon, Wyatt, and Grayson convene.

Legs on fleek, in their hike, they excel,

In Lulu, Fabletics, and brands they wear well.

Salomon gripping each rocky ascent,

On Clouds embracing every step's intent.

Crossing the creek, the rapids roared high,

Determined to conquer, eyes on the prize.

With laughter and cheers, they blaze the trail's way,

Gonna win #koth2024, they say.

Nature their stage, as they rise to the peak,

A band of brothers strong, adventurous and sleek.

You. Are. Welcome.

#koth2024 #doublepoints #bestdressedhikers #chafingisreal

05/23

Farmington Creek Hike

In the interest of including as many Symphony teammates as possible and rack up those double points, today, I decided to get JJ out on the trail. He had been feeling very cooped up and cabin fever had set in. Plus, he recently got a new shirt and beanie that he wanted to show off. He was stylin’ indeed. #koth2024  #doublepoints;)  #jjforpresident2024

Trail report from Farmington Creek

• Trail condition: Perfect
• Water levels: High but stream crossings are easy
• Waterfall rating: SPECTACULAR ★★★★★

0530

 Flag Rock and Patsy's Mine Hike

0601

Rockies Half

Let’s go run a half marathon, they said. It will be fun, they said.

#noreallyzacwhyarewedoingthis

#koth2024     #symsquad      #notdoublepoints:(

0606

So as if hiking wasn’t enough, Zac thought, hey, why don’t we just sling a 30 pound backpack over our shoulders, climb a mountain and see what happens…..thanks, Zac! #toruckornottoruck  #rubberlegs

#koth2024 #symsquad #notdoublepoints:(

0608 

Hiking, Biking & Making Friends

It says it right in the subject line – Hiking, Biking and Making Friends. Supposedly, hiking and biking would be separate activities. Not so much on Saturday as we got to do both at the same time. There’s no way to convey the reality of our adventure. And snapping pictures of some of the key moments just wasn’t feasible.

Word to the wise - If, per chance, you consider riding or walking or running on the Legacy Trail northward to Jordan River Trail – you should probs figure out a bypass from about 700 North to North Temple. As we pushed through this area I’m not sure we were Making Friends with the locals along the trail. We were just relieved to live to tell the tale.

Lots of stop and go – lots of off-the-bike, back-on-the-bike - lots of wondering about the life choices that brought us to this moment. #teamsaddlesores  #howlongislotoja  #closecall

0614

 

It’s a tale of two AI’s – ChatGPT and Gemini

Both were given the same prompt: Please write a short limerick about the Sym Squad's Friday morning hike to Ensign Peak, where we rucked, overlook Salt Lake City, had proper symphony homes branding, missed Jon Olson and Brandon Wright, and had a great time.

Gemini:

The Sym Squad on Ensign, quite bold,

Rucked up with their city unrolled.

With shirts proudly bright,

A Symphony sight,

Though Jon and Brandon, the view couldn't hold.

ChatGPT:

The Sym Squad hiked up Ensign Peak,

With rucks on their backs, so to speak,

Salt Lake spread below,

Symphony's branding did show,

But missed Jon and Brandon all week.

0621

Parade of Homes

0622

101 miles clocked. Much respect for those who have clocked so many more miles than this….I’m saluting you BWright. Between numerous peanut butter sandwiches, Pedialyte, and Zac and Collin dragging me kicking and screaming to the finish line…we made it. Another step in the right direction. Trigger warning for the image below: the reptilian, fossil-like imprint is nothing other than the dried sweat outline down my spinal cord left in my jersey. Personally, I think it’s pretty cool – but opinions will vary. TMI, you say? Probably.

0627

Some take-aways from Davis Creek Trail in Farmington:

• Don’t bother hiking this trail unless you subscribe to self-punishment
• No need to hike this trail
• Skip this trail
• Choose a different trail – like ANY other trail
• Do you like nice, flowy trails….then don’t go anywhere near this trail
• Do you like your knees? Then it’s a pass on this trail
• Pretty sure if you trace the meaning of “Davis” back far enough, it means “dumb trail” but I’m no professor
• Who’s idea was this anyway? Way to choose ‘em, Zac!
• True to form, Farmington does not want doggie poopoo on them trail  #keepourtrailspoopless
  
• What did we do to make you mad, Jon? We miss you #whereforeartthoujon

There you have it. Do with it what you will.

0711

Stopping for a little hikey hikey on the way to Seattle ...

0713

Seattle to Portland – here are the takeaways, just 6 of them:

1. A 200 mile bike ride is ill-advised for a 54 year old man, emphasis on OLD man. This one DID NOT consult his physician before embarking on a regimen leading him to this….
2. Brandon is a cycling beast. And while he didn’t do this particular ride – he did do it last year – and I have no earthly idea how he does it when his training rides are from Kaysville to Symphony HQ – How, Brandon, HOW?
3. Have you ever set a goal and been all starry-eyed about accomplishing said goal, only to find out, much too late of course, how misguided your intentions were? Yeah… that resonates with me.
4. It’s a sublime experience when the mind says to the body “Hey, let’s go just a little further” and the body says to the mind “Why don’t you go ********”. I think you get the picture.
5. Shout out to Jadon. He spent the entirety of 16 hours in a Sprinter van as our support vehicle. He drove us TO SEATTLE and back home FROM PORTLAND. He deserves his own medal for this one.
6. At roughly mile 188, I was waiting at the aid station for Zac to roll in for his last refuel before the push to the finish line. I saw him come into the frame, off to my left. He was pedaling strong. I watched for him to turn in to get that last bit of hydration and food. But he didn’t stop. We met eyes for a brief 5 seconds. He tipped his hand to his bike helmet in one last salute, somehow saying – “I can’t stop now, dude. It’s now or never. I’ll see you at the finish line or the funeral home. At this point it doesn’t matter.” And off he went.

The rest is history.

#koth2024  #teamsaddlesores  #whosideawasthis

0714

<Hey ChatGPT: Please write a rap lyric about Zac, Jadon, Collin and Grayson's hike to Multnomah Falls with 11 switchbacks and ice cream cones on July 14>   (Tip: you need to read this one with a beat box playing in the back of your mind)

Yo, check it

Zac, Jadon, Collin, Grayson, crew's insane

Hit the trail to Multnomah, feelin' no pain

Eleven switchbacks, climbin' higher and higher

Sweat drippin', heart pumpin', reachin' our desire

Falls crashin', nature's beauty, can't deny

Picnic spot, chillin', under that sky

July 14th, ice cream cones, sweet reward

Memories made, forever stored, word!

We out.

#koth2024 #symsquad #micdrop

0721

Let’s do a Spartan Race, they said. It will be fun, they said.  It seemed like such good idea at the time. One cracked rib and one strained disc later and at least we got a medal. #pleasedontmakemelaugh

I actually have to say that the Spartan Race was GRAYSON'S idea, not Zach's ...

Landon did it last year ...

Colton - Graduation

 

Class of 2024 step right up ... and with that, the Blackham Bunch concludes the high school experience! I ordered the cap and gown and tassel, and when they arrived, we did a little photo shoot. Colton hadn't yet picked up his additional awards/cords (Jag Medallion, Academic Letter, Academic Scholar), so more pictures the day of graduation before he drove off. 

This year, the graduation ceremonies were being held at UVU. West Jordan was on Wednesday, May 29 at 2:00. I was still able to attend my Zumba class in the morning, and Gray got some work in. Landon joined us as well. We hit standstill traffic on Bangerter, but once through it made good time. There was plenty of parking and seating. Only one program per family, with a QR code to access it digitally as well. The ceremony was also being streamed. 

Colton had gone to school dances with both Abbys who were speaking (historian and student body president) and his good basketball buddy Ethan had an address. The ceremony was just over two hours, with most of that being the seating of the students at the start, and the announcement of names. While I couldn't find an exact number for the graduating class we estimated it to be about 550; smaller than most of the other schools in the Jordan School District. Here's a Colton spotlight ...

I like to include the link in text too, https://youtu.be/Zye3TmYkZxk and here's the whole thing if by chance anyone wanted a peek at that, although you never know how long a third party will keep streams up and available. From the West Jordan you tube channel  https://www.youtube.com/live/iutVS1-Jl5c?si=pf-1bmssE0Y_wnbr  ...

A few photos afterward ... like the other boys (sans Coop) the "gown" was just a rental, which had be be returned before receiving the actual diploma. Not as fun for pictures with just the caps (Cousin Addie graduated from Riverton High the next day, and Riverton went with purchased caps/gowns, so they had lots of cute "after" pictures still all dressed up).  Colton didn't seem very interested in more pictures, so we all headed out with plans to meet up for lunch at Texas Roadhouse in South Jordan. 

Cooper joined us there. 

Up next ... College Colton at Clackamas! 

See his new apartment set up HERE. 

Check out the other Blackham Boy graduations too ... Landon, Callahan, Keaton, Cooper. You can also compare and contrast with Colton's Preschool Graduation and Jen's graduation back in 1989!

Contemporary Cooper Cut

This will be backdated to May 2024

Aunt Olivia is the main Blackham hair stylist ... she often makes house calls, and other times the boys will try to visit her at the salon. Landon needed a cut, and set up an appointment, and he and Coop went out for a new do. Landon's trim was pretty standard, but Coop got a different style. 

He'd been letting his hair grown longer, utilizing various headbands and hats to keep it controlled when working or exercising. With this new look, long on the top, close crop on the sides and back, he could actually pull it back into a pony (or man bun, which was really only the day he came home). 

Writing in retrospect (okay, it's actually December 2025) this hairstyle has stuck. Coop always insists on NO cutting of the long portion (so it is getting quite long!), and he does just wear it down at times. Most of the time, the long portion is back in a ponytail. With more hair, he's gotten a bit more interested in various shampoos and conditioners, as well as a variety of hair ties. This has head to less hat wearing (the older Blackham boys, especially Cal & Keaton almost live in caps!)

Whenever there is a new style, you're never sure if it will stick. 

This has stuck! 

 

A Little Look at Lightning

 

Monday, May 13 was a stormy night! I can recall seeing the flashes and hearing the thunder. But Keaton actually went outside to see nature's fireworks. He caught some cool shots on camera, purplish skies. At times it was as light as day, even though it was fairly late in the evening. He shared his pictures with me, and with today's camera setting, live video to see it in action!

https://youtu.be/IxNb1jw63xI?si=X2co5R85nUO_BUhh

Cooper was already in bed, and quite sheltered in the basement bedroom. He's outgrown his weather phobia, although he probably wouldn't go out and stand in the storm as Keaton did. I remember when storms like this would be SO stressful for a little Blackham boy (and therefore his mommy too). Now, like Keaton, I kind of enjoy the light show. 

*** Updated in August after another lightning show. I sat out in the backyard and watched for about 30 minutes and I don't think it really ever stopped. It was far North, enough so that I never heard any thunder. My pictures aren't nearly as impressive as Keaton's captures, but I tried.

... I don't actually have a lightning tracker app on my phone, but this was shared on social media the next day and I snagged the visual ... that's a lot of dots!

Mexico 2024

The very end of April, the first week of May 2024 ... Kolby and Jami had planned a family trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Gray thought it sounded like a good time and extended the invitation to the boys. Landon and Coop took him up on it (although Landon was newly recovered from ACL surgery, and we had to hurry and get Cooper a passport). 

As always with a vicarious vacation, GB was good with sending photos and updates ...

From Grayson: First morning in Mex. I slept pretty well I think. I’ll send you a video walk-around of our flat. It’s really nice. I gave the boys the bedroooms - each one has its own bath. I’m in one of the common areas on pull out bed. You’d laugh at how bad the mattress is which surprised me at how well I slept. Maybe a long travel day took it out of me. The nighttime temps were such that I just left my sliding glass door open all night. It was perfect. I have both a ceiling fan and AC, but didn’t need the AC. It will warm up a bit in the day but wasn’t particularly toasty. There’s a rooftop pool area as well - also extremely nice and seems to be very well maintained.

Dinner last night was really good. Not sure if you’ll be able to tell from the photo but we dined in the water. We removed shoes and sock and stepped into the dining area which was in about 10” of water. Delightful.  I got up and wandered for a little while this morning. Went to the beach, which is about a 5 minute walk away. Trying to determine a running route so I can get a couple of workouts in. First impressions of Puerto Vallarta are very favorable.  Not sure of our plans today. And don’t particularly care. Just relax.

I also got an update from Landon ...

First full day. We kept it pretty low key. Everyone was up fairly early. We went to breakfast at a little restaurant located right outside of the building we’re staying in. The dish most had was the chilaquiles. So delicious. After breakfast we chilled at the pool for a while. I started doing some of my little exercises to stretch out my knee in the water, and it was surprisingly nice. A few hours later, it was getting warmer and warmer. So we all decided to go back to our rooms for a bit to get out of the heat. We made a little store run to have some stuff at our room to snack on. Mexico has their Labor Day today, so a few places were closed. Including the beach club that Kolby and Jami went to last year and loved. So that’s why most of the day was just simple and pretty relaxing and I am okay with that. For lunch we had tacos by our building. Again, deliciosos. By that time of the day, most went to go nap for a bit. I walked around for a while and went back to the room a bit later, but didn’t sleep at all. I would feel that a bit later. Once everyone was ready to rally for dinner, we found an Italian restaurant close by. We walked there and I ordered a pizza. It was okay. I don’t come to Mexico to eat pizza, but this pizza was just meh. Had a tough crust. The restaurant was tucked in this alley a bit, and there were like 5 cats just lounging around there! When we finished, everyone but Kolby and Dad went to go see the cats. They were adorable. One was quite small still and was very nice.  By the time dinner was done, it was late and we returned to the building. I stayed up for a while with Kolby and Maddie which is always enjoyable. 

From Gray: Yesterday was almost entirely beach. I really enjoyed it. I think Landon did too.  I don’t think it was Coop’s vibe. Texted you a couple pics of my parasail. You take off AND land from the beach. It’s very cool to watch and fun to experience. I asked Coop a couple times if he would give it a try. That’s a no go for now. Doing some laundry here. One of the nice things about an AirBNB (video tour of the AirBNB and some of the parasail HERE). Eating quite a bit. Oye. Both mornings I wake up still feeling full. Need to pull that back a bit. I haven’t found a run route yet.  I’ve just lounged around the pool - haven’t gotten in yet. They seem to keep it very clean - it really looks nice. I think the rest of the afternoon/day will be low key. I need to give my head a rest from the sun. I’m going to peel like crazy, methinks. Funny. 

Yes ... he did. Very a-peel-ing!

I asked Grayson if he put on any sunscreen, to which he responded he had not. Landon had checked a bag on the flight, just so he could take the particular brand of sunscreen that he likes. 

From Gray: We had a fun morning at the flea market which is only Saturdays. Coop found a couple of things he wanted to buy and bring home. Not totally sure if they’re gifts or his souvenirs. Doesn’t really matter. Got a T-shirt. He seemed happy.

Uncle Kolby - Mr Monarch

Not sure of the story here ...

From Gray: We’ve cleaned up and packed. Coop got a nice long soak this morning.Flight is at 4:00 - we’ll head to the airport around 1:00. Cooper needs to check-in in person. I can’t do it over the app. Probably the new passport. Last night’s dinner was my favorite. We only ordered appetizers and they were really good. We were at a table on the beach. Generally things haven’t seemed that busy. Never had any problem getting seated. It’s been nice.

... a few flower photos too

Mexico 2024 in the books ... and on the blog (if belatedly). 

5k - Coop and Gray

 

Gray had run a race or two with work buddies, and had more planned. I encouraged him to find something a little more local and get Coop out. Cooper has been getting in a lot of running on the treadmill in the basement gym. He'd done a few 5ks before and was definitely in shape. Gray found a race in Sandy. It was a trail run, so a little more challenging than a standard 5k.  But on Saturday, April 13, Grayson and Cooper headed out to hit the trail.  They both took 1st place in their age divisions.

Because they had both placed, they stuck around for their awards and pictures. 

Interesting to see all the stats!

Not sure how long the Google album will stay active  ... it was nice that there was a photographer there to get some shots before, during and after. I snagged the ones I wanted to keep, you can see the rest HERE. 

Landon's ACL

This will be backdated to March 2024

October 2023, Landon was helping move Aunt Ana out of her house, when a twist turned bad and Landon's knee was not doing well. He'd had some trouble with this knee for years ... so instead of getting it checked out, he just "rested"' it for a while. It didn't get better. Finally, in February of 2024 he followed up with some physical therapy, and they recommended an MRI. That revealed that he'd torn his ACL, and that there was likely damage to the meniscus as well. 

While never good news, it was especially frustrating having waited so long for the diagnosis. Had he found out immediately, he might have been able to almost recovered at this point! Additionally, he'd just moved into his own apartment ... on the fourth floor. But, needs must ... surgery was scheduled.

Knowing that he would need some care afterward, Landon came and "moved in" the night before. After Landon had moved out, we'd done a room rearrange here. Colton moved into Keaton's old room downstairs, and we turned the back bedroom into a spare room. Landon was our first guest. Probably not as nice as his OWN room had been here just a month earlier, but it would do. 

Early morning, we arrived at LonePeak hospital in Draper first thing. A nerve block done, then off to surgery, general anesthesia. It was all done around 9:00, and then it was a bit of a wait while the anesthesia wore off. Got him home and settled, iced up and prescriptions procured. Set a schedule to manage the pain meds. 

Oreo LOVED having Landon around.

Landon felt like he'd be able to handle things and moved back to his apartment on March 16. I did a little food prep and a couple grocery store runs in the following week or so, along with some ubering to doctor and physical therapy appointments. We had to do one follow-up at the hospital to check for blood clots (as the leg was a little red and swollen) but things were okay. Landon had taken a week off work, but then was able to return working remotely, and then catching a ride with a coworker for a few trips to the office. 

From crutches, to one crutch, to just the full knee-brace, then the knee sleeve ... getting back to some movements, some walking. He probably played pickleball sooner than medically advisable and as summer progressed ... a return to running and hiking. 

Adios ACL injury!

Home Sweet ... Change

Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes ... lots of shifting and adjustments to the abode(s) here in the first quarter of 2024. Keaton's lease was up and he was looking for a new place to live, and Landon decided it was time to try things out on his own. Both boys made moves, and that resulted in room rearranges here at home too ...

Landon found an apartment at ParcView ... 4th (top) floor in Midvale. Close to the freeway with some nice mountain views. Pool and gym. One reserved covered parking spot. Not far from the family home, so he can still easily come to visit. Landon made the move on January 27. Dad brought the big trailer, and Cal, Keaton and Cooper all helped.

Landon added a cute coffee table after this picture was taken.

Here's a little video tour before moving in.

... I thought I had taken a picture of the guys in front of the trailer (like the one from Keaton's move, below), there was the pose and the click, or at least I thought there was. My finger must have missed pressing the button.  I asked Landon if he was lonely at all on his own, but he said it's been rather nice. Of course that was right before he was diagnosed with a torn ACL and Meniscus and would need surgery.  Then, living alone and on the fourth floor wasn't the best plan (there IS an elevator, but he came back home to stay for a week after the surgery). 

Keaton had been checking out a lot of places, not able to find the right fit, right price. He has a couple buddies from high school that he was thinking of getting a place with ... bachelor pad and all that.  Finally, it worked out. A townhome in Daybreak (again, not too far from us, so he can still drop by easily, yeah!) The move was Sunday, March 24. Landon was still stationary after surgery, but Dad, Cal and Coop (and I helped a little, but mainly just wanted to get some pictures) were there to move things, and it went really quickly. You can see his old place here (Keaton's Corner). 

Daybreak is a unique community - lots of walkways, no fences or personal yards. These townhomes are set up in rows, there's a street to access the garages/both sides of the street ... his place has a garage, although he has his car and a work van, so he has to find a spot on the street to park one of them. The entrances are accessible from a walkway on the other side (top right picture below).

This one is almost fully furnished (except for the bedroom) ... living room furniture, barstools, kitchenware, washer/dryer. So most of Keaton's furniture and kitchen supplies are now in storage. Nice shutters on the windows, Nest thermostat, gas stove (his first time with that). Two story, bedrooms upstairs. Keaton got the "master" with the private bath, and the other two bedrooms share a bath. There's a half bath on the bottom level. 

Landon had been in the front bedroom at the Blackham home ... Colton was in the other upstairs bedroom, and Keaton's former room downstairs was where we'd put the old king-size bed when we got a new bed set for the master. With a little wiggle room (the basement room/closet had some storage stuff in it - moved it to the vacated front bedroom) we let Colton move down to the basement bedroom. He gets the king sized bed, because as Grayson moved it down he said "I'm not moving this again" and Colton's old bed/room on the main floor is now a spare bedroom (which came in handy when Landon needed to "move in" for a bit after his surgery ... or when someone snores. I won't say who "someone" is ...)

Colton is pretty pleased with his new setup downstairs.

Larger bed, larger room, a little more secluded than the main level next to the master.

This basement bedroom #2 has had several uses/users ... it was unfinished originally, with shelves and storage. After we finished the basement (bathroom/hall and two bedrooms, the big family room had been finished earlier) we had boys in the corner bedroom (#1) and this was the "lego room" with tables set up for the kids to keep their creations on. It shifted into a few other things ... a scrapbook room for Jen, a den for Grayson. Ultimately, it became "middle earth" where everything/anything "precious" (or that we didn't know where else to put) was stored/stashed. When Landon came home from his mission, it was time to turn it into a bedroom for Callahan. When Cal married and moved out,  Keaton moved in(down) ... now it's Colton's turn. It's interesting to look back on the different posts and pictures and the different arrangements of this room. 2020/2021, 2017, 2014 ...

The main floor has three bedrooms - this one is down the hall next to the master. It's was Landon's room when he was little and we only had a couple kids. Then he shared it with Callahan for a couple years. It had a queen bed, and at one point, it was the bedroom of Keaton, Cooper and Colton! All bundled up on that one bed and stuff crammed into one closet. Then we got a bunk bed to replace the queen ... then moved the bunk downstairs (putting Cal and Keaton downstairs first ... then when Landon left on his mission, Cal moved to the front bedroom, Keaton moved into this bedroom, with a twin bed, and the two littles and the bunk bed moved downstairs to the corner bedroom).  

Check out previous posts/pictures: 2022 ... it was Colton's room, upgraded to a full bed. 2017 ... a slight switch-up (headboard/desk, still Keaton's corner) as we rearranged as Landon came home from his mission and needed a spot.  2016 ... a peek at the room as Keaton's room,  2015 ... when Landon left and this became Keaton's room, when we painted the wall. 2011 (mostly about the front room, but shows the queen bed/sleeping of this bedroom and some history). 

The front room has it's own history ... it was the Noah Nursery to start. Little Landon was a year old when we moved in (and he had the bedroom next to the master, when he wasn't sleeping in with Mom&Dad anyway) but as each baby came along, the front bedroom was the baby's room ... until 2011 when Landon was the first of the five boys to get his own room (then Cal, then Keaton, a school setup, and back to Landon). What to do with the room now? How about a den/library? Keaton's comfy chair from storage, the corner desk (which has made the round of rooms before). A spot for Cooper's computer, a place for anyone to work, new home of the color printer (and storage of an extra television).  The bookcases and books, which had been banished to Cooper's bedroom in the basement (just because there was some room there) are now more front and center ... fitting, with Jen's new Little Free Library and her renewed collection of physical books. 

I'm glad I've documented the changing of the rooms ... who was where, what the decor was, even the changing beds/sizes is interesting to note. The corner basement bedroom (currently Cooper's room) never got many pictures (do I have any of the bunk bed, upstairs or down?) and not many of the master (switched out the bed/bedset March 2023). 

All the posts above and more are labeled with Home Sweet Home ...

I need to create a post about the Courtney Court House, the Midvale House and the Linden Basement apartment ... not sure how many pictures there are of those.  You can go back even further and check out the post about the old Westra home where Jen grew up (The Hermitage House). 

As Landon moved out, he left quite a few clothes ... nothing like moving to make you examine if something is worth packing and lifting and finding a new space for.  I looked through them and had Colton double check a few (he kept some). As Colton moved his closet downstairs, he probably only took half of his stuff ... definitely time for a purge! That empty front bedroom came in handy as I filled it with stuff, and sorted it all into boxes and bags. I had Cooper go through his drawers/closet too, as long as we were doing this! 

Colton had quite a bit of Wolves gear (his basketball team) he'd outgrown. I contacted Coach Phil (who has a younger son, and younger Wolves) to ask if they'd like the clothes/uniforms to pass on to the next pack, and he said yes. There was a lot of West Jordan Jags stuff too ... again, I asked Coach Wouden to see if used but in great condition gear could be of use, and he happily accepted a bag full. I set aside some smaller, but good condition clothes for younger cousins on the Blackham side, and on the Westra side, I asked my brother Chris if any of his crew would be around, and if a detour to West Jordan would be worth it to look over anything. He said Camden and Cayson would be around and willing to come out, so again, I sorted ... things that really just needed to go to goodwill, and what was worth passing on (for them to look though, and then likely send a portion on to DI too!) Totally packed their car, from top to bottom! Camden even had a big box on his lap. And I still had a load for DI that filled up the Durango. But whew ... nice to get that done.

Not really related to the moves/rearrange ... but still home related, Keaton was over and noticed the dust collecting on the ceiling fan blades. He cleaned them all off ... what a great kid!  Next up ... addressing the mold situation in the basement bathroom. 

Off-Road Reality

Off-Roading ... in the RZRs and side-by-sides. Rock crawling. Getting into some sticky spots! Back in December when Gray and Jon hit St. George for some fun, then ended up being featured on a YouTuber's channel: Matt's Off-Road Recovery. When you break down out in the red rocks and sand, you are stuck! You can see the "rescue" HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vta1JRLAgY&t=2s). There are two stories, Jon's rig is the first one. 

Grayson got a NEW toy in February ... he and some buddies took it out on it's maiden voyage on March 3. It would be its only time out. It was insured, although payment didn't cover the full cost of the machine.

From this (above) ... to this (below)

Luckily everyone was okay for the most part. Grayson got a cut on his head and bunged up his shoulder. It was just a fluke accident. They weren't even going very fast, just hit a slick spot, slid, and when the machine hit a spot with some traction, it grabbed and momentum took it over onto its side. There was even a little video going (during, and after. See it HERE).  They had a bit of a cold walk back to the truck, and they were able to get the  machine back up and onto the trailer. Grayson had hoped it might be repairable ... but it was totaled. 

Gray and Jon were back to the red rocks just a few weeks later ...

March 22, 2024

... and oops!

Boys and their toys!

It's been a rough year for the RZRs ... and it's not over yet!