A Tale of Two Toasters ...

 

A toaster ... I'd imagine most kitchens have one. I remember we had an old white one when we first moved into this house. When we switched out the appliances to stainless steel, I replaced the toaster to match (you can catch a glimpse of the replacement in the Pantry post).  It finally went out on us, so I ordered a new toaster off Amazon. 

I received some teasing about this bare bones tiny toaster ... "How much did this cost? $10?" It was actually $15.99, but yes, it was one of the more inexpensive (but still decently reviewed) ones there. But ... it's a TOASTER, what bells and whistles do you need?

There is actually one feature the family uses a lot. The "lift" ... bringing up the bread a bit higher, easing getting it out (we do have the little wooden tongs for when we still need additional help). The ends of the sourdough, or banana bread ... they are pretty small and that little boost is needed. This also had no "beep" when the toast is done (pros and cons to this, the old one was a little annoying with its beep). 

After some teasing, I told the others (Coop, Colton, Gray) that I was more than happy to let them pick out a different toaster. Cooper took me up on that. He saw a toaster on TikTok and it's all modern and digital with lots of options (although you do still have to push down the lever manually ... unless there's an app for that?) It does have the little lift ... so I'm happy with it.

Seedeem Toaster 

LCD Display & Touch Control: The wide slots toaster has a colorful LCD, so you can see the bread type, shade setting and the remaining time easily. You need to touch 6 buttons to select the mode you want. Memory function will keep the bread type and shade settings from the last toasting.

50% Faster Speed: Superior to the conventional toaster, the 1350W toaster has made a revolutionary breakthrough in toasting speed. It is 50% faster than leading toasters, which can get even toast and save you half the time of baking bread in the morning.

Special Mid-range: 7 Bread Shade Setting provides bread from light yellow to deep dark. The specially developed medium setting--4 gear, can bake delicious bread that is not too dry but full of burnt flavor.

Multiple Functions: Not only Cancel, Defrost, Reheat functions, we also specially added Bread Type and More Time functions. There are 6 types of bread to choose from, including bagel, white, waffle, eng.muffin, gluten free, grain. If you are not satisfied with the browning color, you can touch More Time to add time for 45 seconds.

Easy Operation & Cleaning: 1.5 inch wide slots can accommodate different thicknesses of bread. Flexible lift lever for smooth dropping and auto ejecting of bread. Removable crumb tray helps you collect and dump falling crumbs to avoid staining your desktop.

Who knew? A seven-bread-shade setting! And it's 50% faster (I actually DID notice that it seems super fast, and it's nice to have a countdown so you know exactly how much time is left). That "lift lever" though, that's the feature I'll look for on any future toaster purchases.

Colton moved into his college apartment in Oregon, and his roommates had the kitchen furnished pretty well ... but no toaster. Colton likes his cinnamon toast, and he asked me to order him one (as I now have all this experience with shopping for toasters). I had this one delivered to him ... I made sure it had the "Toast Boost" lift, and I even threw in a shaker of cinnamon sugar (not sure that the bachelor boy's apartment would have sugar, or cinnamon, or a shaker). Alas, he's too far away for my fresh sourdough!

Colton Goes to College ...

When Colton made his decision to play for Clackamas Community College, the main question was, "where will he live?"  Unlike my experience at Snow and BYU, where campus living/dorms are part of the experience ... CCC is more like SLCC, where it's a majority of students living at home, in the area. There were no dorms, no set housing.  There was another player coming from out of state, and another from Oregon, but not close enough to commute, so the three basketball boys planned on finding a place together. Sight unseen, with parents co-signing the lease, the guys had a three bedroom/1 bath apartment close to campus.

Conner (the Oregonian) had done most of the work getting everything set, and was able to round up quite a bit of communal stuff (couch, table/stools, kitchen and bathroom essentials), so that Colton and Kobe, coming from out of state, just brought their clothes and sundries. Once there, both families scrambled to get a bed, desk and whatever else was needed to set up the boy's bedrooms. 

I asked for pictures that would help me get a feel of Colton in his new place.

He obliged. 

Here's a little video tour ...

https://youtu.be/vM2hpGp3ERA

The apartment does NOT have air conditioning, as Oregon is pretty temperate. Most of the time. They were having a heat wave while Gray and Keaton were there helping Colton get settled (luckily the Vrbo had AC) and his first week+ there was HOT, even higher temps than Utah (where we have AC ... although out of possible commiseration with Colton the AC here at home decided to go out during this time too! We got it fixed pretty quick - Grayson has connections!)

There's not a washer/dryer in the apartment, but there's a laundry room at the complex. Two parking spaces and there seemed to be plenty of visitor parking too. I'm not sure how well I prepared Colton for living on his own. He CAN do his own laundry, although he doesn't have a lot of practice. Washing dishes ... cooking, shopping for groceries? It will be a learning and growing experience for sure!

 

Ready for College Colton Clips

I post a lot of #mycoltonclips on my Blackhamball instagram. Those are basketball highlights. The "clips" being featured in THIS post, are the kind that cut cute curls from a Blackham boy head. Aunt Olivia has been the family hairstylist for years now. As Colton was packing up everything in preparation for his move to Oregon, he visited Livi for one last haircut (and HUG). 

She was so cute - she created this step-by-step tutorial that he could have on him to show the next stylist exactly how to keep the cut Colton' likes.  She also got him a GreatClips giftcard to help the poor college student with costs.

Built in blog post ... and I figured it might be good to have it here for reference!

 

Diaper House Built for Bluey

 

Last year, Symphony Homes helped with the supervisory roles of the Diaper House (Diaper Daze). This year, they signed up to build a house. The building blocks? Boxes of diapers. Gray asked for theme suggestions, and got a number of "Bluey's Heeler House" votes. As our boys are grown, we were only vaguely familiar with Bluey. Grayson and I watched a few episodes ... research. 

HomeaidUtah.org

KSL News Article

A little look at some some of the planning and prep ...

This project had Grayson occupied for much of June, July and August!

Friday, August 23 was the big day ... HomeAid had partnered with Ikea this year, and their parking lot was the location for this unique Parade of Homes. It was hot and sunny ... and WINDY. The diaper houses were supposed to be completed by 1:00, and available for the public to come and see until 5:00. The weather just wasn't cooperating though, and the event ended early, as many of the houses and displays were blowing away. Too bad this couldn't have been set up indoors at the Mountain America Expo Center, like the Parade Preview. The unique creations have a similar feel to the fun floats that always draw large crowds. 

Grayson was sunburned - but happy with the completed project, and glad it was complete.

https://youtu.be/z9USGrqanKM

 

Gray forwarded me the email he sent out to the Symphony team afterward, and I thought I'd include it here:

It’s a wrap, folks. The 2024 Diaper House Competition has come and gone. Memories and photos remain. As the cliché goes, photos just won’t do this justice. And you had to be there to experience the wind…..my hell the wind! No relief for hours on end. For those who were robbed of the trip to see our house and the others, I’m so sorry – it’s was a full-blown disappointment to have to pack things away so soon after we were done building. I’d venture to say “maybe next year” but I think it’s very much “too soon”.

Say what you will about how inconvenient, challenging, tiresome, and on and on, something like this might be. But when you get to work side by side with some of your Symphony teammates, you’re reminded of the good things we have here. Everyone, and I mean everyone, had something “better” to be doing both Friday, and the other days, when preparations were being made. So, a general appreciation to all for setting aside your day-to-day to come and make this happen.

• Conrado and Jorge – day in and day out these guys work tirelessly on our homes – and hardly a word is ever spoken to acknowledge what they do. Their pure grit and get-it-done attitude and demeanor were on full display Friday. Loading, unloading, stacking, unstacking, cutting once, cutting twice, driving screws, removing screws, lifting, moving, wind-whipped and drowning in diapers – these guys brought their A- game and I don’t know how we would have got it done without them.  

• Janet – I’m guessing anyone who has attended an event where Janet is involved already knows to expect attention to every detail. When you look at the pics of our completed Heeler House, look at the landscaping, the plants, the planters, the bird baths, the turf….all this pulled together in the final week. And God bless this woman, on Friday, the paint remnants on her beautiful face told the story of her devotion to roll out only the best for her team and the Heelers.

• Jadon, Zac, Cole – these are my three amigos or tres friends. Always able to count on them at a moment’s notice so long as I can accept their banter and commentary, whether appropriate or edgy. They know what I’m talking about. Whether it’s Jadon’s natural MacGyver to work us out of a problem, or Cole’s thinking out of the box, or Zac’s staying power until the job is done, I can always rely on them to see things through. Whether or not they’re cheerful about it by the end is a different story (wink wink).

• Dan – little did Dan know when he sought an internship with Symphony Homes that he had no idea what he was signing up for. No chance did he think he would be slinging diapers, painting mailboxes and measuring plastic panels…even if they were a bit short ;) But he’s been there time and again, taking instruction, getting things done and holding his own against the barrage of wise-A remarks this crew is sure to launch.

• Caroline – I have no words here. (that’s not entirely true – I always have words) But dang, from the moment the Heeler House became a thing, she was all-hands-on-deck. The insanely detailed panels, windows, and doors on the outside, not to mention the down to the wire timeframes that were put on her, she delivered again and again and again. T-shirts, publicity, setting up drop locations, and getting the Bluey cut-outs that were such a hit. And guess who’s inside that Bluey costume….complete with a hydration pack…and overheating by the minute….yep, also Caroline. You should have seen the mob gather when Bluey showed up to the house. Caroline…..I don’t know how else to put it…..YOU SLAY!!!

• Nathan – it ain’t easy making a transition from marketing to construction – but that’s what Nathan has had to do. This guy has been throwing boxes with us from the get-go. Friday was no different. Making sure to help Caroline with anything she needed and doing whatever was tossed his way as we completed each detail, large or small.
  

• Andrea – this shout out might be a tad short but the impact was impressive.
  As the wind gusts were whipping the IKEA parking lot, and pieces-parts of other houses were flying by us, she looked over at our Heeler House, which stood completely unaffected by the gales, and said “This is the Symphony Difference”. Somewhere I could hear a mic drop in the distance. Well said, Andrea, well said.

• Rosalio – while you won’t see his face in the pics, Rosalio’s contribution was…how should I put this… above and beyond all expectations. He indisputably bailed me out of a tough spot – building the roof, the bay window, the porch awning and prepping it for transport and wrapping it all up THE DAY BEFORE the big event. I’m just speechless (again, I’m really not speechless, quite to the contrary unfortunately). Rosalio is another fellow teammate, working in the background, no fanfare, no recognition, constantly getting stuff done and the diaper house was no exception.

• Greg and Ben – as you might imagine a project like this requires….how should I put this….REACH. These two giants literally extended their arms, legs and hands as those of us, vertically challenged, could not rise to the occasion. (that sentence was pretty good, even if I do say so myself). This often put them at the top of ladders, fully outstretched as the gusts from the south pummeled them. OSHA was NOT on site that day, lucky for us. Involved in all parts of the build, when it came time to trim this house out they were found measuring, cutting, and nailing up the details that would give the home is final pop. Craftsmen indeed.

• Rick Hawley – what can I say here. If you’re ever in need of someone to provide a nearly unending streaming of chatter, trash-talk, jokery, stories, encouragement, filtered and unfiltered candor, laughs bordering on tears, well Rick is your man. Not a minute went by without his narration piercing the wind gusts. Aside from all that, once this dude sees the goal, good luck trying to stop or slow him down and he’ll have you laughing the whole way. He’s another one that this event simply would not have happened without. Brian – and last but cer tainly not least, our fearless leader, the big kahuna, the grand poobah….showing up to make sure to bring some semblance of balance and propriety to this rowdy crew and keep Symphony in the best possible light. I’m fairly certain he even put some turf in place, not above getting his hands dirty. You can’t hold this guy back. More to the point – his show of support to the team is an absolute with him. Seemingly small efforts and the big ones, he’s always making sure to acknowledge and give credit where credit is due. And so it was on Friday.

So many people to thank and acknowledge. My apologies to those I’ve missed. In the lead up to the big day Corbin, Jason, Lily, Cassi, Mike, Jared had their hands in this in so many of the tasks that were necessary in putting this together. Your help and contribution has not gone unnoticed. As I mentioned last week, it was basically impossible to involve a larger group of people – the constraints of space and work dictated how many individuals could be productive. I know many of you would have liked to participate at some level – that’s not lost on me. Who knows what the future will hold ;)

As you may already know, we didn’t take home any official prize. Truth be told, there were some very cool and creative entries. It’s always important to remember what the goal was – providing support to and awareness of HomeAid, The Utah Diaper Bank and the homeless parents and children in Utah. Over 60,000 diapers, not including diapers at our drop locations either have been or will be delivered to the diaper bank by Symphony Homes alone. That’s no small number.

And it would be a huge miss on my part not to thank and acknowledge Bruce and Rob’s ongoing support of these efforts of outreach to the community. It speaks to their character and desire that the company they’ve created take a responsible and supportive role in the spaces we occupy. Thank you to you both.

I couldn’t be more proud to be part of and work along side this group of people. In the end, YOU are the Symphony Difference.

Diaper House ... DONE! 

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). 

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 ...

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!

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 come close to covering what Gray had put into it. 

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!