Lodge Weekend with the Johnsons
This was our first official week at the Lodge and it was so great. Chris and the kids and I left early Friday morning and got to the lodge around 2:00 with enough time to settle in before the Johnsons came up and joined us for the weekend. As each family arrived we took a tour of the house — which was really fun. Grandma J brought dinner up and we ate and hung out together. Fun to have Ryan up for the weekend too. We missed Lindsey and Rob and kids. They were just getting over COVID.
Saturday morning …
we walked down to the park to play pickle ball and hang out at the playground. A beautiful fall morning.
Heber Valley Farm
We headed just a few minutes down the road to the Heber Valley Artisan Cheese Farm. We heard the grilled cheese sandwiches were a must and had fun walking around and checking out the farm. The wind picked up but it wasn’t cold enough to stop us from ordering ice cream as well.
Grilled cheese. Chris and Ryan picked the best ones that included a spicy pepper jack cheese. So good.
Saturday afternoon …
we played board games and I took pictures of Ashlyn and her boys. Megan came with me and was a big help making Cash smile. He wanted several pictures with Megan. So fun! Love this sister-in-law of mine — and her cute boys!
Saturday night …
we left the kids at home with capable teens to make spaghetti and headed to Midway’s main street to find some dinner. We headed to THE CORNER and put our names in for a reservation and then walked up and down the street. Fun to explore our home away from home a little more. Dinner was great and as always was fun to have some adult conversation.
Sunday …
we woke up to snow and it was beautiful. Chris had early morning High Council Meetings and then worked on a Come Follow Me activity for the whole family. We gathered around the big table in an extended circle and discussed some of the doctrine. Chris did a great job leading and keeping the kids engaged and it was so great to hear thoughts from everyone. A month or so later Matthew remarked that “being with extended family for church is one of the places he feels close to God.” I love that.
I made Texas Pile Up for dinner and then Grandma made some Halloween treats with the kids. Everyone left on Sunday night except for Grandma, who stayed another day.
We enjoyed a quiet and relaxing Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. They kids did on-line school from home and it worked out nicely. Home away from home.
On Monday night …
we had Grandma and Grandpa Walton, Mike and Carly and Scott and Elisha come up for dinner. Because Matt had woken up with a snuffy nose we thought about canceling but instead Matt wore a mask for the whole evening and so did Grandma, Grandpa, Brian and Mike. I made a crockpot of potato soup, Elisha made a salad and cookies, Carly and Grandma brought a soup too. Good food. It was great to be together. Brian stayed late and we ended up playing a few games with him and then he reintroduced us to VR. Emily, Megan, Chris and I gave it a try. We all walked the plank and jumped off. So scary and so fun. It was fun laughing at each others responses. The best was watching Megan at the end fight the bad guys. She was on the floor kicking and screaming and it was hysterical. Thanks Brian!
On Tuesday night …
we had Ryan’s roommates up for dinner - which was so fun. Ryan’s roommates: Carson and girlfriend Ashley, Charlie, and Hayden, Mike - now living at a different place, the newlyweds Spencer and Brinnley, and Anna, Cassie and Illyana. I fed them Texas Pile-Up (my new favorite for big groups) and then they watched the Dodgers win the World Series. Charlie is a H U G E fan so it was really fun to watch it with him and of course the win made him pretty emotional.
Luke had just finished watching TRICKED on BYU TV and so he copied a trick and performed it for all of Ryan’s friends — who thought he was ADORABLE. Hayden then showed him how to do some card tricks and Luke LOVED IT. It definitely started a new little passion… which is how Luke works. We ended up getting him a card trick book and cards for his birthday a month later.
Wednesday night …
we took the kids on a drive up the mountains to check out some of the cool homes and lodges built in the area. Some old and like cabins, others new and modern. It was fun to wander around. Then we headed up into Wasatch Mountain State Park for a quick walk. It was beautiful and fun to see a little of the remaining fall colors left on the hills.
One more stop to check out this cute little bridge in Midway for a few more pictures.
After our outing we heading to the pool. First time checking it out! The kids swam and sat in the hot tub and Chris and I worked on some finances in the great room area.
Megan wore Ryan’s BYU shirt EVERY DAY this week. Ryan has secret plans going on to get her one for Christmas!
Luke, Megan and Emily playing a little SWITCH between classes.
On Thursday…
The kids did on-line school during the day and helped out with changing sheets and bathroom cleaning during their breaks. We left the Lodge nice and clean at 3:00. Wish we could have stayed another day but Chris needs to work on Friday. We love the Lodge.