Spring (Winter) Break at the Lodge
We drove up to the Lodge on Friday afternoon. We still occasionally say that we’re ‘headed to Utah for the weekend’. Our St. George people think we’re crazy while reminding us that we live in Utah. Oh ya. So now we say ‘We’re headed to utah… valley, or we’re headed to Provo, or we’re learning to to copy what they usually say, which is… ‘we’re headed north’. The kids had a half day and since the boys school ended with an assembly, we took them out right before 11:30 and were on the road by noon. We stopped by my mom’s to say hi and pick something up, and then headed over to Mike and Carly’s house to see their kitchen and pick up our car. Just before heading up to the Lodge we found out Provo Canyon was closed due to an avalanche. We were supposed to host the Cooks and Jacksons for dinner but instead made some last minute plans to gather at the Jacksons house. Owen and Anders joined us as well. So fun to have a night together. Loved getting caught up with everyone.
We rearranged the van to acommodate Katie and Emily and went the LONG way through Parley’s Canyon to get to the Lodge. It added an hour but the roads were ok as we traveled slowly. Arriving in Valais we couldn’t believe how much snow there was. In an effort to get it plowed off the streets, snow was piled high in every direction. The roofs were covered. We were afraid we wouldn’t be able to get in the house but the driveway was relatively shoveled and we were so grateful.
Saturday morning started with a game of Wingspan — just Chris and I — and then when the kids wandered down and Owen drove up, we headed outside to go on a walk. It was beautiful with the bright blue sky and warm enough with the sun shining. Nice to get out for a walk and enjoy Midway covered in snow.
Walking out on the back deck was shocking. Our entire backyard was not only covered with snow, but packed and layered all the way up to the fence and beyond. I just can’t believe how much snow they’ve gotten this winter. Around the corner I discovered gorgeous long icicles hanging off the roof and called to everyone to come check it out.
Breaking icicles felt like the responsible/fun thing to do.
Another game of Wingspan, leftover chicken salad croissants for lunch and then everyone at the table for two games of Azul. So fun. Grandma Johnson came to join us for the afternoon and then after dinner, Katie’s roommates and friends drove up to spend the night. Fun to have them all here.
Sunday we got ready for church and gathered around the table for a Come Follow Me discussion while we ate breakfast. Thanks to Granny J for making us some cheese biscuits and scrambled eggs. It was a great discussion. Love having these college kids here who are happy to give insight and share what they’ve been studying. We headed to the Midway Ward at 10:30 and enjoyed great Sacrament talks about The Power of Stillness and How Christ can Heal us — and then a great RS lesson on covenants.
Meanwhile my mom gave a talk in her ward on miracles and tender mercies and how to have faith instead of fear. I wish I could have gone to it — and would have had we not had company up at the lodge. She had a really special experience that she shared with me and I will never forget it.
After a spaghetti dinner we headed down to Ashlyn’s house to celebrate Derek, Dallas and Cash - who all have birthdays this time of year. Ash and Zeke are back together so it was fun to see him there as well.
Monday we got up early and headed south and around to Draper. I dropped off Chris, Meg, Luke and Matt at Granny J’s house and then headed to Elisa’s house to get my hair cut. Chris spent the whole day - minus lunch at Even Stevens with me - doing Shelley’s taxes and helping with her yearly financial organization. After lunch Megan and I headed to Fashion Place to do some shopping. We found a pair of jeans and shirts for Megan and I at Madewell, an Athleta jacket for Megan, and an Albion bathing suit and Greece t-shirt for me. It was so much fun to shop at those stores that I don’t get to often enough.
Owen picked up Megan at 4:30 and then I shopped for just a little while longer and then headed back to pick up Chris and the boys and then we headed to the Theurers to catch up, eat pizza and play Secret Hitler. Love being with them.
Back at the Lodge we watched another Wednesday before heading to bed.
When we woke up on Tuesday morning, Matt was anxious to start playing Queen’s Garden. Love that he always wants to play something. Luke read and did pushups intermittently and Dad joined in every five minutes when Luke’s alarm went off. Meg hung out and wrote in her journal. Chris took the boys outside to work on removing the snow from the window wells. With the snow shining, the snow is melting and water is dripping from the roof tops.
Chris took Megan down to Provo to meet up with Katie and Emily. The three of them are off to a Joshua Basset concert in Salt Lake tonight, which will be so fun. Then Meg will sleep over at Emily’s house and we’ll meet back up tomorrow.
We convinced Luke to play a game of Wingspan with us and then Luke, Matt, Chris and I watched FOUR episodes of Wednesday and really enjoyed it.
Chris, Megan and I had a meeting with one of the BYU FlexGE counselors on Wednesday afternoon and although we knew a lot of the things, it really was SO helpful to talk to him and understand some things. He gave us some great suggestions for when and how to reapply and thought it was great that we were already set up for BYU approved housing. I guess Meg will reapply by the August 1st deadline which may get her in by January. We stopped by Katie’s BYU Sports Camp Office and talked to her supervisors about some possible service opportunities and she practically offered her a job as a paid counselor. It got us really thinking and it might be the perfect thing for her to do this summer.
We headed over to my mom’s house to visit for awhile and pick up some things. Then back to the Lodge for dinner. So good to be here with the kids.
Thursday morning we played a game of Castles of Tuscany with Matt in the morning. I won. At 1:30 Chris and I met Shelley, John and Nikole, Ashlyn and Zeke, and Rob and Lindsey at THE DODO - one of Del’s favorite restaurants in Salt Lake. Driving through the area made Chris nostalgic thinking about his Grandma’s house, his first year at Westminster, and rolling Easter Eggs down the hill every year as a kid. We ate great food and delicious pie (banana cream pie for Chris and peanut butter pie for me — of course ) and shared some memories about Del. Good to be together. After lunch we headed to the grave with Shelley. It’s been awhile since we’ve been there. We stayed for about 15 minutes in mostly silence until Shelley and I talked for a bit. I enjoyed reflecting on what he might be doing and and how he’s helping us. I got emotional when I thought through some things to communicate with him. We need his help and long to feel him close. Chris was pretty somber all day. Love you Del.
Chris and I picked up Swig and headed over the beautiful pass above the point of the mountain. We’d never driven it and Chris had always wanted to. Gorgeous. We were able to attend Jace Breinholt’s wedding reception at the Cedar Hills Golf Course. It was a beautiful venue and fun to see Brian and Terri and catch up with all their kids. So great. Back at home we gathered upstairs to watch Mrs. Harris goes to Paris - which I loved! Chris said, ‘well, let’s just watch the preview’ as he pushed play. The boys felt like they were being tortured a bit but ended up thinking the movie wasn’t so bad. Then two games of Azul Stained Glass with Matt!
Friday was another lazy day at the Lodge. I prayed and read scriptures — something I’m trying to be extra diligent about these days — folded some laundry, vacuumed and then played Azul with Matt while Chris did some research on New Zealand. I also read to Megan details about being a BYU Sports Counselor and then got her going on her Counselor Application. Good stuff. I think that might be a great job for her this summer. Love how that specifically fell into place this week.
Megan headed down to Called to Surf to visit with Katie, who was working, and Emily, who brought them some lunch. They are going to love living close to each other this fall! Em and Katie headed back to the Lodge and we talked for a long time about things and then played a game of Azul Stained Glass before Chris started to work at 6:00pm. He had brought his computers and arranged for shifts for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It worked that we could stay at the Lodge for a second weekend since the Christoffersons weren’t using it.
My mom showed up at about 7:00. She and I finished cleaning the kitchen, played a game of Azul and then settled downstairs in the family room to watch Ticket to Paradise — which we enjoyed.
Saturday morning Brian and Mike and Carly and the girls came and we ate french toast and hashbrowns. We talked about New Zealand and Bali and played some QUIXX together. Chris said he was in heaven - holding Melanie, watching some March Madness and playing games at the Lodge. Mike, Carly, Brian and I played a game of Wingspan and then Scott and Elisha and kids came and we talked and then ate soup, homemade sourdough bread and salad. Everyone pitched in and brought things and it was great to be together.
Owen came up too and he and Megan, Emily and Molly played CODENAMES before the two of them left for a date with Gracie Sidwell.
At 6:00 Chris started working, Scott and Elisha took off and Mike, Carly, Brian, Grandma, Emily and I played a couple games of Gnoming Around.
When everyone left at 8:00, I cleaned up the living room and sat by the fire to go through email and journal a bit. : ). Headed to bed early tonight.
Sunday morning Chris took off for Wyoming and Katie, Emily, Megan, Luke, Matt and I headed down to Mike and Carly’s ward to hear them speak in Sacrament Meeting. They both did such a great job. It was so fun to hear their testimonies and experiences. Katie and I sat in a pew with Whitney, Mara and Becca and helped them stay quiet throughout the meeting. Fun to draw pictures with Becca and whisper the words of the hymns to Whitney just before she could sing them. After Sacrament meeting we headed into Sunday school and then over to mom’s house with the group for leftovers of our Saturday soup and bread.
Late afternoon we headed back up to the Lodge and Megan, Luke and I watched half of Back to the Future before heading to bed.
Monday we cleaned up, packed everything into the van and headed back to St. George. I did NOT get a migraine and was so grateful. We stopped at Costco to pick up groceries on our way home, which was so nice. Good to be back in warmer St. George.