May

Another month of living during the pandemic. Another month of working and going to school from home...but now the weather is getting better and it is so nice to be outside! We decided that this was the year to actually plant raspberry bushes.  We have been wanting to do so for awhile, but have never made it happen.  Matt and Nathan spent hours digging up the area we chose and getting it ready for the plants.  I think it was a bit more work than either of them expected, but look how great it turned out!  Now we just hope they continue to grow and hopefully produce some raspberries. We also bought this hanging strawberry plant. It's already produced several yummy strawberries.

The cats are loving having us humans outside more.  River loves it when we are out there with her. They really just see the patio as an extension of the house.

Mother's Day:

Mother's Day was great as usual. Of course I got spoiled with lots of good food and gifts from the kids.  Miranda made me homemade pina coladas-SO Yummy! Tyler had taken the time to convert some of our 8mm home movies to digital so I spent a good part of the day watching my babies grow up. I made them all play a card game and we even fit in a walk to the temple. I am so lucky to be their mom!

This is a photo of the last staff meeting of the year.  Who would have guessed I would ever be doing a Google Meet with more than 40 people.  It was great to see some of those faces though. I sure have missed my work friends!

During COVID we have been doing some art classes online with Bev since we can't go to art class.  One of the weeks our assignment was to make an icon-Andy Warhol style.  Here is what Nathan drew in about 4-5 hours with color pencil.  Crazy right?  It looks like a photograph!

Driving Callie and Tyler to Fayetteville, Arkansas

Tyler and Callie had originally planned on moving to Arkansas at the end of July so they could spend the summer living with parents rent free while they hung out with friends.  Once this whole COVID thing happened, however, they realized they wouldn't be getting to spend time with friends in person this summer. So, they decided just to head to Arkansas sooner rather than later. Moving in May would give them plenty of time to settled in before Callie started grad work in costume design at the University of Arkansas in the fall. So road trip COVID style was it.  

Wednesday May 20th- picked up U-Haul trailer and loaded it with all of Callie and Tyler's belongings

                                                    

Thursday May 21-Bright and early Matt, Tyler and I met the others at the Proctor's home to begin our journey. Matt and I drove the truck that pulled the trailer.  Callie, Tyler, Andrea (Callie's mom), and James Proctor (the back up guy) all drove in Callie's car--the car they will keep in Arkansas. 

Thursday we drove to Burlington, CO. The drive was as uneventful as we hoped it would be. I do have to say though that it felt strange to go into gas stations and to stop and get food. We wore masks, washed out hands, and then sanitized.  Gas was cheap though! Tyler got some great news while we were traveling--he got the official job offer to teach an online course for USU this fall.  How cool is that?! Go Tyler! So now he will have two jobs--the job he has been doing for the last year at USU and the teaching job for USU--both of which he can obviously do remotely from Arkansas.  

Cool clouds in Burlington, Colorado

Friday May 22- We made it to their cute apartment in Fayetteville, Arkansas before the sun was down. So, even though we were exhausted, it was pretty easy to get everything unloaded before it got dark. Their apartment building is pretty cute and the apartment is just the right size--although their kitchen stove is mini size--you've got to have some story about your first apartment though.

Saturday May 23- A day to divide and conquer! Callie had arranged to purchase some couches and dressers from people on some facebook groups so, Matt (the driver), James (the driver when the trailer needed to be backed up--which was a lot this day), and Callie (the one with the money and connections) all headed out to drive around town(s) to collect furniture for the apartment. Meanwhile Tyler got stuck with the moms. We worked on unpacking and making space for the furniture. We also did a Walmart run for the long list of new apartment needs.  After returning the trailer, we all rewarded ourselves with a yummy take out dinner from Hammontree Grilled Cheese.  

Just across the parking lot from their apartment, there is this beautiful tail that goes by a creek and train track. It is SO GREEN! Matt, Andrea, and I took a walk along the trail for a bit. The trail winds all the way to a lake and basically goes through most of the town.

Their cute apartment complex--their apartment is right under the stairwell on the ground floor

Sunday May 24- Today was our day to step back and sight-see a bit. We drove to the town of Rogers to the Steiner's home for a visit. It was so fun to be at Erin's home!  Who would have thought? Cathy took us to several local sights. 

Our first stop was at Crystal Bridges. The museum was closed but the grounds were open and beautiful to walk around.

Next up was downtown Bentonville--the birthplace of Walmart. Again everything was closed, but it was fun to just walk around and see the place.

Sam Walton's truck parked in front of his first store

After driving by the future site of the Bentonville temple we went back to the Steiner's for a delicious lunch.  Troy even showed off all his loot from working with bands. James was quite impressed with this autographed guitar--he knew Steven would be jealous of it. It was so great to spend time with the Steiners. Even better knowing they are only 20 minutes away if Callie and Tyler ever need anything.  It was fun to tell Cathy "Tag!-You're it!"

After getting back from visiting with the Steiner's we spent time walking around the University of Arkansas campus. It was so weird to see a college campus so void of students and all locked up.  It is a beautiful campus though. Very green and very hilly. Their apartment is just a few blocks away, but they will still get their exercise in with all those hills!

Monday May 25- Had to say our goodbyes and head back home.  It was a little hard to say goodbye, but I know these two are ready for the adventures ahead of them. they planned so well for this move. They are excited about doing this together and the faster they unpack and get things organized, the faster they can get a new kitten. :) 

We took two days for the drive back home,staying in Burlington, CO again. Andrea drove back with us and James got to fly back. Again, lucky for us, it was a very uneventful drive-just lots of time to chat, listen to music, and snack. It was nice though having three drivers.

The last week of May was spent at school helping teachers finish up the year. Friday May 29th was Summit's last official day of school.  I was able to have a lunch with the instructors at Summit and, on Friday, join in on a staff lunch at Draper. I had short visits to the Independence and Bluffdale campuses too. I was able to check in on most of the teachers I coached this year. What a strange and unclimatic way to end the school year.  One for the books to be sure.