A Long, Long Time Ago

Bryan's dad rediscovered this gem that Bryan edited together eighteen years ago. One thing that's interesting to me about this video is that Peter still has some of these mannerisms. And he still gets silly and goofy when he's tired. Somehow this simultaneously feels likes it was many years old and like it just happened.

Time is weird.

Peter is funny and entertaining, then and now.

And Bryan is still clever.

Fresh From the Tree

On the day that we arrived in Utah, after we had slept in until the middle of the morning, we walked to church with Bryan's parents. Living close enough to the church to walk on a regular basis would be really nice. My sister-in-law Falisha went to church with us. She also joined us for Sunday dinner at Bryan's grandma's house. I was originally supposed to drive her the rest of the way home to Idaho Falls on Sunday, but we were so exhausted by the long haul from California that she agreed to hang out and rest an extra day. I was thankful.

I drove her home on Monday morning. I loved getting to talk with her for the drive up. When I got back to Bryan's parents' house at lunch time I saw that the kids had helped Papa Ron harvest the peaches from their tree. We enjoyed the fruits of their labors during the remainder of our stay. Thanks to Phoebe for the picture of the peaches.

Apparently I took very few pictures during those first few days. We had a great visit though, even without photographic proof. Topher and Sophie pulled out all the toys and claimed the basement as their domain. We ate good food and got to see Uncle Dallin and cousins Harmony and Liam. We also tried to buy supplies for Peter's apartment. It turns out he had very few opinions about what bedding and dishes to buy. We ended up ordering a lot of stuff online.

Into the City

Into the Woods has been my favorite musical for a long time. There have been a few that have taken its place for a period (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Wicked), but I always come back to Into the Woods. When I heard it was being revived for a limited run on Broadway this year I was so excited. Maybe it would run long enough for us to get through our isolation period so we could see it! The end date was announced as early September, just a few weeks shy of when we would be back in person. I was disappointed. To my great delight the show was extended into October, then extended again and again. The new closing date was set for early January.

Last week I mentioned to Bryan how much I had wanted to see Into the Woods, but being so close to the end date, I knew there wasn't much of a chance of it happening. Going into NYC is an all day adventure. Peter might be old enough to be responsible for his siblings, but I didn't feel good about both parents being so far from home for that long. Bryan asked if there was an age limit for Broadway shows. A quick Google search told us that, while some shows require the audience to be older, Into the Woods had a minimum age requirement of four. Guess who's four!? The youngest person in our house!

We checked the price of tickets and discovered that Into the Woods happened to be in our price range, unlike most of the other shows playing right now. Bryan got tickets for the next to the last row in the theater.

On Christmas day, after all the other gifts were opened, Peter opened the last family gift. It was a printout of this picture:

There was a moment of hesitation when Peter read what it said, then one of the kids asked if it was on Broadway. We said yes and much screaming and jumping around ensued. This would be their first Broadway show. Bryan's parents would be in town visiting as well, so they would also be joining us.

Wednesday was the big day. We had to split up between two cars to get there. Unfortunately, Bryan's mom was feeling really sick, so she stayed home. This was how I felt at the beginning of the drive.

This is how I felt after our travel time had increased so much that we were now definitely going to miss the beginning of the show. What should have been an hour and a half drive ended up taking nearly three. Here we are, inching our way through the Lincoln Tunnel.

We finally made it out of the tunnel and I watched the map on my phone. When the estimated walking time equaled the estimated driving time, the girls and I jumped out of the van (the van was totally stopped in traffic) and booked it to the theater. I felt bad leaving the others to park, but Bryan encouraged us to get there as quickly as we could. I was so afraid we would be turned away, but it was clear that many other audience members had been caught in traffic as well since we weren't the only late arrivals. The girls and I got in after the third song, the Wolf's number "Hello Little Girl." The guys all joined a few numbers later. As sad as I was to miss the beginning, I was so relieved to get in at all. And even though we were at the back, we had a great view of the stage!

I took some pictures during intermission.

The show was excellent! Brian D'Arcy James and Stephanie J. Block were marvelous as the Baker and the Baker's Wife. Gavin Creel and Joshua Henry were hilarious as Cinderella's Prince and Rapunzel's Prince. We all agreed that Sophie would make a great Little Red Riding Hood someday. Topher did pretty well considering he had to sit quietly in a dark theater for a long time. He was especially interested in the lighting that was used to show the three nights and two days passing. Puppetry was used throughout the show in really clever ways (Milky White, the Giant) that added to the storytelling. It was a wonderful introduction to Broadway for our kids. Plus, it was Bryan's dad's first time in NYC. In retrospect, it probably would have been better if we had taken the train in so that he hadn't had to drive since driving in NYC is always terrifying, but we didn't think about that far enough in advance. 

After the show we took several pictures. Thanks to Ron for sharing many of those that he took.

Like this one, a particular favorite of mine.

And this one.

And this one. I think Bryan was in mid-sentence, but he was still happy to be there.

Then we got back on the road to go home, thankful not to be part of the parking lot of cars trying to get into the Lincoln Tunnel.

The Strings

Many years ago Bryan's parents passed a tiny violin on to us. Bryan's youngest sister had used it and outgrown it (I think, my memory is fuzzy on the details) and we had small kids interested in making music. That violin has traveled with us for many years. The kids would pull it out and hold it and examine it. They couldn't do much beyond that because it needed to be restrung. I wasn't sure how to make that happen, so it kept getting put off.

Well, I finally found a local music shop and dropped it off in June. Yesterday I picked it up, all four strings working and tuned beautifully. Both yesterday and today Topher has gently pulled the violin out, held it delicately, and pulled the bow across the strings. When asked what he's doing he says, "I need to play my violin."

Thank you for the violin, Ron and Shari. I'm sorry it took so long for us to properly appreciate it, but we're certainly enjoying it now.

To the Rescue

When we were about to close on the house in August, Bryan's dad, Ron, was ready and anxious to come out and help us with any fixing up we needed done. But after nearly a year and a half of isolating, we couldn't quite justify the visit. We really wanted to see him, and we probably needed his help, but the COVID concerns were still too strong.

Remember when I posted about the mold and water damage we found in the master bathroom? Well, that discovery made us realize that we definitely needed his handyman expertise. We reached out and learned that he was still willing to come help. After getting his COVID booster shot, and two negative COVID test results, he generously traveled out from Texas to come to our rescue.

During his two week stay, he worked miracles. Seriously. Bryan, Peter, and I assisted whenever we could, but Ron did the lion's share. While he was doing all that work, he found ways to have the kids work along side him, even for just a few minutes, including peeks into the attic.

Topher had no memories of family members visiting, so he was a little apprehensive at first. At the beginning of the visit, he did a lot of observing around corners to see what Papa Ron was up to while still keeping a safe distance. He spoke in a quiet voice, even when he got up the courage to ask for a hug. But by the end, he loved checking up on Papa Ron's progress and just being near him. Since Ron went back home on Monday, Topher has asked several times when Papa Ron will be coming back.

Thank you, Ron, we are so very thankful for you and everything you did while you were here.

Nathan's Baptism

We took a mini road trip this weekend to upstate New York to attend our nephew Nathan's baptism. We drove up on Friday evening and back home Saturday night. We were all pretty beat on Sunday, but we're happy we made the drive. We especially loved seeing our family!

Here we are, getting ready in the hotel on Saturday morning and taking advantage of the TV being on.

The baptism was great. Aunt Melinda spoke about baptism and the Holy Ghost and Uncle Jake performed the ordinance. Everyone in the family was invited to sing As I Have Loved You for a musical number. I loved it.

After the baptism we stayed at the church playing while a few people picked up sandwiches. This game of Uno was apparently so intense that afterward Cooper came over to me and said, "That game of Uno felt like gambling. I liked it." Yes, I am mildly concerned.

photo credit: Melinda

After lunch we all changed our clothes and visited a lovely state park a short drive away. Peter, Aunt Melinda, Uncle Ben, and Papa Ron hiked up the waterfall.

photo credit: Melinda

Meanwhile, the rest of us played on the playground.

The day that we drove up, before we left, I mentioned to a friend where we were going and she rapturized about how beautiful it would be this time of year. I realized she was right and took my fancy camera and vaguely coordinating clothes. Bryan's dad graciously took pictures of our family while some of us looked at the camera and smiled and some of us made funny faces.

Then we got a few candid shots.

photo credit: Bryan

When we were all sufficiently chilly, we went to Jake and Melinda's house and enjoyed eating dinner, visiting, and playing with cousins. We even got a picture with Nathan before we headed home.

Nathan, we're so happy you chose to be baptized and that we were able to be there!

The Greatest City in the World*

Remember that brain reboot I needed? A nap was nice, but this past weekend I found an even better way to push reset. Early on Thursday morning Bryan drove me to the local airport where I caught a bus into New York City. That's where I met up with my dear friend Brett, the other half of my two-person book club, who had flown out from Utah for an adventure. We spent Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and a bit of Sunday packing in as much history, delicious food, deep conversation, walking/subway-ing/running, and Broadway as possible.

It was fantastic!

Want details? Here's what Thursday looked like:

After we found each other near Bryant Park, we walked to our hotel just half a block away from the iconic New York Public Library. Then we grabbed bagels for breakfast at Zuckers. I decided it was my job to take pictures of each place we ate. I missed two, but did well otherwise.

After that we booked it down to City Hall Park for a Revolutionary War walking tour. This is when we learned that Lyft is not effective in NYC. We stuck to our feet and the subway for the rest of the weekend.

Photo credit: Brett

We learned lots of cool facts and saw the graves of Alexander and Eliza Hamilton. One of the things we learned was that our year of reading about the Revolutionary War (2017) helped us sound like historians. We shared some knowledge our tour guide didn't have. I guess all that reading I do has some benefits.

Photo credit: Brett

We walked by Federal Hall. The next day we came back and actually went inside.

Photo credit: Brett

As soon as the tour (which I enjoyed a lot) was over, we hurried to the subway station to get to the next event on our itinerary. We had a traveling lunch of some delicious New York style pizza. And no, I didn't take a picture of this place, so I have no idea what it was called.

Photo credit: Brett

We made it to our first (yes, first) Broadway show of the weekend. Moulin Rouge was my choice.

Unfortunately, it's not one that I can recommend. 

The music is mostly great, lots of fun mashups of modern pop songs, and the sets were amazing. The choreography and costumes however, well, I spent a lot of time studying the ceiling of the theater rather than watching what was happening on stage. Afterward we learned that we had both thought about leaving, but didn't. The movie is rated PG-13, and so was the play, but a much stronger PG-13. Also, the speakers were all turned up so high, my head was pounding by the time we left the theater.

Photo credit: Brett

After Moulin Rouge we needed food. We went to Los Tacos No. 1, a hole-in-the-wall place that a friend in my ward had recommended. It was amazing! Seriously some of the best food we had all weekend.

They only had like four things on the menu, including tacos and quesadillas. Here's one of Brett's tacos, and look, I'm in the background waiting for my order.

Photo credit: Brett

After eating we finally checked into the hotel and rested for a few minutes. Then we headed to our second Broadway show of the week. I am thrilled to report that Aaron Sorkin's adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird made up for the disappointment of Moulin Rouge. It was incredible!

Jeff Daniels played Atticus Finch, which was cool, but the most interesting part for me was how he portrayed the character. It was as if Mr. Daniels had followed around my father-in-law doing a character study. The way he moved, delivered his lines, sat, sighed, it was like I was watching Bryan's dad on stage. So, surprise Ron, it turns out you're actually Atticus Finch.

Photo credit: Brett

After the wonderful play, we got our tired selves to the hotel and slept the restful slumber of two moms on breaks from their kids. Ah, sleep.

*What am I quoting?

Family Time

We've loved having family in town during the last week. Here are a few of the highlights:

The Sabbath with Family

Our first full day in Utah was a Sunday. We joined Uncle Dallin, Aunt Melody, and cousin Harmony for church. Harmony was both pleased by the company and not sure of all these kids sitting in her pew. But she warmed up to us, see?

Bryan's mom, Nana Shari, had already been at her parents' house for nearly a week. Aunt Kate joined us from BYU-I, Uncle Spencer drove up from BYU Provo, and Ron flew in that afternoon.

Bryan's sister Melinda and her family also got in on Sunday, but I guess I had put my camera away by then because I have no photographic evidence. Only Bryan's brother Ben was unable to attend, the other six kids in his family came, which was awesome.

Hi Paul. Hi Melody. Hi Dallin.

I think Harmony liked having all these big kids around to read to her. Thanks to Melody for sharing her pictures with me.

In addition to seeing all four (nearly five) first-cousins on Bryan's side, the kids were able to play with many of their second-cousins and first-cousins once removed. There's one of each in the picture below. Every Sunday night Bryan's grandparents host a family dinner. It's all very casual and comfortable and fun. Once the temperature outside returned to double-digits, we enjoyed Grandma-Great's gorgeous garden.

Once the cousins and aunts and uncles went home, the sun went down, and our kids were thoroughly caked in dirt and Creamies, we took them in for baths and bedtime.