Cy's 18th Birthday

Cy requested Chili's for his birthday dinner, no surprise there. For some reason we decided to open presents in the parking lot?

The kids always have a lot of fun together. I love watching their relationships. We're definitely missing Getty, though.

Eighteen randoms about Cy:

1. I can sum up Cy in two words: TOTAL JOCK

But I will go on...

2. He's a Type 3 on the Enneagram, the "Performer," the "Achiever"

3. He's action-oriented

4. He likes to think Cam is his slave

5. He checks out his muscles in the mirror 98 times a day, give or take, while asking me for feedback on how strong he looks

(BTW, check out those stretch marks across his lower back!)

6. He's a charmer and can win anyone over (especially the girls)

7. He's obsessive with calories in any and all forms to gain weight (notice the 3 glasses of chocolate milk)

8. His priority and focus in life at this point is going to the gym 6 days a week and his P.R.'s (personal lifting records)

9. Watches weight lifting on YouTube when he's not at the gym

10. Afternoon naps after 3-hour basketball practices (hates conditioning) and 2-hour gym sessions (the highlight of his day)

11. Old girlfriends stalk him

12. Owns 37 Nike hoodies and minds his "fit"

13. Rarely wears a shirt while driving his truck or at home (even in January)

14. Cy's five-year-old cousin Caleb is President of his fan club

15. Loves corn hole with Rob (competitive, per usual)

16. Is convinced he's Thiago's favorite Uncle

17. Leaves a trail of shoes, clothes, and food wherever he goes... 

(that's his spaghetti on the floor, too👇)

18. College/Mission/Future plans: 

NOT his priority

Items discussed at our Slim Chickens parent/Cy meeting: possible colleges (BYU Hawaii, Utah State, UVU), ACT retake, mission if and when. Resolutions: none.

P.S. I should note here that his birthday was in August and it is now January 24th, 5 months later. Cy still hasn't committed to any specific post-high school plans, so I asked him today when he thinks he'll make a decision. He said he's waiting to get his patriarchal blessing next month and go from there. 

Sounds good to me! 

Church, Corona-style

Home Church...

We take anywhere from 20 mins to an hour on Sundays to teach the boys out of either the Come Follow Me manual or Preach My Gospel. Sometimes Rob or I will have come across an article or podcast we want to share, and we discuss it with them. Cy ponders (read: eyes closed the whole time) while Cam picks up the slack.

Sometime in July, I think, we got the OK to go to sacrament meeting but only in 3 shifts of 99 people each and only once a month, with masks and social distancing (every other pew).

The chapel was sanitized between meetings 

by local ghostbusters, ha

Then the Church meeting schedule for the past several months moved to 9:00 a.m. sacrament meeting every other week. Our ward is divided alphabetically into two groups. When it's our week to stay home, we tune in on our devices. Then on the 2nd and 4th weeks at 10:30, we attend a half-hour Zoom class meeting for either Relief Society, Priesthood, Young Men's or Young Women's (no Primary). On the 1st and 3rd weeks, we attend our Zoom Sunday School classes. 

The Relief Society runs by text, email, porch visits and drop-offs, and Instagram. Our R.S. presidency was released in August, and I was called to teach the 15B Sunday School class instead. Rob is still an advisor in the YM's priest quorum.

The temples in Utah have been closed for months, except for live sealings and new endowments by appointment only. 

As introverted and home-centered as I am, I can't say these changes have been hard to accept :) (but masks aren't fun!)

Cam's 15th

First up on the birthday agenda: 

Midnight run to Betos with Cy

Next, paddleboarding on the Pond

Third, Mo Bettah's for lunch and 

mocha gelato from Harmon's

Presents...

And finally.... Lerner's Permit!

(on a very windy day)

Cam with one of his adoring fans...

A peek at Cam's amazing digital art...

Back to kindergarten: four-square with the crew

Polygamist hairstylists: Cam, Kade, Sam & Caleb

Make-up artists: Jenna and Taylor. 

I dared Cam to get the mail in his underwear...

FIFTEEN FAVORITES

1. Neighborhood streaker 👆 

2. Stands on the counter whenever possible 

3. Lets Cy think he's won arguments

4. Happily delivers any number of treats, invitations, etc to the neighbors for me.

5. Pretty much does whatever Cy asks him to do 

6. He holds both of your hands when he talks to you

7. Crafted a "vibe" in his bedroom with a portable heater, volcano candle, LED lights, and good music 

8. Sings and dances around the house all day long

9. His new "fit": distressed jeans, crewneck sweatshirts, white button down collar, Vans 

10. Says, "Hi... I guess" haha

11. Best friend is Jenna 

12. Straight A's

13. Loves JDawgs, Mo Bettah's, and Costa Vida

14. Every day says, "Ugh! I need to workout" ... and doesn't 

15. After YEARS of training, now when he gets compliments, he says "thank you" instead of rolling his eyes like he's being patronized

WE LOVE CAM-A-LAM-A-DING-DONG!!

Our 30th Anniversary!

Best anniversary! Rob and I took a road trip up through Montana to Coeur d'Alene for our 30th to bike a 53-mile scenic stretch.

On the way, we stopped for a hike in Montana

Huckleberry shakes are a thing in those parts—good stuff!

 

Rob wanted me to be sure to document 

the food he enjoyed this trip

I want to post this in my house:

The main event: 53-mile bike ride in perfect weather with lakes and mountain forests all along the way

Pit stop

Spotted a moose

Second and last pit stop

I think I ate that whole pizza myself that night

The next day we hit the Trail of the Hiawatha, 

the "Most Scenic Trail in U.S.A."

The "Crown Jewel of Rail-to-Trail Adventures," the 15-mile trail of the Hiawatha was a former railroad route through the mountains and includes 7 trestles (bridges) and 10 train tunnels. The ride starts with a 1.6 mile long tunnel that is pitch black and full of mud puddles.  

The third day we drove to Washington

 to tube down the Spokane river.

... and paddle board that afternoon

 Topped it off with a nap together 

under this canopy of trees

Downtown market back in Coeur d'Alene

We had the best time together!

Rob's anniversary texts ...

A snapshot of our last 30 years...

It's you and me forever, Amen!!