Yo Daddy's a Legal Elite

Hey Ty—

I hope you have had a great week. Was this the week of the mission leader seminar with all of the general authorities? Was it great? Did you get to serve them the sacrament? Jett wants to know! Is it over and do you have access to the gym again?

Ok clarification—That headline about the mother and the snake—it kept popping up at the bottom of other news stories I was reading. Because I’ve been googling and taking about and thinking about snakes a lot lately. And our phones are listening to us and basically can read our minds now, so they advertise to us what they think we want to see. But I DO NOT want to see headlines about snakes eating mothers. Anyway. I went back and read the article. And it really happened. A (human) mother lining in Indonesia went missing. They found an enormous snake, cut it open, and pulled her dead body out—clothing and all. Horrifying. 

I saw another picture of a ridiculous snake today. This time it was not in our yard thank goodness. But it was in Malaysia. Someone from the stake reminded me that some of my old neighbors (the Haltners) are serving as senior missionaries in Malaysia. And they went to a youth camp to help take photos. It was hot outside (of course) and the kids were told they could jump in the nearby river to cool down. But sister Haltner took a photo of a snake swimming in the water, and Imma guess she decided not to jump in. 

How is Sister Bybee doing? I’ve been thinking about her all week and have been wondering if she is going to have to go home for treatments. 

I hope you have had a great week and are learning a lot. Are you getting anxious to be done at the MTC? Is the countdown to Singapore on? Or are you still loving it and wishing it would last a little longer?

We are having a lovely summer. This is what we are up to here:

1. We had a lot of work-related events this week. On Tuesday night Ethan and I went to the firm game night. We got to learn a new game and Todd played along with us. It was called Ark Nova. It was very complex. I liked it, but I also won. I’m not sure if Dad and Ethan were sold on it, but I for sure want to play again. 

2. On Wednesday Dad got to play golf with his colleagues in the annual BTJD golf tournament, and I joined them at the clubhouse for dinner afterwards. 

3. On Friday Dad and I went to a fancy awards luncheon at The Grand America Hotel. Dad was selected as one of 100 attorneys in the state to receive the award of “Legal Elite,” for “exceptional legal knowledge, ethical standards, and professional accomplishments.” Dad sort of rolls his eyes at the whole thing, but still I think it is nice for him to be recognized by his colleagues and I think he should be proud of his work as an attorney.

4. Dad finished his big deal last Saturday, and was so looking forward to having a work-free weekend, but it wasn’t to be. He worked all evening on Friday trying to get things tied up for another client. Sigh. At least next week he can go camping and leave work behind for a few days. On Saturday afternoon he helped me around the house moving some furniture and said how nice it was to be able to just do things like that on a Saturday, and I was pretty surprised. It’s not very often your Dad looks forward to honey-do projects on a Saturday afternoon!

5. Saturday morning your Dad helped scrape me out of bed, and I joined him and Ethan and Jett at the 24th Annual Frank Reed Memorial golf tournament. Aside from a few practice sessions with the kids last year, I haven’t gone golfing since I first started dating your dad. And I really hadn’t used my new clubs. So this was pretty much my first time golfing, and I discovered that I am terrible at it! I had a really hard time connecting with the ball. I would either totally whiff if, or take a huge chunk of grass out. Seriously. I figured my aim and my strength would be bad. But I did think I would at least be able to hit the ball!  The ball that WAS NOT MOVING. Regardless, we all had a good time. Your dad informs me that he is now a more serious golfer than he used to be, and always prefers to play 18 holes. But I think 9 holes was more my speed. Especially considering it was hotter than Hades outside and I ran out of water. I will know better next time! We did use a few of my putts, so I wasn’t completely useless to the group, and we actually scored pretty well. We won the front 9, and Dad hit closest to the hole on hole #5, so we are counting the day as a success. Plus, we got to finish up with Rainbows at Paces. And any day that includes rainbows is a good day.

6. Blake had 2-a-day practices all week. It’s non-stop football for him. But we are going to camp next week, so hopefully he can enjoy the break. He got his player pack with all his new gear, and it looks really nice. He got a new haircut yesterday that looks a little bit different than what he’s been wearing lately. Also, it appears he may be trying to grow a mustache. I’ll keep you updated on the progress. You probably wouldn’t even recognize him. (Wink emoji)

7. Jett and Tate got to go to a summer camp at the Kaysville Rec Center called "Chemical Chaos.” Jett didn’t want to go the first day because he woke up with a stiff neck and didn’t feel great. And he thought it was just going to be him with a bunch of 5-year-olds. And he’s too cool for stuff like that. But thankfully his attitude improved and I think he actually really enjoyed it. They made slime and mixed potions. Tate said it was like magic. He is so fun at this age. Everything delights him. Other than chores. He hates those. When they were done with their science camp for the day Jett and Tate headed over to play with Nate and Gavin until bedtime. Every day all week long. They pretty much just moved in with the Scott’s. It was glorious. 

8. Ethan has been working hard in the basketball court and has been drinking his lemon and salt water concoction every day. He’s got a little bit of awkward friend drama, but overall seems to be enjoying the summer. Ethan wins the award with week for keeping the kitchen the cleanest. I’m definitely liking the chore change we made last week. Several times this week Ethan made facial expressions that reminded me so much of you. Which is weird because I always thought he looked so much like Michael. Maybe you all just look alike?! Michael also appears to be growing a mustache. I guess it’s a thing now?

9. Michael is really excited to be able to run the Main again last week, but then things changed and he ended up trading with someone else and just driving the shuttle. And then he missed out on the next Main run and he was bummed out. But he got in some extra camping time and ran another section of river. He came home with a great tip, and hopefully he’s able to run the main at least once more this summer.

10. I was able to enjoy some audiobooks while exercising this week. The weather was nice enough for me to head outside for a bike ride, and I also took a walk and did some weights in the court. Do you think by the time you get home I can work myself up to doing one perfect pushup? I don’t know. Man, I’m getting old. I enjoyed spending extra time with your dad this week, and I’ve been working on organizing and digitizing my recipes. So exciting, I know! I got to go out to lunch with Karene this week. She and Dave invited us to travel to some exotic island with them. But Dad said no. He has better things planned I guess. Too bad. It sounded fun! I was given a schedule for the photography job coming up, and WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO? Initially she told me they start around 7 am every day. Rough. 7:00 will be difficult for me. But then on the schedule there are several days that begin at 5 am—in freaking Tooele. Wut. I’m doomed. I’m hoping it’s a typo. 

I’ve got to head to bed now. Love you Ty!

Xoxo, Mom