The Clincher

Hey there Ty! I hope you had a great week and that you are feeling better. You seemed pretty miserable when we last talked. I'm so sorry your bikes got stolen! Ugh. What a pain. Every day is an adventure, hm? Is the new mission president in charge now? I can’t wait to talk to you and get all of the updates.

This is a two-week news roundup of what we’ve been doing:

1. McCall Taylor has been working at the corporate offices of the Minky blanket company and she arranged for us to take the young women on a tour of the facilities. It was really fun. Apparently the owner of Minky is really generous and likes to spoil the employees. McCall gets free lunch catered every day she works and a 15 minute massage appointment! The warehouse was enormous and they had fun things like a soda and ice cream maker. At the end of the tour they gave every one of us free Minky blankets. The girls loved it (and so did I!).
2. Dad once again received an award as one of Utah’s Legal Elite. We got to go to an awards reception to celebrate and then out to dinner at Market Street. 
3. Michael moved out of his apartment in Provo and came home to finish studying for his Econ final. He really enjoyed the class and has changed his major to Econ. But apparently his final did not got well. So. He was disappointed about that. He might decide to re-take the class. We will see. 
4. Thursday night we went out to eat at Hug Hes to spend a little family time before Michael left for Taiwan. I got a salad that was delicious,  but apparently the French dip sandwiches were amazing. Michael stayed up most of the night taking his test and packing for Taiwan. He left Friday morning and had a long travel day ahead of him! I was so proud of him for traveling to a very foreign country all on his own and safely making his way to his apartment. I love seeing you boys becoming so independent! He is loving Taiwan so far. He took a wild hike and made a new friend on the trail, has visited beautiful parks and museums. And is really enjoying the cheap and amazing food scene. 
5. Blake jumped on a few job opportunities in the neighborhood. He has been mowing and edging at the Andreason’s house. And he cleared out an overgrown section of the yard at the Daine’s house. It was hard work out in the sun, and Ethan helped out a bit. but the Daines were so pleased with how fast he did the job that they gave him a $100 bonus!
6. Jett was playing in the court and accidentally hit the wall hard. He ended up with something called a “buckle fracture.” Technically broken, but not bad enough to need a cast. They gave him a brace and said it should heal up in a few weeks. I swear that kid lives in his wrist braces! He’s constantly injuring his arms. 
7. After being in the 90’s all week, Saturday the temperatures dropped into the 60s. It was so strange! I decided I better take advantage of the cooler weather and get some yard work done. I was outside all day and covered in dirt when Blake came and asked me to come take pictures of his friends dressed up with their mission flags. Of course I agreed, but I didn’t really know what I was doing and I’m not sure if any of the photos turned out well. But at least I forced me to take my new camera out of the bag and start trying to learn how to use it!
8. Saturday night Dad and I went to a wedding reception for Robert LaDow and Everett Page’s youngest sister. Everett’s parents moved into their Grandpa’s house a few years ago and they have been renovating—starting with the yard. The yard was enormous and so cool for a wedding reception. It reminded me a little bit of the ravine back behind my parent’s house. We got to meet Everett’s girlfriend and she seems nice and cute. They had a couple of food trucks, and I ate the best waffle of my life. Yum. Still thinking about it! Emily Erickson in our neighborhood also got remarried that night. We went to the reception in her backyard,  but the wind was blowing so hard that they had to take down all of the tents and decorations. It was so cold that she was wearing a costume over her wedding dress! In the middle of June! wild. 
9. Sunday I got packed up to head to Colorado with Tate and my Mom. We spent the week with my sisters and their kids. Tuesday we all went out to Rocky Mountain National Park which was beautiful. We walked around Bear Lake and then hiked up to Alberta Falls.  Even Nana came up to the falls! Though I doubt we could get her to agree to do it again! Thursday we went out to a free concert at the local library and listened to the Okee Dokee Brothers. The rest of the time we visited parks, played games and went to the pool. It was a fun and relaxing week. Except for the stomach bug that circulated. That part wasn’t fun. 
10. At Alison’s neighborhood pool the kids have to pass a swim test if they want to swim independently.  Otherwise they have to wear a red wristband and stay within arm’s reach of their parents. So of course, that was the first thing Tate wanted to do. He hopped in the pool and swam the entire length of the pool without touching the bottom or sides, and he was really proud of himself!
11. It was fun to see the little cousins. Dana’s baby Connor is walking now! And Wesley is taller than Tate. Holy Cow that kid is tall!
12. While I was in Colorado, Dad went with Blake, Ethan, Jett, and the Young Men to run the river in Riggins. Apparently it was an epic trip. And good news—nobody died in the water. 
13. Jett said Belly Whomping was “the best hour of my life.”
14. One of the games they played with the river guides was called the “Ultimate Game.” It involves shoving a rock up your bum, making your way through an obstacle course, and dropping the rock into a bucket. 
15. Jett was asked to speak in church the following Sunday about his camp experience, and you better believe he talked about the ultimate game! He also mentioned the new nicknames of the game’s winner—“The Clincher,” and “Cheeks.” Jett’s talk was a classic. A moment I hope I never forget. I hope you enjoy listening to it!
16. In other news—Grandpa Bramhall is training for LoToJa again.
17. Maddy decided to quit her job. She doesn’t really have a plan for what is next, but she’s ready for a change. She earned her yoga instructor certification last week, and she may start teaching yoga classes while she decides what to pursue next. 
18. Ryan and Kelsey bought a big adventure van—just in time for their epic road trip to Glacier. Dana and Tanner want one too. I think my parents should buy one and put in a bed and kitchen so Nana can be road support for Grandpa on his long bike rides, but I don’t think that is what Nana wants!
19. Finn got baptized!
20. Well, that’s all I’ve got. I’ve been enjoying this summer. It’s so great to have Tate be old enough to run around the neighborhood and not need constant supervision. I’ve had time to enjoy my audiobooks and get tasks taken care of. The news is absolutely bonkers ever, and I read and fret over it. Dad is working hard. Every day we realize how lucky we are to have amazing kids. We are thoroughly enjoying watching each of you grow into your personalities. 

Love you Ty!

Xoxoc, Mom