Answer: Pioneer Day!

Utah has a wonderful state holiday to celebrate the pioneers: July 24th. And, as a working woman now I love it even more because it's a PAID holiday. Last year for Pioneer Day, Kevin and I went to Pioneer Park and saw a display of classic cars, toured a pioneer village complete with a blacksmith, looked at pictures of Provo from a long time ago, and scoured every booth looking for a scone. But alas, we could not find a single scone. How can one celebrate pioneers without scones? Preposterous! Thus began our planning to have our own scone booth at this year's event.

Tonight we're going to the store to get everything we need for FIVE HUNDRED scones. Hence the need for a refreshing beverage...you didn't really think all that soda was for us, did you? Hopefully we've planned wisely and don't end up with surplus soda!

In other exciting news that adds to the chaos that has ensued this blessed week in which we celebrate the pioneers, Kevin and I found a new place to live! We are sad to leave our first abode but I'm pretty sure the washer and dryer, dishwasher, and YARD will soothe us just fine. No more Spin Zone! The previous tenants were anxious to sell their contract. We bought it and now have less than a week to get moved in and our old place cleaned. It's an older duplex with all wood/linoleum floors, 2 bedrooms, and a garage. We can have company now without making them sleep in the living room!

Why would I have 552 soda cans in my living room?

The Lords Visit

It started in Kaysville, Utah. We got to see my dad's side of the family as well as my brother Jared, his wife Amber, and their kids Paul, Tyler, and Alexa. We survived a torrential downpour shortly after arriving, but it was nice and sunny on Saturday morning, just in time for Jared's family to head to Yellowstone, and the rest of us to head back down to Provo.

We decided to hike the Y and needed ample documentation of our success.

my lovely parents

Nathan laying on the Y

Scott down from BYU-I

We did it!!!


Kevin with Mt. Nebo in the background. He hiked that last year the week before we got married. When he called me from the top, he said something like, "I think it's better that you didn't come with me." I was glad, too. It was a tough hike and I'm not that hard core! (Nebo is the taller peak with snow still on it way back in the distance.)

We also were able to visit the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. It was such a great experience and it's a truly beautiful building!

And on Sunday evening, Nathan treated us to his juggling tricks.

Thanks for coming Mom, Dad, Nathan, and Scott! We can't wait to see you guys again!

Good-Bye Fackrells!

Our dear friends Kyle and Tawnya packed up and moved to California for the summer. This precludes a much larger move to Virginia in the fall. We were lucky enough to spend a lot of time with them these last few years, but sadly I haven't taken many pictures for some reason. So I was sure to take some on our last outing up to Bridal Veil Falls, where we ate hot dogs and s'mores. We'll miss them!

Kevin decided at this point to pick out a better stick for the roast.

Little James and his fascinating paper bowl.

And we want to thank them for letting us inherit their charcoal grill! After some trial and error, we've already had some good meals on it, thanks to my manly husband!

It's Tess, not Tessa

For some reason people have a hard time with my name, which is baffling. Maybe it's because my name is so short that people have a hard time? It's not a very common name, but I'm also not the only person named Tess. One dilemma I've faced my whole life has been when people call me "Tessa." I really cringe when I hear it because I know people are addressing me, but that's not my name. But then it gets to the awkward stage to correct people if they've already called me Tessa a few times. One of my new coworkers thinks my name is Tessa. And she's so sweet and friendly, but it's been a month now and I can't bring myself to correct her. Advice? Other fun names people have called me when they're confused: Beth and Ted and Pat. Wow. I really have no explanation for those except to attribute it to the fact that people don't listen. Or they don't care.

In other unrelated quandries, is it acceptable to chomp on string cheese as opposed to peeling it?

And while I'm thinking of it, I sometimes question the etiquette of caller ID. If someone calls you and doesn't leave a message, why would you call them right back? All of our outbound calls show the office number, which is for about 25 people. If you call back when no one left a message, I have NO idea who called you. Sorry. They'll call you back if it was that important.

I think I'm in need of a 3-day weekend.