Return of the Prodigal Kitty

Hallie and the kids spent the last half of the week in Utah while Mike went out to California for work and to bring our prodigal kitty to his new home.

We spent a low key day at home on Labor Day Monday. Landon had gymnastics practice in the morning (this is his life now) and ended up injuring his knee. While watching the boys at the end of practice Coach Isaac and Hallie both saw Landon land and didn’t notice anything different. Isaac went and checked on him and helped him off the floor. We iced the knee when we got home and gave him pain reliever hoping whatever happened would not turn into something serious. We opted to stay home for the rest of the day.

Tuesday marked the official start of fall semester the university with the attendant flood of people and their vehicles to campus. Mike, who in each of his last two times living near the university did not generally use a car to get to campus, found the new commuter situation to be a bit annoying. He found parking way out in a lot west of the Richards Building, about a 10-minute walk from his office. He’s not complaining too much though. The combined drive and walk are still shorter than other commutes he’s had. Now for the smoky haze to clear so he can enjoy his stroll (and stair climb—huff, puff!) to his office.

While Mike worked and the kids attended school, Hallie got her nails done at a new place called Lacquered Loft that she really likes compared to the first place she went that was not so good. With much excitement Hallie had lunch with her former mission companion, Amanda. The two have no known each other for 21 years. Wow! The one hour that they had to spend together went so fast. Now that we live closer together there will be lots of opportunities to see each other.

Both kids had gymnastics in the evening.

On Wednesday Mike had some meetings on campus to get oriented to his work there. Originally he thought today would be his first day of fall semester classes, but no. He will teach off campus on Mondays this fall with a cohort housed at Mountain View High School in Orem. That will be interesting and a new experience for him.

Gavin, a boy who attends Landon and Eliza’s school also is on Landon’s gymnastics team at Airtime, so Hallie made an arrangement with Gavin’s dad to trade off driving duties. As Eliza goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, this meant that today Hallie only had to worry about picking Landon up from the gym. Hallie has really come to find out that if she doesn’t put herself out there and notice what is happening in her surroundings then she will just keep sitting in a corner not meeting people and will continue to feel alone in a familiar place. This is a good insight for us all!

While Landon worked out, the girls went to SOS Drug Co. down on Main Street. It's a throwback to those old timey soda fountains of yore. The local Fox affiliate did a story on them a few years back. Someone at gymnastics recommended it, and the ladies were not disappointed. 

Mike flew out to California on Thursday. He arrived in Salt Lake in good time and had A-list numbers for his two flight legs. But the fates had other plans in the form of a flock of birds that crashed into and dented the nose of the plane as it flew into SLC from Denver. Soooo his flight to Phoenix got canceled, and he and all the other people on his flight had to scramble to get new reservations. Fortunately, he only got into Burbank an hour or so later than planned.

Grandma, Grandpa, and Alie were there to pick him up. On the way from the airport, the van started losing power, so they had to pull over on the freeway and then get towed to an auto shop. Fortunately everything worked out, and Alie was a trooper through it all.

After stopping by the Owens (and seeing an owl in the tree in the back yard!), he went over and spent the night at the Maygrens housesitting.

Meanwhile at home, Hallie and the kids had a remarkably low-key start to their morning. After school, both kids had gymnastics and Hallie babysat Max. Max was feeling ill, and his dad picked him up a little early today. This turned out to be a blessing because Hallie was able to run to Costa Vida to grab dinner then back to pick up Landon. Late night babysitting is not ideal for this little family with early bed times.

Mike spent the day Friday working remotely. After visiting with the Owens in the afternoon, in the evening, he had dinner with Carly, Shad, and their kids at their new house. Cozy! Lots of nice architectural touches, plus they have a pool! Mike enjoyed his time with the California branches of the family and is glad to have an excuse to come back out.

Hallie and Eliza ran all kinds of errands while Landon was at gymnastics. It is fun to get to know our new-to-us town.

When picking up Landon Isaac said Landon’s knee was still bothering him during practice and it would be good to take him to the doctor the next day. OK. After practice we went to the Food Truck Roundup at the Springville Library. With an impending storm there were only two trucks, so we chose from The Next Step Up (an Italian truck), and the food was quite good.

On Saturday Hallie took Landon to the local urgent care to check on his knee. Fortunately it appears that the injury is minor; however, the painful area is near the growth plate, so he’ll need to keep from playing too hard for the next week or so. Landon made a favorable impression on the x-ray technician when he offered her a piece of taffy. The tech said in her 26 years of doing this job this is the first person to have ever offered her a treat. Good job, dude!!!

We ate ice cream with tons of sprinkles for lunch. Why not?! Hallie tried getting the kids to clean their room without a lot of success, but we keep trying. Later the kids went outside and played for a long time with all kinds of kids from the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, Mike taught his data analysis course to his CLU doctoral cohort and then spent some more time visiting with his family and having a birthday dinner of sorts for Grandpa at Red's.

He also watched a hard-fought but ultimately futile attempt by BYU to overcome the U of U in the Holy War Game. 

Sunday morning Mike visited a bit with Shad and then spent some more time with his folks before flying home with Fergus. That was a prolonged ordeal he and the cat are happy to have behind them. Fergus seemed quite happy to be out of his carrier after five hours by car, plane, bus, and car again.

Hallie and the kids attended a regional conference satellite broadcast at church and then went up to the Healing Field in Sandy that commemorates the fallen on 9/11. It is interesting and challenging to try to explain to the kids about 9/11.

In the afternoon Hallie was glued to the coverage of Hurricane Irma. We have friends who live in the path of the storm. We keep all of Texas and Florida in our prayers.

University Conference, Ice Cream Sandwiches, and Swiss Days

Mike had a busy week at school in preparation for the new school year, and we headed Midway into the mountains on the weekend in celebration of our Swiss heritage.

The kids had their first full week of school and gymnastics, so now we are getting a real feel for their schedule and how we want to arrange our morning routines. Mike’s unusual schedule of relatively early starts to his days put Mom in charge of coordinating everyone else, but she really enjoyed the idea of sending the kids out the door to walk up with the other neighbor kids to class. Mom also loves the idea of cheaper school lunches and was happy to send the kids to school buying lunch a few times this week.

Monday was the first day of BYU’s University Conference. Mike attended the opening session at the Marriott Center, and then Hallie met him at the Hinckley Center for lunch with President Worthen, the university vice presidents and their spouses, and other new faculty and their guests. We enjoyed the meal and getting to meet other people who are starting new at the university.

After lunch, Hallie went back home to get the kids and take them to gymnastics while Mike attended another general session of the conference for faculty. Mike appreciates the intention behind so much of what the university is trying to accomplish here. He considers himself very fortunate to have the type of job he has. While each institution has its own personality and way of expressing its goals and the role of faculty in carrying out those aims, there is an overall consistency of wanting to do good in the world that comes with university life.

The conference continued Tuesday morning with breakfast al fresco at Brigham Square outside the WSC followed by some open house events and Mike getting his office looking more cozy. He may have mentioned that he has only one corner transom window. This means that he has precious little natural light but ample wall space. It also means that his open door acts as a window of sorts. He opted to create a sort-of Y-shaped tree with leaves made from little quotations, insights, and pictures he has collected over the years and written on Post-it notes and other scraps of paper. He has also pulled out the books and nick-nacks and started adding color to the space to make it an inviting work environment. Someone suggested that at some point (as in, in a few years. Yikes.), he would have an office with a window facing out (to Y Mountain – quite the view!). Until then, he has bright colors and an open door to bring in as much cheer and natural light as possible.

Both children had gymnastics after school, so Hallie had some time, after watching the kids for a bit, to take care of some errands of her own.

Wednesday was McKay Day, the School of Education’s annual conference day, for Mike and the MSE. They met at the Utah Valley Convention Center for another all-day set of meetings. As with his experiences at the other places he has worked, Mike learned more by what was not said than what was said, which is meaningful. There is an inherent tension in academic work between individual scholarship and institutional citizenship, and each place has sought its own balance. Mike appreciates when the potential “elephants in the room” are discussed at these larger meetings. He also appreciates working with people who acknowledge those elephants.

We did a small group activity that involved collaborating to put together a difficult mostly single-color jigsaw puzzle. We worked together well and emerged as one of the first tables to finish. At the end of meeting, we received a little puzzle-themed gift to remind us of how we are each a part of the whole. As we left, we also were treated to ice cream sandwiches out of a pink food truck operated by The Penguin Brothers. Mike opted for Cookie Monster ice cream to complement his chocolate chip cookies. Nom, nom, nom!

We have followed the post-hurricane events in Texas with a mixture of shock and awe as people have come together in the wake of such terrible destruction. Humanity is at its worst and finest during such times, and we hope to be up to the task of responding with dignity and kindness should such troubles come our way. We managed to get out of California before the recent heat wave that has struck there. The heat caused a multi-day power outage at Cal Lutheran. All we have gotten lately is a couple of bouts of gentle rain. Mike took Eliza out for a walk in it, and she acted as if she'd never seen the wet stuff fall. Too funny!

On Thursday, Mike had an all-day department meeting at the McKay building. Lots of exciting activities to look forward to this year! He’s on a couple of committees that align with his interests, and he looks forward to learning from his colleagues and contributing to the on-going department conversation.

In the afternoon, Hallie took on the role of babysitter for a couple of the employees at Airtime. It’s a win-win for everyone involved, although the babies might need a couple of weeks to get used to our new faces. Mike came by after work and used some of his baby whisperer charms to soothe one of the little ones.

Friday was a busy day for everyone. Mike spent the entire day in Salt Lake, but his activities were of a personal rather than a scholarly nature. Macen, the oldest child of family friends from when we lived in the Belle Isle Branch, got married in the Salt Lake Temple, and Mike attended the ceremony and luncheon. He met other members of the newlyweds’ extended family and caught up with our friends. What a great way to spend a day! Our family is so happy for Macen, Amber, and their families!

He also spent time at the City Creek Center and later at the Church History Museum watching a presentation given by a docent on the Grandin Press and walking through an exhibit of paintings titled Saints at Devil’s Gate: Landscapes along the Mormon Trail.

Later, Mike met up with the rest of the gang at the church where the reception was held. Again, we got to reconnect and hear news about not only the Stueshers but other families from our old branch who either had come out to celebrate or who knew members of the families. The ripples from our time in Belle Isle continue to be felt a decade – a decade! – after we first moved to Detroit. Where did the time go?

On Saturday morning while Hallie ran a couple of errands, Mike and the kids made pencil boxes at the Home Depot.

Then we drove up to Midway to enjoy some Swiss heritage at Swiss Days. We’re really not sure how much Swiss there was there beyond the white crossed red flags, a couple of sightings of girls in costume, and a yodeler on the main performance stage, but we enjoyed scones, tri tip, and outrageously delicious cookies from Süss Cookie Co. On the way walking back to the car, we even had Diddy Riese-style cookie sandwiches with locally made Rockwell Ice Cream. Sooooo goooood! Too much to eat right then, so we downed the ice cream before it melted and saved the cookies for later. Good thing tomorrow was fast Sunday.  

Sunday dawned sunny and a bit cooler. Fall is in the air in spite of the late-day heat. Shortly before church Hallie was asked to play the piano for Relief Society. A bit of trepidation was warranted as it had been a while since Hallie had played in front of people, but she said she would give it a try. There was enough time that she practiced the two hymns several times before we headed on our brief walk to church.

Today during sacrament three new families’ names were read into the ward, including ours. It is fun to see a ward continuing to grow. Landon said his friend gave him gum at church which makes us stoked to think that after today being only his second Sunday he has a friend.

After church we Skyped with Caleb and Diamond, and that is always fun to see them even though they are so very far away. We then got in the car and drove a bit up Hobble Creek Canyon. We stopped when we saw some horses close to a fence, and Eliza fed a horse an apple she chose not to eat. When we got back in the car and Landon said how cool that experience was, it made Mom’s not so cool car ride just a bit cooler. On our way home we stopped briefly at Bartholomew Park (it has a lake and a beach!), and then Mike showed us a park right by the church the rest of us had never seen, and so we hung out for a bit and ran into a family from church.

Soon it was time to head home and call Alie, Grandma, and Grandpa O. It was fun talking to all of them on the phone, and we miss getting to see them as often as we did in California. They have been taking care of Fergus for us, and Alie told us all kinds of things Fergus has been up to. How fun it was to talk to them!

Eclipse, New Start at a New School, and an Inter-Squad Meet

Lots of new this week. Under different circumstances, we would have made the Canada/Idaho trip and passed through Rexburg just in time for the eclipse. But, alas, it was not to be. Mike has his eyes on 2024 (or possibly earlier in South America?!). As it was, we had an open house and first day at the kids’ new school. Later in the week, Eliza had her first “big girl” gymnastics meet, and we also had stake conference in our new stake.

Monday was all about the Eclipse. We turned on the TV to the NASA feed and pulled out the lawn chairs. It was kind of lonesome out in front of the house for a bit. Maybe all the enthusiasts had gone north. Hallie used a really interesting word to describe the way the temperature changed as the eclipse progressed. She noted that she didn’t feel the “pressure” of the heat coming from the sun. So true!

While we were out watching the eclipse we met several of the neighbors and shared our glasses with the kids. One of the families has a boy in Landon’s class at school, and Eliza took a full bag of Barbie stuff to play with all of the girls. We also met a couple of the neighbors’ dogs, and Eliza was delighted to get to play with them too.

By 1:00 p.m. we headed over to our new school and met the kids’ teachers, saw a bit of the inside of the school, and signed up for all kinds of activities for the upcoming school year.

The first day of school came quickly on Tuesday, and it makes you think, dang where did the summer go? We the parents walked the kids to school, and before you knew it the kids were off into their new classes. They never even looked back.

Mike headed off to work shortly after drop-off, and Hallie headed back to school to help with lunch duty with the first graders. Everyone was so well behaved, and, man, the food looked better than in California.

By 3:00 it was time to gather up some stuff and to pick up the kids at 3:15. Right after pick-up every day we head quickly over to gymnastics. Landon starts at 3:30 every day, and Eliza starts at 3:45 Tuesdays and Thursdays. The day was a bit of an adjustment for Eliza, and a meltdown occurred (it was a long day for her!). Landon had a great day and a ton of fun at gymnastics as usual.

Hallie's new glasses arrived, so she went down to get them. Foxy lady! 

Wednesday, the kids walked with a group of neighborhood kids to school. It was a bit disconcerting as a parent to have taken them both every day to school for the last several years and to hand over that control to them and other kids, but they did well and made it on time.

Mike and Hallie had appointments for blood tests, and we are trying to get involved with several of the university’s health offerings for employees and their spouses. The lady got their blood on the first try with each but not without a dang sharp poke. Yikes!

Mike stayed on campus and Hallie headed back to home so she could volunteer out on the playground during the first grade lunch period. What a fun atmosphere this school has! The kids can be kids and play with very few rules. Loved volunteering at the school and seeing Eliza at recess.

Mike learned that the cushy underground parking he had had last week would likely not be available unless he got up on campus at the crack of dawn in the future. On this day he parked over by the ASB, and later in the week he found a spot among the Education Week attendees down by the tennis courts. He’s actually looking forward to finding a spot south of campus and taking that hill on each day. It wouldn’t seem right without the hike up to campus.

Landon had a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon that went well, and then we headed straight to gymnastics. Mom and Eliza headed home to make dinner and to do some work. Dad got home and Hallie headed straight out to get her haircut. It is short, Hallie thinks she likes it, and what the heck, it will grow out eventually.

Not much happened Thursday that was different at home. Hallie volunteered in the lunch room again. Picked up the kids and headed to gymnastics. Eliza had another meltdown, and we tried to figure out what was happening with her, but we came to no conclusion except for that these may be some long days for her. It is a good thing gymnastics is only two days a week.

At the university, Mike got furniture situated in his new office. He has a wee transom window in one corner, which means that he has tons of wall space to work with. He considered painting one wall with magnetic white board paint but instead opted for a white board that the facilities folks would build for him on one wall and possibly putting up a vinyl mural (or maybe a Fathead?) behind his pictures on another. Books and LEGO sets will occupy the shelves on the other walls. Michele, our department secretary, was most impressed with the VW Bus and Beetle. Wait until she sees the AT-AT and the pirate ship! Mike enjoys having an honest-to-goodness sit-to-stand desk for the first time ever (he’s used boxes, podiums, or stacks of books for over 10 years—whatever works!), plus he has a desk layout that looks out toward the door, which for him is ideal considering the fact that he’s waaay down at the end of the hall. Now to decorate the door.

After gymnastics Eliza and Hallie headed to Sonic Drive-In for 50-cent corn dogs for the crew for dinner. Landon only wanted the bread off the dog and Eliza only wanted the dog. We recited the nursery rhyme Jack Sprat to them. They make quite a pair.

Right as bedtime started we lost power, so some of the neighbor kids were out running around with flashlights. These mean parents said no and made the kids head to bed unsure as to why they had to go to bed and others did not. Man, life is sure unfair.

Friday, Mike walked the kids to school, and Hallie helped with recess. No more volunteering until she is contacted by someone again. More boxes have been emptied, slowly, and more laundry done. Do we every catch up? After Hallie’s volunteering, we headed to a café that is by gymnastics that receives good reviews on Yelp called Sidecar Cafe At Legends Vintage Motorcyles. The food we ate was quite tasty; the staff wasn’t quite as friendly as people professed, but I am sure we will be going back to try some other stuff. Many things sounded good on the menu. What a great little escape without the kids!

After school, Landon told Hallie he thought he had pulled a muscle in or around his hip and wasn’t sure if he should go to gymnastics. After talking about it for a bit and texting his coach we still went, and by the end of practice he was feeling a lot better. Friday is pizza and a movie night, and Hallie ran to the local WalMart Supercenter to find a pizza for dinner. On her way out of the store Hallie recognized our family friend Delores Gunn. The last time Hallie had seen Delores was when Eliza was born 6 ½ years ago. It was so great seeing Delores, and Landon was a good sport when Mom was late picking him up from practice.

Saturday morning we had a city-wide emergency drill. Our job consisted of putting a sign in our window that said everyone was okay. Mike made alphabet letter pancakes in everyone's names. Landon took some selfies of himself enjoying the goods. The kids did a few chores in the morning as we try to figure out a new schedule for things as we settle in to our new digs that we actually like quite well.

After lunch Eliza had something called an inter-squad meet at AirTime. It was a great practice for the girls as they have a few meets coming in the fall and their coach had been on maternity leave and is now back. Eliza did well and worked hard. We are proud of her for sticking it out in gymnastics even though she doesn’t always want to go.

Soon after we got home Hallie took a nap until Mike was about to leave for the adult session of stake conference. As Hallie woke up she couldn’t hear the kids. Mike said they were out playing with the neighbors. What a great feeling it was to a mom to know that her munchkins have already found kids to play with! We had one of the boys, who is also a classmate of Landon’s, over until 8:00 p.m. He was so well behaved, and the kids all did a great job together.

Sunday we all went to stake conference. It is a great short walk to the stake center. We didn’t leave the house until just after 9:20, and we were still able to find a soft seat in the chapel.

Hallie and the kids started an Eric Dowdle puzzle (Niagara Falls) on Sunday afternoon to add another craft to the one Mike and Hallie started Friday evening, a LEGO R.V. that they received for Christmas. In the late afternoon Mike and Eliza made some super yummy banana chocolate chip cookies and Hallie and Landon read Harry Potter Vol. 5. Diamond and Caleb called, and we visited with them some. The kids lost their minds while Hallie tried to carry on a civil conversation with the newlyweds.  We tried to have a quiet evening at home in preparation for the first full week of school starting tomorrow.