From the Golden Spike to the Spiral Jetty

Memorial Day seemed as good a reason as any to head north...and then west. 

The goal was to get our Utah history on at the Golden Spike National Historic Site, but with the way things were going in the car ride there—with the constant fighting and Tate eating just about every treat in the car by 9:30 a.m., and then asking, "When's lunch?"—I wasn't sure we were going to make it. 

 

I know my parents took us to Golden Spike when we were kids, but I only have a vague recollection of an old train and some oldy-timey people.

Turns out, there wasn't much more to remember. 

Last Day of 4th Grade

Last Day of Preschool

#TatersGonnaTate

Rounding Third

Three little Sutherlands rounding third and heading home. I love baseball season.

A Happy Boy Will Cost You One $5 Bat

Some Children Love the Performing Arts...Others Do Not

The theme of the end-of-year program at the elementary school was "Celebrate."

Here's how that theme was illustrated by Paige. 

And by Curtis.

He doesn't quite share his sister's passion for the stage. 

Brothers Praying for Foul Balls

 #GoUtes

Mr. Mom

Dad's turn to take on the mom duties for the day. Somebody's pretty excited about it.

#TatersGonnaTate

Laying Down Hot Tracks

One of the flaws of online preschool: The software used to record sight words is more frequently used to record burps.

Eight is Great: Curtis' Big Day

Not surprisingly, Curtis didn't have a lot to say about his baptism.

He met with the bishop about a month ago for his baptismal interview. He managed to eek out a few one-word responses and three minutes later we were on our way back home. 

We went to his "Eight is Great" baptismal preview two weeks ago and his only questions were about whether or not his underwear was going to get wet. 

Earlier this week, we were at the stake center helping the bishopric counselor set up for the baptism. On our way out the door he said, "See you on Saturday, Curtis!"

Curtis turned to me and said, "What's Saturday?"

"Your baptism."

"Oh, yeah. Right." 

But when the big day arrived, he got right down to business. He marched in, picked out a jumpsuit, and got changed.

He sat straight-faced through the talks and then, when it was his turn, stepped into the font. Less than a minute later, he was baptized and we were back in the dressing room, sopping wet. 

He was stoic through the rest of the program and his confirmation. But that doesn't mean there was no emotion. 

While Curtis and I were in the dressing room after the baptism, he leaned into me, which is his way of giving—or at least receiving—a hug. I squeezed him tight and said, "I love you, buddy."

It was a good day. 

Princess Paige...Literally

Casting day. For weeks, Paige had been waiting to find out what part she'd be playing in her theater group's production of Aladdin. 

"I really, really want to be Princess Jasmine," she told me—for the thousand time—on the way to rehearsal. 

"I know, sweetheart. But I think every girl wants to be Jasmine," I said, trying to prepare her for the inevitable letdown. "There are lots of great parts, even if you're not the lead."

When I walked into the building to pick her back up, she came speedwalking right toward me. "So...what'dya get?" I asked. 

Though she kept walking, she turned her head toward me slightly and said, under her breath, "I got it." 

I could tell she was trying to keep her cool in front of the other girls, but despite her best efforts, she couldn't control the volume or pitch of her voice much longer.

"I got it."

"I GOT PRINCESS JASMINE!" she squealed. 

For the past seven months she's been learning songs, and for the last three she's memorized lines and dance moves and cues. On Saturday all that hard work paid off. 

She was a fantastic Jasmine who, for reasons only known to the director, also sang Taylor Swift and Eye of the Tiger. 

I love how brave she is. She doesn't even bat an eye at being in front of 200 strangers.

After channeling her inner repressed Arabian princess for 90 minutes, it was great to see her face light up as the crowd gave the kids a standing ovation.

Proud of our little thespian.

Killin' it as Princess Jasmine.

When Tate Grows Up

A text from Traci. I love that Tate is my best buddy.