Melissa, Andy and the kids' Blog

June started out a perfectly peaceful month. Bright red blooms on this desert plant in our yard. Yellow butterflies spreading pollen. A neighborhood party in the Lyman's sandbox. On summer break, it doesn't matter the age difference, kids are kids. Riding ponies and tipping back the bottle.  Life seemed calm and fun. Bright long days and great weather.  Then, something changed. Suddenly Dad was gone and in his place, Nana and Grandad. Toy garages and snuggles in Lindon. Smiles in the sun with Nana, but no Dad. Because he was in Boston, eating famous food, enjoying American history, and learning about opioids. I had that roasted pepper burger at Bartley's Gourmet Burgers.  It was delicious, but no Melissa in sight. Then time for cannoli at Mike's Pastry, or half a dozen.  Delicious, and they kept well for a couple of days.   All the while, Hannah and Finn at Nana's house with Mom, wondering why Dad isn't around. Sure, Meli...

Hannah looking cute at a Kids-to-Kids where we went to visit Melissa's friend Alisa Project time clearing out garden beds to get ready for planting. The kids hungrily waiting for their dinner. We went to a fish house for Chris' birthday dinner. Saying "goodbye" at the airport, 5/2 at 8 AM, far too early. Stop in SLC to say goodbye to Nana and Granddad Back in Lindon visiting Great Grandma Clift at Fred and Mary's house on our way home.  Sometimes I can't even make it inside after work before being sucked in to whatever awesome thing the kids are doing. Mangoes!!!! Mangoes make us happy. Finley might have taken, "Clean up the playroom" too far. 5/11 Melissa texted me this picture, just to let me know what kind of crying she was preparing for. Team ropers?  But both dismounted to wrestle it to the ground? Sometimes Hannah will allow just a little physical affection, so that Finley knows she st...