Scare tactics and karma

On Saturday night, I stepped outside to deliver cinnamon rolls to a friend picking them up in our driveway. While visiting, a little werewolf slipped into the entryway and waited patiently to jump scare the nerves right out of me (Video below). I screamed, then grabbed Bear and teasingly held him in a headlock. 

And then I realized Bear was looking at me and laughing from across the room. 

Who am I holding in a half Nelson death grip then?!

I yanked the rest of the werewolf mask off scooby doo style to reveal our neighbor boy and Bears closest buddy, Max M. 

Welp

That was embarrassing! Nothing like chasing then pinning someone else’s child down to realize you might have been a little hasty in your reaction. Oopsie!  I released my captive and he was laughing so hard. Phew! 

Sadie texted me later that night apologizing profusely for Max’s wild boy antics. No apology necessary, pretty sure I have ninja skills now or whatever after I assaulted my jump scare attacker 🫠😂   

A while later, Corbin came inside with a couple friends snickering suspiciously. 

The Minkler’s have the cutest skeleton display in their yard, and my teen and friends had sneakily made some uh…rearrangements.  

Now it’s MY turn to apologize to Sadie! Naturally, I send the kids back up the street immediately to undo their naughty trespasses. 

But not before I texted Sadie, who understood the assignment.  She senther husband out to hide in the yard and he jumped out at them wearing a ski mask and chased after them holding a giant lobster claw thing. Corbin said it scared him to death and if Kyle had come out of the woods, “it would have sent me bro. I’d be done for. Passed out dead.” 

He gave them a good scare and Sadie (who thought their prank was hilarious, but not PG!) said that after they finished screaming and Kyle took off his mask all she heard from them (over Kyle’s laughing) was nervous “we’re so sorry sir. Yes sir we will fix it right now sir! We’ll never do it again sir. Sir we promise! Thank you sir for understanding sir!” Like perfectly proper little southern gents.  Hahaha they got exactly what they deserved, the little stinkers, and it was hilarious. They could bent believe I sold them out, but who could resist the opportunity for teen payback via masked karma? This will be Primrose Lore forever.  I love my life! 

 

Willy Weekend

Corbin is trying to make casual dating a thing among his peers and decided he will lead by example. This weekend he and Avery P did temple baptisms and five guys and then met up with friends at the football game. He has HOCO this weekend and big plans for a fun fall themed group date are in the works if he can get some guys on board with asking dates. 

Quincy and Scotty G got caught in a downpour early Saturday morning. They were meeting up with Ethan A, Ryder P, and Gordo in downtown Salt Lake for Saturday Morning Session of General Conference. they had a good attitude but Q was soaked through every layer of clothing and therefore freezing inside the conference center. 

After getting home and dried off, she returned for evening session with a hallmate, Grace, who had an extra ticket.

Relief Society had a painting with a twist activity. I came in late and just parked next to Jen Toland in the back. I’ve never painted anything on canvas and we joked that we didn’t plan to keep our paintings, but it was fun to make them and visit. Everyone’s art turned out so different and fun. I took a batch of cinnamon rolls to share and a bunch of ladies texted the next day to order some last minute. Sam’s club has the free sample to boost sales model figured out! Carrie Morelock took a roll while passing through to say hi, got to her car, then came inside to find out where they came from. The next day she ordered some and picked them up early, then got home and called to see if we had extra and came back to buy more. Moral of the story here is to always buy extra dessert. I didn’t toss my little pumpkin art and instead popped it up on the mantle with the other fall stuff where it will serve to remind me of my cute and creative friend, Jen. I don’t think there is anything she can’t do and I aspire to have her unique level of creativity and thoughtful listening skills. Happy autumn. 

General conference was more thrilling for some Willies than others. 

Another cougar W! Quincy found Kristie at the game. I’m jealous of both of them for getting to see each other. 

Pumpkin everything please. This week is a yummy pumpkin overnight oats recipe from Kasey. 

Use 1/4 the spices recommended though—it’s too much. I also did not at collagen peptides bc I done even know what that is, and I skipped the maple syrup bc I’m out of the good stuff and my brain thinks cheap syrup is kid food and I don’t like it any more. The oats though? Delicious. 

Every day, Sloane and I listen to 1-2 chapters of Anne of Green Gables on audiobook while we wait for Soren to get out of school. We love this time together! Sloane 

This weekend also involved 40+ pans of cinnamon rolls, a cross country meet in Fayetteville, two soccer games, helping two seniors brainstorm and map out college essays, a funny little neighborhood prank war, a visit with Paul and HolleeAnn, a dinner date to Wrights with Aaron. 

Date Night with the Willies: Yoke Lore at George’s Majestic

Aaron and I slipped out after dinner last night to George’s Majestic in Fayetteville to catch Yoke Lore. We were more than easily the oldest people there. Ha! Doesn’t matter, we are old but we have good taste and we appreciate rising musicians. We have a few favorite songs by Yoke Lore. Goodpain is our fave and was my most played song on Spotify wrapped last 2 years in a row.

This is a good little indie synth dance anthem about keeping someone close to you under your watchful care even if the struggle of it highlights your own faults. Anyway, last night they gave us an acoustic version for the first verse that actually moved me to tears. Music is powerful. Halfway through the song they burst into the electric version we all know and the crowd let loose. It was awesome and a fun memory for Aaron and I and a song we both love so much aaron has nearly played it to death. 

Chin Up, Beige, Seeds, and of course Shake were all great! This guy rocks a banjo and it’s the best! Adrian Galvan (frontman) is also a trained lyrical dancer, choreographer, and dance studio owner. Shake is about not ignoring or numbing ourselves to our feelings and distracting ourselves with music (Music being the first person narrator of the song) but instead letting music provide an outlet to allow us to just feel. And move. Find some time to get in our emotions and let loose, and shake until emotions hit the surface. 

As long time believers in the “2 minute dance break” we totally love this song. Adrian is so fun to watch dance because he’s so unhinged in the way he moves, but there’s beauty in his chaotic style. 

 

The opener, Wells Ferrari was EXCELLENT! Reese would have loved these guys and I sent her a bunch of songs in Spotify after. We are instant fans. Just two folk country dudes and their guitars. They were tight live. They ran their own merch table and signed the hat Aaron bought. 

After the last song, the drummer handed us the set list! We didn’t even have to ask! 

Here is part of an email I sent to Fake Band today:

“…It is brilliant that missionaries call all their new contacts, “friends” because that is the best way to show Christlike love! Find friends! 

Aaron and I went to a Yoke Lore concert last night. Bro plays indie folk rock and jams with a banjo. He ended the night with a song about choosing to just love others, even when love doesn’t always feel easy/safe. It takes stepping out of our comfort zone and vulnerability to be a good friend. 

And since it was at George’s Majestic in Fayetteville, there were only 100 people there and it was just greatness you guys. We were front row center. The drummer gave us their setlist. After the show I asked the band to sign our vinyl to some of the greatest examples I know of friends who are thoughtful, wholesome, inclusive, and Christlike. Dude doesn’t even know you but check the message he put with the signature. 

Cheers to Fake Band and loving all the friends you find along your way. 
Great job, keep going!”

 

We missed our young concert buddies. They would have loved this show. It makes us smile to see a permanent  seat for Fake Band by the turntable and a reminder of the power of love and friendship every time we flip through our vinyls. Chin up! 

FFF: Family Bike Ride

 My brother Mark’s children are all adults now and they refer to family activities when they were younger as FFF. Mark and Melinda had “forced family fun”.  Their kids all laugh about having to call it that for a reason when they were younger, and now use it endearingly as they love being together and having fun as a family. But I can totally relate to their early days of getting everyone on board with an activity and we had our own version of FFF this weekend between conference sessions. 

Getting all of the Willies to agree to a family ride was a challenge, but we made it out the door. It was validating to come home and hear President Oaks emphasize the importance of family centered activities and state, “The purpose of the Plan is to exalt families”. 

And so even with much opposition, we will continue our quest to create happy memories through wholesome family recreational activities. 

Some of the kids might describe these “happy” memories as just… “memories”,  but I really believe that in the future they will reflect and recall them as happy ones. First, because we were together, and Second, because they are learning that this is important enough to their parents that we refuse to give up the quest for peaceful quality time together when faced with some contention. We told the kids that if they want to have happier family time, then they need to practice being happier during family time. 

This one had some stressful and emotional moments since everyone bikes at different paces and had varying expectations for the outing, but overall it was a success. We were together and everyone reported that they liked it—-even the kids who took a lot of persuasion to get in the car. This is a win for the Willardsons!

Quincy’s MTC Dinner Service assignment

 Quincy had a dinner service assignment at the MTC for her Mission Prep course. Her friend/hall-mate Ali is in her same class so they went together. Quincy was so excited to see Elders Shaw and Ratsachak come through the dining hall! She didn’t get a photo with Lando, but said the fist bump was great! 👍🏻 she chatted with Lance and other missionaries called to serve in Seoul and Seoul South a minute. They all told her how difficult the language is and to study grammar now because sentence structure is kicking their trash. It made her nervous, but she has been working hard on alphabet lately and was able to sound out a scripture verse in Korean this week.

Quincy said this assignment was a tender mercy. She’s such a social person, she already knows it will be a struggle to leave all the new friends she’s made at BYU. Getting a sneak peek into MTC life, seeing two friends, (there are 2,000 missionaries in the MTC right now, so her running into both of them is no coincidence), and meeting a few missionaries will be in her mission were life giving for her. God is in the details! 

Corbin’s Cinnamon Roll Fundraiser

Corbin has an orchestra trip to Dallas in the spring and we decided to keep the conference weekend cinnamon roll fundraiser going. He sold 40 pans of cinnamon rolls and we baked all of them on Saturday. He got scheduled for a 4 hour work shift in the afternoon, so we did prep work by peeling all the stickers off the bottom of the labs and pre measuring and bagging 40oz of flour for 15 batches the day before. This was a huge time saver on baking day. Since he didn’t have to get ready for work until noon, we were early to start baking and Kasey and I were just on frosting duty while he was at work. Also bless Aaron for doing Saturday soccer and cross country solo!  

I honestly don’t know how Quincy did 80 pans in the same time frame, but it was definitely less stressful this time around with only 40 orders. Up at 6am and 11 hours later we were dealing cinnamon roll goodness from the back of his car. 

What would any of us do without Kasey?! She baked all day with us, made a run for yeast and butter when my supply calculations fell short, and kept conference going for us to be spiritually uplifted while we baked. 

Success! Corbin’s trip, plus ingredients were all paid for. Thank you to neighbors, friends, and family for all your orders! 

September Speed

This Sunday’s family walk was at Coler Mountain. The boys were sour about it but the girls had a great time and even brought home some flowers they picked to press in a book. The boys talked football most of the walk. At least they stuck together in their misery. 

Nature loving Bear noticed a crane in the creek. We stopped to watch it fish for a while. One of the kids pointed out their gratitude that WE don’t have to hunt down our meals, they “just appear without ANY work”. 

I turned around like “pause. I’m, actually there IS work involved, you just aren’t the one doing it.”  💀 my dinner game has been top tier lately and these lovely cranes of mine are getting from scratch excellence served up every night. Without any work. Lol. These are the moments when I think about families who like go live on a working farm or a sailboat or serve in an orphanage in a developing country or go off grid for a year to teach their children about hard work and self reliance and suddenly their ideas don’t seem so radical or crazy. We’re struggling with entitlement for a 1 hour walk. For leisure. On a paved And landscaped trail. 

Our friend Shane died last week. He ministered yo our family for so many years. I texted Lucy some of my favorite memories of Shane when we heard the news. She wrote back that they love hearing all the stories so much and they hope people keep them coming to lessen the pain of their loss. Here are a few of the memories I texted Lucy about (before attending his funeral and learning that he kissed everyone on the forehead and I was nothing special haha) 

-Years ago when Aaron was in the bishopric and I had 5 or 6 little kids on our row. Corbin was probably around 6 years old and he would take off during sacrament meeting, knowing full well my hands were too full to chase after him. One Sunday, Corbin bolted…and yall were sitting behind us. Shane put a hand on my shoulder to sit me back down and got up after Corbin (who had headed straight for the parking lot.) 

Not long after, Corbin marched back in and slowly sat reverently, but looking very cross. Kid did not bolt again…but I did see him turn back to look at Shane, who just winked at him. 

-Quincy of course, can thank Shane for coming over and telling her he sucked his thumb until he woke up

on his 5th birthday and it had popped right off lol. She quit cold turkey AND went to preschool and told Leah Scheele, who also quit once she saw Shane that Sunday and he made a point to wave at them with his stubby hand and re-traumatize them each week.  

-I loved the way Shane loved everyone as if he was a favorite uncle to my kids. He hugged the tightest, kissed you right smack on your face, always called me darlin’ and asked how I was doing with a genuine heart to hear my answer.   

-Shane could talk about deep Gospel doctrine with Aaron for hours on end like neither of them had anywhere else to be. He was a good friend and ministered so well.  

He could tease about a ball game with Corbin, who cried very real tears and then nodded affirmatively, “Shane was a good man.” when I told him about his death this afternoon. 

Newborn baby Sloane had more forehead kisses from uncle Shane than any baby has ever had in the history of baby forehead kisses! 

When his brother got sick, Shane would share stories of hope and miracles he witnessed in his messages to our kids. I know that one of the reasons my children look out for each other and love each other so well is because of the example he set for them. 

-Shane taught me how to use shims to a door plumb in a frame and how to adjust the torque with the screws so it closes perfectly. I confidently replaced all the doors in my last house after he taught me and then he came over and held baby Soren and let Corbin climb all

over him and Reese and Quincy asked him a dozen questions while he taught me how to install bifold doors in all the closets. He was excited about every carpentry endeavor and supported my projects with compliments and sound advice. 

-No matter what I was eating when Shane stopped by, he reached over and took a bite of it right out of my hands or off my plate. A cookie, a sandwich, enchiladas, an apple, a bowl of ice cream using my spoon. It didn’t matter and I didn’t seem odd and aaron once pointed out that I am also this kind of person and it something that is actually not very normal feels super normal to me because we are kindred spirits. 

-Shane gave blessings to so many of us when we were sick or tired or just weary in spirit. I remember being so very sick and pregnant and he and Aaron ministering to me after in had vomited until I passed out. He was compassionate and generous beyond average and served without ever being asked. He was a friend to Aaron and a role model to me. We are so thankful for his spot in our lives as my little family has grown up. We loved him and will miss him very much. 

Music stuff:

There is a lot of new activity on the Two Door Cinema Club social media accounts dropping funny hints and obscure teasers and clues of a vinyl repress of our favorite album, Tourist History, for its 15th release date anniversary. This record is impossible to find, has not been in production for 14 years. I ask the owner of every record shop I ever step foot in, and turns out it’s notoriously impossible to obtain. We would definitely geek out over a repressing, or even better, an album anniversary tour! TDCC have not released new music in a loooong time. End the draught!  

That said, another concert without Fake Band with us would definitely be less fun. 

Also of note in the music scene (no one who reads this cares, but it is relevant in my brain and a discussion topic among Aaron and my children): 

-Dayglow, Mon Rovia, and The Head and the Heart are all coming in the next month. All three concerts are on Sundays 👎🏻👎🏻.  Bummer to miss. Dayglow isn’t even the headliner, they are opening for Twenty One Pilots. We know lots of people with tickets to the show and I hope they appreciate the quirky and happy opening act! 

-Taylor Swift and The Good Neighbors both drop albums tomorrow. Taylor is scantily dressed as a Vegas showgirl on her album art. Goth Babe dropped an LP and it’s just like the other stuff. 

-there are lots of NOT-on-Sunday live music events coming but it’s all stuff I listed to with Q so I wouldn’t have a fan to attend with. That’s kind of a bummer and a reminder of the weird loneliness that is life with adult kids who live far away. Alex Warren, Jonah Keegan, Saint Motel, Cage the Elephaht, Jelani Aryah to name a few. Any middle aged women out there big fans of indie music? Wanna be my friend? 🙏🏼 😂 Beuler? 

SJ is now a missionary! Proud of this girl. I really loved that group of kids hard. Now they are adulting and working, college students, wearing full on sweaters they knitted, and serving (or have calls to serve) the Lord in Japan, Oregon, Utah, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Brazil, California, Mexico, and South Korea. Go share the message of love, Sister Miller! 

Reese hit the rodeo with Logan last week! Logan’s cousin helped Reese fully activate Rodeo mode by painting her nails with cow print, cacti, and long horns, and then she  bedazzled flames on Reese’s jeans. She looked legit. 

Our wonderful prophet President Russell Marion Nelson died Saturday night. Soren gave a good talk Sunday morning about the blessing of having a latter day prophet. He shared a story about how the words of the prophet turned around a terrible and contentious day our family was having and changed us for the better. President Nelson’s love was easily felt. His optimistic, hope filled counsel was inspiring. He will get his own post 

Quincy went to the dunes and hiked Mount Timpanogos summit last week! They left at 1am to get to the summit for sunrise. Shout out to Scotty G for planing and for sticking with Q through some tough parts. That hike is no joke and she’s so proud of herself for making it. 

Corbin is putting in the work! He is so talented and can nail very technical long runs with precision. His fingers move so fast zipping through 32nd notes, I can’t even read the music fast enough to follow along. I sent a short video clip to Quincy and she’s soo proud. Not making chamber really devastated Corbin. I’m so proud of him for staying focused and motivated to keep playing and improving. 

I spent the morning volunteering at BHS orchestra Senior Media Day. I don’t have a senior but their banners are going to look so good. Here’s of peek

of Mr Collett working with philharmonic orchestra. I’m not on campus nearly as often as I was in past years. SBO still keeps me busy and All region and Honors will be all weekend long days, but for now I’m there so rarely that it was a treat when I do get to pop in and see the students.. 

Ava the chicken is starting to integrate into our flock 

Violin lesson time is a fun and very interactive hour of the week. 

Invisalign is DONE! Yay Corbin! Beautiful smile! 

😀 

Thank you eBay for THIS treasure trove! Sloane and Esme are devouring this nostalgic part of my childhood. I had a monthly subscription to the BSC and received mail order books. I read all of them and the spin off mysteries, super specials and little sister series as well. It was a lifestyle. Hooray for next gen members of the babysitters club! 

I love a pot of bean soup. Every time I smoke a brisket, tri tip, pork butt, etc, I save a single portion in a ziplock and freeze it. On soup day all this greatness was added to the pot (along with ground sausage, a strip of bacon, diced tomatoes with green chilies, spices and love) it was a chefs kiss! 

Happy 50th Angie! It was fun for Aaron and I to gather with friends and celebrate our long time friend last weekend! I spent a long time seated around the table catching up with Angie, Sandy Short (guin), Kate Wilcox. Kaylee Irlenborn, Jeannie Scates, and Kasey. Years ago (decades?) we had a book club and a lunch group. Times have changed but I love this catch up all the more. 

PSA: these mint Oreo thins are delicious. I was heavily influenced by the clean simple eats marketing to buy them as a mix-in for protein ice cream in my parents’ Ninja Creami. 

I was heavily influenced by myself to decide the mint flavored protein powder sample that I purchased was not good and took a lil stack of Oreos to my bed last night. 

General Conference next weekend! Very excited. Corbin has sold almost enough land of cinnamon rolls to pay for his spring orchestra trip. 

I’ve had a few phenomenal late night walks with Kasey lately. She rode with me into town and LeoWe had a pretty successful family Sunday walk this week, and by success I mean we were present. There was, as always, moderate complaining, but we just kept going bc Willies show up. The girls loved this walk and the boys tolerated it. 

Hello tweens having PJ practice. 

I love September 21st. It’s the day my grandma Lawrence returned to my grandpa in heaven. It’s the day baby Corbin walked independently, it’s a fabulous song by Earth Wind and Fire, it is a wonderful welcome day for Autumn, and it’s a lovely day to decorate a fall mantle. Hello warm color palette.