Utah 2025: Part 1 Pre-Wedding

Day One

The day we left for Utah we were on the road by 4:30 am and began our drive to Utah. We stopped at Reilly's so that she and Karson could caravan with us. Hunter had to work and flew to Utah closer to the wedding. While on the road I got a delightful phone call from my gynecologist...yes I was still having UTI pain...who told me that my last culture was normal and that I would need to see a urologist because my situation is not their specialty. Wow. Thanks so much. I asked them what I should do since I was still having pain and OUT OF TOWN and not currently able to see a urologist. I was told that I could take AZO and Tylenol or Ibuprofen for a week to 10 days to manage symptoms while out of town. Did I cry? Yes, I did. Who wants to be at their daughter's wedding with what feels like a terrible urinary tract infection? So that was awesome. Most likely this is a complication of my hysterectomy. Swell. I can't get in to even see a freaking gynecological urologist until NOVEMBER! But back to our trip...

We got to our Airbnb that evening. We ended up being rerouted through Ogden Canyon and down through Provo Canyon due to a wreck which added on quite a bit more time to our trip but I am always happy to be in my old neighborhood! When we finally got to the big house that we were renting we were so happy and really pleased with our accommodations. Kameron and Erin joined us too. We got pizza and stayed up late talking. We had a family planning meeting for what still needed to be done for the wedding and divided up the duties. It was good to all be under one roof once again. It fit all of us super comfortably...two dogs included...and the yard opened up onto a park in the back which was perfect for nights of playing ball out there. The backyard also had gorgeous views of Timpanogos and Cascade mountains and a swing on the patio. That is where I spent all of my down time...in that swing looking at those mountains. Especially Cascade... that is my mountain.

Dwight had grown just a little bit! LOL.

Day Two

There is literally nothing better than waking up in a home with all of your kids there and a grandbaby eager to come into your bedroom and get in bed with Lovey and Pops. He was quickly joined by Reilly, Ailey, and Bryn...all on our bed that morning. LOL. That is true happiness. Tyler and Ailey did a donut run for the family as they love to do. They also picked up all the pictures that were going to be displayed at the reception and they turned out SUPER CUTE! The poster sized ones were great and all of the smaller ones and all of the other things that we needed printed like the drinks, menu, schedule etc all turned out great too! Thank goodness! We were down to the wire. Then everyone headed out to accomplish the rest of our wedding errands.  

Tyler and I had the bride-to-be with us for most of the day as we did runs to Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Winco. We got all the candy for the candy bar and a few more decorations for the reception. I put the vinyl on the mirror that will be at the entrance of the reception. It turned out darling!

Then everyone wanted to go to Costco and I do mean everyone. The whole crew wandered Costco and picked up food for the Airbnb. Then we had a late lunch. Reilly, Karson, and Bryn went to Ulta for all of our wedding day beauty supplies. LOL. Kam and Erin joined them for a Target run for the infamous wedding night *basket* that has become a tradition. Our best friends gave us one on our wedding night that they called our "Stamina Basket" and now our kids get one too! LOL.

Ailey, Luke, Tyler, and I drove to Spanish Fork to Maplewood Events where the reception will be held to check out the venue. I was so glad that we were able to get in and get a look and talk to the person who will be helping with the reception. It was the first time that Tyler and I were seeing it and we were VERY relieved that it was as it had been advertised and that we had more than enough décor and that there will be staff there to help with anything we need. Whew!

Luke looking a little stressed. LOL.

That night Kirk, Meki, and family came over to the Airbnb. We played ball in the park and had Wing Stop delivered. It was really fun catching up with them and they kept us from getting too stressy about the next day. Kirk is good at keeping things humorous! Hunter arrived that night too. We all went around the table giving Ailey and Luke advice. Some funny and some touching. Laughter and tears. The kids gave Ailey and Luke their wedding night basket. Got to love siblings! LOL!

It was a pretty great night!

We were hoping to meet up with Luke's parents and family sometime that day or evening but it wasn't in the cards. Most were arriving late that night. We will meet them all for the first time at the wedding. Not ideal but what can you do?

Tyler and I got to bed late and laid there in the dark talking. How is it possible that our little Ailey Eva is getting married?! It was just like the night before Kameron's wedding...so many emotions (and a few tears)...as we talked into the night. It is always surreal. Happy and excited and but also melancholy as the door to Ailey's childhood closed. Tomorrow her new life begins!

Ailey and Luke's Bridals

 

The Utah State Capital was such a pretty location and the cherry blossoms were even in bloom! Perfection! I love these pictures and am so excited to get these kids married! 

April 2025

This happened!

Wedding month arrived and along with it all the emotions, excitement, and stress. I've said this many times but I am going to say it again...there is a BIG difference between being the bride's parents and the groom's parents. LOL. But each is very special in its own way.

Unfortunately my UTI issues continued on into April. I went in to my doctor who did a pelvic exam to see if everything was healing properly from my hysterectomy. Things looked good. I was put on yet another stronger antibiotic and for a longer time. It's been miserable.

General Conference was this month. We made crepes. Kameron, Erin, Ailey, and Luke all got together for Conference and made crepes too. I love that these family traditions are continuing on. Kameron is now a Wolverine at Utah Valley University! He is officially enrolled. He will finish his Bachelor's Degree there. Tyler's dad was a professor there before he passed away. He would love that his only grandson is going to school there now! Pretty special! We are excited for him! 

Ailey and Luke were able to get into their new apartment in Lehi. They started moving things in. Kameron and Erin helped them take loads from Rexburg. Their wedding gifts have been rolling in like crazy too. People are so generous and thoughtful. My mom's best friend, Mary Jane, sent them the SWEETEST gifts and card that had us all in tears.

Luke turned 22! Kameron, Erin, Ailey, and Luke all got together for Luke's birthday. Kam and Erin met them for dinner and cheesecake. Kameron and Erin are looking for a new apartment closer to UVU. It will be nice to have all four of them a little closer together.

It was Bryn's birthday too! Sweet Sixteen! She had multiple birthday celebrations. Reilly took her out the day before her birthday for a sisters day! They went and snuggled puppies and then went out to dinner. 

Bryn LOVED it!!

We had Bryn's requested maple bars and chocolate milk for her that morning. Then it was onto a shopping spree at the mall and then out for sushi that night. We even dipped our toes in the water at the lake for the first time this season! That weekend Bryn hung out with her friends and then had a family birthday dinner on Sunday. Bryn requested salad bar, Strawberries and Cream Dr. Pepper, and a Lemon Nothing Bundt Cake.

Bryn's track season was going strong with meets every week. She also had her lifeguard orientation. She will be lifeguarding again at the same place that she did last summer and she is super excited about it!

Reilly had another doctor's appointment and Bryn and I went with her. I entertained Karson while Bryn went in to see the twins on ultrasound. That was very cool for her. As the youngest in the family it is something that she has never seen before. Reilly has been so sweet to include her. This was a big anatomy scan so we were keeping Karson busy for quite awhile. Thankfully mama and babies are all doing well!

Reilly is going to have her hands full! This little guy gave both me and Bryn a run for our money!! He is such a little character and a charmer!

Kameron and Erin went to Phoenix for a wedding. Erin was a bridesmaid. The groom is the nephew of my good friend Shannon. This was the kid that I met at Kameron and Erin's wedding. So fun!

I had my Spring Open House at Midtown Market. I was busy prepping all of my Spring items to bring in. We had two vendor nights to get ready for the event. It went well but it was an added layer of stress right before Ailey's wedding! While that was happening I was put on yet another antibiotic to hopefully clear up my UTI symptoms. Ugh. I also hosted book club at my house which was fun...but of all the months this one stressed me out. Things have been crazy with Young Womens too. So many meetings, activities, service projects, and even a Jerusalem dinner. There were so many wedding details pressing down...marriage license, appointments with the kids bishop and stake president...so many snafus with those appointments. Good grief. I was OVERWHELMED with a CAPITAL O! The kids got their bridals done. They were somewhat last minute because Ailey was waiting on her dress alterations. Their bridals turned out great though! Their photographer took them at the Utah State Capital and they turned out so gorgeous! I love them!! Erin and Kameron found an apartment in Utah County and will be moving right around the wedding too. So much going on. I will be glad to have the kids all more centrally located in Utah.

Then it was Easter! We started our Easter celebrations on Easter Eve by attending Easter Vigil at St. John's Cathedral. I love all the high holy celebrations of other church's on holidays like Easter and Christmas and St. John's does everything beautifully. Bryn went with us and it was a good experience for her to visit and learn about other churches and religions.

The next day the Easter Bunny came to the last little Johnson still at home. LOL. 

We attended our ward and wore our wedding clothes from Kameron and Erin's wedding. LOL. We need to get more use out of them!

Then we went over to Reilly and Hunter's house. The Easter Bunny had been good to Karsy! 

Reilly's morning sickness was terrible and she was not up to a big Easter dinner so Tyler, Bryn, and I went to a late Easter Brunch at the Coeur d' Alene Resort. We love it!

Their brunch is so nice and so delicious! It was great to just enjoy ourselves and not have to host anyone or prepare any food. The weather wasn't great but the food and company definitely were! We had a great time!

Kameron and Erin and Ailey and Luke all went to Easter at my brother's house and had a fun time.

We were able to facetime with the Utah kids AND squeeze in a late afternoon nap!

Then it was WEDDING WEEK! I had yet another doctor's appointment to try to figure out what was going on with my urinary tract. More meds. I had a master list of last minute wedding details that Ailey and I were trying to hash out. Me in Washington and her in Utah. I was texting with Luke's mom to bring her up to speed on all of the wedding and reception plans and details.

Reilly, Bryn, and I went to the nail salon for mani/pedis. Both Reilly and Bryn are bridesmaids and Kameron and Hunter are groomsmen. Karson is an honorary ring bearer. LOL. Tyler got his suit back after being tailored and it looks good! All the wedding party clothes arrived in time. Whew!

We packed for the wedding. So much to pack! Suffice it to say I was exhausted before I ever left town.

Ailey and Luke's wedding was BEAUTIFUL and one of the HAPPIEST days of our lives!! Things all worked out. It was so fun being all together and celebrating these two! The wedding will be its own post. We had a great time in Utah and it was fun to see family and friends! We are SO HAPPY for Ailey and Luke!!! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Jorgensen!!

Unfortunately the day we left Utah, as Tyler was loading the car, he started having some bleeding in his eye again. This is SO frustrating since he has had surgery on both eyes. He called his doctor and got in to see him as soon as we got home. I guess this can happen. Surgery doesn't always work. Swell. Tyler is back to regular shots in his eye again. Thank goodness his other eye still looks good and the surgery looks successful on that one.

The newlyweds were having a great time on their honeymoon in Vegas and sent us all kinds of pictures! They looked so happy! Aw...young love!

We got the boat summerized as soon as we got home. We can't wait for the weather to warm up and to get on the water! After such a long winter/spring recuperating from my surgery I cannot wait to get outside and be active. Bryn had several track meets after we got home. Her coach had her try shot put and discus. She did really well. One of Bryn's good friends holds the state record for shot put and was mentoring her.

It was fun to learn more about these events. I don't think Bryn wants to stick with them though. April seemed like the longest month on record! I was exhausted nonstop. I'm glad to be home and to have had a successful wedding and reception! I am also glad that it is behind us! Onto May!