Back in the middle of May Stephen and I, along with our friends Casey & Diana, decided to plan a fun post Puzey move trip. We did this so that not only we would have something fun to look forward to after they moved, but give our kids a chance to interact as well. In the preliminary planning stages, we decided to keep it a secret from all of the kids. It was kind of fun having a top secret plan going on for a month.
My niece Ashley is doing her internship with the Real Salt Lake Soccer team and we thought it would rock our kids socks to try and get tickets. We thought Ashley might be able to hook us up with a good deal and she delivered!
The Friday before we left I told all of my children that we were going to be doing something fun the next day, but we were going to have to wake up at 6 am dressed in our bike clothes. They asked where we were going and I wouldn't give any hints. Meanwhile I was trying to secretly pack our suitcases and food, etc. It was very draining and overwhelming to do it all on my own and in secret spurts of time. Whew! Stephen and Mason loaded the bikes and I acted like I was packing a picnic that night. The next morning we woke up and were on the rode by 6:05 am. That is something for me to brag about here!
We drove and texted Puzey parents as we planned to meet them up on the highway somewhere and see how our kids would react. Somewhere around Pocatello, Mason exclaimed from the back seat, "Look, there is Puzey's van! Wait, it looks like they have their bikes too. Can we invite them to go on our bike ride?" As a matter of fact…. Stephen increased his speed and we pulled up next to their van and blowed the horn. The look on Ellie's and Sam's faces were priceless! It was the best. The rest of the day we tried to stay as evasive as possible as the rest of the plans unfolded.
We eventually ended up at Lance and Anne's house and the older kids hit a few mountain bike trails. It was so nice of Lance, Anne, and kids to help us with our surprise and plans. At lunch time I asked Alexis what she would give me if we found tickets to the Real Salt Lake game. She told me she would clean my house for a month! Sweet!!! I tried to keep fibbing and disappointing her high hopes the rest of the afternoon.
At dinnertime we took our oldest three kids "out on the town" for dinner. They thought we were headed to DI afterward when drove past and saw the Real Stadium and the many cars exiting the freeway. We said, "Maybe we can go see if someone is scalping some tix for tonight's game." We parked and walked over to the stadium. Stephen excused himself to "see what he could do" and came back with the tickets that Ashley had placed in will call. It was such a great surprise! All of us had a blast and even though it was a tie game, we were impressed by the pro soccer skills of the Real Salt Lake. After the game, we talked to Ashley and our kids ended up getting to walk onto the corner of the field and get a picture. It was so great seeing the smiles on all of their faces. I forgot to mention that some random guy after the game stood up and opened up a box and started handing out Real Salt Lake cinch backpacks. Of course we fled to him and each kids walked away with a free pack! Sweet. Alexis gave hers to Ashley to have it signed by her now soccer hero – center mid fielder, Kyle Beckerman.
The next day, Father's Day, we drove down to temple square and walked through the north visitor's center. It was a special day to be spent with the world's greatest dad. Stephen is such a wonderful father and we are sooo lucky to have him to bless our lives.
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 Ashley with a dream job |
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 “holding” dad’s present |
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 Draper Park – JT, Sam, Lily, Will, & Owen |
 Olivia and Ellie got to go on a shopping date with their moms. They both bought lip gloss. |
 Olivia watches as Stephen opens the gift she has been saving saving to give him since school got out. |
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 so proud and happy |
 What a perfect thing to say |
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 He’s really excited about this one. Lily remembered him telling her what he really wanted for Father’s Day |
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 guy with the ball is Kyle Beckerman |
 keeper was amazing |
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 goal for Real |
 the sisters |
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