Other Moments Not To Be Forgotten

Before we get to the really recent happenings, let us recall that over the first six months of 2026...

Justin has done some bishoping, which includes going out with the Young Men on occasion.

Gwyn was elated to hear that she won regional history fair.

The fam convened at Abravanel Hall just after Gwyn's performance for a kid-friendly production of Carnival of the Animals by the Utah Symphony. Elder Causse and his family were sitting right behind Justin, Gwyn, Katharine, and Elinor.

Everyone celebrated Abdiel's basketball victories at the local DQ.

Gabriel and Miriam got cuter by the moment.

Elinor and Gabriel had their first piano recital. Elinor was one of only two girls in the Bro Pad Cook Family Piano studio. Abdiel was asked to be a guest performer, but he unfortunately was at BYU football camp.

Elinor and Gabriel had fabulous soccer seasons. Elinor finished hers undefeated and scored a goal in every match-up. Go Elinor!

Justin and Lia snuck into a magical Easter performance of The Messiah headed by Alex and Aubrey Woods and staged before the Gates of Paradise, Ghiberti's famous doors from the baptistry in Florence stunningly cast in gorgeous gold and on display in the BYU Museum of Art. The concept of the evening was moving and the rendition stunning, but the true magnificence came from being expertly positioned next to Shea and Madison Owens, an operatic bass and soprano, respectively. Even had the Gates of Paradise themselves not been sitting in front of us, sitting next to these two angels would have transported us there. A transcendent experience.

Justin snagged this sweet shot of long-time friends Julia and Rebecca at the BYU devotional after Julia sang with Women's Chorus at the BYU 150 Easter Devotional. Julia (and her parents!) loved her time in Women's Chorus!

Gabriel, soccer star in his debut season. (Actually number 3 scored all the goals, but he ran around happily through most of the games and often stood in the goal in this no-goalie division to prevent balls from going in.)

Miriam charmed us constantly.

As did Gabriel.

Abdiel is sure of his own charms, but still spent a fortune adding to them with this Bills hat and new Jordans. We are much obliged to the owner of the dogs he walks three times a week for funding his spending habits.

First day at football camp!

Bruce and Patti celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! We should have snapped a pic of Julia sporting Patti's engagement dress and Abdiel sporting Bruce's engagement suit, but, alas, we were otherwise occupied. We likewise should have recorded in some form or another Katharine and Abdiel playing "A Thousand Years" on cello and piano, respectively, but we were too mesmerized.

Someone did, however, snap some shots of the other Collings' cousins singing "Little Arrows," the song that Patti's sisters sang at her and Bruce's wedding reception. Julia accompanied on the piano.

It was especially kind of Katharine to play her cello at this event because it was the same night as her senior prom. It turns out her date, who moved here from Washington just last year, is the son of Bruce and Patti's ward members and his mom grew up with Justin. His bishop in Washington was Justin's missionary trainee in Milan. And he loves both Statistics and Japan. For all these reasons, some were hoping that they'd forego prom all together and just hang out with all the Little Arrows flying 'round. Katharine thought better of that.

Speaking of Statistics, Katharine had four A.P. tests in one week and then one more four days later. To celebrate her triumph, or at least not doing anything drastic because of the stress, Gwyn made an amazing cake that was enjoyed by all. Go Gwyn!

We spent some of our tax return buying a high quality double jogging stroller/bike trailer off Facebook marketplace.

Katharine neglected to send in her accomplishments for Timpanogos Scholars' Night and so was pleasantly surprised to see that they had found eleven of her conquests to mention all on their own.

Justin and the kids made Lia feel very appreciated on Mother's Day, complete with fun games and delicious food.

This looks like it says, "Under Onky," whatever that means. Actaully it was the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Gala, America250 "Under One Sky" celebration, at which Justin helped rep BYU at their sponsored table. 

A highlight was definitely the live bald eagle!

Gabriel graduated from Joy School!

Katharine graduated from Seminary!

June 5th was International Doughnut Day. Krispy Kreme was the most generous chain to celebrate, offering free doughnuts, no purchase necessary. We still purchased a dozen and dropped the $2 glazed dozen on top of that at Abdie's friend's house whose birthday it was. Since this was also the first Free Frazil Friday of the season, the kids were more than sufficiently sugared that day. We had vegetable soup for dinner to atone.

We started our America250 challenges with a walk around Cascade Springs, also read Federalist 51, and watched a couple episodes of Liberty's Kids with the Baileys. Justin and Lia participated in a community event the next day by joining a tour of Provo Historic Homes. 

Abdiel took one extra week past school finishing to complete his Latin course. Since he couldn't go to football camp until this was done, he had a fire under his feet. As soon as he finished translating the Condemnation of Christ, he and Lia slammed their books shut and headed to Macey's for a Kong Kone. Io, triumphe!

Gwyn graduated from 6th grade and school uniform life! She also earned a keyboarding honor and a Presidential Scholar honor for being in the top 5% in the nation on standardized tests.

And with that, we come to the truly exciting news of the summer!