I'm preparing to leave the rolling hills of the Midwest and return to the Rocky Mountains where I lived from June, 1986 to September, 2005. I have so many memories of my time in Utah, both great and difficult.
I still remember staring out the window of my school bus in Moses Lake, Washington on my last day of 3rd grade at Garden View Elementary. It was June 1986 and my family would spend the next couple weeks packing a U-haul and attending farewell parties before leaving for Utah to begin our new adventure.
We lived with my Grandma and Grandpa Springer in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City for many months before moving to an old rental home down the street that we affectionately named "The 9th East House." That was the house where I got Kara grounded after telling my parents she called me the "B" word when she said I was "acting like a butt." I was too young and innocent to realize my parents were assuming she called me a worse "B" word. At the smelly rental house, I slept on the bottom bunk of Scott's bed in our make-shift bedroom that had sheets hung in the door-less entrance. I attended a Gifted and Talented Elementary school named Lowell Elementary in Salt Lake City (don't ask me how I qualified because I've never been particularly gifted or talented). Scott and I rode the city UTA bus every day to a very busy corner of North Temple before walking the last 2 blocks to our school. Nowadays, people would consider that child abuse, but this was back when parents didn't have to teach their kids to fear the world. The two of us became friends with homeless people, gay men, and some of the craziest women alive.
On a spring day in March, 1987, my family moved into a house located at 796 E. Savannah Dr. in Sandy. I was 10 years old. When my parents bought this house, I felt like we had struck gold. It was in a nice neighborhood, and I considered some of my neighbor's houses to be mansions. I was excited to meet new friends and explore the neighborhood. It didn't take long for me to realize this area of the Salt Lake valley was very different from my previous neighborhood. I felt launched into a world where money bought happiness, and I didn't measure up. I didn't wear designer clothes (in fact, my favorite outfit at the time was from Deseret Industries), I didn't have any remarkable talents (which was probably good because my parents didn't have the time or money to enroll me in any activities), and some of the girls in my neighborhood must have created the word "frienemy." I remember watching Kara cry because she didn't "fit in" with all the rich kids at Alta High School. I remember watching Scott struggle to find friendships. I don't remember much about Tiffany at all, because she was rarely home (school, job, foreign exchange student, etc). My Dad had recently started working as a therapist at Provo Canyon School, and my Mom was taking a full-load of classes to finish her Masters Degree in HR. We all lived parallel lives while we tried to adjust to our new circumstances.
I took this picture after we had lived there about 6 or 7 years. I don't think anyone else in the family bonded to this house the way I did. This became my home. I still regularly have dreams of being in this house. I lived here for 8 years while I attended Elementary, Middle School and High School. When we first moved in, my bedroom was the first one on the right after walking in the front door. It had blue walls and was filled with stuffed animals. Tiffany's bedroom was on the far right, although she only lived here a couple years before heading to college at which time her bedroom became the office. My parent's bedroom was across the hallway. When I was 12 I got new bedroom furniture and it's still being put to good use in Lindsey's bedroom today. Kara moved out of the house in 1990, so I took over her basement bedroom with the big walk-in closet. I felt so grown-up being on a different level than my parents. I was now across the hall from Scott, and my parents had the upstairs to themselves.
I have a million memories of this house. My Mom became an amazing gardener, so our yard always looked beautiful. She took this picture of me before I went to the Homecoming dance at the age of 16. A few thoughts on this photo: Gunny Sack dresses were all the rage - can you imagine if girls still dressed this modestly for school dances? I had braces - no child should have to endure dating with braces. Maybe I could have worn a slip so my dress wasn't completely see-through?
This picture was taken right before heading to my graduation ceremony. I was standing by the big front window of the Living Room. I sometimes wish I could have a conversation with my 18-year-old self. 18-year-old Ali might not like to hear what advice she has 20 years later.
I moved back home for a couple months after getting engaged, so the Ryan and I would spend time in the basement hammock room. My Mom had redecorated this room a couple years earlier after a vacation in San Francisco where she discovered a hammock store. It was such an original, fun idea, and I loved bringing friends to the house.
When I was in Utah in July 2013, I took an afternoon to myself and drove to memorable places. When I pulled up in front of the Sandy house, tears started falling down my cheeks before I was even able to turn and look at the house. To this day, I get sad seeing vehicles in MY driveway, and realizing a different family is making memories here. The trees in the front yard are ginormous, the door is now white, the porch is bigger, and the windows have shingles. I should have been happy that someone was taking care of the house, but instead I felt annoyed that anything had changed.
My Mom's flowerbeds are the same shape but lack the care they used to get. They haven't changed the light post or mailbox. I became a sappy mess when I thought of the light post welcoming me home at night, or waiting by the mailbox to receive a letter from one of the many missionaries I corresponded with.
One more story about this mailbox. It was installed by my Dad and Scott when I was 16 years old. I watched them working out the window and felt horribly guilty because I had damaged the old one the previous night when me and 5 sleepover friends climbed out my window to take the blue Toyota Tercel for a ride. I hadn't yet realized that steering wheels lock when you don't turn the car completely on. As the car quietly rolled down the driveway (because if my parents heard the car start, they would know we were sneaking out), I realized I couldn't steer. My friends jumped out and ran while I knocked the mailbox across the street. I finally admitted this story to my Dad after getting married, but I will always feel guilty about watching the new mailbox get installed while I talked on the phone inside.
Many goodnight hugs and smooches happened on this porch. I'm going to install a camera on our porch before my kids start dating. I remember one time when I had apparently been "telling a boy goodnight" for too long, so my Dad started flipping the porch light on and off. Hint taken. Nothing like a parent to ruin a little flirting.
While I was stalking the house in 2013, I went behind a newly-built nursing home facility to take pictures of my old backyard. Several elderly people were concerned about the strange girl perched on a fence while zooming in on a particular house. The little house structure in the middle of the yard was the coolest playhouse of all time! It looked like a miniature version of our real house. The shed on the right wasn't there at the time because we had a basketball hoop in that area.
Kara and Dave were married in this backyard on a hot August day in 1995. Kara walked out the sliding door in her white dress (cue Gunny Sack dress again) and down the steps to where Dave was waiting by a beautiful arch of fresh flowers.
This is also where our poor dog, Benji, spent several neglected years. I feel horribly guilty that I ignored his presence. Eventually he slept all day underneath the porch rather than expecting to have anyone interact with him.
Back in the day . . . Scott shooting hoops on the court and hanging out in the awesome playhouse with one of his old girlfriends.
When I zoomed in really closely, I saw the window for my old bedroom in the basement on the far right. Thank goodness for alarm systems these days that will prevent my kids from sneaking out their windows. Not that I did that.
This is Janee Boyakin's house, which was right next door. TEN CHILDREN lived here, so it was always a chaotic party. I used to walk on the wood beams that separated our yards, and I parked my cars right in this space (the little blue 1984 Tercel until I bought a shiny red 1993 Honda Civic when I was a High School senior).
I felt like the luckiest kid to have a pathway leading to my friend's house. If you are wondering, I did have to trespass a little bit to get this picture.
The view of our street. I don't think I ever noticed the mountains while living there, but now I can't take my eyes off them when I visit.
I loved Janee's barn-looking house. I used to think it was a true mansion, and now I have to wonder how 12 people fit into that home.
This house was 2 doors away and belonged to someone I won't mention. A female occupant of this house made my life a living hell for several years and made me feel like a no-good nothing. Maturity has given me the insight to know she bullied because something was missing in her own life, and I've been able to let it go. It is interesting, however, that she's now on her 4th husband and hasn't exactly had an easy life as an adult. I actually feel badly for her, and hope she eventually finds real happiness.
This was my friend Jami Chandler's house. She was the adopted, only child of a very nice couple, and had a pool in her backyard. The front yard used to have grass, but now the occupants are too lazy to do any yard work. It made me sad to drive through my old neighborhood and realize it has really gone downhill over the years.
This was my church, which was right in the middle of our predominantly-Mormon neighborhood, so we would walk back and forth during good weather. I've lived in Missouri long enough now to think it seems odd that almost all of my neighbors were LDS and attended a church around the block from our house.
This was Tera Taylor's house, one of my other best friends. I had to laugh when I drove up to her house because I didn't remember the tiki-style roof! Some of my best childhood memories were made in this house. It was my home away from home, and Tera was an ideal friend who balanced my unstable moods with her happy-go-lucky, exuberant attitude.
Jaime Knight lived in this house, although it was in much better condition back then. The giant tree in front was smaller so I could throw rocks at Jaime's window to get her attention.
This is the elementary school I attended for part of 4th grade and all of 5th and 6th grade. I have some pretty terrible memories of this place, because she-who-will-not-be-mentioned made life rather difficult for me.
The playground was the loneliest place to be. When bullies control the lives of other kids, the playground becomes an unstructured place where subtle (and not so subtle) meanness lurks. I get anxiety thinking about my kids maneuvering the chaos of recess now.
This was the path I walked from the school building to my seminary class. I threw myself into seminary when 9th grade started because I loved feeling the Spirit in a place that usually brought me unbelievable amounts of anxiety.
One time while walking past this corner of the school, some girls started laughing at me because I dressed very casually and wasn't into "being a girl." They made rude comments about my clothes, lack of make-up and awkward body shape. It's amazing how those comments stung. I remember some of the moments when I contributed to tearing down other people and it now hurts my heart.
I attended Alta High School during my sophomore, junior and senior years. I could write a whole book about my experiences in this school. I overcame some insecurities, had my heart broken many times and had the greatest friends (both girls and boys) that a girl could ever have.
I took this picture of the football field when I visited a couple years ago because the field holds so many memories for me. One of my on-again-off-again boyfriends was the quarterback on the team, so I often watched his practices and loved attending his games. One time as seniors we layed down on the 50-yard line late at night and talked about our futures while staring at the stars.
The football field is also where my commencement exercises were held in June 1995. When the program was finished and students began walking across the stage to accept their diploma, a storm blew in and everyone ran into the school soaking wet. A photographer was hit by lighting so an ambulance arrived and we were all sent home. My diploma came in the mail a few days later. In the picture below, I am in the bottom right corner.
I had to take a picture of the parking lot where I drove my old blue Tercel every day. I received MANY parking tickets here because I didn't want to park in "BFE."
I forgot to upload pictures of the time I spent in Logan, UT at Utah State University from September - December 1995. I only lived there for a few months, though, because I was slightly flaky and decided to transfer schools.
After ditching my roomie, Janee, at USU, I ended up down in Provo as I started school at UVSC in Orem. This was one of the HARDEST time of my life. I had many experiences in my first couple months here that I would rather forget, including the death of some High School friends. But I also met my future husband while living in the Branbury Park Apartments, so I'm grateful I ended up there. I lived on the second floor of this building, so our family room was inside the window next to the left stairwell.
Ryan was in my ward and lived around the corner, also on the second floor. The door right above Logan was the apartment where he lived with Ryan Robinson, Deron Stailey and Mike Aldous. The picture on the right shows the stairwell where I lived. Ryan gave me many goodnight kisses outside that door. I have some pretty crazy stories about the roommates I lived with here.
The path I walked from Ryan's apartment on the left to my apartment around the corner by the trees. I took this picture 2 years ago when we took our little brood back to the spot where they were first discussed.
I included this picture because it shows the shed that was directly across the parking lot from my apartment. Inside that shed was a carpet cleaning van that we would eventually acquire after getting married and buying the Ideal Carpet Cleaning business. Our gutsy move to buy that business was a large stepping stone to the life we have today.
After a summer of living at King Henry Apartments, I had to return to live at the Branbury Apartments for one more semester. While living in this nasty basement apartment, I made the decision to marry my Sweetheart.
This sign was NOT displayed when I lived at these apartments. It made me want to gag when I saw this a couple years ago, but Ryan reminded me that the guarantee worked for me!
Back in the day, this paper store was called Dixon Paper Store. This is where I worked from the time I moved to Provo until just before Brevan was born. I learned so much about life, work ethic and myself during the {almost} 3 years I worked here.
When Ryan and I got engaged on November 1, 1996, we immediately began looking for somewhere to live after our wedding. I loved these apartments near BYU, even though we could barely afford the rent. Ryan moved into the apartment here until we were married in February, although he usually stayed with me in Sandy at my parent's house.
These are some pictures of the inside of our Cambridge Court Apartment. The couch was borrowed from Norm and Dana. The pillows were old pillows my Mom gave us. The clock, rug and throw blankets were wedding gifts. Ryan found the ugly wreath on the wall in an empty apartment so he brought it home for me.
This was our cute little kitchen that was hardly used. The now-infamous stories of calling my Mom to ask how to bake potatoes and "brown meat" happened here. This is also where I made my first Hamburger Helper cuisine after telling Ryan we didn't have any hamburger in the freezer; only ground beef. I was pathetic.
The birdhouse with ivy was a decoration I brought from my childhood bedroom, the picture on the wall cost $10 at Walmart, my Mom gave me the swag on the wall, and all the appliances, rags and kitchen utensils were wedding gifts. To the right of this (not pictured) were the plastic patio table and chairs my parents let us borrow. We were so poor, but so happy.
Our prized possession was this entertainment center we bought at Shopko. Ryan and his brother, Sean, spent many evenings assembling it and I enjoyed filling it with pictures and decorations. All the frames and plants were either wedding presents or items my Mom was giving away. How cool was that gold-framed lamp?
I also have to mention the first married argument Ryan and I had. We were trying to decide where to put the stereo speakers and I was adamant that they should be placed next to each other so I have more decorating room. Ryan told me speakers have to be placed apart for better sound quality. Years later I could finally admit that he was right, but I was positive of my opinion on the night of the argument.
After realizing the rent at our apartment was too expensive, we made the move to the Call Apartments. We loved our time in this little one bedroom, one bathroom apartment. This is where we lived while I was pregnant with our first child. Sean and Melissa were our neighbors in one of the upstairs apartments. I was a terrible housekeeper back then and secretly despised Melissa's organization and decorating skills.
The stairwell to our second floor apartment.
A picture we took in late 1997 inside our Call apartment. We took "selfies" before that term was created by using the timer on our camera. By this point we had gotten rid of Norm and Dana's couch and were borrowing my Mom's old couch from our Sandy house. I remember taking this photo on a Sunday afternoon while we snuggled in our most comfortable sweats and settled in for some movie and homework time.
Our next residence was our first large purchase as a married couple. In August of 1998 we bought a two-story condo in Pleasant Grove for less than $100,000. It had 3 bedrooms and 1 1/2 bathrooms plus STAIRS, so we felt like it was enormous. We lived in the condo that is second from the right.
The rosebush I planted and cement curbing we installed are still there. Awww!
Some pictures from our time at the Pleasant Grove condo. I didn't yet know how to paint, but Roy and Bonnie spent a whole Saturday helping me hang wallpaper and a border in my kitchen. I loved the finished look and had Melissa paint some birdhouses to match. I thought sunflowers were the bomb back then.
We bought this table from my old boss at Dixon Paper Store. I paid him $50 for the table and 4 chairs. Considering we had used a plastic table for so long, we were thrilled to have something made of wood.
I pulled a couple pages out of my scrapbooks because they gave more detail of our first "real" home.
This was my baby boy's bedroom. I loved the Noah's ark theme and had a fun time decorating it before his arrival in November 1998. This picture was taken a couple years later when he had graduated from the crib stage (even though he never actually slept in his crib). The nightstand was free from an apartment where Ryan cleaned the carpets, and we bought the dresser to match.
My baby playing in our small condo backyard. Although it was a tiny yard, it was plenty big for our little tyke and we had ACTUAL lawn to mow.
Baking cookies with my bright-eyed boy.
Some pictures in our front yard:
How cute were Brevan, Tyler and Kelsi? See the rosebush and curbing in the background that is still around all these years later?
When I was pregnant with Brynlie, we knew it was time to move on to a bigger house. We had lived in our condo for 3 years and were outgrowing it. When Brynlie was only 11 days old, we experienced the miracle of buying this blue house at an auction. Now we were REALLY a family in our actual HOUSE with a YARD.
Some scrapbook pages that explain our miracle:
We had an awesome back deck with a beautiful view. I wish I could time travel back to this day and give these three cuties big smooches.
All decked out for Christmas in 2004.
Our little snow family of 5 in February 2005. Baby Lindsey was napping inside while I helped the older kids mold our family together.
Brevan was a born entrepreneur, even though I wouldn't allow him to charge money. Tiny Brynlie is on Ryan's lap and the other three girls were neighbors.
Mothers Day 2005
4th of July 2005, only months before we moved to Missouri. Pictured are Melissa, Keri, Brynlie, Tyler, Brett, Carson, Jordyn, Kelsi, Bonnie, Roy, Maegan, Brevan and Ryan in the background.
And finally, it was moving day. On September 19, 2005 we drove across the country to begin our new lives in Missouri. I can't believe it's been almost 10 years since this day, yet it also seems like a lifetime ago. I have so many fond memories of my years in Utah and I hope my kids can create wonderful memories in Utah too as we trace the steps of the early Saints and head West.
One more picture I took a couple years ago when my girls stood in front of the hospital where they were both born.
1 comment:
Best post ever!!! I love all your stories and pictures. You need to write a book about your high school memories, I love the way you decorated your first apartments, and little Brevan "selling" lemonade - what a cutie!!
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