Should we name new kitty Jax or Fivel?

Monday, August 24, 2009

Bear Lake

Joe and I had an awesome week with the his family at Bear Lake. Barb took care of everything, so it was up to us to relax and enjoy hanging out with parents, siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews. Some highlights included: riding the Sea-Doos on the lake; going to the local theater to see "Annie Get Your Gun"; playing in the pool; playing tennis, frisbee, kickball, etc; sleeping in (!)

These are just a few photos from the fun. The rest are on Flickr here

A Few Days in Oregon

It was great to be in Oregon for a few days...this was my first time back in 2 years! My cousin Erica was married in the Portland temple, so I was able to see a lot of my family from my dad's side. Then I went back to Lincoln City for a few days to help my mom organize a few things and visit some friends. It was so nice to be home.

All photos are here

Molly gave me a ride from the airport to the family dinner. We are airport-ride buddies!!

Cousin "Cow" and me

With Grandma at the temple

Erica & Isaac

Just married!

Kyle with "Taylor"...he's on a mission in Germany, so a cutout was a good substitute

Erica with her cousins

My sister Melanie and me

Dinner with the Gettys

Catching up with old friends Tara and Sydney (and new friend Emerson, Sydney's adorable baby)

Viva Las Vegas

To cap off my 2 week vacation, I planned a girls-only trip to Vegas. I found a $45/night promotion for the Monte Carlo online, and further justified the idea because Southwest has direct flights from Vegas to Dulles. Mom was in pretty much before I even told her my idea. I called my best vacation-going-friend Kaelinn (I've been on more family vacations with her than I have with my own brother,) and she was in. We knew aunt Jeri would need no coaxing either, so we had our foursome set.

I really can't put into words how much fun I had in 72 hours. Lots of Diet Coke, late nights laughing, people watching and penny slots later, I knew we had to make this a tradition: every two years we plan to meet up again.

These are just a few photos; the rest are here

Berta with her first of many Diet Cokes; she knows how to get the party started.

Already giggling on the strip.

Enjoying the dry heat (oh, how I miss it!)--laying out by the pool, then jumping into the lazy river/wave pool to cool off. So nice!

My first plate of dessert at the Orleans. Desserts in shot glasses = ingenious!

McDonald's at 2:30 am...

...then In-N-Out for lunch 12 hours later.

<3>
Making "mixed drinks" at the 7-11. Jeri had a hard time deciding...I think she ended up with a Diet Coke/Diet Mt. Dew/lemon/cherry concoction.

Probably the only sober people on the strip at 2:00 am...in matching tshirts.

My bestest friend from the LC days.

I feel so lucky to have these ladies in my life. Until 2011...

Friday, August 7, 2009

Before We Go...

A few things before we go:

A few weeks ago I was introduced to a thrift store called Unique. It has changed my life. I went once just to get a feel for the layout. Then a few days later to get a feel for 50% off day. Then I started buying things. Joe finally went with me and got a few things, too. So far we've spent $50 and have: 4 pairs of shoes (including the ones above,) and 8 shirts. Good stuff, too. Like I've worn everything a lot.

We got a new camera. The other one still takes pictures, but the LCD screen is broken. I'm still learning all the features, but here's a fun picture of a ladybug I took today.

I love my new job. The first picture is from the lunch of one of my kids. The second is from today, Water Day. We had to talk them into it, but they loved it eventually. I really look forward to seeing these little guys every day, and I like my co-workers, too.

Joe surprised me with a date night last week to Wolf Trap. We saw "Broadway Rocks" with the National Symphony Orchestra and some Broadway singers. It was my first time to Wolf Trap, a national park/concert venue. Gorgeous! Oh, and there's a shuttle from the Metro station so that made it extra awesome.

Last night we went to Gordon Smith's house in Bethesda to listen to Campbell Gray, the director for BYU's Museum of Art. He had some great stories...almost enough to make me sad I didn't go to the MOA more often when I had the chance. Almost. Anyway, I guess those are the kinds of things you get to go to when you live near DC/have a husband in law school/know Lew Cramer.

Tomorrow we leave for Utah. In a few days we're off to Bear Lake with the immediate family. My vacation will continue for another week to Oregon and Vegas while Joe comes back to make sure the cats didn't do too much damage to the place. Speaking of...check out the lamest cat fight video ever. This is how they fight 75% of the time, and it kills me 100% of the time.