Things We Do: Part 4

August 12-14

Brandt and I missed going home the first weekend in August (which apparently it was pretty traumatic - probably not so bad that we missed that particular weekend). Brandt had too much homework with finals with one university and assignments due with the other university (or something like that - I can't keep track anymore). So we stayed home so he could get caught up with that. But it worked out well because the following week he was gone with work so Mom, Syd, Linds, and the kids came up to I.F. for a few days during the week to keep me company. It was really fun having them here - I would have been really bored otherwise. 

So that Friday, we made yet another trek to Burley for more family bonding. Brandt and Zach babysat the kids while the girls went to see "The Help". GOOD movie!! I read the book last year and loved it. I was really impressed with how well the movie followed the book. Here are a couple of pics from that night.

Three of my favorite people

My mom brought this basket of clean towels up from the laundry room - Henry immediately sped-crawled over there, climbed inside, and made himself comfortable.

Saturday was a fun day. Brandt talked us all in to going to Lake Cleveland for the day. Since summer was so late getting here this year, the campgrounds around the lake didn't open until really late in the season, so the place was PACKED. But we were able to snag a spot to put some blankets down and play in the water.

Even Rex came along! He's so funny - he's terrified of the car. Brandt had to bribe him with a piece of pizza to get him into the car (which I don't think fits into the diet plan for World's Fattest Lab). But once he got there he had a great time! He has a hard time playing fetch on land, but something about the water made him go at it. He was a great fetcher! I think he got more exercise that day than in the last several years combined. You could just see him getting skinnier. It gave me hope that he may live to see his sixth birthday.

At one point Lindsay got stuck out on the lake (she couldn't figure out how to row herself back - she just kept going in circles) and had to be rescued. It was pretty funny. The Halfords joined us later in the day for lunch and some fishing.

Any day that includes fishing is a good day in Brandt's book. By late afternoon the fish were jumping all over the place so Brandt was able to catch a few and Rex was right there to help him reel them in. My mom even tried her hand at fly-fishing with Brandt's expertise to help her out.

Those are the highlights of the weekend. Another fun-filled extravaganza with the fam.

Things We Do: Part 3

July 29-31

The boys weren't able to make it up from Utah this weekend and Syd had to work quite a bit, but the rest of us sure had a good time. Brandt has been itching all summer to go fishing, but between work and school he hasn't had many opportunities. So on Saturday we humored him and went to Trapper Creek (just past the Oakley Reservoir). He said he went fishing there as a kid and it was about a twenty minute drive from Bur-town. He lied. An hour later we reached our destination. But it was still a good time. We enjoyed being out in the sun, our picnic of Subway sandwiches and chips, and watching Kate fishing for her first time.

On our way back we stopped at a gas station in Oakley for some treats. I had the best strawberry shake I think I've ever had. Once we got home, we pulled out the inflatable raft and filled it with water for the kids to play in. Apparently Burley is plum sold-out of kiddie pools, but the raft served its purpose well. It was so funny watching Henry in the water; that kid has no fear. Several times he tripped and his face would go under the water, sometimes for a few seconds, but he never cried - he loved it. And Kate was pretty comical too, as usual. Those kids are so much fun. 

 

On Sunday we had a BBQ with the Halfords and Olsons. Our house was packed, so it was a good time. Before we knew it, it was time to head back home. Time sure flies when you're having fun! 

Things We Do: Part 2

July 22-24 

This weekend was pretty low key as far as weekends with my family go. Just a lot of hanging out and family bonding. Sam and Zach made it up late Friday night, so we just hung out at the house and played "Five Crowns." Saturday we went to lunch at Taco B where I amazed everyone with my mad-eating skills; not only did I finish my meal, but a couple of other family members' meals as well - not to mention the tator tots I stole off Kate's plate when she wasn't looking (yeah, pretty sure I'm carrying Brandt's child inside me). That afternoon Sam introduced us to a new card game ("Wacky Six" - pretty fun) and he stomped us all, as he usually does. That night, mom and I stayed home and watched Kate and Henry while Linds, Sam, Zach, and Brandt went to see "Harry Potter 7". Brandt and I had just seen it last weekend, so I wasn't up for it again, but having to choose between the movie and babysitting, Brandt was totally up for a second showing! They had a good time, and Kate and I had fun at home watching "Finding Nemo" until she fell asleep. 

I got this toy from a girl I work with. It's a pretty neat little thing. Since our baby won't have much use of it for a little while, we took it to Burley figuring Hankles could play with it while he's here. He loved it! It was fun watching him dance to the music and figuring out all the buttons.
 

Swinging with Uncle Brandt

Kate and her favorite uncle

On Sunday we went over to my dad's house. He has a new baby horse which was fun to see. And a new puppy that has an interesting taste in beverages (i.e. the horses urine). Nasty. Anywho, Brandt and I then stopped by his parent's house for a quick visit before heading back to I.F. As I said, a low-key weekend, but fun nonetheless. 

How to Spend $100 in 30 Minutes or Less

Today at work we had our monthly staff meeting. We normally start out by eating lunch (today it was Rumbi salads - I highly recommend it - De-Licious), go over our monthly percentages, discuss any office business, etc. So we got done eating and discussed business for about ten minutes, then the doctors said we were going to play a game. They passed out an envelope to each staff member. Inside each envelope was a one-hundred dollar bill. Then they explained the rules of the game: 

• We had the rest of staff meeting to go out and spend our $100.
• We had to spend it on something for ourselves.
• We had to be back by 1:50 pm and show everyone what we bought.
• Whoever had the least amount of change got to keep everyone else's change.
• Ready, Set, Go!

So we all ran off to get our keys and figure out where to go to spend our moneys. I was stressed from the get-go. I am not a fast shopper - I like to analyze every purchase and make sure that I'm getting the best deal possible. This wasn't going to be easy. I headed to Target, thinking that I would buy baby stuff, but once I got over there I was quickly overwhelmed by all the options and knew I couldn't make a decision with the time allotted. And technically, I'd be breaking rule #2: buy something for yourself. So I tried to quickly come up with something that I wanted that wouldn't require too much thinking. Clothes were definitely out - too much thinking plus I'm too fat now to really enjoy that one. Hmmmm...something that I want. What do I want?.....

And then...Bam! Like a bolt of lightning I remembered something I've wanted for awhile now but could never justify buying (although I almost justified it a month or so ago as a present to make myself feel better when I started getting chubby - but I resisted and ate some chocolate instead - I felt much better and it was a much cheaper option). But I wasn't sure if Target sold this particular item. I jogged/waddled over to the electronics department, searched high and low, and then...over in the corner behind a locked glass...was my item:

It would require me to throw in a bit of my own money ($14 + tax); I racked my brain for the rules of the game. Nowhere in the rules did they say you couldn't go over your $100. So I found a Lady in Red to unlock the cabinet and help me purchase my item. I took my purchase, ran to the car, and made it back to the office with two minutes to spare (although surprisingly, I was the first one back - everyone else was pretty late). As soon as everyone got back, we had Show-and-Tell. There were purses, pants, tops, belts, perfume, sunglasses, shoes, home decor galore! All but one went over the $100 - Cindy had 58 cents left - I'll remember in the future she's the girl to shop with when you're on a budget.

So far I love my new Kindle. I've already downloaded about eight books (no worries, I only spent 99 cents altogether - gotta love those public domain books). All-in-all it was a fun game - I loved it and hated it at the same time - it was stressful trying to shop that fast but fun purchasing something that I've been craving and not having to feel guilty about it. I would gladly play this game again anytime! Thank you doctors!