Canyon Bonfire

We all know the best part of camping really isn't the sleeping in tents part. It's the campfire and campfire food. Instead of suffering through a sleepless night in tents, we decided to go to the canyon for the fire part and come home and sleep in our own beds. We were all supposed to bring our own dinners, but somehow that message got a little mixed up. Fortunately, Nettie and I were not the ones who missed the message.

our yummy tinfoil dinners. too bad i wasn't even hungry after eating so much junk waiting for them to cook.

nettie's classic take it yourself picture.

some new friends and roman

More Smashed Cars

I went with some of the Martin fam to the Davis County demolition derby. Our friend was supposed to compete, but after some drama at the Weber County he decided to back out. His son drove the car in his place. It was still fun kind of knowing someone, but we all decided the West Jordan was more exciting. We still like smashed cars. We just wish there was less waiting around and more car smashing.

Stay at Home Crafter

I love my job, but I dream every day about being a stay at home crafter. Thanks to a break at the end of June I got to pretend to be a stay at home crafter for the week. I loved it!

Before

I found this dresser on craigslist for $35 and that included delivery. I went to look at it at a somewhat questionable place on the westside. I was a little afraid I was buying stolen goods, but it was exactly what I was looking for and decided it wasn't my problem.

After

10 trips to Home Depot later my dresser is functional and in use

Sacramento

thanks to Obama and the stimulus package, we have all kinds of training money. don't worry taxpayers...we are putting it to good use. 7 of us headed to the Sacramento area this week to be trained in a model for working with children on the autism spectrum. it's a newer model to us, and we're all really excited about implementing it in our program. the trip included a one day training along with some time to explore old town Sacramento (Wednesday was probably the worst day of the week to be there since most things were closed but we did go into a few cool stores), experience downtown Davis (including it's pizza and all natural restaurant), and hear a bluegrass band at a winery. i stayed in town a few extra hours to spend the day with my freshman roommate, Marlene. we had lots of fun reminiscing about the past and catching up on the present. once again...thank you Obama.

some of us at dinner. i never would have picked this place but it was so yummy.

with Marlene at her place

GOOD-BYE

Q. What do you do when your 2 best friends at work leave the place for new adventures?!?!

A. PARTY

Over the years Anne and I have done some pretty good things when people have left Kids on the Move so the pressure was on for Anne and Lindsey's good bye party. I hope I met the expectations.

sadly Lindsey had to miss the party due to not feeling well so we had another little celebration on her last day

yes we're standing on the desk, but that's the only way to reach

anne's decorated desk

putting stuff in green jello is kind of a joke so I put some school supplies in jello for anne

anne gave me some "presents" to keep up all the jokes around the office

Anne has always been my partner in crime at work. We amuse ourselves by doing funny things around the office especially during stressful times. She's headed to Arizona to become a SLP. I'm going to miss lots of things but especially all the funny things we do, "meetings" in the puppy room, and Friday lunches.

I don't have many pictures with Lindsey. She is moving to Texas for her husband to go to med school. We have been teaching together for the past 2 years. I'm going to miss her so much.

our first Friday lunch 2 years ago was at the Purple Turtle so we went there for anne's last lunch and had a great turnout. so much fun!

More Unblogged Bloggables

Where does the time go? Life keeps happening before I get the chance to blog about it.

Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia

I had a work training in Maryland right after my Vegas trip. I flew straight from Vegas to DC. I didn't actually spend any time in the city. My training was at the Bolger center in Maryland. I found out on my last day that it used to be a monastery which explains why I felt so secluded and maybe even a little trapped. The training went everyday from about 8am-10pm so I didn't do anything else for those 5 days. The place was actually really pretty, but I was so happy when my old roommate, Amanda, and husband, Jared, came to pick me up. I spent a couple days with them. We had so much fun catching up on old times and even got a little shopping in.

sorry about this picture. i didn't take any so it's off their website. i also didn't take any pictures with amanda and jared so i found one on facebook.

Fun with Marrieds

We got together in June at Sarah and Ted's house. I LOVE that we still see each other all the time and keep in touch with weekly emails to each other...sometimes on Fridays and sometimes a few days after Friday. There's some talk about a possible reunion next summer, and I really hope it happens. I love these girls. Their husbands are pretty cool too.

michelle, andrew, nettie, shan, baby jonah, jed and kim, kaden, drew, sarah...so fun having all the little kids and babies around

BBQ

Once upon a time I had a friend named Ben. Ben married Kate, and Kate had lots of fun friends (that mostly lived in Ogden at the time). Eventually those friends mostly moved to Salt Lake and became my friends. I love it! Laurann had a BBQ at her house on Friday. This little group is also starting to add husbands, wives, and babies, and it's so much fun. I love getting together with friends.

laurann has the perfect backyard. we had a delicious dinner followed by s'mores in the firepit. such a fun night. we all agreed we need to do it more often.

4th of July...Vegas

The 4th of July kind of snuck up on me this year. I have been so busy with work and am still in chaos at home so I never even got out any holiday decorations. I knew I would be in Vegas so I didn't really even think much about the holiday this year.

I went down to Vegas because I had work off and it was Karson's blessing. Jeff's family came for the weekend too.

Karson's blessing was the real reason we all went down. Karlee thinks she's funny by being a little pain taking pictures. This was the cutest even though her finger is in her mouth.

the cute kids

this was last trip, but Karlee usually loves water

but she was scared at the splash park and spent the whole time right next to Jeff

Grandma V got all the cousins patriotic shirts. Karlee loved playing with her cousins.

We did a few fireworks in the street. Karlee liked most of them but got scared by the green balls. She was still talking about them a few days later. She doesn't forget anything. We drove just outside their neighborhood and had a pretty good view of fireworks from different places. The best part was no crowds and we were home in less than 5 minutes. We went to play tennis on a whim and loved it. I think we have a future tennis star on our hands.

Future Tennis Star

it really doesn't get much cuter than this. i just wish i got a video of her running around the court chasing the balls.

Smashed Cars

Brother Gunn is an avid demolition derby participant. Some peeps (including his wife and family) got a group together last weekend to go to the West Jordan demolition derby. They are incredibly more exciting when you know someone participating. We were completely entertained and had so much fun. We usually hit one or two a year, but I think we might go to a few more this summer. Davis county anyone?!?

Sister Gunn made mathing shirts for everyone.

most of the group with Brother Gunn in front of the car after his 2nd place finish

rodeo royalty along with a few dudes that hopped the fence. so funny,

one of heats getting ready to start

eventually flipped all the way on his side.

Blazin' Barts

Wasatch Back 2010 has come and gone. Even though it's weird eating, weird/minimal sleeping, and crazy running I LOVE it! I'm actually a little sad it's over for the year.

Robyn called clear back in the fall to see if I wanted to run on a team with Joe's family. I had no intention of putting a team together this year but still wanted to run so I said yes immediately. Even though it was Brian, me, and the in laws it was so much fun. I really did love it.

most of the team (minus Brian) at the start line

van 2 spent the morning relaxing and eating at Brian's house

before it was our turn to run. right before my 1st leg. van 1 was happy to be done

thanks Marci for decorating our van

my last exchange after a 6 mile gradual climb. this night exchange was amazing.

we did a lot of sitting and waiting when it wasn't our turn and saw some beautiful scenery.

the whole team at the finish
This was my 3rd year being runner 8. It just gets better every year. I know what to expect, and it really helps me. I ran better, stronger, and faster this year and was actually pretty ok with my running. It seems crazy to think about doing it again, but I really hope someone has an extra spot on their team next year.