Heads Visit, Rock Springs

James returned Friday around dinnertime, and we were so happy to see him. It was a rough day where I kind of wanted to ignore everyone and just read.

Saturday, we had the Murrays over for dinner. Everyone had a good time, and I even made some cookies and cream ice cream. We somehow found time earlier in the day to set up our new bookcase! It's now for middle grade (jr. fiction) so it will be easy for the kids to know what they can read. I bought bookends to make everything look extra nice.

Monday, we played DND since it was the only real day available.

Tuesday, James's parents and Joseph arrived around dinnertime. We hung out the rest of the evening and also had dark chocolate mint Oreo ice cream I made. It's my favorite so far!

I worked with Rex on Wednesday, and it was super busy. I filed 2 days' worth of paperwork with a horribly slow computer. Though we only worked till 3ish, it felt a LOT longer. I hadn't gotten enough sleep the night before and felt pretty yucky (mentally) for the rest of the day. James, Melodie, Joseph, and the kids went to Fantasy Canyon and the wildlife refuge. We had some pizza for dinner once everyone was back.

Today, we drove the kids to Rock Springs and switched cars with Rex and Melodie after lunch. They are all headed to Rexburg and should get there soon. James and I explored a little of downtown Rock Springs and all its thrift stores. I found a winter coat that will hopefully fit Joseph and some more books, of course.

The house will be weird, clean, and quiet without the kids here. We leave Saturday for SLC and will get to Rexburg on Tuesday.

My foot is doing much better, but I can't exercise with any real intensity. My tailbone still aches from the reunion, but I now know what NOT to do (more exercise, massage) and what TO do (rest and ice). The back thing is a lovely remnant from pregnancy, but thankfully it doesn't act up much. Why do I feel so old?!

Head Family Reunion, Mara's Visit, Huntsman

It's been a crazy busy summer so far. We left on Friday, June 3rd, for Rexburg and arrived around 11:30 P.M. since James had been at work all day. The next morning, he left at 6 A.M. to work with his dad in Jackson Hole. I was supposed to, but I felt pretty crummy due to a lack of sleep and lots of cramps. Saturday was a good day, though. The cousins came over, and I finally went to a little restaurant that everyone else in my family had already been to. (Fried pies, yum!) I had a mini breakdown later on when I realized the girls would have to sleep on our floor, but I otherwise survived. I miss the apartment upstairs SO MUCH.

Sam and Jesse blessed their baby, Therese, on Sunday. By some miracle, we all made it to church at 8:30. We had brunch at their house afterward and spent several hours just hanging out.

Monday, we packed up and went to the reunion in Albion. We first made a stop at Costco for breakfast items. The frozen waffles and yogurt cups were a big hit with the kids this year.

Tuesday and Wednesday were fun days with lots of hanging out and talking, swimming, the candy toss, the auction, delicious meals, and trying not the lose the little kids. There was an exercise class and a couple classes about anxiety, which were really good. Rex brought the goats, and one of them gave birth while we were there. By Thursday, I was definitely ready to go home. Sleeping on a double bed and in a room with all the kids is bad for my back and sanity.

We left Albion and met Mara for lunch and the zoo in Salt Lake. We made it back to Vernal that evening, just in time to get everyone to bed.

Friday was a catchup day with tons of laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping. We tried to go see Jurassic World, but it was sold out, so we got shaved ice instead.

Saturday, Mara and I went to the thrift stores, got lunch at Cafe Rio, and then met James for the movie since we'd bought tickets the day before. I really enjoyed it, even though it's getting a bunch of hate online. We had dinner and played a couple of board games.

Sunday was pretty relaxing once I'd done my lesson. (I'd forgotten to prepare till Friday, but I think it turned out okay.) James left for his Huntsman seminar (program? I don't know.) in the afternoon.

Mara left Monday afternoon. Since then, we've been catching up on TV shows and reading a lot. Kenny had an activity and Joseph went to the temple. Today, I'm going to the dentist and then running a few errands while the younger 4 kids are at a Primary activity. After that, we will probably just take it easy.

James has been enjoying his week in SLC learning about the inner workings of our state government. (He gets back on Friday around dinner time.) He applied for this program a while back and found out he got in only a month ago. They pay for the hotel and lunch, so he just has to find things to do after 4 P.M. and buy dinner. So far, he's gone to Cabela's, dinner with Kenneth, and IKEA. The days have been all right, but we really miss him and can't wait for him to come back. We have not yet had a "regular" summer day with everyone at home.

My foot hurt again after biking, but for less time, so I think I need to bike only 2x a week and do other stuff the other days. That's all right because it's really hot and I don't think there will be more than 2 nice days a week.

I have enough ice cream recipes to take us through the end of the year, thanks to a Jeni's book that Sam and Jesse let me borrow. :) Some of the flavor combos look a little weird, but I'm really excited to keep on making ice cream every week. We loved the Roasted Strawberry and Buttermilk recipe. Next up: cookies and cream!

End of School, Sealing, Joseph's 12th, A Week of Appointments

James and I went to the temple on Thursday. It had been a while since we went together, but it was really nice, and I got some good insights while I was there.

Friday was the last day of school. I thought it would be a peaceful day, but it turned out otherwise. Some friends came over and claimed they HAD to stay till 5, which would've been almost 4 hours. I sent them home earlier so we could get some things done, and they resisted really hard and even cried. Everything ended up okay, but I didn't feel that it was an auspicious start to the summer.

Saturday, James and I went to his coworker's sealing at the temple, then to D.I. and lunch afterward. It was really nice. We played DND Saturday night.

Monday was Joseph's birthday and a day off for James. Joseph helped me make the chocolate peanut butter cheesecake. I also make rocky road ice cream, which turned out delicious. I can't believe Joseph is 12 now. That sounds so old.

We survived 6 appointments between Tuesday and Wednesday. (dentist: Joseph, Kenny, Katie, and Lewis; doctor: Joseph and Kenny) Katie had 1 tiny cavity, but everyone else is good. I'd originally thought James would be home, but he's ended up working all week. Inflation has eaten up all our extra money and James has to move classrooms, so these work days are really needed.

We did squeeze in DND last night since we won't be able to play again for a week or 2.

I didn't bike much this week because the top of my left foot hurts a bit. I think it's a mild case of tendonitis, which means I need to rest and ice it. I HATE THIS. I thought biking was one of those things I wouldn't injure myself doing, but I was wrong. Hopefully, I'll be good to go by the time we get back from Rexburg and Albion. I'm really trying to be healthy here, but it feels like the universe has conspired against me. :(

Arguably, the upcoming reunion will be the most stressful trip to pack for since we have to take all of our bedding and spend several days around 75 people. As an introvert who doesn't really like to travel and is currently dealing with PMS, I'm not sure how this next week will go. Wish me luck.