Photo Album of Our Trip

You've seen Katrina's report of our trip but now you can see the accompanying photos. I posted them on our website so you can see them with captions. Enjoy!

SEE THE PHOTOS!

Oh my- What a week!

So this last week has been just crazy. Last week was filled with wedding festivities. All of Nils' family was there, so it was quite monumental having everyone in the same place at the same time. Monday we all went to Zion Ponderosa Resort for a family reunion. It was pretty fun. They have all sorts of outdoor adventures/activities. We tried camping, but that only lasted one night. When we realized that everyone else was staying in a very cushy house, we managed to switch over for the second night. When the reunion was over on Wednesday, Nils, the kids and I drove to the Grand Canyon- the South Rim. We were told that is the more spectacular of the two rims, and an additional couple hundred miles away. It took seven hours from Zion NP! The kids were hysterical by the time we got there. We stayed in a lodge inside Grand Canyon NP- $120 for mediocrity- but now we know. Yesterday we tried to take a shuttle bus along the rim for a nice free tour, but Addie was just not having it. She screamed and tantrumed the entire time. People on the bus were looking at us like we were insane for bringing small children to the Grand Canyon in the first place. We were able to see an adequate portion of it. Our visit lasted about 17 hours, including the overnight stay. We decided to drive home, but once we hit Kanab, we realized we were two hours from Nils' parents house in Logandale, NV, or 5 1/2 hours from home. Addie screamed pretty much the whole way from the Grand Canyon, so we drove to Logandale and spent the night. This morning we drove to St. George with Nils' dad and spent a few hours at the Fiesta Fun Center playing mini golf, go-carts, etc. We drove home, and the kids actually slept the majority of the way. We had a goal of not coming home until Sunday, but it's tough to wing a vacation with an 18-month old. Anders was great. He was great in the van and a great sport no matter what we were doing. Addie, on the other hand, not so much. We will delay any serious traveling until she's a little more reasonable.

Weddings & Punch Bowls

Nils' sister is getting married on Saturday. This week is filled with pre-wedding festivities, like the bridal shower (last night) and the bachelorette party (tonight- I won't be attending) the wedding tomorrow and the reception. All of Nils' family is scattered around the country, so everyone is migrating this way. After the wedding, there is a family reunion in Zions NP starting Monday. Busy busy. I borrowed my mom's punch bowl for the shower last night. She's had it for a gazillion years. This morning I washed it, dried it, placed it carefully in it's box, took it out to the van to keep it safe. Then I dropped it, and shattered it. I feel like throwing up. I don't know if she'll be really upset or not. I'm worried because she lent it to someone a few years ago, and they lost the ladle. She's been talking about that ever since. I found the exact same bowl set on ebay, and as luck would have it, it has no ladle. I need to ask her if she wants the same set, or if she wants a new set with a ladle.

Way to go, Katrina. Butterfingers.

Jewelry

I have a complex about accessories. I don't know if it's the way I was raised or what, but I have a hard time wearing jewelry. I feel like a hooker if I wear big earrings, big necklaces, etc. I also can't wear lipstick; pretty sure I'll never get over that one. Anyhoo, I went to a bead party a few weeks ago and made some really cute stuff, and gave it to my mother-in-law. Then I saw everyone in my ward wearing their cute earrings and bracelets and necklaces, so I was sad and covetous. There was another bead party last night so I went and made up my mind to get over myself. I made two bracelets and some earrings that are quite large, and I must say I love them. I know I'll have very little trouble wearing the bracelets, but I'll have to ease into the earrings.

This is the last 15 hour day that Nils and I have. It's his last day at his second job. Yay! This week has been great. He worked Monday, but had Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights off. It makes the hugest difference. Anders is much happier when his daddy's around. So am I, as a matter of fact. I got the worst headache last night, and I'm still feeling it this morning. I hope I can keep it at bay through this long day.