I'm really still here!

So I know that I haven't posted anything in pretty much forever. I have been living up the summer and have hardly had any time for blogging. However, most of you who read this also keep up with me on Facebook, so it's not like I've been all that far away.

Summer school ended before July 4, and that's when my summer break started. Jer and Jill and their girls drove in on July 11 and we had a fun couple of days. I got my wisdom teeth pulled July 13 and everything went really well. In fact, on the 14th, I helped judge a Harry Potter costume contest at the Hogsmeade Festival event at the South Jordan Megaplex, then saw the midnight showing! In spite of what anyone says, I think they did a pretty good job with the movie. I don't envy the screenwriters the task they were handed with that one!

On the 15th, I got to help take my parents and Jer and his family to the airport. They went to Hawaii on Jer's many miles that he racks up on his numerous business trips. I came home and took a nap, and realized that my mouth was really starting to hurt. The rest of my teeth had realized that there was a lot more room to stretch out, so they started settling into the new space. I stayed on ibuprofen for nearly a week while that sorted itself out, and I read and watched a lot of TV, mostly the first two seasons of Dexter, and played a lot of Sims 3. I did manage to stay fairly active during this time, meeting friends for Spoon Me frozen yogurt and keeping my mom's very active raspberries picked. I continued experimenting with the Indian food and made matar paneer, a tomato-mint sauce with peas.

By the time Jer and Jill came back two weeks later, on the 28, I was ready for some fun! Wii Sports resort came out just before they arrived, so Al and I picked one up and we had some good times with it on my parents' big screen. Wakeboarding and swordfighting were favorites. Al and I really enjoy frisbee golf, even though we're not all that good at it.

Ash and her boys arrived the next day and the craziness ensued! We played video games, went to movies, celebrated Madi's 8th birthday and attended her baptism. My friend Dave, who you all either know personally or remember as my best man, came to catch up and he took mom for a ride on his Harley! We also shopped and did lunch up at the Gateway in Salt Lake and the kids played in the Olympic Plaza fountain.

I was thrilled to have Molly acknowledge my existence. At Christmas, I got a hug the night before they left. Then in April, she tolerated me by letting me hold her yet pointedly ignored me. It was so fun to have her say my name, snuggle with me, and even call me on the phone to sing the Elmo's World theme song! I couldn't get enough of her.

We hosted a s'more party last Thursday night and I had the brilliant and well-received idea to have the traditional fare, but also coconut and strawberry marshmallows, as well as Mounds, Almond Joys, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Delicious! Al has taken to calling it "S'moremet."

Jer and Jill left last Saturday, so it's down to just Ash and the boys. Kyle is a speedster on his bike and likes to call people "dude," which I find amusing. Kody likes to be in charge and we recently learned that he has no problem sticking up for the underdog. I think he might end up in law enforcement.

Al and I celebrated our 5th anniversary on Sunday. We are headed to Vegas with my mom, Jeff, Ashley, Ashley, and the boys at the end of the week, so our actual anniversary wasn't that big of a deal. We went to MaCool's for brunch with Al's mom, who we hadn't seen in an unacceptably long time. Al needs new dress shoes, so we went over to DSW where I discovered their clearance event going on (you know I have to blog about this!). 30% off already clearance prices. I spent $60 on three pairs and saved $170. I was the only one who ended up with shoes.

Al didn't feel too badly about that because he's started collecting golf stuff. He's been out three times and is really enjoying it, so he's investing in his own gear. He found a great set of used irons for $260 the day before the anniversary. We spent the rest of the day with my parents, sister, and nephews. We watched Knowing. I'm telling you right now, don't waste your time. Or watch the first 3/4 and make up your own ending.

I have enjoyed summer movie season. I ended up seeing Harry Potter three times. I mostly liked Transformers, but was annoyed at Megan Fox as well as the huge leaps they took from the actual Transformer mythology. I really liked GI Joe. The Proposal was funny, but predictable...your typical romantic comedy.

Today, Al and I are heading up to Brigham City to celebrate my grandparents' 70th wedding anniversary. I think that's just amazing. Congratulations to them!

We'll be doing some shopping at the Park City Outlet Mall tomorrow, and I'm sure we have something going on Thursday. Who knows? Then Friday-Tuesday is Vegas and I go back to school on Wednesday. So much for summer...

That's the Cliff's Notes version. I'm leaving a lot out, but this post has gone on long enough for now. If you'd like to see pictures, please visit my Facebook "Familypalooza" album. I'll be adding more photos as the fun continues!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=99809&id=750332531