Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

...when the workin' day is done

When I first got to Utah, Ellen, Tracey, and I talked about going to Vegas for our annual trek. We couldn't come up with a weekend that would work, so we decided to stay overnight in Salt Lake. Ellen was in charge of getting the hotel. I was in charge of finding an "event". Tracey was just in charge of showing up (we don't trust her). I found out that Ingrid Michaelson, who was at the Music Cafe this year at Sundance, and Ellen and I both really like, was coming to the Avalon in Salt Lake. Ellen got the hotel, and everything was in order with lots of "Yeah, that sounds so great!" and "No, I really don't have anything going on that weekend" and "sure we can meet at 1:00 to get pedicures before we go".
On Saturday morning, we had the usual round of:

Oh... wait. I forgot I have a race this morning.
I' m watching my friend's kids.
I haven't even gotten in the shower yet.
My shirt got dirty and I'm already out,can you bring me one?
I forgot my camera.
You guys just go, and I'll meet you after the pedicures.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.

At about 3:30, we were on our way. We all ended up with pedicures and a recommendation for a great Vietnamese restaurant. After we ate, we went to the hotel, laid around, and took pictures of our feet.

Tracey has freakishly tiny toenails. The lady had to paint part of her skin on her pinky toe because it was too small for the brush.

We talked about going to the pool, but it was only talk.

... the one to walk in the sun

At about 6:30, we headed out to the Avalon theatre. Yikes. What a dive. We used to go to the hypnotist shows there in high school, and it was a dive then. If I was just passing by, I would assume it was abandoned... broken windows, broken signs, chunks of concrete missing, but no... it's still up and running. The doors were supposed to open at 6:30, and the show was supposed to start at 7:00. Not even close. While we were waiting in line, I went inside to ask what the deal was with the line, and heard them doing a sound check. I could hear Greg Laswell, who was at the Music Cafe 2 years ago, and asked if he was also playing the show. Yep. Now I had motiviation to go wait outside in the 100 degree heat. We waited until about 7:30. Finally, they opened the doors and let us into the refreshingly cool building.... We wished. Like I said, this building was old. They had one fan on stage and a big fan in the back, and a couple hundred human heaters walking around the cramped, unventilated building. Not so much fun. But, the concert was.

This was right when we got there. We aren't too melted yet. You can kind of see what a mess this place is.

In keeping with my theme of posting terrible pictures of myself, I thought I'd add this one of me and our new friend (see below). No good, right? There are a couple factors at play here. Ellen has a fancy camera that flashes about 8 times before it takes the real picture in order to get it to focus in the dark, and when it flashes, it's BRIGHT. My eyes are saying, "come on, already... Ouch! That's bright!" Also, I thought about editing the shiny faces, but I really cannot emphasize enough how hot it was.

This is a more normal version.

We think these 2 are in LOVE. They sang "Can't Help Falling in Love" as the final song and... well, it looked like they meant it.

...take a beautiful girl
While we were in line outside, we met Gabriella from High School Musical. She was a doll. Actually, her name was Daniella, but, she looked just like Gabriella and we adopted her for the night because she was there by herself. I think she was happy at first, but maybe not so much after she realized what she had gotten herself into. Poor, poor girl. She must have liked us enough, though, because she came out to dinner with us after the show. (I know, second dinner. Give us a break. We don't get out much). We went to Iggy's Sports Bar because it was open... but, just barely. We were the only people in the restaurant and they were cleaning up all around us. The manager even came out to hurry us along right after we got our food by asking us if we had gotten our check yet. We ate quick, said good bye to Vanessa Hudgens, and headed back to the hotel. On the way, we started talking about our knack for picking up strays. And I mean stray in the nicest possible way. Some of them turn out to be great friends... Mike, for example. Some of them, we may have been better off leaving well enough alone... Bethany, according to Ellen (although I should remind her, Bethany was Ellen's find, and I still think she's great). But when we look back at pictures from everything we've done, there is almost always someone new joining us. As Ellen put it so eloquently, "we have just touched so many lives." So, true, my friend. So, true.

...hide her away from the rest of the world

When we got to the hotel, we decided to check to see if the pool was open. We let Tracey out to read the pool hours sign, and Ellen uttered the ever fateful line that always begins our long nights of running through hotel corridors, getting lost in the Venetian canals, leaving me stranded in Las Vegas elevators, and, at least in this case, having Tracey ride through a parking garage holding onto the back of my car:

"Let's ditch her."


You got it. I drove away. We laughed and laughed. It never gets old!




...phone rings in the middle of the night

We got back to the hotel room, looked around, and decided to take a walk around the hotel. We got about 2 minutes into our walk, and Tracey decided to rattle the door on which a "Privacy Please" sign hung. Ellen and I took off. We assumed Tracey would follow. We kept walking thinking we would eventually run into her, but instead we ran into a grand piano. I decided to play. Ellen decided to sing. Ellen called Tracey's cell phone (but first dialed a wrong number... it was 1:00 AM), and found her back at the room. We told her to follow the music. She did. Ellen put on quite a show. Her moving lyrics and the look of yearning on her face made for an exciting night, I'm sure, for the cleaning crew. Man, we're funny. I really wish there was a way to record this stuff, but it just happens, you know? You can't plan it. We walked around looking through the windows of the gift shops, and started heading back to the room. Ellen found some note pads and pens, and decided to start writing notes to put under people's doors such as, "I missed you tonight. Call me tomorrow. I love you. Love, Stephanie". I took that one away, but she did leave a "Sunday Services - 10:00 AM 3180 S 600 E" under a door. That really isn't that funny right now, but at 2:00 this morning, it was hee-larious. We got back to the hotel room, and the shenanegans began. There was lots of hiding people's books in drawers, making Tracey a bed on the floor, hiding ice buckets and glasses in people's bags. I bet Tracey never found the "This is a Non Smoking room" sign in her purse. Go ahead and look, Tracey. It's there. We finally fell asleep at about 2:30. Someone was talking in their sleep and kept me awake. Ellen's phone rang at 5:30 AM. Wrong number. That's what we get, I guess.

...came home in the morning light

We went to a breakfast buffet at Little America, ate as much as we possibly could, and headed home. I made it home in time to go to my mom's sacrament meeting, but left afterward and came home and took a 3 hour nap. I feel lazy, but happy as can be.

Stewart Falls

My work computer died on Monday night. I thought about blogging about it, but it still is causing me such a headache (tomorrow I will have 3 computers at my mom's house after bringing one with me from California, and having 2 sent to me by the company), that I'm trying to forget it. But, because I had no computer, I had no work. So, I decided to take the Addison and Eric on a hike. I wanted to go to Stewart Falls. We used to go up all the time on a little shortcut path we knew. It's a pretty mellow hike if you go on that trail. I remembered something about not being able to go on that trail, but decided to try it anyway. When we got up to where I usually start, there was a big sign that said: "NO TRESPASSING: TRESPASSORS WILL BE PROSECUTED. EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS." Ok, ok... we'll do it the right way. We drove around to Aspen Grove and took the real trail. The last time I did that trail was in college with Brian Carol, one of the Kellers, and Ryan Radebaugh. I didn't remember it being too rough, but we were hiking it at midnight back then. I can't remember why. Anyway, it was a good little hike. The last 3/4 of a mile was pretty steep getting down to the falls, and of course, quite an incline going back up. These little boys were such troopers! Addison kept telling Eric that this hike was nothing compared to the hikes in California. I think he was just thinking about the hike we took when we first got there and Tom took us on a "Strenuous" level hike. Eric kept telling Addison (after I didn't have a Band-Aid for the scratch Addison got from a branch) that his mom always had Band-Aids, and his mom would let them rest even if they weren't at the top of the hill yet. And I totally believe it. Amy is always prepared. Anyway, it was a fun hike and the boys came home extremely dirty and (not that they would admit it) tired. I was thinking naps sounded good, but they thought swimming did. Good thing for adopted aunts who are willing to take them!

This picture really pretty much sums up how Eric was feeling on the way up. But, on the way back, when Addison asked him how he rated the hike, he said he gave it a 10. On a side note, I'm pretty sure these two have some sort of understanding of each other separate from the rest of the world because this is how that conversation went:

A - What number do you think this hike is?

E - 10.

A - I only think it's 6.

E - Why only 6?

A - Because of this (points somewhere down towards the ground).

E - Oh yeah. Me, too.

It took about 10 minutes for them to explain to me that Addison was asking Eric to rate the hike on a 1-10 scale, and that Addison only gave it a 6 because his feet were hurting.

So, I've realized that I consistently post some pretty bad pictures of myself. But, today as we were on the trail, I was taking a picture of the boys, and a woman and her husband came by. She asked if I wanted her to take a picture. I politely declined. Then she told me how when she looks back at the pictures she has of her children when they were young, it looks like they were raised solely by their father because she never included herself in any of the pictures. She said it seems like she was never there for any of the fun things. So, I let her take my picture, and post it here along with all of the other bad pictures of myself just to prove that I was there.

They're so cool.

Father's Day

Father's Day was spent in Utah at my mom's and Dean and Amy's. We went to church in mom's ward and then had dinner at Dean and Amy's. We had a really nice day spending time with family, playing games, eating (WAY too much), and relaxing.

This is a terrible picture of me, I know. But, Tom looks so handsome, I had to add it.

Again, me... not so great. Tom... hubba, hubba.

Otter Trot

The Big Sur Marathon International Marathon was in April. It is a really big deal here (and everywhere else for runners). They have a bunch of little races associated with the big race. Addison and I ran the Otter Trot. It was a 3K race along the Del Monte trail that runs along the coast in Monterey. It was lots of fun, and Addison was such a great sport! He ran most of the time and never complained. Maybe someday we can work up to the real thing!

Packing Stinks

I thought everyone felt the same way about this. Apparently I'm wrong. Every time over the last week when I have said, "I am so crazy busy right now. I have to pack for a month long vacation," I have expected to have offers of casseroles and Jell-O salad, babysitting, and prayers in my behalf because of my unfortunate circumstances... But, no. People say, "How fun! Where are you going?" No one seems to sympathize and I'm starting to wonder if this whole packing dilema is mine alone. Before I pack (and this is even if I'm just gone for the weekend), I have to:

• Clean everything. I'm talking scrubbed toilets, sparkling sinks, no leftover drips under the drawers in the refridgerator. What if something happens to me while I'm gone, and someone comes into my house and finds out that, sometimes, when the honey pecan syrup spills, I only clean up where it can be seen, and if you try to take a SlimFast can from the bottom shelf, you are going to have yourself a fight on your hands, because honey pecan syrup gives superglue a run for its money?


• Have all papers filed and bills paid - even if they're not due until after I get back. What if I can't get back for 2 extra weeks and my electric bill is due, and they shut off the power, and all of the food in the freezer melts and leaks? I haven't seen what kind of damage Firecracker Popsicles can do, but I bet it rivals the syrup.


• All laundry done. Not just the laundry that I am taking, but all laundry. This is why sometimes, at 3:00 in the morning, I am washing a load of 3 dishcloths, a swimming suit, 1 of Addison's socks, and a bra. In addition, all of the laundry must be put away before I start packing it. I get confused if I leave piles out thinking, "maybe I'll take this."


• Google maps to destination, hotel confirmations, google maps from destination, flight information, and interesting stops along the way printed and ready in a file folder.


• Lists. Lots of lists. I have a packing list that I keep on my computer detailing the clothing items I usually take for Addison and myself, all toiletries, entertainment, food items, etc. Then, I make lists of the bags that they will go in so that I can count and make sure that I grab all of the bags when I leave the house. This may be because I have, more than once, packed meticulously and, at a point too far into the trip, realized that my toiletry bag is sitting, well, on the toilet.

Now, remember... this is what happens before I pack. Once I've got all of that done, the fun starts. I need to be prepared for every situation and so I ridiculously overpack. For instance, I'm going to Utah during the months of June and July... but don't worry, I brought some sweaters just in case a freak cold front hits.

So, do you do this? After writing it all down, I really think I might have a problem. I wonder if there are packing phobia support groups. There have to be others like me.

The sad thing is, in the time that it takes to read this (probably less), Tom thought "hey, I need to pack," shoved everything into a bag smaller than the backpack Addison takes to school, started reading "The Sea, The Sea," and will have everything he needs.

Golfing at Marv and Carma's

This is from a while ago, but I just saw the pictures on my computer and decided to post them. Tom's aunt and uncle are always so sweet to Addison (and us too). In April, they had us over for dinner and Addison got to play on the new putting green that they just put in. They live in Pebble Beach and it's always fun to go out there. Marv gave Addison a San Francisco 49ers putter.

Space Rocket Derby

For Addison's last pack meeting, they had a Space Rocket derby. They were basically given 2 blocks of wood that they were supposed to glue together and turn it into a rocket. Good thing Tom's here or Addison would have shown up with two blocks of wood glued together with some stripes painted on with fingernail polish.

They sanded the wood into a rocket shape and Tom brought home some green spray paint to make it all green. I seriously would never have thought of spray paint. Then, they stuck the fins (is that what they're called?) on, and it was ready to fly.

Addison's rocket didn't win, but he had a blast anyway.

Sanding the rocket.

Blast off!!!

This Is What Falling Off The Wagon Looks Like...

Thanks to Hillary, I fell off the wagon this weekend. I was watching Brennen while she and Brian went to out. They went to everyone's favorite place... Hula's. She brought back fried plantains for me, and I couldn't resist... I ate them... all. Then I didn't stop. This is how it happened....

First, I decided to eat the plantains. I couldn't hurt Hilary's feelings right?

Then, I decided I had slipped off the wagon just enough to have 12 Guittard chocolate chips. Eighty calories can be made up for tomorrow...

But, that was so good, I needed to melt a few more to dip some strawberries in.

Now, I was completely off the wagon and decided that my favorite treat was in order. So, I had me some yogurt and honey.

As the wagon was pulling away, I remembered telling Tom last week when I bought some Dutch Crunch bread for he and Addison to eat, that when I was eating bread again this would be what I'd have first. I only ate half a piece, and it was well worth it.

Monday is a new day. The wagon's coming back for me (and you too, Ellen!).