What have I been doing with the past 6 weeks?

Okay, settle in...this could be long!
1) There were 2 GT classes (which are now part of the endorsement) that weren't offered when I went through. So, to spend a little more quality time with a great mentor (Dr. Killeen), I took both. 2 weeks, back to back, 8-5. June 1 through June 15.  It was an amazing experience! There were incredible teachers in the classes (small group, but we were tight by the end), and I have to admit that I got some inspiration as well as some validation.

2) Grandma VanderVoort passed...so, down to parents, aunts & uncles. As far as I know everyone is relatively healthy. But, Kate and I flew up to MN the weekend of the 15th for the service. Got to hang with the cousins who didn't head out to the lake right afterward...Dane has some pipes on him, people! I love my cousin Karen (and her husband), and we got to meet Chris (sp?) - so sweet! It was a 48 hour trip...too fast!

boys...what can you do?

3) Back for another week (okay, 4 days) of class...but with a twist! This was Utah Core Academy, and Nikki and Maddy were with me. This was the easy part of that week (although it was too loud in one room, and kind of cold in the next, but what's perfect?). UGH! I like the new focus of the standards, on research and deeper learning, but "they" try to make everything too bulky. Keep it LIGHT people!



4) BOOT CAMP...yes, me. Nikki convinced me (back in April, when I was feeling exhausted and chubby) to sign up. I will freely admit that for the first 2 weeks, I was mean to Nikki. I said AWFUL things...but she knows that I think she's pretty... (see the next post)


5) Family Time!  Megan & Madison have been here since June1, staying with MB. We see them about once a week. Brethours came for a visit Jun 30- Jul 5.  We "hung out" as an extended family most of that time. We hiked the Narrows (part of it) together, we had BBQs, a quick trip to Bryce Canyon, and we did fireworks...6 days of fun, over too fast! Now we have 2 camping trips planned: Great Basin with the Whites and Navajo Lake (maybe) with the Maranhaos (grown-up trip).

6) Bullhead City? - While I've been sweating and complaining, Andy's been working at Zion 5 days a week and doing tours for Buddy (Mild2Wild Rhino Tours) on his "days off". He's collected a jar of 'fun money' for us. I'm trying to talk him into taking Jul 30-31 and going to the river.