Bees & Fireworks

We haven't had too many picture-taking-worthy events since we got back from Oregon, so there hasn't been much to post about. Last weekend, we decided to go to a Salt Lake Bees game. I first got the idea on the 24th of July when we missed all the fireworks and heard they had them at the Bees game that night. I saw they were doing them again on the 22nd, so we decided to go. We weren't too excited about paying the $4.50 per ticket transaction fee, so Nate checked the classifieds and got us a good deal - cheaper than the cheap tickets we were going to get, and they were behind home plate not too far up. The game was fun, although I can't really say it was exciting - the Bees lost 11-2 (I think - I lost track at some point). We went to Cafe Rio before the game, so it was nice to just sit and enjoy the game after eating way too much food! The fireworks after the game were actually pretty good. They were by no means as good as the ones in Boston on the 4th, but we weren't expecting much so they beat our expectations pretty easily.

Saturday was a little less exciting - Nate studied for the GMAT all morning while I tried to clean the house. Other than a trip to the gym and the swimming pool in the afternoon, the highlight of the day was a trip to Home Depot that night. We looked for shelves for our garage and a couple other things - all we ended up with was materials to make a clothes rod and another shelf for our laundry room, but we got a couple other good ideas. Apparently Home Depot was a popular destination, because we ran into some friends who live down the street from us and another couple from the ward, and my sister Jessica went with her family that night (cute pictures of my nephews riding around here).

By the way, does anyone know why the Bees changed their name from the Buzz to the Bees? I'm surprised they moved away from the Utah "zz" theme (Jazz, Starzz, etc.). They should at least be the Beezz.

With 12 Hours in the Car, You Get Creative

On our drive back from Oregon, somewhere between Lakeview and Winnemucca, while my brother Dave was in the back seat, Nate and I started seeing these appear on our armrest. Only on a 12-hour drive through the middle of nowhere would someone have time to make pretzel carvings.

Slacking

I've been a slacking blogger lately, so there is quite a bit of catching up to do. We'll have to just hit the highlights of the last little while.

*Jake & Stacey (my brother and sister-in-law) moved back to my old stomping-grounds - San Jose. We were so sad to see them go! It was fun having them (and Kallie) close and being able to hang out, have Sunday dinners, etc. Hopefully I can find some important work trainings to go to in San Jose ;)

* A couple of visits to see Nate's grandparents & some extended family while they were staying at their cabin up by Brighton. It is beautiful up there - I love the green trees and mountains. We even got to see a giant moose on our drive home. He was about 20 yards off the road and seemed oblivious to the 15-20 people who had stopped on the side of the road to watch him.

*My family (Parents and Jessica & her kids) came to Utah for the annual Morris Family Reunion. We didn't have a ton of time with them, but it was fun to catch up with the extended family at the reunion, and hang our with the immediate family. On Sunday, we drove up American Fork canyon and had a picnic dinner at whatever lake/reservoir is up there - it's so pretty! We walked around the reservoir after we had eaten (and Landon had found some bugs :)

Other than that, the most exciting thing lately was our trip to Oregon for the annual Morris Family Coast Trip. We couldn't take a lot of time off work, so Nate and Dave and I left from work a little early on Thursday (the 7th) and got to my parents' house at about 3am Oregon time. We slept for a few hours then drove over to Harris Beach in Brookings. We stopped at a fun park in Brookings for lunch, then checked in at the campground and got our tents all set up before heading down to the beach. We spent the rest of Friday, Saturday, and drove back Sunday after going to church in the morning. Some highlights of the trip were playing the "stick game" on Friday (you put a stick in the sand as close to the water as you can, and the next person has to go get it and move it out further), a skunk sighting at our campsite (fortunately, we all moved away before it could spray), hanging out and playing games around the campfire, yummy food, getting numb in the freezing cold water, playing horseshoes, and playing with the nephews and niece. I was pretty proud of myself this year - it was the first time in a couple years I haven't been knocked over by a wave at some point and gotten way more wet (and cold and sandy) than planned.

Watching the sunset, and the whole family @ the sunset

Playing the stick game, & the boys playing football

Jessica & I in the water, and - obviously - Nate & I

The sunset at the Oregon coast - it may not always be warm there, but it sure is beautiful!!

We drove back to Ashland on Sunday afternoon, then left Monday morning for the lovely 12-hour drive back to Utah. It was a lot of driving for the short trip, but well worth it in my opinion. There's nothing quite like going home.