Ketchup

Today I was making dinner (wha?) and I actually ran out of ketchup.  I don't remember ever running out of ketchup.  I think we've always moved before this happened; I think it really just means we've been eating more sweet potato fries (a gift!), but I'll count it as a milestone.  But seriously...

Milestone 1: Did I mention that I made dinner tonight??

Milestone 2: It wasn't gross. 

Milestone 3: Today was my first day without a job, and not because we are moving out of state, in a lot of years.  I feel relieved to be done with my job, but I feel an identity crisis coming on.  To combat these feelings, I made my sister drive through our neck of the woods so I could catch up with her family.  It was a nice moment to realize I normally wouldn't be able to do something like that during the day.

This work milestone isn't being mentioned to rub anything in, I will be working again very soon.  I will first need to adjust to not working (for money) as a travel agent, and then I will need to adjust to not knowing what I am doing at my internship.  A woman I spoke with on my last day at GoGo said, "the problem is you know how to do everything this week and you won't know how to do anything next week".  Right you are, Shannon. 

Milestone 4: I actually am eligible to walk for graduation this year, so I am officially registered!  And yes, the commencement exercises will be inside a casino/hotel.  I think hockey is played there once in a while too.  Perfect! 

Milestone 5: I have clients (for my practicum) that I think I have actually helped in some way.  Best feeling in the world. 

One of those posts...

Why are the moments when one has so much to say, there is so little time to say it...and vice-versa?  I am woefully behind in blogging.  I would much prefer to just get caught up instead of just acknowledging it, but I have to settle for the acknowledgement.  In brief, I am back in school as much as I ever want to be.  For one more week (only one!) I am doubled up on my classes, in the midst of my practicum (practice counseling), and still working full time.  I want something to change; happily, they will soon.  I will be going part-time at my travel agency job starting in January.  I also found out this week that I have been accepted to intern at Spring Mountain Treatment Center.  My list of emotions includes: anxiety (when does it not), fear, excitement, and such.  Have I ever mentioned that change is difficult for me?  :)

An order of Harrison with a side of Higley

The Harrisons held their family reunion this year in Ashton, Idaho.  We stayed here and it was awesome.  Nath and I weren't anxious to drive 10 hours within a 24 hour period, so we opted to fly to SLC, then drive to Idaho after a normal night's sleep.  After we got off work, we packed and readied the house and the kitties.  By the time our ride had arrived to pick us up, we were all ready to go and had time to spare at the airport....AND we learned a trick.  You don't need any photo identification to fly from Las Vegas to Salt Lake, apparently.  Fun, eh?  This information went against everything I've known and instructed clients for the past 10 years, but it was sure helpful in our case.  We stayed the night at my parents' house and packed up our Buick rental and headed out the next morning.  Driving 4 hours seemed like a cinch compared to 6, so we had a good time.  We arrived into Ashton that afternoon and found we had to use crazy things like jackets and long pants...it was wonderful! 

Highlights of the trip included:

-Visits to Yellowstone
-Fantastic Mr. Fox (ha ha)
-Air hockey games (Ethan and Andrew beat me...but maybe Aunt Liz wasn't trying as hard as she could have??)
-Hot Tub parties
-Being told by Vince that I shouldn't drag my coat (technically the coat was Matt's, so I guess it made it okay)
-Playing Shoots and Ladders with Drey and Bince (Grey and Vince)...the "game" lasted about 3 minutes...
-(fake) Margarita night

And now, a bunch of pictures:

Nath looking regal.

The two "gingers" napping.

Ethan continually falling off the fence.

Posing elk. 

THE posing elk. 

This picture is scary, si?

The twins with their "tousin" twins. 

Freezing at Old Faithful.

But happy about it!

Grandma H and naked Braeden.

Apples to Apples.

Add caption

Ruth is a professional photo bomber.

Poppa Tom showing self control.

Sisters!

Tousins and a Bella stand.

Happy Birthday Trevor!

Prepping for photo?

Nath being a fun uncle.  :) 

Until next time!  :) 

Bennifer 2011

Ben, Jenn and Gray came to visit in October!




Gray enjoying the wind blowing through his duck fluff. 



Bunnies?



Jenn and Liz at Red Rock.

We picked up these guys while we were there!  :)

Talking tree at the Bellagio

What any baby visitor can enjoy whilst in Vegas!

See??

Nate and Ben on the Vita Course 3000

Pretty eh?

Bennifer being used for a higher purpose...I mean, he's even just slouchy and folding his arms...!



Because of this shot, Jenn was awarded "Best Photo Bomb" of the weekend.

 Thanks for visiting; can't wait til next time! 

One Year

Today marks a year to the day that was my last day at my last job.  Like usual, I wasn't necessarily in love with my job, but the end of that job made a lot of things real to me.  The week that followed was one of the most difficult for me in recent years.  I had to continue to pack up the house (alone--Nate was still in Vegas), I had to say good-bye to what felt like everything and everyone, and we had to move across the country--again.  The whole moving thing isn't that impressive; many people have done it, and done it more than once or twice...but this is me we're talking about.  Once I finally gave up and learned to love Ohio, we had to go.  I was finally comfortable with our little (dumpy) apartment, comfortable with our semi-trashy rec center for work outs, comfortable with our ward, comfortable with our friends, and even our mall (we visited often for walks during the winter months).  I think somehow I needed to love it (flaws and) all, so I could learn what I needed to.  And learn I did, but once we packed up the truck and said good-bye, we've had to do it all over again.  The (almost) year mark of our arrival as a family into Las Vegas has caused me to evaluate my/our progress.

 Nate's evaluation is easier; he's worked anywhere he could, has landed in a good spot and continues to work at developing in his career. Because he's so positive, I always feel like I'm the one that has to be convinced that something is awesome, or even okay.  So the results of my evaluation?  I'm getting there.  Our apartment is roomy and not embarrassing for visitors, we have a little club house to work out in (although the retirees LOVE to remind us of the closing time, where weights should go, etc)...the rest of my list is becoming better all the time, but I'm a hard sell for new things.  (PS-why does the local mall in Toledo have an Express and Gap, but neither can be found in the local Vegas mall??)  We've loved being closer to family, and take every opportunity to visit; it's been nice becoming "regulars" again; we've also benefited from many visitors we wouldn't normally get to see.  So, perhaps, I should evaluate again: in comparison to the quote "bloom where you are planted", I've sprouted.  That's something, right? 

Joseph Keith and Jessie Lee come to visit

Since moving to Vegas, we are now blessed to have all sorts of visitors.  We love them all, but we hosted some of our favorite friends from Ohio!  Joe and Jessie are now living in Indiana, but it's still too far, so we were delighted they decided to spend their Labor Day weekend with us. 

Down on the Strip...the reflection of the building looked kinda artsy...and that's about as close as we were going to get to art, so I grabbed a shot.

Liz, Jessie, and Joe.

The only good part of the pirate show. 

From the walkway.

Taken for Halloween costume research (pay attention: Mal and Kathryn)

Taken somewhere within the labyrinth that is the Venetian/Palazzo

Who doesn't enjoy a good law school joke (except Liz and Jessie)?? 

He wouldn't kiss back.

Red Rock Canyon

One of my favorite pictures.  Just because.

Same with this one.

I'll settle for this shot because I'm too cheap to buy the special Red Rock license plate. 

Kathryn loved Joe.  Actually, both kitties loved the extra attention and took full advantage. 

La Reve

La Reve flowers. 

La Reve lazy cat. 

**not pictured--we ventured over to the New York, New York and I spent a few minutes being scared out of my mind on the roller coaster.  We discovered that Joe should've taken his glasses (unharmed) off only after our first time around....

--I hit my head on the door frame of my car just because and I saw stars.  I suddenly gained sympathy for any/all of my brothers who have hit their head on any of my small cars. 

--I managed to get lost whilst trying to find a sandwich shop less than 10 minutes from our house...I'm an impressive tour guide. 

--we had plenty of time to talk about a whole bunch of somethings and possibly more nothing...it was wonderful. 

Come back soon!