Even though we have made the journey to Bear Lake several times this year, we have been looking forward to this particular weekend since the spring. But as usual, there were some pretty fun things before the weekend began…
Monday I got to tag along with my mom, aunts, and cousins for some back to school shopping. My darling cousins are going back to high school and needed some new duds. We ate dinner at the Corner Bakery and then made a route in Fashion Place Mall. After too long in H&M we moved onto the South Towne Mall. We stayed until they closed – we were basically forced to leave. It was such a blast, and made me secretly wish I was going back to my high school days – things were so simple back then!
Work has been hectic [I bet everyone is sick of hearing me say that – I apologize, but I only speak the truth] and have been eating lunch at my desk lately. So I promised myself that I would get out at least every other day, go off campus, and eat lunch anywhere BUT my desk. I found this perfect spot next to my lunch joint and ate my grub near this random stream. It felt good to accomplish #29 – Eat lunch outside! I loved every second and totally lost track of time.
I loaded all my junk from my old laptop onto my new MacBook Pro – which means I have to say goodbye to my outdated “vintage” model. I miss it already. It was so hard to log off…forever. You get attached to something that you use EVERY SINGLE DAY. [Just like people get attached to cars…and houses, I guess?]
Wednesday night Zach and I got to attend our friend Cam’s Rehearsal Dinner. He is marrying a complete sweetheart – we are so very happy for him. We dined at the Ivy House in Salt Lake. They had this whole theme of Lovers’ Bridge in Paris where you lock your “love” together on this bridge that crosses over the Seine River [you may remember this if you watch the Bachelorette]. It made me miss Paris, I am dying to go back one day. It was such a fun night and we loved seeing all of Zach’s Sigma Chi brothers and their darling wives.
Speaking of wishing I was back in high school…we inherited some red mannequins from Puma and they have been magically “appearing” all over the office. Particularly in my office at my desk while I am away on my lunch break. I guess that’s what I get for having lunch AWAY from my desk. My boss thinks he is really funny…I have named her Ruby.
Thursday night we got to attend Cam and Caroline’s wedding reception at the Salt Lake Country Club. It was great to visit with more of Zach’s friends and catch up. We also loved the complimentary Cokes and Diet Cokes.
We were so busy chatting with friends that we left the beautiful reception without even having any of the delicious food! So…at 10:00 pm…we went and got a $5 Pizza. I know, not my proudest wife moment. I promise I do cook…
Friday was our weekly lunch date – we decided to go to Noodles and Co. in Sugarhouse. As we were leaving, Zach eyed the GIANT rice crispy treat and asked me if he could buy one [like it matters if he asks me]. He HAD to have it, the way a child obsesses over something. On our drive back to my office he ate TWO bites and then instantly got a stomach ache. Two bites. I laugh because…who needs children when I am raising my own man child for a husband?
After work on Friday my Mom and brother drove up to our house so we could all drive up together to Bear Lake. My parents’ friends and their families join us every year at the Fotheringham Cabin every summer – the Caywoods, Swensons, Storms, and Websters. My dad and several families were already waiting for us – so we made the journey up to the lake with our travel treats and lots of conversation. Blake also HAD to stop at Chick Fila for dinner.
We finally arrived around that night around 10 pm and visited with everyone before retiring to bed.
The next morning was an early breakfast and an early session on the lake. Even though our families have both been boating a handful of times this summer, this was Zach and I’s first time on the boat. It was #8 – Boating on our summer list. We wakeboarded and I even slalomed for a while. The water was freezing, but so refreshing and clear.
After everyone took a turn, we even convinced London [3 years old] to try wake boarding. She wasn’t too excited at first, but as she clutched onto her dad and they started cruising around, she loved it! We even got a few waves out of her – when she was willing to break away from her dad for a millisecond. She is the bravest little chick that I know! The poor kids in our family and the families close to us don’t really have a choice – they are basically forced to participate in water sports from a very young age.
Later that afternoon the young kiddies in our crew had a fun idea that they wanted to make bow and arrows before dinner. I was asked to make bows for the three minis. They collected sticks from the area around the cabin and I fashioned some rubber bands from the junk drawer. After their bows were completed, my mom decided they needed satchels to hold their “arrows” [plastic knives] and made them slings of shoe laces and plastic cups. She is going to be the best grandma EVER! They were entertained all night long. Even the adults tried their skills with the makeshift bows and plastic knives.
That night for dinner we grilled coconut chicken – with jasmine rice and grilled pineapple. We totally stuffed ourselves and then Gavin and Jessica made chocolate fondue for dessert.
As the sun set and the temperatures dropped, we all enjoyed the views from the porch and balcony of the lake. All the fires in the Utah/Idaho area have resulted in a blood red sunset. It was incredible!
The next morning we packed up our stuff, did some chores around the cabin, and make the trip back home. The trip was as expected – great conversation, late nights, hours on the lake, and way too much food. We love our family friends!
We love this trip – but when it’s over it only means one thing…summer is coming to a close. We plan to take advantage of the next few weeks before summer is officially over.