Monday I made two friends – Jenn and Lindsey – go shopping with me down at the mondo Forever 21 at South Towne for a Ladies Night.  We dined at the Wild Zucchini Grill beforehand.  I am not a salad lover, but I had not one complaint about this meal and can’t wait to go again.  PS – I didn’t know it was a chain created by the previous Cafe Rio Owner…

We braved the chaos that is any F21 store and then made our way back home.  I love spending time with those two – they just get me.

Tuesday Zach had a rendezvous planned for some Utah Football season tickets after work and Sloan and I decided to join him.  He asked for season tickets for his birthday, and I agreed he could get them if he found good seats for a good price.  In true Zach fashion – we met the guy in a sketchy gas station parking lot.  He showed Zach the goods and the deal was done.  I was shocked when I found out that Zach had finagled his way into getting FRONT ROW TICKETS between the 30/40 yard line AND made the dealer agree to sell him the same seats next year.  Zach always seems to maneuver things just right and you would have thought that he won the lottery with that grin…

Wednesday I went visiting teaching with my companion and Zach and Sloan set off for the park.  Sloan loves to swing – the park is her happy place.  Zach snapped this photo mid squeal and looking at it makes my ovaries hurt.

I picked them up on their way home and we grabbed some grub for dinner.  In-N-Out Burger, if I am being specific.  

That night the weather was cloudy and cool.  I decided last minute to go on a run [even though I had a gut full of cheeseburger] to take advantage of the cooler temps.  I have to laugh at myself, because the stars usually have to align for me to have a good run.  My iPod has to be fully charged, shoes adjusted, my favorite headband on…you get the idea.  This literally was the unluckiest I have ever been on a run in my entire life.  I left a little bit later than usual and it was already dark outside.  Everything just kind of went downhill from there.  I got bit by mosquitos [later to discover three GIANT dime sized bites on the back of my legs], got sprayed in the face and mouth by a sprinkler, had a bug buzz straight into my right eye – leaving it to water for the remainder of my route, had to hop over a vinyl gate when I got lost in the dark, got spooked by a creepster cat, ran my face into a low-hanging branch on Chidester, nearly stepped on a rotting vole on the trail, splashed my whole right leg in a puddle, almost ran into a curb when someone flashed their brights at me [thanks a lot ya hoodlums], my shuffle went dead at the end of mile three, and I swear someone was cooking breakfast for dinner at 9:30 because I had to run downwind with the smell of pancakes and bacon teasing me!  Basically it was a recipe for disaster since the sprinkler got the best of me.  However – I pushed past 6 miles, something I haven’t done since getting pregnant with Sloan.  

Even though I was a complete [cold and soaked] train wreck, I accomplished something that has been nagging at me for months.  Everyone is different – but once I can crack 6 miles it is usually a cake walk to put on extra miles on top of that.

We laid low the rest of the week, got a bunch of work stuff checked off my to-do list, and even pampered ma girl.  She got her toes painted her favorite color and has been obsessed.  She didn’t move a muscle the entire time I had the polish out. 

Since the weather wasn’t as hot we spent every extra second outside.  Walk after walk after walk…

Friday we stayed at home.  We made dinner, had a good cuddle sesh…

…and put Sloan to bed so we could enjoy a red box and some ice cream.

Saturday we drove up to East Canyon to meet my family for a day on the lake.  We knew the weather could take a turn for the worse, but we decided to go for it.  We were there for 20 minutes when it started to rain and then hail.  Sloan took solace in letting me swaddle her in a beach towel.  I secretly loved it and plan to do it until she won’t allow me to do so.

The storm got pretty heavy so we pulled the boat off the lake and made our way over to the resort’s pool.  We hung out in the baby pool with Sloan.

Sloan even got her first swim lesson from grandpa Gary.  She thought floating was relaxing but did NOT love holding her breath under water.  She’ll get used to it, though…

After our pool party we had to rush back home in time to get ready for our date.  We all showered up and once the babysitter came Zach and I went out for a fancy dinner.  We’ve decided we are using our date nights to do things that aren’t as kosher with a baby – like dining at restaurants with white linen table cloths and such.  

We wandered over to City Creek afterwards to do a little browsing and ended our night with a vanilla cone from McDonald’s.  We had THE best time.  But it didn’t stop me from creepin’ in to Sloan’s room while she slept and giving her some cuddle time.

Sunday I had a total mom-fail and forgot diapers, but we managed to not alienate too many people during sacrament, so I call that a success.  After church we drove up to Ogden to have another delicous dinner at Mark and Jeanene’s.  I have never had a halibut kabob, but I want to make it a regular thing from now on.  We visited for a while until we made our way down to Farmington to stop at Zach’s sister Lori’s house for a quick visit.  Pre-Season Football has officially started – so we had to head home in order to put Sloan to bed and so Zach could sit six inches away from our television and watch the game.

I love/hate football season.  I already miss Zach…