Home Again

Now that my family's gone, it's back to the job search.  I hang out with my computer all day, so I have to find things to entertain myself.  Here are my recommendations for some good breaks from job searching:

1- Blogging.  Clearly.
2- Baking.  That's my solution to just about anything, from boredom, to stress, to happiness, to sadness.
3- Cleaning.  Yep, our apartment is pretty sparkling.
4- Help the hubby with his duties as class vice president and LDSSA club president.  Do you think I could put this on my resume as work experience as an administrative assistant to an executive?
5- Make boring things into games.  My latest challenge is to set the thermostat decently high in my apartment and then see how long I can keep the air conditioner from coming on by using windows and a fan.  Today I made it until 4 PM!  It gets a little hot, though, so I'm sometimes secretly thankful when Scott comes home and turns the AC on without telling me.
6- Write thank-you notes.  Actually I haven't really been doing that.  But I should.

Old home...and new home

After Powell, I rode home with Scott's parents to do a little work on my thesis project.  After spending some time in the good ol' hometown, my family brought me back to my new home and stayed for a while.

S'mores for FHE in my family's backyard firepit

Getting ready to hike--we took my family on a sweet hike with plenty of water and graffitti

Going to church--Scott and I just happened to be speaking, so my family got to be there

The buff boys at Six Flags

Lake Powell

Ever since I met Scott, he told me of a magical place where he goes every summer to be with family, boat all day, and make ginormous sand sculptures.  It was so exciting to go with him this year!  Scott showed me his sweet waterskiing skills (hot!), and I...attempted to get up several times before finally succeeding and making it off and on both wakes (yay!).  Scott and his brothers also made a sweet sand-Hogwarts.  It was pretty impressive.  It was so great to spend some more time with his family and get to know everyone a little better :)

Tubing with my nephew.  You have no idea how weird it is to be called "Aunt Kathryn."

Scott the professional waterskier.

Scott showing us his impressive skills...about .2 seconds later he fell and slashed his toe with the ski.

Scott basked in his one-week opportunity to grow facial hair.

Knee-boarding.  For some reason I don't have any proof that I can waterski :(

We cooked food for everyone on the houseboat for a day with our brother and sister in law.

Warriors.

Um...yeah.  We're hard core.

Part of the fam at the Indian ruins

Beautiful :)

Sweet sand castle!

Family

After a month of summer school, Scott got another two week break--yipee!  We decided to stop and see some family for a few days on our way to Scott's family reunion at Lake Powell.  We went to the zoo, floated a river, and played with a fun new car track with our nephews.

24th of July

The 24th of July is a little different in California than in Utah.  It's not actually a holiday, so our stake had to create its own party.  The day started with a 5K.  I have finally admitted to myself that I hate running, so Scott ran alone.  Boy was he speedy!  He came in just behind the fast high school cross country runners.  I was so proud :)

Later that afternoon was the stake pool party.  I signed us up to help with the food from 4-4:30...and we ended up cooking and cutting carne asada for three hours straight.  Needless to say, we kinda missed the party.

Sadly there were no fireworks to finish off the night, but we had fun celebrating the 24th California style anyway :)

Dodger Game

What's better than Mormon Night at the Dodger game with friends, official wrist bands, and all-you-can-eat Dodger Dogs, popcorn, nachos, and peanuts? Umm...maybe feeling healthy?  Anyway, Scott and I met up with our friends John and Chelsie Wilde for lots of fun.  We also explored LA's Koreatown and Chinatown.  Special thanks to John's family for the tickets!!

Scott after his delicious Korean food.

 Mmm.  All you can eat junk food!

First Business Trip

Well...sort of.  I went to Washington D.C. to do some stuff for my group thesis project.  We did some interviews with the Board Members of the company we're designing a presentation and website for.  I got to stay with my uncle and aunt and their two cute kids, so the trip was both productive and fun :)  The thesis is coming along great, and I'm nearly finished with my Master's.  Woo hoo!  Goodness, my life has sure changed a lot since a year ago when I first started my degree.  Who would have thought?!

This is the set-up for one of the interviews (I love that he is wearing shorts--we only filmed the top half).