Grandma Conklin (Mema) Visits

At the beginning of August, we received a visit from Jason's mom from NJ. She stayed with us almost a whole week. And I don't know how this happened, but we didn't get a picture of her with Chase, which is making me really sad! I wasn't kidding when I said we were horrible with taking pictures. Anyway, she arrived late Friday night. On Saturday we took her to the Dinosaur museum at TP (which is the largest dinosaur museum in the world so they say). It was pretty cool. I recommend going if you have never been. Then we ate at Mimi's cafe. The next day (Sunday) we surprised her by taking her to the Sunday brunch at the Grand America Hotel. Delicious doesn't even describe how good the food was! And there was a ton of it, they had a juice bar, seafood bar, breakfast bar with crepes, eggs any way you like them, french toast, pancakes, waffles, and of course breakfast meats, salads, lunch dishes, desserts, plus they were grilling ribs, chicken and pork outside.

Unfortunately, that Monday I got really sick with some kind of stomach bug which lasted until Friday. So for the rest of Jean's stay, I was pretty much stuck in bed and couldn't show her any other wonderful things in the state of Utah (which is pretty limited, I must say). It just means she has to visit again soon!

Here are some pictures from the dinosaur museum:
This was my favorite, a really huge sea turtle
Family picture time-ugh I hate that I don't photograph very well

T-Rex

First Haircut

Chase actually had his first haircut on July 31, the day before Jason's mom came to town. I am just really behind on blogging and am trying to catch up today. Anyway, I had Jason meet us at the mall that day so Rachel and I could get pedicures. While we were being pampered, Jason took Chase to one of the haircutting places in the mall to surprise me. I had no interest in cutting his hair (I was deathly afraid of making his hair look horrible and possibly poking his eye out with scissors). Luckily, there is a children's haircutting place, Cookiecutters for Kids, opening right down the road from us. That is where he will be getting his hair cut from now on.

Time to Put Up the Gates!

I just watched my baby crawl for the first time! It was pretty amazing. He wouldn't crawl after any of his toys, but he crawled after my cell phone. Anyway, I want to see if he does it again. And I need to take video of it and pictures! I just didn't want to forget his first crawl!

Attack of the Salesman

I was watching the news last night I think (who knows, all the days blend together for me) but it was sometime this week and on it they were talking about a salesman that attacked a woman who was home alone in her house here in Utah County in a town that borders mine. I think the attack happened last year and the salesman is now getting sentenced. This is exactly why I DO NOT ANSWER THE DOOR AT ALL when I am home alone. Unless I am expecting someone. A few years ago I was home alone and made the mistake of answering the door and it was a salesman who wasn't even very clear about what he was selling at first (Raelene, you would probably remember, the black guy selling magazines who had the ugly picture of his "so called" daughter...it looked like the picture was from a magazine or something) Anyway, the guy was really creepy and he kept peering into my house asking when my husband would be home. I bought some magazines just so he would leave and called the bank right away to cancel my check.

So, moral of the story. I would advise all you moms who stay home alone during the day to never answer your door for salesmen...who really knows if they have some underlying motive. I am also sorry if you have come to my door and I haven't answered it. I am hoping soon we will have cameras at our doors and all around the house for that matter so I can distinguish who to open the door for. I think people in my neighborhood are going to think I'm some antisocial freak because I never get my door!

All Alone

So Jason is on his yearly team leader retreat for work until Sunday morning (I dread this one weekend out of the year). He went camping at Starvation Reservoir. I am here all by myself today and tomorrow until my family arrives to stay for the week. But don't worry about me; I will have my security system armed, my taser and pepper spray next to me on the nightstand, and will set up Chase's pack and play in our closet so I can lock and barricade my bedroom door. Just kidding, the security system and taser should do the trick. And I have plenty to do to keep me busy. I just feel so lonely when I know he's not around and feel like a single mom (which is probably my biggest fear). I may just break the rules tonight and let Bentley sleep on the bed with me.

Anyways, I miss you babe. I get really depressed when you are out of town. I am very grateful you don't travel for work (yet anyway) because I don't know what I would do. And when you do, you better take me with you. Or Rachel, you better come move in with me until he gets back!

Anyhow, I need to decide what to get for dinner...it's either Rumbi, Rumbi, or Rumbi because Cafe Rio is going to be way too packed. And Del Taco's Drive Thru is going to be out of control! Oh franchise owners, why can't you open more restaurants around here?

Poor Gorilla

So apparently, at a zoo in Germany, this mother gorilla's baby died at 3 months and she is having a hard time giving up her baby. She's been carrying her body around since Sunday. I think it's so sad, it breaks my heart! It's also very sweet to see an animal grieving for her child. I hope she finds peace soon. Sorry if some of you are a little grossed out by the picture.

Anyways, just thought that was interesting. And that is my goal, to make my blog more interesting by sharing things I read and learn. Hope it's working.

Gymnastics Show

By the way, I am going to go see the Team USA Gymnastics Tour in October!! I'm so excited. If anyone is interested, it's at the Energy Solutions Arena October 3. Get your tickets then join Raelene and me for dinner after the show!