Summer 2011 - Week 6

Week 6: July 24 - 30

Sunday night Brian offered to help make dinner again so we made a chicken/taco soup with all the toppings and corn bread.

Monday night Rec staff played in the Mud Bowl at camp (I had to work late & just showed up with ice cream treats when they were done) and then we had the usual staff meeting from 9:30 - 11 p.m.

Tuesday night was book club at our house. We read My Life in France by Julia Child which was interesting, but I was fully able to put it down each day. Ha. I made a healthy peach/blueberry crisp which ended up being very good. I used oats, minimal added sugar & whole wheat flour and it was great.

Wednesday night was ballet again. I have finally learned what each move is called so that helps (e.g., go from tondue to 2nd). That's progress! I met a girlfriend for a late night dinner afterwards. We chatted for too long, but had a great time.

Thursday was a rough day at work for me (we had a serious child abuse report that required immediate attention from CPS). I made Texas sheet cakes during lunch then just got everything out during Bible study. I mostly stayed upstairs & rested after an exhausting day/week.

Friday & Saturday were more low key evenings to get things down around the house, errands, and then we went to a summer staffer's birthday party. I cannot believe we've had plans every weekend of summer (this doesn't allow for a lot of down time), but we only have a few more weekends to go!

Summer 2011 - Week 5

Week 5: July 17-23

On Sunday night our friend Brian (on the leadership team) offered to make his homemade manicotti so I definitely allowed that! It was delicious. I contributed salad, dessert and bread.

The week was really full as I had evening plans each night & a board member in town all week to play cards with from 9 p.m. to midnight (Sun - Thurs). I had ballet practice with a friend from my class, dinner with a friend, ballet class, then Bible study each evening before cards (Mon - Thurs). I intended to make a good dessert for Thursday night, but not getting home until after midnight didn't really inspire me to bake until 2 a.m.! We picked up things for ice cream floats & ice cream sundaes and let everyone go to town on Thursday night. Of course I still had all the usual treats as well.

Friday night, Matt and I headed out to Palm Springs to meet some (peer) staff for a weekend away. We mostly stayed in the pool for 2 days, but enjoyed their company, some bike rides, and general goofiness while we were there.

The week was packed and I was so tired when we got home on Sunday!

Summer 2011 - Week 4

Week 4: July 10 - 16

Sunday started with us getting back into the swing of things (I did a TON of laundry, had to run errands, work a little, etc.). For dinner, I helped our friend Brian make stuffed shells for dinner. We had stuffed shells, salad, asparagus, bread & dessert (cookie dough brownies).

On Monday we had the usual staff meeting then I hung out in the girls' cabin (on their patio - the ladio) until late. I normally run before or after the meeting so I ran before. It was good.

Tuesday night Matt and I had date night. He thought we should go to Lake Arrowhead (about 45 minutes away) because we'd never been there. It was a great night. We ate at a good Mexican restaurant, then watched the sun set over the lake.

On Wednesday night I had my first adult ballet class!! When I first bought my ballet shoes & leotard (I was in Portland with my mom & sisters) I was saying how there was no way I would need a skirt for an adult class (how could they be that hard core?). Well, I was wrong. I now need to shop for a pair of pink tights & a skirt! My yoga capris & leotard just don't cut it! These ladies are good. I really hope I make Nutcracker try outs. Ha. No, but honestly - it is so fun and random. I will at least continue through this semester & then probably be done. Although a little girl did ask me if I was a professional. Ha - so cute!! And no, I've never done a dance class of any type so this is me living my childhood dreams. Wish me luck.

Thursday night we had an off week for Bible Study & actually took a hike to a cave to experience what David experienced... and we also played a lot & rode a little sled down this water way. We brought Mel and we all loved it. I just purchased some amazing ice cream novelties (taking after Mrs Donna!) and then we had popcorn & candy & watched a movie later that night.

On Friday night we had "Rec Gender Night". The girls all came here for manicures, facials, etc. Even Mel got her nails painted (don't get me started... the girlyness got out of hand & Matt agreed we may have crossed a line... ha). I made chicken salad, hummus/veggies/pita chips, fruit, chocolate chip pound cake, cherry limeade punch, coffee & flavored water. We also decorated sugar cookies... how much more girly could it get? The boys were gallivanting through the woods doing paintball, they grilled out, etc. It was a great night!

Saturday was Staff Beach Day so we all trekked out to Newport Beach for a fun day (yes, that's my 3rd Saturday in a row at the Beach. We have a TOUGH life.) I am pleased with my growing tan & we loved hanging with everyone. Matt swam like 800 yards at least with a couple of guys! He is such a strong swimmer. I mostly flailed in the water & enjoyed chatting with ladies. We got home late....

... and now Week 5 has begun!

Summer 2011 - Week 3

Week 3: July 3-July 9

This week was so fun to have Jack with us & the boys hanging at camp! On Sunday morning Matt made us all breakfast then we hung out/shopped until camp time (3 p.m.) Jack & I hung out at the lake that day (kayaked, went down the slide, swam, went on the aqua jump) then Nathan & Scott met up with us. We went to the Clubhouse to get milkshakes before the boys began camp.

Jack and I headed home to make dinner. Matt grilled fish for fish tacos & grilled some pineapple, we also had guacamole, black beans, 3 different kinds of tortillas, and lots of toppings! We had Chocolate Chip Dip with strawberries & Teddy Grahams for dessert.

This was a really fun week for us because while Matt & I worked a lot, we also got to hang out as campers with Jack a lot.

On Monday night (fourth of July) Matt & I took Jack to get dinner, then surprised him to go see Cars 2 before fireworks! He'd already seen it once (a midnight showing with his parents - that's awesome, huh!?) so he talked us through it. Ha. Then we saw fireworks before heading to Target for a few things.

On Tuesday, Jack and I left for Santa Monica to visit his great grandma, then went to Anaheim for the Angel's Game. Because we were going to Disneyland the next day, we just got a great deal on a hotel (priceline again, yes!) and enjoyed swimming & hanging out at the hotel. The Angel's game was great. Disneyland was amazing with Jack! He is the perfect age to ride everything (wasn't scared, was tall enough) yet still enjoyed the magic of it (while on rides - "is this a real airplane, hotel, car...?" and loved seeing Mickey & others). We had an amazing day!! I'll never forget Jack in mid-sentence passing out in the back seat & hearing his chicken nuggets roll around the back seat. We were wiped out!

We drove back late Wednesday night & I was happy to let Matt help carry Jack upstairs.

Thursday was a full day at camp then for Bible study night we had (again) fruit pizza. The word got out on that so I had to make a few GIANT pizzas. Staff loved it & Jack helped.

On Friday we picked up Nathan & Scott, played at camp some more, then all drove out to Grandma's house in Santa Monica. We had dinner on the promenade then headed to bed for an early flight.

We took the boys to LAX early Saturday morning then went to meet some staff in Long Beach. Matt and I had an awesome beach day with them, then went to one of their homes in Long Beach to make dinner, swim, etc. We love the social time to bond with staff.

Matt and I drove back late Saturday night... well, I mostly slept. Such a fun week!! We want all the boys to come back again (and anyone else too!)

Summer 2011 - Week 2

Week 2: June 26 - July 2

On Sunday night I made grilled chicken (Matt actually does all the grilling), grilled veggies, twice baked potato casserole, and salad. I made fruit pizza for dessert.

On Tuesday night, I had book club at my house. We read The Help in June. If you haven't read the book - read it! It is so good. I am loving the reading accountability + great girl time! We are so lucky to have SO much fresh produce here so when I bought fresh veggies & fruit at a local stand for Sunday's dinner, I bought enough fruit to make fruit pizza again for book club. I am one happy lady with fruit pizza twice in one week!! :)

For Bible study on Thursday, I made all the usual stuff + mud pudding with worms! During Orientation Week I took dessert requests and several of the guys freaked out about mud pudding. So funny. Anyhow, I made a LOT of both chocolate & vanilla mud pudding... and the bowls were licked clean! That night after Bible study, Matt dressed up like Mattsquatch (essentially sasquatch w/ his face showing) and freaked out some guys. It was a ridiculous prank and somehow all 30 staff managed to hide in the woods quietly to observe this craziness!

This was an especially long/hard week for me at work, so I left for about an hour on Friday night to eat dinner with Matt, then continued working until about 11 at night. Sometimes HR is so great, but the dramatic/rough weeks can be hard.

Saturday morning Matt & I left super early to go pick up Nathan, Scott & Jack - our visitors for the week flown in from Dallas! Nathan & Scott (Matt's cousins) were going to High School Camp & Jack (my nephew) was hanging with us all week! So fun! We picked them up at LAX then went to a local restaurant for breakfast. Then we headed straight to the beach! Jack had his first experience boogie boarding & it was a fun day for everyone. We stayed there almost all day before driving back for a staff member's swim/slip & slide party. We enjoyed some In & Out on the way. It was a full, but fun day!

Summer 2011 - Week 1

Week 1: June 19 - 25

Every Sunday night begins with the Rec leadership team coming over for dinner... so every week I make dinner for 8. It's a sweet time to prepare for the week, discuss any issues, etc. I am going to include what I make so I can remember.

Grilled chicken & steak

Black Bean, Corn & Avocado Dip & chips

Fruit Salad

Salad

Lemonade

Healthy chocolate chip oatmeal cookies

Monday nights we have staff meeting. This is normally the only time when different teams can see each other so it is a really sweet time. It's a late night though since the meeting doesn't start until 9:30.

Tuesday & Wednesday nights have varied all summer. This particular week I think I ran errands, worked out, and met with a girl.

On Thursday nights the whole staff (35 people) comes to our house for Bible study. This summer all the camps are studying David (the lessons/topics vary depending on the camp center). We are also studying David at Bible study - reading 1-2 Psalms per week chronologically with his life & reading supporting Scripture to help paint the picture of what was happening with David when he wrote the Psalm.

This particular week we read Psalm 23

Every week I make peanut butter dip (the pine cove way :) and apple slices, coffee/tea, flavored water, and a dessert. This week I made puppy chow. I have become very good at making the right amount of dessert for 35. I am grateful to my mom who helped me learn how to feed a million people (and often responds to texts like one from last week - "how many cans of chicken do I need if I am making chicken salad for 30 girls?")

On Friday, June 24, Matt & I left camp early (which was exciting) to go up to Santa Barbara to see Alison Kraus play! I got him tickets for his birthday in May and we finally got to go. The concert was amazing & we scored an awesome, cheap hotel on priceline! Yea! We came back Saturday afternoon.

And Week 1 flew by....

Summer 2011 - Orientation Week

(Hi friends - I am intentionally working to remember this summer. It's been so great so far and I am writing this for me.)

Orientation Week 2011

Orientation is a crucial time for camps - you get 10 days to teach culture, practice, expectations, allow time for bonding, etc. before you start with constant campers. My normal job continues and we add to that the arrival of several hundred residential & part-time staff. However, there are additional responsibilities in my role as "Matt's wife" during the summer.

I led the HR training time (harassment, abuse prevention, safety/OSHA, etc.) - such fun! Ha. I actually had a breakthrough moment last week while eating out with Matt and realized my job is essentially - to be anal. Umm lovingly, kindly anal, but anal. Sorry that I haven't replaced that word with one that sounds less ugly. I am not totally sure how much I love having a job that encourages me to be more anal than I naturally am. Ha! Anyhow... Orientation also includes lots of other training, team building, and me making lots of desserts for the Rec staff. We have a great group this summer!

We also celebrated five years of marriage on Friday, June 10. We were in the midst of orientation so we kept it low key. We made lunch at home and walked the dog! That may sound simple, but it was perfect for us. I am grateful for five years with Matt. We did go to the San Diego Wild Animal Park a few weeks earlier as well.

That week I brought/made many treats including root beer floats. We also had a 70s night and went roller skating with staff (pics on facebook). It was a great week.