Dizzy Dandelion: family

Sunday, July 10

Smyths in San Diego

My family (sans Dave who had a big test to prepare for and take) rented a beach house for a week in San Diego. With my new job, I only had enough vacation to spend a couple of days with them, but they were truly excellent days. I really needed that relaxing, family-filled vacation.

Aaron brought his girlfriend, Anna. It was great getting to know her a little better :)

Dad treated those of us who wanted to go to a Padres v Yankees game. It was an exciting one, where the umpire called against the Padres during every close call. The Padres still won -- woo-hoo!

On Sunday, a bunch of us went to Sacrament meeting. Then Adam and Lindsey indulged me and dragged their kids to the temple so I could see it. Apparently, their bishop challenged the kids to touch a certain number of temples this year. I was only too happy to help them in their goal, even if they were in a hurry to get back to the beach.

We spent the rest of the day at the beach. It was glorious weather. 70ish degrees and very few clouds. I don't think anyone came home un-sunburnt.

We spent the Fourth of July at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. There was almost nobody else there. One of my few requests was one day where the whole family was together. Check!

I ended the day with a headache so bad I went to bed at 8pm. No fireworks for me! But the early bedtime meant I was wide awake at 6am, and had the beach nearly all to myself the next morning.

Lindsey and Adam bought all the boys joke tank tops. We laughed a lot when they opened them!

Anna's comment when Aaron opened it was, "He looks like you!"

Dad, Aaron, Anna, and I took a ride on the roller coaster "The Giant Dipper" at Belmont Park, around the corner from our beach house. It was a good coaster, if a little rickety.

Also got an enormous ice cream cone (because I was on vacation). I'm glad I only asked for a single scoop!

And then I had to hurry home. The rest of the family stayed a few more days, and had some great adventures. I'm glad they took photos!

Saturday, June 4

May!

I love Sunday evenings with the family in the summer. My parents built a swing set in their backyard and it's a big hit with the kids. I tried swinging on the swings, and the whole set shook enough that I won't try it again :P

The G-Unit cheers PJ taking his first t-ball swings

My mom said to my brothers and me, "I'm going to bring all my picture books upstairs and let you choose the ones you want." I shouted, "No!" abandoned the gravy I was in charge of, and ran downstairs to plunder the collection. They are banged up and worn and wonderful and I'm thrilled they're mine. My brothers were good-natured about it. My mom approved of my choices.

May 4 is known as Star Wars Day, or "May the Fourth Be With You."

My workplace had a trivia game. I answered one of the questions correctly, and also got the bonus (finding the code word in the "fine print.")

The prizes were out of this world!

The office also treated everyone to a matinee of Captain America: Civil War during work hours. Good movie. It was a nice way to celebrate four weeks at the new job!

While waiting two hours for a date to meet me, I discovered that Sports Authority was going out of business. So, I went inside and bought some weights and a t-shirt for a great price. I've been wanting them for a while!

I go out to lunch with co-workers fairly often. One day, we went to Tsunami, and since I don't like seafood I got teriyaki beef. I also discovered that "veggie rolls" at a sushi place are not the same thing as egg rolls.

Still don't know who this person is. Just another reason I loathe group texts.

May 24 is National Tiara Day, so I posted this gem from 2013.

It's been a long time since the six of us have been together

I moved to another desk on another floor. It's a nice space, but I miss the window!

My hands are pretty small, but my tiny nephew puts me to shame! My hand covers his forearm, and his barely covers my thumb. And all is right with the world!

Took a walk down memory lane and saw The Utah Childrens' 'Theater's Tom Sawyer. Becky Thatcher was my very first lead with this theater 20 years ago. The play was as charming and funny as I remembered, and the corn cake in the Soda Shop was delicious! I talked with the actress who played Becky; she was a total sweetheart and a much better actress than I was back then.

This little boy found out he's going to get a little brother. Eee!

Our gift to Mom for Mother's Day was tickets to a Salt Lake Bees game. The Bees lost, but I had a great time with the original seven. My family is truly fantastic. I'm glad we did this.

I broke my baby toe, so that's going to be healing for the rest of the summer. Whoops!

On Memorial Day, I visited my grandpa's grave. A lot of his family is buried in that plot. I liked looking at all the names and dates and wondering who all those relatives were when they were alive.

This terrific lady married her perfect match. It was great to celebrate her happiness, and hilarious how many of her female relatives tried to set me up with men in their family!