Crazy Busy

What a crazy couple weeks it has been for us.  Our lives are not usually jammed pack, not even close, but for some reason, everything hit the last week of July.

I do consulting work for a couple of marketing research firms.  They haven't called upon me in about a year.  Out of the blue, they both contacted me in the same week and a half and needed way more hours than I could give them.  I had to turn work down, which was hard because the extra money is always nice -- and needed!  I ended up working about 10-12 hours each weekend and a little during the week.  If they had called me any other time, I probably could have done more, but that was all I could handle with my regular two days a week in the office and everything else that was going on.

Every night that week we had an event, whether it was a work-related thing that we all, or just Derek had to go to, or a dinner guest at our home.  On top of busy evenings and late nights doing consulting work, I was also making a cake for my niece's 4-year old birthday.  And if that wasn't enough, I hurt my foot (probably had a hairline fracture) the week before so getting around was exhausting and painful.

After a busy week, we packed up and made a trip out to Arizona to visit Nana and see Aunt Stephanie (Karis and I hadn't seen her for two years and she had never met Makena).  The car ride was probably the best it has been so far. Karis was so excited to see Nana and Aunt Steph that she just patiently enjoyed the car ride.  We also introduced her to lollipops!  Makena did pretty well too.  I think there was a span of 30 minutes where she just sat quietly while Karis napped.  That's huge for her!

 Here are some pictures from our visit at Nana's.

Makena eating yogurt ... all by herself (could you tell?)

It was about 110 degrees every day we were there.  We had fun cooling off in the pool.

The girls loved playing with Aunt Stephanie!

Steph, Jim and Derek went hiking at high noon.  Crazy!!  Too bad I had a hurt foot and couldn't go with them... not!

Aunt Stephanie introduced a frozen banana on a stick to Makena.

Aunt Stephanie trying to get a bite of Karis' ice cream.  Not a chance!

Aunt Stephanie reading a bedtime book to Karis.

Playing games on Steph's phone.

Sharing a good laugh. So sweet!