Doh! I need a camera. One that I will love so much that I won't want to forget it conveniently in the van or at home. One that will make me think, "Ooooh, I HAVE to take this picture!" or "I am so looking forward to capturing this memory."
Why am I lamenting about my lack of an awesome camera?
Because those two sentences went through my mind multiple times in the last week and I had no camera in sight. - Okay. One of those instances the camera was in the car, but I knew it wouldn't capture the pictures like I want it to - what is it about me and Nikon cameras? I just can't seem to get them to work for me!
Anyhow. Since I'm lacking photos - I'll give you a brief rundown of what's been a happenin' here.
Last week I started cleaning for another client. And the next day I was back at the doctor's house to clean there. I went at 6:00 in the A.M. because they were out of town. THAT was heaven. I was done by 9 and my whole day was still available to me. So I packed up the kids and headed to Bear Lake for the day with some girlies.
It was loads of fun. Grand Duchess and I stayed out of the water the whole day while the other 4 kids ran back and forth from building castles to swimming. Silly older boys didn't even bring towels or a change of clothes! They had quite the uncomfortable time drying off without getting super sandy.
On our way home we stopped at a little burger joint - the name escapes me - and I bought fries and shakes for everyone. Had I known that the fries were one size (large) and the shakes were thick and one size (large) I would've made them all share! But man oh man was it delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed finishing off extras. :)
Thursday came and went with me running to WalMart with the two girls and cleaning the house to get ready for the weekend.
Friday morning I dropped Mr. Fantastic, Optimus Prime & Princess Monkey Eyes off at friends' houses for the weekend. Since the van still isn't fixed, we had to take the Blazer to family weekend for the Navy. So some of the kids had to stay behind.  I was tempted to stay behind, too, and just send Popeye by himself, but he insisted that I come because it was going to be different this year. Not to mention we were hoping to find some time in there to go and check out a potential job offer.
As luck would have it, 18 miles from our destination the alternator went out in the truck. And because of the lovely wind that Wyoming provides, we were pushed for almost a whole mile before we came to a stop. Popeye was able to get his brother to come out and bring some tools and an alternator (and I took BIL's car with the two young 'ns for some Qdoba). By the time I got back with dinner, the truck was running! So we all sat down and ate burritoes. YUM!
Saturday was crazy long. The day started at 7:45 and went until lunch time. Luckily childcare was provided and the kids both had a great time. We ate some yummy fried chicken that was catered by Culver's and then we had to go back to classes. That didn't fly so well with me & the Lieutenant's wife. So we snuck out and went to Hobby Lobby - where I completely restrained myself from buying any fabric or yarn but picked up some fabric paint to try my hand at creating some shirts for the kids. And then we went off to Once Upon a Child where my friend needed some shoes (and ended up getting a whole lot more) and I found some church pants for #1, some uber cute boots for #5 and other "must-haves" for the rest. It was more than I could bare, so I ended up putting 4 things back. Needless to say, that store is dangerous!
We snuck back in just in time to hear closing remarks and start socializing and making rounds.
Then we went swimming with the kids and then to dinner at another sailor's house. I wanted crab desperately, so she obliged! I was thrilled and we all sat around telling stories and cracking crab shells. Delicious. I think I'll have some more. Soon.
Today Popeye took an advancement exam while I packed up the car. He doesn't think he'll advance to the next grade-level-stage, whatever. But I really hope he does. That will bump him up in pay and will also give him the opportunity for more awards. Then I went over to Base for a "Spouses Tea" that really was all the spouses and kids sitting in a room eating cookies and drinking tea or lemonade at 9:00 in the morning. Thor was thrilled that he got cookies that early. :)
After we sat around for almost 2 hours, our spouses came and got us and informed us that we didn't have to go to a certain Chief's retirement ceremony, but they had to. Bleh.
So I took off for a park to let the kids run around while Popeye went to that. After that was all done, I picked him up and we were on our way to his dad's house.
His brother showed up again to do some more tweaking on the truck before I left and we had some lunch. The kids played and I napped. It was a wonderful nap intertwined with rude awakenings by the yappy dog everytime someone came in the door.
We said our goodbyes and left Popeye standing on the porch. He has 2 more days of drill so as soon as the van is done (which I'm hoping for REALLY soon), I'll drive back with the kids and pick him up and then we'll make that potential employment trip I talked about earlier.
That's a whole post in and of itself so I'll spare you the deets right now.
Some pics I wish I had taken:
bear lake. That was just fun!
The kids wrestling with one of the sailors today. Poor guy never saw it coming.
My new friend that I made - she was pretty cool to chill with.
Popeye in uniform. Yum.
The munchkins swimming with Popeye - Thor was so happy.
Thor and Grand Duchess sleeping in the truck at the same time (a rare event, indeed).
The hotel (always an adventure with kids).

So hopefully this week will bring some news of a fixed van and a job offer.