Interview in Vernal

July 26

Wednesday night I drove down to my friend's house to spend the night and catch up on hanging out time. I got to Tania's around 6:30ish. We talked about the latest happenings with one another. At 7:30 ish, we headed off to her sister's place for some Dark Knight action. Tania is in the process of a Batman marathon, but over the span of 2-3 days, gearing up to watch the new Dark Knight Rises movie. It was an enjoyable time catching up and spending time with her.

After we got back to her house, Tania helped me prepare for my interview in Vernal with a mock interview. We kinda got side-tracked with discussions about education, but it was well worth it. We didn't get to bed until midnight, but it was well worth it. 

The following morning, I showered, got dressed and Tania made me breakfast. We figured out the best way to get to Vernal from Salt Lake and by 9:15, I was in my car ready to go. The drive wasn't terrible, but it definitely was a TON of time sitting in one position for 8+ hours. Scenic wise..it goes from pretty, green Heber to middle-of-nowhere Duchesne, then some red rocks and miles of plains without human occupancy, then Roosevelt, more middle-of-nowhere attributes and then finally...Vernal!!!

I arrived at the district office at 12:30 and then tried to prepare by going over some last minute questions. My interview was at 1:20. I didn't think I did that great in all honesty. They asked me some questions that I had never heard before. After the interview, I went upstairs and answered some writing questions. By the time that I got out of there, it was around 2:30ish. I grabbed some lunch and headed back the way I came. Once I got to Heber, I took I-80 to I-84 and then headed north back home.

I stopped by my in-laws for a little chat and then went to Logan to see the hubby. 

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Now this is important because yesterday morning...July 30th, I got a call from Vernal, letting me know that I got a job offer for 1st or 4th grade. After prayer, good feelings and extended thought processes between Nate and myself, we decided to give it a GO!
We're excited and scared out of our minds like no other. A lot has to happen in the next couple weeks. I'm trying to figure out everything that needs to happen before the big move, on top of what I need to do to setup my classroom. Tables? Or Desks? Cubbies? What rules and expectations should I have? Should I have a theme? It's a BIG stressful phenomena that is apparently common for teachers at the beginning of the school year.
Nate and I have begun the search for a place to live. The plan is to drive out there in the near future to look at apartments. So far, a vast majority of them are out of our price range. But hopefully we can find something soon. 

Bitner Family Reunion

July 21-July 24

Pioneer Day Celebration as always, signals a family celebration at Bear Lake with my mother-in-law's relatives. On Saturday, after my big teacher test and house duties, Nate and I drove up to Bear Lake to kick off the celebration. We were in charge of dinner, so I made my dad's chili with a few additives/modifications of my own.

 Everyone seemed to enjoy it. Especially the kids. After which, everyone went to one of the condo's swimming pools to enjoy the hot tubs. When we came back, Em, Rob and Nate played dominion while everyone else relaxed.

 Sunday was the big Bitner dinner after church and Barbara and Larry showed up. The food was really good. I made a grape salad which everyone seemed to enjoy.

 Grandma and Grandpa Warburton!

 After some Sunday relaxing after dinner, it was time for the traditional game of.... Pigs & Ducks!
So every year, they have a game where candy is scattered all over the grassy area. Each team has a captain and you are either a pig or a duck.

 Only the captains can touch the candy. If you're a pig, you oink and if you're a duck, you quack to call your captain over to pick up the candy that you found. Nate was once a pig or a duck back in the day.

 Once the candy was evenly dispersed amongst the kidders, the Warburtons played a game of Bocce ball. I didn't get any points, but it was still fun

 While we (the adults) played, Rob voluntarily became the child playground. Lol

 He kept them pretty preoccupied

 As strange as this picture may seem, it's cool cause Larry (blue) and Brittney (green) had somehow lined up their balls in a row to the goal ball.

 Me in action!
Monday morning was the start of the all-day adventure at the beach.

 Jonathan playing in the sand with his mom's hat

 We rented two paddle boards. They're huge!

 Scott got buried in the sand as a shark... and then Shaely wanted a turn as a mermaid.

 Seth and Smash rocking it out there

 Nate and I went out later. I totally dominated!
Some relatives let us use their jet skiis. Nate accidentally threw us off by taking a really deep turn and then later I threw Nate off in a sharp turn. He pulled me along with him and we flew pretty far. Upon arriving to shore, I made an executive decision...I want one!!!

 Seth and Britt

 When we got back to shore, Jenetta was fast asleep on Grandma

 Definitely got some sun!
Afterward, we kind of lounged around and then Seth and Brittney made some delicious baked potatoes. We also went to the other pool in the condo and used their extremely hot, hot tub and pool. Nate had fun throwing Scott into the pool. He kept coming back for more, that little dare devil.
Tuesday (the 24th), was a another day at the beach, but not as long. The water was cooler and it was a bit windy, but...the Bitner family had rented out the water trampoline for awhile. It was SOO-- awesome! You got thrown off balance a lot with the water beneath you as well as sibling-in-laws trying to throw you off the contraption. Lol. So much fun!

Nate, Em, Sara, Smash and I all swam to the buoy and then swam for shore. It was exhausting, but I'm glad I did it. The rest of the day consisted of relaxing. I read a big chunk of my book, Loves Music, Loves to Dance and Nate took a big nap. We watched some tv, lounged around and then it was time for balloon towel tossing.

 Uncle Bruce did the tossing with help from two of the older nephews

 They kept the really younger children occupied with a bubble machine. I thought it was genius!

 Shaely caught one!

 Most of the older kids and adults sat around and chatted. We went to the pools again. Everyone did flips off the diving board. Around 4:30, Barbara and Larry took everyone to La Beau's for their classic shakes. I got banana cream and Nate got Snickers.

We got back for Em's dinner and played a few games including Dominion for Nate and Qwirkle for the sisters. As the night wound down, we played a round of Imaginiff with the whole family before the kidders had to go to bed. Nate and I headed back to Logan soon after. What a great weekend!!! I really love going to Bear Lake with Nate's side of the family. There are always adventures to be had.
(I stole some photos from Emily's blog)

Annie

July 14

Brittney was casted as Grace in her community's production of Annie. Nate and I drove down Saturday night with his parents and sister to Lehi to see Brittney's play on her closing night. She did so well for her first community theatre production. It was really good family Warburton time.

Daddy Warbucks, the director, Grace and Annie

And we saw the guy that plays Elder Johnson from the Best Two Years at the show! I think Smash got a picture with him, but I'm not sure.

(I got the picture!)

Beach Family Fun!

July 8th - July 11th

To begin, Sunday kind of dragged on forever... We went to church, came back and started packing up for our trip. Nate and I cleaned out and organized the hardside trailer...food-wise. It needed to be done. Badly! The plan was to leave by 4ish and get there around 6 pm... we didn't get there until midnight! Crazy right? It was almost like pulling teeth to kick it in gear. 

Once we got there, we set everything up. At one point, I was laying on our to-be-bed for the night and Nate came over to cuddle up with me and...the whole tent trailer tipped over. It freaked me out, so I screamed. Everyone else just laughed. We slept in the following morning, although the loud trains didn't help at all with sleep. Nate and I made breakfast, we dropped off my family's dogs, Nate helped his dad and then....we headed off to LAGOON!!!! Jess was freaking out, she was super excited! We ate some subway sandwiches and entered the park.

We rode some rides and then due to the heat, we decided it was absolutely necessary to go on Rattlesnake Rapids. My dad got soaked with the waterfall and loved it! My hair was cute before we got wet. :S Soon after, Dani and my dad left to get stuff to fix the tent trailer. 

 We walked around and rode the plane rides.

 Mike, Jess and Boomer rode the tilt-a-whirl while Nate and I popped in line for bumper cars!

 We are SOO attractive!!!

 Then, they got a shot at it. Jess kinda looks like she's out for the kill.

 I was just about Lagooned out. Mike and Boomer rode the rock and the water tubes. We rode the Samurai  and the Colossus before deciding to head back to Crystal. We ate homemade beef stew and called it a night.

 The next day we went to Crystal Hot Springs! Everyone played in the water besides Dani, she opted out. (Oh, I almost forgot..side note: Nate caught a crawdad with a piece of bacon and dental floss that morning. Cool beans!) We spent more time in the pool than the hot springs, but it was well worth it! We went down the slides for most of it and it was so much fun!!!

 That's Nate. He makes a big splash!

 Yeah.. He was terrified. They say wait 20 seconds. What they should do is have a guard who tells you when to go. Two girls caught up to my Dad in the slide. They need to have a rule that accounts for mass. I'm glad no one got hurt.

 Everyone jumped in the pool for some water basketball! Nate kept trying to dunk me under, but I prevailed! It was so relaxing and great. Jess and I even ganged up on our hubbies! I definitely want to go back.

 Jess attacking Mike

 Dad was ready to throw the towel in and head back to the campsite.

 Night came and we ate dutch oven lasagna. It was delicious!!! Jess and I took our much needed naps (unsuccessfully) after watching Despicable Me and You've Got Mail with the fam. As night fell, some went back to Crystal Hot Springs for another round of wet fun. We made smores and had a huge fire. Loved it!

  Nate and I had to turn in early for his job the following morning. We awoke early and packed up the tent trailer. What an adventure!!! 
(I stole some photos from Jess's blog.. She's just that great of a photographer!)