TING

I've had a couple people ask me about our phone plan, so I'm going to try to type out some details about it here that can be used as a reference. In February we switched over to a new company called Ting. They use the Sprint network. With Ting you basically pay for what you use. There is no such thing as "Free" over there. But for people, like myself, who enjoy not paying for other's indulgences it works.

Things you might not like about Ting:

• No free nights or weekends
  
• No free in-network calls
  
• No free calls to your family
  
• No free calls to anyone else on your plan
  
• You basically get charged double minutes to talk to someone else on your plan
  
• No free calls to check your voicemail
  
• No free or discounted phones (their selection is not great right now, but should improve in a couple weeks)
  
• The iPhone is not available with Ting

Things I enjoy about Ting:

• No contract, we can ditch them any time we want.
  
• My $29 a month phone bill -- for 2 lines, INCLUDING taxes and fees!

You can just visit their website if you'd like more information at Ting.com But here's my run-down of how it works: You pay $6 a month per phone that you want on your plan (that makes it $12 for Brandon and I). Then you choose a plan for your minutes: we chose 500 minutes, which adds $9 on to our bill. Remember these are SHARED minutes, so he and I combined have to stay under 500. But it's no big deal if you do go over your minutes, they just bump you up into the next bracket and charge you that price. Although I've noticed they do seem to have a small buffer. Our first month we used 529 minutes, but they didn't charge me extra. Maybe that was just for the first month, but I haven't gone over since so I'm not certain. Then you choose your text messages. They are pretty cheap. We've never gone over 100, so that's $3 there. And then add data if you'd like. If you use a lot of data this is where it can get expensive, but we only use it in case of emergency. We have access to a lot of Wi-Fi, so it's really not necessary. We signed up for the Small package, which is 100 Mb for $3 a month, but as you can see on our bill if we don't use it they give us a credit. Then our taxes and fees are a flat $5. They always keep it nice and round. So... $12 + $9 + $3 + $5 = $29. For 2 cell phones, with texting. Sure beats the $65 we were paying before with no texting, and no ability to use data if we wished -- and, that was with a company discount. So... here's my last bill to take a look at.

And if it's something you ever decide you want to try, or know somebody it would work for... make sure you use my referral link! SIGN UP HERE.

Sophie's Birthday #10

We celebrated Sophie's 10th birthday on Wednesday. Brandon made her German pancakes for breakfast. While they cooked we let her open her family presents. We got her a violin. She's been begging for one for months. I remembered Sheri still had my old violin so I thought we could just get it back from her. Sophie bugged her to death until we got it, but then we realized they had converted it to a viola. I went to the music store to see about getting the violin strings to convert it back (Sophie did not want a viola), but it was going to cost me $85. We talked it over and decided we weren't quite ready to make that investment for something I wasn't sure she would stick with, plus she had found some violins on Ebay for $40. I figured they weren't the greatest quality, but to get a new case, bow, rosin and violin all for that price was a steal. Oh, and I got her the 3/4 size since I thought that might fit her better. Now she can try it out and see if she really likes it before we put too much money into it.

Nicole, Doo Sung, Cora and James sent her some money (which she loves), along with a Japanese/English dictionary. That will come in handy in a couple weeks when our exchange student arrives. Grandma & Grandpa gave her some more books in the "Blast to the Past" series, and another American Girl sew and stuff kit -- this time an owl!! She had to run up and get the bears that she made with the other kit they had given her.

After breakfast we worked hard getting ready for her party. Chloe wanted to buy some balloons for Sophie so I ran her to the store to get them. There were some tears shed when shortly after getting home one of them popped. She still had two, though, which tried to blow away during the party. Luckily, Kellie spotted them and the wind blew them back into just the right spot that Sophie could climb the fence and snatch them. She had some sore feet after that, though.

The party was a little crazy. To digress a bit, the day before I realized I had made a BIG mistake. I told Brandon he didn't need to take the day off, but then Sophie made it clear that she expected him to be here. She was very hurt. So after confessing my mistake to Brandon he said he'd see what he could do. He was able to take the afternoon off, and got here in time for the party. Yeah for Dad! Even though I had 3 other adults here to help, it was still nice to have him around. I took charge of sewing, helping to make stuffed owls. We had bought several different fabrics so the kids could mix and match and give their owls individuality. We also had an owl necklace station and they made owl hair clips. Do you think we overdid the owl theme a bit?

Sophie really wanted a pinata. The only owl pinatas we found were $40, and that was a little too much for something we were just going to smash, so she found a butterfly she liked. After freaking out about filling it with all that candy she told me she would buy the candy if I let her get it. I thought that was a fair compromise. She still got her junk food, but I didn't have to break my rule and buy it :) I did buy some super cute owl cookies, though. They were worth it. Brandon stood up in the loft and hung the pinata over the banister. That worked pretty well. The pinata was so hard, though, that Chloe broke the bat. They never did get it to break, so Lark just dumped the candy all over for the kids to catch.

She opened gifts, passed out the super cute owl cookies, and the party was pretty much over at that point. We wanted the Stephens to hang around since we don't get to see them very often, Makenley and Ellie found out their mother had had to go to the hospital so they were just hanging out waiting for their aunt to come get them, and Jessica ended up staying awhile waiting for her sister to meet her. That was nice for me to be able to take a break from "the party" and just hang out with everyone. Some of the kids went back and made a second owl during that time too, but I told them I was done!

After everyone was gone, and we let out bellies settle from the party food, we went out to eat. Sophie picked Pizza Pie Cafe. It was really busy when we got there, so we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. I think she had a good day, and maybe with so many owls surrounding her she'll become a little wiser too!

95 On the 4th of July

Those of you following my blog have probably figured out by now that we seem to have a tradition for the 4th of July. This year Grams turned the big 95. At first I really wasn't sure if we were going to make the trek again, but the girls told us we were. They didn't want to give up being in a parade, so we went. We heard that grandpa was just planning to drive Grams in the parade, and anyone who wanted could walk along beside. Boy, they weren't happy about that idea, so it was a good thing when he brought the truck and let everyone ride in the back.

We left Tuesday right after Brandon got off work. We caught site of another fire that had just started up in Alpine. We haven't been in any danger, but we sure do feel surrounded. On the drive up I got a lecture from Chloe about how we're no fun because we didn't buy any fireworks. Well, cousin Ned came through for us. He was there along with Uncle Pete when we arrived. Nobody else was, but I was sure surprised at how well Chloe attached to Ned. She thought he was the greatest. I guess all it takes is blowing some dough on explosives. Another very distant cousin (Chloe & Sophie's 3rd cousin), Jessica and her friend also came over and joined us. What a spontaneous party! It was a fun night.

Grams acted all surprised when I told her we were taking her to the breakfast. Not sure why she didn't expect it, but she was a wee bit disappointed that she had gone out of her way to buy us some soy milk for breakfast and we weren't going to use it (I did take it home with us so it didn't go to waste). Then again, she got so excited when I told her we were taking her to the program at the tabernacle. What a silly lady.

After the whole shebang in Paris, we held an open house for her. Quite a few people stopped by to say hi. Grams was in her glory with all the attention. That's how she likes it. After that was over we spent about an hour cleaning up before we left. As you come into Bear Lake they have a bunch of drive-ins and such that prey on those coming for raspberries. Sophie asked if we could stop for a raspberry shake. I told her perhaps on the way home, and even though we were stuffed from the open house and Chloe had just fallen asleep in the car, I still made good on it. (Mom, if you're reading this I'm supposed to tell you I saw Bonnie and Kevin Jackson there, and she says you need to get your visiting teaching done!) I think the girls decided that raspberry wasn't their favorite flavor of shake. I agree.

On the drive home we got several more lectures about what terrible parents we are for not buying fireworks. It finally subsided after it got a little darker and you could see everyone setting them off all along the valley. We got home in time to head over to the park and watch the city set their's off. The next night we saw another fabulous show from our upstairs window, but I'm not sure what city that was, it still looked like it was in Lehi.

Last year our float took 2nd place in the parade. Think we can top that?

Moab

We came home from camping, which gave us the opportunity to get cleaned up and dump all our camping gear off. Plus we could get the few things we forgot. Yes, I have no clue where my head is anymore. I'm pretty sure it's long lost.

Monday we headed to Moab for the Ross family reunion. We got there about an hour ahead of my parents (who were checking everyone in to the condos), so we just decided to stop at the visitor center to kill some time. I went to the bathroom and when I came out I ran into my aunt from Maryland! We went back into the visitor center and there was my other aunt & uncle from Pennsylvania. One more set showed up while we were still hanging out. We stayed there until we got the call from my parents that they were in town, then it was just hanging out at the condo all night.

Tuesday morning we had a scheduled appointment for group photos. It was good to get those done before the last day, but it did make it so we had a late start to the day. Everyone wanted to go hiking afterwards, but I couldn't go out in that kind of heat (over 100) that late in the day. We just hung out and took the girls to the pool. Later we heard that all those who went "hiking" actually realized (or were told by a ranger) that it was too hot, so they just drove around Arches. I would have gone for that. A group of them went back to hike to Delicate Arch after dinner, but I didn't know there were plans and didn't have time to make a quick decision. Jason wanted to go, but even he got left. I'm all for a little spontaneity, but planning sure does work better :)

So we didn't have a repeat of the day before, Brandon and I just decided to head off to Canyonlands on Wednesday bright and early. We got up at 5:30 and headed out. It felt like we had the park to ourselves. We were starting to wonder if people even came to this place. We hung out under Mesa Arch while the sun was coming up. Absolutely beautiful! Then we went and hiked Whale Rock. Not so scenic. It was just a big, giant rock. Next we went to Upheaval Dome, but we didn't hike there, and later I heard that I'm glad we didn't. I think that hike was a little more strenuous than they led on. Next we went to Green River Overlook. There wasn't anything to hike there, but there were some great views. The whole park just felt like a mini (or not so mini) Grand Canyon. Our last destination was to Grand View Point, and that's where the park finally started to feel like it wasn't deserted. We also ran into a few from our group there. A park ranger was giving a "ranger talk" on geology that we tried to listen to, but I couldn't stand just sitting there in the heat. I needed to get up, so we went on the hike. It was a really nice hike, and we found a coveted spot to cool off for a bit each way. We even met a few people that we just sat and talked to.

Meanwhile, the girls didn't want to come with us so we left them at the condo, but later heard that they were with my parents. They took them to Dead Horse Point State Park, and then we met them back for lunch. The girls went swimming 4 or 5 times that day! You know Chloe, that's all she needs to be happy. We did a little shopping but had to be back because Brandon and I, along with Lark, were in charge of dinner that night, so we spent some time getting that put together (for 30 some people). Then Grandma brought out her pinata. Everyone just kind of hung out outside which was nice.

Thursday we had to check out, so the morning was spent just packing up and saying goodbye. The party basically just moved to my house, where Lark, Ross & Melanie (and Nigel) stopped by to see the place. Then Jason and his family needed a rest stop to let the kids run around, and then the grandparents showed up. Chloe surprised them with dinner. She was in preparing it and finished just as they were about to leave. They were good sports and came back to eat with us.

Nobody was eager to plan the next reunion, so we shall see what happens. I'm going to get busy working on my next family vacation. We kind of took a break this year, so it will be fun to plan something big again.

Diamond Camping

Last Saturday we finally went camping -- real tent camping. We got a new tent earlier this year and real sleeping bags (not the grandma sleepover kind) for the girls. I've been excited to get out and use them. But we've been a little slow. When we first got the tent we were so excited to set it up and try it out, but then we realized we don't even have a room in our house big enough to hold it. That was sad. And our backyard wasn't exactly available -- until our landlord left! So, we set it up back there shortly before our recent trip, so we'd know what we're doing, but sure enough those pesky weeds all over the place pierced it and we got our first hole before we even used it. I patched it, so we're back in business.

We left Saturday and planned to spend 2 nights at Diamond Campground on our way to Moab (you'll hear more about that later). It was so hot after getting there. This was our first week of getting up into the 90's. We got the tent set up and tried to just lay there to cool off. That didn't help a whole lot, but we walked down to the river where it was nice and chilly. At least the water was. The girls did some gold panning. Still haven't found any :)

Sophie was insistent that I take a picture for a National Geographic contest she saw. That girl has far more faith in my abilities than is reasonable.

We became intrigued watching our campground neighbors, as more and more of them kept showing up. Apparently it was some kind of Latino church group. I didn't know you were allowed to shove that many people into one little campsite, but they did it. They held a program and sang a lot. I tried to brush up on my Spanish. They were really nice people, but they didn't believe in going to sleep very early. They woke me up after falling asleep -- some crazy kids were running right past out tent, through our campsite. As much as we'd like to be upset about it, they weren't trying to be annoying. The next morning they came over and offered us some breakfast, while Brandon was preparing the most delicious pancakes (they didn't even need syrup!). Then later they brought us some watermelon and water bottles.

Aside from being woken up in the night, we froze to death! I still have no clue how that happened when it was so hot just a short time before. I had to hop in Brandon's bag with him to keep each other warm, but it was still pretty chilly. We felt so bad for the girls, but in the morning they told us they were very cozy. I guess their bags paid off. Who knows?

On top of that, there was a fire that had started on the other side of the mountain we were staying on. We had just left the one burning in Eagle Mountain, and thought they about had it out. Well, this was a whole new one. It just kept getting worse. There was ash falling all over, the van was covered, I found some in our food as we were trying to eat, and the air was hurting my lungs. So after all that we finally decided to call it a day. Oh yeah, and I had also left an important appliance at home that I needed for Moab. The fire was just the last straw. So, we started planning to pack up and just head home when the camp host came over to apologize for the rowdy neighbors. We tried to tell him they weren't that bad, but that we were going home so he offered us a credit. He was just going to give us the one remaining night to come back to that same campground, but then he ended up giving us one good for 2 nights at any campground run by his same company.

Perhaps we'll go back, or maybe we'll try someplace different. We still need to get a lot of use out of our new gear!

Yellowstone

A week ago I left to take my girls up to my parents house. The first thing they did was head for the trampoline. They sure think we need one, but after helping our neighbors put theirs up I've decided we can just use the neighbors whenever we want. That works. Plus, it wouldn't make Grandma's nearly as fun.

The next day we got up bright and early to head up to Yellowstone. It sure was a beautiful drive. We stopped for just a second to get a shot here at West Thumb. There were some cool geysers in the background - if you can spot them.

We met Sheri and her family at Fishing Bridge for lunch. Then we took her two little boys and left. Sheri and Tyson were headed to Iowa for a World Changers event to help repair houses.

The only thing I really wanted to do while in Yellowstone was go see Old Faithful. After stopping at the restroom and going the wrong way from the parking lot, we got there just in time to witness it going off over some buildings. I snapped a photo in case this was all we saw.

I didn't exactly feel like sitting around for another 90 minutes to wait for it to go off again, but Sophie said it would be worth it to her so how could I say no? We went into the visitor center for a little bit. Chloe was in heaven having a baby to be in charge of. Do you get the feeling she's going to be one awesome mom someday?

Sophie wanted to try to do the Jr. Ranger program. They sent us outside to find a group that was meeting, but I didn't see them. So, we just wandered.

We made the loop around Old Faithful, looking at all the amazing bubbling pots.

Still wandering...

We got to watch the Beehive Geyser go off just minutes before Old Faithful was about to erupt.

This boy was a handful! I told him I'd take his picture if he'd sit still for a minute. It lasted about 5 seconds.

Then Old Faithful did her magic.

I tried to squeeze the kids into a shot so they could remember they were there :)

And then a nice man offered to take a picture of all of us, but he kind of forgot to get the geyser in the shot. Oh well, I don't get many pictures with me in them, so I'll take it!

Then Lark returned from taking James to the bathroom just in time for it to be over. Poor girl! But you can see it still fizzling a little back there.

That was one exhausting day! I got up Friday morning and got ready to leave. The kids all get to stay at Grandma's for a week, while I came home to get some work/cleaning/rest done. The fact that it's taken me until now to get this blog done should tell you that I've had several things to keep me busy. My house is starting to look a little better.

On my drive home I ran into not one, but two cattle drives. This did not use to excite me, but I'm getting pretty sick of the traffic and horrible Utah drivers here. I even honked at someone the other day. I'm still fuming about it! But don't get me started. It was just refreshing to get back to Wyoming for a while where things move at a slower pace.

Daddy Daughter Dance

As we were eating lunch yesterday Brandon mentioned that we could go for our walk early, since it was Saturday and we didn't have anything going on, plus he had a date that night which could interfere with our regular walk time. I thought it was a little warm to be going for a walk right in the afternoon heat, but the longer I considered it I realized there were clouds moving in and maybe it wouldn't be so bad. I had heard it was supposed to get "wet" as well, but Brandon didn't think there was a high risk of that. So, we headed out. It almost immediately started to rain, but it was pretty light and we're tough so we just kept going. As we got near the end of our route where we turn around, Brandon saw how wet it was ahead and started to get a little nervous so we quickly turned around to head back, but it was too late. It started to pour. Not like a midwest pour, but pretty good for Utah. We realized we had left all the windows at home open, so Brandon tried to call the girls to ask them to shut them. Unfortunately, his phone wouldn't work because his fingers were too wet! He couldn't get the touch screen to operate. So, we just made the most of it and got home as quickly as we could. As we came down our street our neighbor was in her garage. When she turned around and saw us she just started laughing her head off! Brandon thought that was a perfectly natural response. OK, maybe I would have done the same thing. The minute we walked in the door, the girls were bringing us towels. They had laid blankets out for us to sit on, and they had even shut all the windows on their own. I was super proud of them. I had Chloe get a picture for us.

Then all afternoon Brandon and the girls practiced their dance skills. They got on YouTube and learned some steps. They had a daddy/daughter dance to attend that evening. It was a 50's theme. I heard a couple people today asking if they were the ones doing the flips, so I guess they got noticed. They sure had a good time. I guess Chloe got a little scared once they were there, but she had a ball practicing at home -- before and after.

Here are my kids ready for the dance -- the eyes were closed on purpose (her silly pose):

With their wonderful Daddy:

They wanted me to take some movies of their moves they learned, so I'll share those as well: