Catch Up: my cooler, the movie, and the river

I occasionally hear my friends complain about being overwhelmingly busy - in a way that they just don't feel like they would ever catch up. I always nod understandingly, but honestly, I don't always feel that way. I feel like I do catch up sometimes, at least to a point, and I can usually shrug away the rest of it. Not this summer, though. I feel like I'm having one of those dreams...have you ever had one of those...when you're trying really hard to go quickly - like you're running late or someone's chasing you - but you can barely move.

I feel that way right now. I'm flailing about in the water.

I don't mean that as a complaint. I'm having lots of fun in the water. Just ready for the list of things hanging over my head to be checked off. And I'm starting a job this week! (Okay, so those of you who work real 8-5's are going to think my job is ridiculously wimpy, but it's a commitment, nonetheless!)

So on to a little blog catch up (and I'm still catching up on my blog reading, too - if you get 5 comments from me at once, you'll know why)...

As a part of offering my CSN blog giveaway (which is open until Sunday night!), I also was blessed to receive a gift certificate of my own. It was a tough choice! I considered some of the things you guys said you'd want (Really considered that cotton candy maker, blessedmama! That looks fun!). We ended up picking out this car cooler that plugs into your car. We are always on the go - whether cross country or just around town. With 3 kids and always bringing food and drinks along with us wherever we go, keeping it all cool is constantly an issue. We always have to get fresh ice or re-freeze our ice packs when we reach our destination. So hopefully this will make our lives a little easier! We purchased the electric adaptor to go with it so that we will have a ready-made fridge to carry into our hotel rooms! (Go to my other blog to read my full review.)

I kind of have dorky movie taste so don't judge me. :) I had been really excited about going to watch Beezus and Ramona. I took the kids one day (complete with our illegal movie snacks), and we loved it! I got teary-eyed several times throughout. Here is one of the kids' containers - filled with carrots, grapes, Sharkies organic fruit chews, fruit roll-ups, and Averie's Raw Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls. Yes, there is a lot of sweetness in there.

Here are the healthier version of fruit roll-ups we buy.

They also took baggies of veggie straws.

They ate everything.

While my sister and her kids were visiting, we (including my parents) drove about an hour and a half to the Buffalo River. My brother and his family drove south about the same distance to meet us all. It was my entire family, besides my sister Tracy and brother-in-law Andy. It was super fun, as it always is with my family.

my hastily made mock chicken salad sandwich

I started to eat, and my lovingly sarcastic brother called out, "Don't forget to take a picture of your food!" It is a phenomenon to him that I regularly photograph my meals. I told him I'm not the only one who does it, but I don't know if he believes me.

my dad

We stayed until sundown.

More catch-up soon...I need to accept my awesome awards I've received and write about my fun anniversary trip with Ryan.