A Weekend Company Retreat

Back in June, my company took us all on a river rafting retreat for the weekend. 

Here were my sleeping accommodations: 

Not a bad sight to wake up to. 

There were a variety of activities set up around the campsite for us. 

After a traffic filled 6+ hour bus drive, we arrived at our campsite and spent the first night eating dinner and playing games.

The next day we embarked on our white water rafting excursion.

It was great and so fun-we decided that we definitely had the best boat.

According to my face, I found it quite enjoyable. 

In all the rafts that we had, only two people fell out-so I call that a win. 

After rafting we ate lunch and then had an exotic animal show. 

A Lemur (where are my Zaboomafoo people at?)

A baby kangaroo 

Go Cougs.

And more animals not pictured were shown.

Later that day we had some optional activities that included learning about plants, and survival skills. 

The plant lady was a little to granola for me, but I enjoyed shooting the bow and arrows. 

That night was spent singing Karaoke (the Eng team was surprisingly into it), playing laser tag, eating s'mores, and my first exposure to real drinking games-which I participated in, and other people had to drink for me when needed.

The next day was pretty casual, we had a pingpong tournament and played corn hole until the buses arrived to take us home. 

Caught mid throw

Overall it was a fun weekend, and I feel grateful to work at Merit!

What Time is It? Summer Time.

As Troy Bolton once sung, "Finally summer's here, good to be chilling out". 

We kicked summer off with a tour of the newly renovated Oakland Temple. 

Please ignore my awkward squatting position. 

We decided we would try our hand at the ever present "instagram influencer knee pop" that seems to be taking over these day. I know we look like such naturals, but I don't think it will make its way into our picture posing repertoire.

Later that afternoon we celebrated my belated birthday with a pool BBQ at Jenn's parents home.

  

Tiff made a delicious chocolate chip oatmeal cookie cake with peanut butter frosting. 

The next day I popped on over to Utah for 3 days. Only picture I have of the trip was a project Makenzie and I took on during my visit:

 DIY room decor brought to you by Hobby Lobby and Costco.

Back in California some the original 911 Baines roommates got dinner to celebrate Katri's pregnancy. 

 Sanchos Tacos is always a good idea for dinner.

Then we celebrated Victoria's engagement. 

 To make sure everyone made it in the shot, Olivia ran next door and found a neighbor to take the picture for us. Which then led to the following picture:

Matt was a good sport. 

The next event of the day was a ward pool party/bbq at a beautiful home in Atherton. The yard is amazing (it included a zip-line and a sand volleyball court) and easily entertained us all afternoon. 

Last but not least, the final event of the day was a house party that had a surprise dunk tank appearance. 

People names were drawn from a mysterious "raffle" bowl, and they "won" a seat on the dunk tank. Everyone who's name was drawn were actually good sports about it and participated. 

The next day I jumped on a plane to go back to Utah to surprise my family for a Fathers Day visit. 
Fathers Day included a huge Sunday dinner with the Allens, Grandpa Jackson and Ellen, Kristin, Rebecca, Weston, and Shayne. The food was delicious. 

Shayne made all the grandkids makeshift crowns and the following photoshoot ensued: 

Please appreciate the glare from Beau and of course Covey in the background. 

Monday morning Nathan and Sarah came over with Hruskas kolaches, Provo Bakery bran muffins and donuts, and BYU chocolate milk. The perfect breakfast if there ever was one. 1000 points to Nathan and Sarah (but mainly Sarah). Later Makenzie, Dad and I played Tennis in a perfect Provo summer evening. I just really love Utah in June.  The next morning it was back to California. 

It was a perfect little trip.