Smash Ball...Always a Good Choice

Good Idea - After a surprise dinner funded by a gift card, which we have no idea where it came from, we decided to make a stop at Big 5.  Here we unexpectedly stumbled upon a lone smash ball case.  We couldn't help but give it a home.  The excitement of the soon to be played game was too much to handle and the contents were opened far before arriving home.  A midst the excitement we soon discovered a game we could occupy ourselves with during the long five minute drive.  It became a competition, who could balance the ball on the paddle the longest.  This became especially difficult for Sean, who was not only balancing, but driving as well.  Apparently, the drive was no match for Sean and his mad skills, as he conquered the smash ball challenge.  

Bad Idea - Please look at the picture.  Need I say more?

Lake Tahoe and Birth Control

Good Idea – A few weeks ago, Sean and I along with our good friends Andy and Erin Wright, decided to go to Lake Tahoe!  The long trip was definitely worth it.  In order to entertain ourselves during the ride we successfully listened to two books on tape.  Thank you Andy and Erin for enduring Sean and I’s Grandma-Grandpa-isms.  Because the weather was not in our favor, our trip included hiking, browsing, eating, and then more eating.  Tahoe is gorgeous!  I can’t wait to see it when the sun’s out. 

Bad Idea – The second day it not only rained, but it snowed three inches!  If we would have planned ahead a little better we would have enjoyed some California skiing and boarding while we were in town!

I apologize yet again for the vertical pictures not being vertical.  It's correct on my desktop, but as soon as I insert them on the blog they flip!  

Good Idea – For Christmas my sibling and Sean and I decided we would get my parent’s present a much needed weekend getaway.  Sean is king of finding deals and found an adorable bed and breakfast in Midway for my parents.  After months of much anticipation and rescheduling they finally packed their bags! 

Bad Idea – Of course Sean and I were to be mom and dad while they were gone.  We were glad to help however, the weekend also provided an extra dose of birth control for both Sean and I.         

$8 Haircut $8 Results

Good Idea  - A new haircut was much needed.  I mentioned to Sean I wanted to cut off a little and he referred me to a guy he had gone to several times.  Not only did he give Sean amazing haircuts, but they also only cost $8!  It was perfect.  However, I was a little nervous because I had never gone to him before.  But...$8 sounded much much better than $20.  

Bad Idea - The $8 haircut.  It took the man approximately four minutes to chop my lovely locks off.  During those irreversible minutes I mentioned to him I had layers in the back.  Like stylists do, he pulled a piece from the back and asked me if this was enough.  I nodded and to my horror he took a CHUNK out of the front of my hair!  Right by my face extremely extremely noticeable.  When I didn't think it could get any worse, he started going around my entire head chopping off what he apparently thought were "layers."  I even asked him if he could blend it, which was a mistake because afterwards it looked even more so like a two year old had cut it.  In the end, I made a made dash to a different stylist who, thankfully saved the day!  Also, just for the record, it is not Sean's fault!  He was simply trying to be helpful.  It was the man!  

Good Idea - After the hair ordeal, I decided a craft day would make up for it.  With some help from my good friend Jody and lots of blog stalking, I finally created the wreath!  

Foster Family Funness

Good Idea - After many many months of a necessary get together it finally happened!  The Foster's had a day of pure play.  The day was complete with a track meet, delicious creamery ice cream, a BBQ, and playing at the park.  We even got an unexpected surprise from Tami (Sean's sister from Washington)!  To Tami's credit, not only was she able to eat three massive scoops of ice cream topped with a sugar cone, but to the boys dismay, she flawlessly defeated them in a game of Lightning.    Consequently, Sean and I were so exhausted from the day we only made it as far as the Toast Grandma's on the way home.

Bad Idea - Once again I chose the wrong pair of shoes for the occasion.  However, I was not opposed to bare feet.  Also, I'm so sorry some of the photos aren't right side up.  They are on my desktop, but I can't seem to rotate them.  Sorry!

More of the Maddness

Good Idea - Sean found his dream skis.  The perfect length, twin tips, brand new Atomics, and not to mention they were only $150!!!

Bad Idea - Not taking a closer look at the skis before we took them up to the cashier with a confused look on his face.  As we walked out of the store Sean made the horrific realization. At the bottom of one of the skis, in big fat letters, it read BAD KITTY.  Yes, we now own a one of a kind set of BAD KITTY skis.  Mother would be so proud.

Good Idea - Sean and I along with Craig and Melissa, our partners in crime and lovers of all things nature, set out to the Bear Claw Yurt.  Everything about this trip was a good idea.  The skis, the snowshoes, the food, the laser which kept Bo entertained, and the company.

Bad Idea - In my opinion, the trip could have been a day longer.  Yurting is definitely a new fav.

Craig and Miss 

Craig pulling the lovely sled

It was sooo pretty!!!

Inside the Yurt

We love Bo!!!

The yurt ladies and gentlemen

The Foster Fam and Bo

A Weekend Full of Good Ideas

Good Idea #1: Sean and I decided to brave the morning and go to the REI garage sale with Craig (Sean's brother).  Let me say it was quite successful!  I finally got my Vibram 5 Fingers shoes and Sean snagged a backpacking pack for us.  Needless to say we are going to have an amazing summer. 

Good Idea #2:  Sean and I along with a few friends went to the Festival of Colors!  We were covered with color even before you make it to the crowd.  If you haven't been it's definitely something to experience!  If you do decide to go let me suggest wearing clothes you don't care about.  You're whites will soon be pink and your shoes will have a lovely new tint to them. 

Good Idea #3:  Spending Sunday with family.  We love our Grandma and Grandpa Barlow.  For those of you that know them, yes it's the "toast Grandma." 

Bad Idea #1  Well...because the weekend was so fun, I might have accidentally forgotten to do any homework.  Sean, the responsible one, did in fact get some things accomplished.  Go Seaner!

First Blog Entry!

Hello fellow bloggers and followers!  Welcome to my first post EVER.  Without further adieu let me introduce myself.  For those of you who may not know me, my name is Lauren Foster.  I love all things outdoors.  I absolutely love skiing and one day will be able to afford a season pass.  $500?  No thank you.  I love photography, traveling, finding hole in the wall restaurants, and watching Biggest Loser.  I recently got married to my best friend, Sean.  If I could think of one word to describe our marriage it would be "blissful" (I stole the word from my sister-in-law, but it fit well).  We call our apartment the Cave because it's in a basement and only has three itty-bitty windows.  We love it though and couldn't be happier.

Well I think it's about time to start the first list of "Good Ideas and Bad Ideas."  Ahem...

Good Idea: Sean decided to make dinner for us one night
Bad Idea:  The dinner involved some ground beef.  Since there is only two of us we tend to have a difficult time eating food before it goes bad.  Indeed the meat went bad.  In order to get rid of the smell Sean thought the best idea would be to flush it down the toilet.  Yep, toilet clogged with ground beef.

Good Idea:  Sleeping in
Bad Idea:  Sleeping in until the last possible second and having ten minutes to make it to class.  This has resulted in countless comments from concerned students asking, "Are you alright? You look terrible."

Good Idea:  Going skiing with my brothers
Bad Idea:  Not being clear on where we were to meet if we happened to split up.  This resulted in my brothers and I sending ski patrol, two snowmobiles, and dog crew out to find Sean.  About 45 minutes into searching for Sean I received a call from him.  He was at the car.  I didn't know whether to hug him or punch him.  We now have two new rules when we go skiing: first, cell phones are a must and second, our meeting place is now the car.  

Good Idea:  For Christmas my family, Sean, and I went to Disneyland.  One of the days we decided to go to Huntington Beach.
Bad Idea:  With a little self talk, all the brothers booked it to the ocean!  Remember this is the middle of December.  Although, it was great entertainment for the rest of us, it took a quick turn when all the boys realized they didn't have any clothes to change into.  On the bright side, it started pouring rain and since they were already wet it didn't even phase them.