Only in Draper Utah

While I have been in Utah, I have done a lot of running and walking on the beautiful trails around my parents house. One morning, I went on a walk pushing Avery in the stroller. I didn't realize that Snikkers, my mom's dog, had followed us on the trail. She didn't have a leash, and she pooped on the trail (I tried to clean it the best I could), I was so embarrassed, but that's not the reason for this story. It was near the end of the walk, and I was really getting into my music, I suddenly realized that not only could I hear Snikkers footsteps behind me, but I heard another pair of feet clomping along. When I looked back, this is exactly what I saw...

Yes, a llama, or I guess it was an alpaca. And I'm not joking, it was that close to me. If you were driving on 13800 south and saw a girl in a green shirt jump a mile, well, I'm glad I could entertain you! I peed my pants a little and I probably burned more calories from my heart pumping then during the whole walk. The alpaca looked at me, and then headed home, and I just have to say to Snikkers, what the crap? You didn't even bark! Some guard dog! I love Draper, Utah!

Catching up...

Avery had a great time catching up with her long lost cousins...

1. Utah Trip


After our cruise, we decided to head out to Utah. We went from luxury to dirt and bugs because we went camping in Duck Creek Utah with the Charles family. Sometimes dirt and bugs is a nice change from luxury... uh yeah.

We had fun playing games every night with the adults.. 

See what I mean? This is Mama Kath dying in Mafia. She had the record for most deaths, because seriously, wouldn't you want to kill anyone who made a face like that when they died?

We also went hiking...

I'd be that happy too if I had a ride like that!

...went cave spelunking

Ate lots of dessert...

And just loved being around our family

2. Annual Olympics

After last years Olympics, Trav and I were really pumped for this year's annual Harmon Olympics, minus the Harmon's cause they moved last year!

We were the reigning gold medal champs from last year... and this year... we didn't even place, WHAT????? We precockulated.

Some of the events were:

Spear throwing

In honor of the world cup, soccer goal kicking

Noodle rummaging?

There was also the wheelbarrow races and some other crazy events

I think I took first place in mosquito bite receiving!

Lets hear it for the girls

Oh and the Washburn's for taking the gold this year... sorry I didn't get a picture of you though!

We are going to miss the Kau's so much. They moved back to Hawaii. The neighborhood will NEVER be the same!

3. 4th of July

This is my favorite holiday!

But I don't think its hers...Last year..

This year...

.

The only difference from this year to last year was about 10 pounds and a bit more hair!

)

Don't worry, her fears slowly got better. We left the big firework show and found a smaller show up the street (thanks for letting us crash Marchants!

She even held a sparkler... or sat by me as I held her sparkler

Here is a picture of the gold medal winner Washburns

We also had a breakfast on the 3rd of July

And on the 5th of July, had a BBQ and another firework show

This is why I love this holiday, it was 3 days straight of eating, friends and fireworks! One day Avery will get it.

4. Avery

Where do I start with this girl?

She is very independent and still very busy

She LOVES reading books

She loves kissing

She loves going "fwimming."

She is really into hats and shoes lately

She'll be happy as a clam one minute...

And then this the next

We think she is gorgeous

She loves the outdoors

She loves "flides" (we are working on her "S's")

She loves cookies too! She takes all of my energy, but I don't think I'd want it to go towards any other thing... maybe it would be nice to not fall asleep during EVERY movie though?

We love you Avery!!!

5. Sadie

My youngest sister is getting hitched this August!(d0n't look at this picture Devin).

Avery and I are heading to Utah tomorrow to start the festivities. We are so excited for you Sadjie!!! Sorry we have to leave you Trav... remember how you have a job now?

Well hopefully we are caught up now and can just have normal size blog posts!

Senior Trip 2010

Its been almost two months since we have been home. I'm not sure why I haven't posted about our trip.I think its because every time I think about the cruise, I will smile, then I will look down at my clothes and notice pit stains, then notice a faint body odor smell coming from them, then I will look up and I'm not joking, see the Kansas City heat (its yellowish). This makes me depressed, so instead of blogging about the trip, I will just go and eat a popsicle to make myself feel better. Well, today, the weather is a bit cooler, I'm not as depressed, and I feel somewhat motivated to let you in on Senior Trip 2010. So just sit back, relax and realize that you will be reading for quite awhile!

Day 1

We woke up at 4:30 am to catch our flight to Puerto Rico. I could seriously hear my people calling to me as we landed (I'm 1/4 Puerto Rican)

I don't think I would pick any other people to be around this early in the morning besides Orson and Alisha (mostly Alisha) because she is just as annoying of a morning person as I am!

We arrived, and met up with these people!

Since the group was all together, we decided to get a bite to eat and explore the ship

This is when our first cruise quote was developed, "It doesn't have a sign saying we can't."

After the exploration, it was time for dinner. Mind that we had just eaten a "small" snack about 2 hours before that. Travis had a couple of appetizers and 2 entrees. He takes advantage of unlimited food.

After dinner, the boys went off to explore, but the girls were spent, so we got cozy and had a rest as the ship sailed away from my beautiful people of Puerto Rico.

Then we caught a comedy show, diddle daddled around the ship, and then of course we had to have 4Th meal at our favorite cafe, the "sea breeze," around midnight (mind we had just had a 3 course dinner about 5 hours before that.)

Day 2- Day at sea

Woke up about 9:30 (YYYEEEAAAHHHH!!!!!) and we actually worked out a little. Then we went to the Windjammer and stuffed ourselves with a breakfast buffet.

We did a lot of this

Watched an intense belly flop competition

Had some more food, of course...

tested our luck on some BINGO... and won our money back plus some (thanks Jim)

We learned how to cut a rug

Then we got ready for our first formal night of dinner

And then the quote, "I'm gonna pull a Travis and order two entrees," was used and was official.

And then we met our captain...Or just saw her picture, and yes, she was a chick!

Then we went to a concert. For some reason, we were front row on every concertThen, we of course,went to the Sea Breeze cafe for 4Th meal

Day 3- Caracao

We found a place to rent scooters

and we explored...

And explored more...

And got lost... (not a paved road)

And then found this beautiful beach...

Brandi wanted to find a hole in the wall sea food place... we ate hamburgers and hot dogs

Then we found this cool castle...

I would really love to join a real motorcycle gang

That night, we had our 3 course dinner (6-7 course for some) and enjoyed the night life

Trav and I hit up the blackjack table in the casino's almost every night. As soon as we were up around 10 bucks, we would look at each other with big eyes and run out of the casino. I'm sure those card guys are still hurting, suckers!

Day 4- Aruba

I kept thinking of poor Natalie Hollaway, this is where she was went missing.

At this point, we were all mostly burnt and miserable, so we wanted to be low key on this island

Ors and Alish lathering it up

We mostly walked around...

and shopped...

Then we found this cool private beach resort... maybe we should have hidden the towel, could it be anymore obvious that we were not hotel patrons? (It says Royal Caribbean on the towel)

Add caption

Then we found this cool private beach resort... maybe we should have hidden the towel, could it be anymore obvious that we were not hotel patrons? (It says Royal Caribbean on the towel)

This was the view of that beach from the ship

Then back to the boat it was.

This is what we found after dinner on our bed

Day 5- 2ND day at sea

We did a little bit of this...

(poor Milli's lobster legs)

And a little bit of that...

Poor burnt Orsy (he's the guy a cuddled up in his t-shirt)

We gave the captain some beauty rest

The concert for this night was a special one. Does anyone remember the Spanish singer Charro? I knew her because I watched the surreal life on VH1 (not saying I'm proud of that), this was the season with Flava flave... anyways, they, somehow, booked Charro for the night. And we, of course, were on the front row. She really liked to involve the crowd, and is a very sexual dancer, so needless to say, I was scared out of my mind that she was going to either try to freak dance with me, or shimmy her boobs in Trav's face. 

Alisha was the lucky one

She did come up to Trav and I as we were purposely not making eye contact with her, and instead of molesting us, she looked at us and said with her thick Spanish accent, "you two need to make a baby!"Charro rocked!

Day 5- Dominica

This was such an amazingly beautiful island.

And it was the only island where we actually planned an organized excursion

We met our guide, Clem, and got hooked up with this sweet van

First he took us to Champaign beach to snorkel

Then he took us up about 2,000 feet on this narrow winding mountanous road

And we hiked a little bit

And then a little bit more

We hiked to this place called Titou Gorge. It was the coldest water, but we got in, and yes, we swam into that cove and jumped off a big waterfall. This was probably the coolest thing I have ever done. I seriously think this experience was better than any of those amazing dates that people on "The Bachelor" go on

Back to the bus, then another hike

This time, the water was a bit warmer. We went to a hot spring. It was really fun until Travis dropped our camera into the nice hot water. Our camera didn't like it as much as we did and is definitly broken!

At least our memory card survived it!

After the hot spring, we hiked up to Trafalgar falls

Refreshing is the best word for this

On our way back, Clem showed us this bus. It had been there since the late 70's from a hurricane!

Dominica was a blast! But agian, back to the ship we went. It was our last formal night, and I sure couldn't take pics and didn't have time to steal Brandi's, but just be assured that we looked good!

Oh, I did manage to steal a picture of one of our most favorite entertainers. This is Roxy. I think if he tried out for American Idol, he would win. In our opinion, he won the award for the most undiscovered talent on the cruise. We would hang out in the lounge and play cards and listen to him.

Day 6- St. Thomas/St. Johns

Taxi ride to the ferry- $20

The ferry ride to St. Johns- $16

Taxi ride to trunk bay- $20

Renting Snorkling gear- $10

Then paying it all again to get back- A LOT!

but...
Spending a day at Trunk Bay, the ninth best beach in the world: PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!

That night, we had our last 3 course dinner, our last 4th meal and we stayed up till 2 am lying on the top deck looking at the stars. It was time to get back!

Day 7- traveling home

They kicked us off the boat and we flew back home to Kansas City! I have only the warmest feelings and fondest memories of this trip. It couldn't have gone any smoother (minus the camera incident). I'm so grateful that our ship didn't burn down this time. I'm so grateful for our amazing friends we have made these past 4 years. I'm so grateful for our hard working husbands! I'm so grateful for Charro. I'm so grateful for our amazing parents who took care of our little girl. We got home so late, so Avery was in bed. In the morning, I was so excited to see her. As soon as I heard her wake up I ran into her room saying, "its Mama!" She just looked at me and with a serious look in her eyes and a firm voice, all she said was, "Baba!" It was good to be back!