K A U A I , H I

This Island, Hawaii in general I'm sure, is incredibly GORGEOUS. I mean really, breathtaking. See for yourself....

Pretty Fishies



Our Sea turtle friend!


The incredible Na'pali Coast





Weimea Canyon








Wettest spot on earth, I cant believe all the water coming off that mountain!

Tunnels beach, where Bethany Hamilton (from soul surfer) got her arm bit off!






On our death hike

View from the Kalalau Trail!

MEXICO!! errr.....wait... uhhh HAWAII??!

We were so excited for this trip. We had been planning it for a while, and everything was falling right into place. FIRST it started with Stephens Grandmother Katy turning 80 years old, the family decided to have a big birthday celebration in El Segundo California (right outside L.A., where his parents grew up) for Grandma Katy and her twin sister Kathy. Then we built on top of that and figured since we were down there, we should wander on down to DISNEYLAND and CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE and KNOTTS BERRY FARM since I had never been!! I was beyond excited. Then Stephen gets a wild hair and decides to look up the cost of flying to Mexico from L.A. since we were so close already, and well it wasn't very much more so we started looking for places to stay and a deal fell right into our lap that we couldn't refuse! THEN his dad calls to tell us he is buying tickets to the BSU vs UNLV game for anyone who wants to go. So THEN we look up having our flight come back to Las Vegas then just drive home with Stephens family! Wow, it all fell perfectly in place. 16 days. Lots of adventure. Too much fun. Well folks, we decided we basically had to do it. All of it. Because once those kiddos come its all over! So we booked the trip. YAY!

It started out just fine and dandy. Landed at LAX Saturday morning and Party Party Party all day all night. It was great to see Stephens extended family. Here she is, the angel in white giving her bday speach.

Stephen with his cousins Joe & Tyler and some crazy great aunt or something

A bunch of Stephens cousins...we had a great time

We ended the night around the fire sharing stories and laughing like crazy. I got to know all of them, mostly Grandma Katy, much better. She told me that I was the perfect balance of grace and beauty and to thank my mother for raising such a delightful girl and perfect match for her grandson. Made me blush, but was sweet.

On to DISNEY/CAL ADVENTURE/KNOTTS!
I'm so so so so so so so sad I didn't take my camera on these days. Here is about the only picture from Disneyland

I had an amazing time. I didnt know what to expect at all, so I just took it in stride. We went with Stephens mom and dad, such troopers. They took me on all the big rides and we didnt have to wait at all except space mountain. But it was so worth it! Not busy on a monday at the end of october! Indiana Jones was fun, last time Stephen went to disney that ride was brand new and he waited in line for over two hours and had to pee so bad! So he hopped out of line and ran so fast and got back and his brother and cousin had already gone. He was the saddest kid. So that was so fun to go on with him, he was so excited to finally go! Cal adventure was a blast too, it was more carnivaly like Lagoon which I'm familiar with but soo soo much better! Tower of Terror ROCKED! California soarin was our favorite and of course california screamin! We literally had maybe 20 min wait on 2 or 3 of the rides. Then Knotts berry, I think we were the only ones there. We didnt even get out of our seats sometimes we would just go again and again because we were the only ones riding the ride! I cant even count the number of times I went upside down. It was so crazy. I was giving all the rides new names too, that was fun. Stephen was trying to keep up Haha. We rode ever ride I swear at least 6 times (the cool rides anyway:)) I cant believe we did that and didnt get sick! Til I got in the car. Oh my heavens I was car sick for a week, had to take dramamine every night so I could ride in a car. It was crazy! Worth it.
Then I was lucky and got a shopping day! H&M BEST DAY OF MY LIFE wish I could have bought more, but only had so many lbs in my suit case to spare. Nordy Rack (Stephens fav) was amazing as well, we got some sweet deals. Then we landed at Venice beach and strolled a bit. It was lovely.

ON TO MEX....HAWAII?
Ok so we got to the airport. Checked in. Sat to wait with 45 min to spare. We are meeting up in Phoenix with my parents then flying to Can Cun. Well pretty soon my mom calls and tells us our flight was cancelled due to the hurricane. Uh oh. So I go to the counter, they want to re-route us through Charolette North Carolina for 3 days then go to Phoenix for a day then maybe Mexico. WHAT?? I dont want to waste 4 days of Vaca, and I dont want to go into a hurricane or right after one for that matter. What are my options. Let me just tell you how UNHELPFUL Lax airport is:) They tell us to call a number and change our flight to NC. Well, as Stephen is on the phone, I call my mom. She is getting much more help than I. They are telling her, they will fly us anywhere U.S. Airways flys. At this point there are 10 min till our flight leaves to Phoenix. Our bags are on that plane, mom is getting way farther than I am. We are going. Well, Lady took our boarding passes and told us phoenix didnt want to re-route us so we couldnt go if we didnt have it figured out. So we lied just a little and told them we figured it out:) On the verge really! By the time we landed we had new tickets the Hawaii. Kauai was the next flight so we took it. Here we come! It was really quite the adventure! I was giggling like crazy, because that is my nervous tick. Stephen was impressed with how well I handled the situation haha.

KAUAI, HI
to be continued....

Work Hard, Play Harder!

Stephen and I had been dating for a solid month or two, when I decided to break up with him. AH! I know, I know...what was I thinking. Well I was thinking I was 19 years old in a relationship with a 24 year old with a house and a career and who wanted to get MARRIED! It was like a death sentence in my head. I wasn't to be married till I was 27. PAH! Like that happened. Well, when I finally gave in to him (the next day) I knew I would marry that guy. And you know why? He asked me what scared me most about getting married young. I said getting knocked up. Then I said not enjoying my early twenties. My hard work and my great job. I wanted to work and have fun and travel and be able to do what I want at the drop of a hatch and not have kids and a life trapping me! I'm sounding very selfish right now, but its what I felt I needed as a 19-almost-20-almost-married-year-old. And then he said those words that made me instantly know we would live happily ever after. He said to me that I would accomplish as much I desired, and I would have him right by my side the whole ride if I would have him. LIGHT BULB (for those who have seen despicable me:)) I needed a buddy. Thats the only reason...no I'm kidding he is incredible and I would have been the DUMBEST girl in the world to walk away. NOW, as you have seen over the blogs, we have been very blessed to be able to travel so much. I dont plan to go everywhere on my bucket list before starting a family, but I am sure glad we have put a dent in it! Lets see...

MEXICO
Can Cun - Playa del Carmen - Isla Mujeres - Cozumel - Costa Maya

CARIBBEAN
Bahamas - St. Thomas - Belize - Grand Turk - Cayman Islands - Puerto Rico - Each and every Florida Keys Island

STATES
Hawaii - San Fransisco - Los Angeles a few - Las Vegas a few - Portland - North San Juan - Yellow Stone - Bear lake - Red fish lake
numerous mccall trips and family reunion trips.

I'd say we have put a nice dent in the bucket list. Still to come is every part of Europe (ambitious:)) East Coast (Marthas Vinyard, New york) of course our big dreams Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and several several others. But they can wait. I think we are done traveling for a little while.

I'm so Lucky/Blessed/Fortunate/Glad/Happy/Spoiled (a little)/Lucky and Blessed that I was able to find Stephen and all the life that fills him and spills over on to me! He is so amazing. I love that he is so adventurous and spontaneous and wants to do cool things and have fun stories to share about our lives that we built together the first few years we shared as a couple! Thanks for talking me into marrying you ;) You have been the best travel buddy and husband a girl could ask for. None of it would have been half as fun or half as possible without you!

I love you baby. Three years and counting.

Happy Birthday Daddy-O!

My dad's 51st birthday was this last tuesday, when we asked him what he wanted to do he had a very thought out distinct response! Which is weird, normally it would take him forever to make a decision and lots of brain storming on my part to come up with fun things we could do for his birthday. I was prepared! But no, he wanted to take the motorcycles up to Idaho city and get dessert at this place called Trudy's. Splendid!

Dad came in for his mani pedi earlier in the day, and funny story. I guess one of the ladies in the salon was asking about my dad, if he was single, saying he was really handsome!! WHAT? MY DAD?? HE'S OLD!! But I guess still pretty handsome:) My boss told her it was my dad and he was still happily married:) So funny.

Anyway, I had to work till 7 so my mom and dad met us there on the bike with Jay and Stacy Simmons and their bike and Sweet husband came to pick me up on ours. The ride up was sooo beautiful! It was a challenge trying to keep up with dad and Jay, they are crazy riders. But fun and gorgeous none the less. We even saw a ton of elk and deer! We got to Trudy's and had her world famous Pie! Stephen and I chose apple, a la mode:) MMmmmmMMMMM!! Then Trudy came out to talk with us and boy was she HILARIOUS! Typical small town country lovin red neck. Loved it. On the way back down it got pretty chilly and BUGGY!! My face became and bug sanctuary where many brave bug lives were lost. Even a few up my nose. Note to self: don't ride in the mountains at sun down. Luckily we didnt see any bears or deer on the road. We got back to boise and decided to continue the celebration at Ihop where we had breakfast for dinner. The end! And a very Happy Birthday to my DAD!

I really enjoy riding on the back of the motorcycle. You get to take in so much more that you miss out on when you're in a car. We always ride (when its nice out) on sundays to dinner at one of the parents houses. Yesterday was the best ride! Coming home from Boise there was the most beautiful vibrant sunset....in that moment I knew there was no where else I'd rather be, then on the back of a bike of someone who loves me squeezin on to him while riding off into the sunset. I have zero complaints! Life is good!

North San Juan, California!

This was a big highlight of the summer. We were able to road trip with Stephens sister Tiffany and her little boy Jaxon, who is 5 and hilarious! He kept us entertained with this

and singing in to Stephens empty rock star can:) Because he is a rock star!

We spent our days lounging on the beach and getting dragged behind boats and watching neices and nephews play in the water, and our nights eating great food and watching movies on the side of the barn and watching the stars. It was so great to spend time with the family.

Hangin our Ridin the party barge

Feeding the fish at bullards bar reservoir

Playin some ping pong in the barn

The Amazing Yuba river! My favorite place to be up there. It has huge boulders all up and down the river that create amazing falls and pools that we hike around and on. Such fun!

Tiff and I getting ready for "big kid tubing"....After I realized I'm not ready to be a big kid yet! I maxed out at 18mph and was still scared for my life! Haha I think Stephens max was 30! Crazy man.

My sexy swimmin man

Stephen and cousin Tyler (the pro water skier)






Rock jumping in the Yuba river

Holding on to my glasses so I wont loose them!

The most ridiculous contraption. They call it the wet bike? Apparently it was originally a dirt bike they converted to a jet ski. It was pretty fun!


Havin some lunch on the beach


Family is so important, and I'm very glad we were able to go spend time with Stephens family and get even closer to them. I'm so blessed with my in-law family! We had a great time! Cant wait for next year.

Summer 2011

Look babe, I match our bedroom!

He is so cute. We have been busy this spring and summer setting up our house! Its coming along, and I promise to post pictures when its complete, but until Stephen slows down with roofing and I can have my handy manny back....I am lost on my own. We are so busy with work in the summer time its nuts! But somehow, we've managed to have some fun. Work hard play hard....RIGHT??

We started off the summer with weddings! Both Stephens cousin Joe and his cousin Bryant were married. Unfortunately, we forgot the camera for cousin Joe's wedding in portland (which was a super quick and super fun trip in may) But fortunately, my talented sister was the photographer for cousin Bry's wedding in Mccall. It was beautiful and a blast.

Bryant and Kori's wedding

Another sweet baby Stephen couldnt keep his hands off of at the wedding



Over the 4th of July we were able to attend the baby blessings of the triplets (James, Wilson and Quinn) as well as Ainslees little Trey. The next week Stephens brother Nathan and his wife Sherry came with the triplets and their 3 year olds (Hazel and Claire) we had such a great time with them and seriously got our baby fix!! I miss those sweet babies every day. I even painted little Quinnys toes!!

If there is a baby near, this guy will find it!


We were able to go to the opening day of Harry Potter!! It was so cool. We doubled with Camber and Andrew, went shopping and bought the boys grey suits! They are fabulous. Then hit up U Swirl and the movie. Great date. Camber and I are clearly excited...


Next there was my mothers 50TH BIRTHDAY BASH!!! It was great fun, we missed Riley and his family but still had a great time with the friends and family that were able to come.

They call me the baby wisperer... this is one of 4 times I put him to sleep that day! precious. I have never met a baby that looked more like an old man. Love it.



I can sure make this baby boy laugh! He loves when I tickle his face with the ends of my hair:)


RIGHT after Mom's party we headed to Yellowstone to spend some time with the family and my Aunt Shellie's family! It was so fun to spend a few days with everyone. Stephen and I had never been before! It was defiantly cool, and we were able to check one more thing of our bucket list of things we should have done when we were 9:) Ok, I'm the only one who has that list. DISNEY land or world is next on the list for sure.
Aunt Sinee...my eyes!! How I LOVE that hinder. It was especially fun to see this kid light up at the sight of all these fun animals! I think that was the best part.

We even "floated" a river up in Island park. It was a level down from the Boise river float if that tells you anything about how eventful it was:) Still fun, and we saw a huge moose!

I told you, baby FOUND. My cousin Bethanie's baby girl.


I'm so glad to have such a wonderful family who loves me and cares about me. I'm glad we are able to spend time together and do so many fun things! I look forward to the day I will get to bring my kids and watch them light up as they experience these things for the first time. I think that will be one of the most rewarding things as a parent. But I can wait:)