Golfing in 110 degrees - we must be crazy

You are probably thinking why did you go golfing when it was 110 degrees? Simple - we had free passes that were about to expire. I haven't been golfing in about 7 years - or should I say since Jason dumped me out of the cart. For some strange reason - I have been wanting to go golfing and since we had passes - I thought, why not. I lost too many balls to count, I picked up my ball and set it where I wanted it to be and basically just drove the cart, but it was still fun. Our cart was full of ice water so the temp - wasn't that bad, we just had to wring our clothes out when we got home.

D-Backs V. Cubs

Oh.... take me out to the ballgame. I love going to baseball games. I'm not a huge baseball fan, but I love just sitting in the stadium, watching people, the players, and of course getting some yummy stadium treat.

A Idaho / Utah weekend

The third weekend in July is always reserved for the Ellis Family reunion. Each year it is held in Blackfoot Idaho and each year it is so much fun to see everyone, catch up, and keep the traditions that I remember as a kid. Every year there will most likely be omlets in a baggie, chicken in a barrel, fish fry, going to the rapids, arts n' crafts, and relaxing. This year we had the pleasure of dutch oven - which is always so delicious, and the duck race in Uncle Ron's canal. Living in Arizona has made it a little harder to get to the reunion, but we have made it the past 2 years and will make every effort to attend every year.

My grandpa is the best at making things. I remember always receiving some new, hand made, wooden toy as a kid. One night all of the cousins were remembering what we got from grandpa when we were little - I couldn't help but smile when I thought about how talented my Grandpa is. Last year was the first I saw this ferris wheel, that my grandpa made - I couldn't believe how awesome it was. The little cousins love riding in it. Bodie got his first ride this year. While I was up there my grandpa told me I needed to take a house for my kids - a house for every child I thought I would have. Traveling by airplane made it tricky - so I just took one this year.

Along with my Grandpa, my Grandma is amazing. As a child we all received a hand made blanket. I remeber having mine everywhere. My grandma kept telling me to take a blanket - remeber to take a blanket. I felt bad taking one, because I don't have any kids yet - but I took two anyway. My mom, Staci and I looked at every blanket - going back and forth about which one we liked. It's so hard to choose when you don't know what you are going to have - a little boy or girl. After about an hour of looking through the blankets - we all picked our favorites.

While I was up in Idaho, Jason was in Salt Lake hanging out with his family and playing golf. It is always so good to go back to SLC. I drove back from Idaho Saturday night - and wondered what we could do. I really wanted to go up the canyon and make smores - but it was already closed for the night. Because the canyon was already closed, we decided to find the 'U' on the mountain. We spent about an hour taking silly pictures, but it was a lot of fun. Brandon and Lisa joined us on our little outing.

Rockin out w/ Rockband

I'm not sure how many of you have played Rockband, but it is so much fun. The game includes a guitar, drum set and a mic. Everyone plays at the same time, and if you suck - your part gets out. We had my mom, dad, bacho, staci and bodie come over for a little get together. Jason and I decided to try something new for dinner, so we made tinfoil dinners in the back yard. I thought they were yummy...hopefully everyone else did to. Towards the end of the night we played Rockband. Everyone took turns playing - even Bodie. The daring people took turns on the mic. Let me just say.... none of us will be making an album any time soon. Thanks Andersen's and

Vega's for a fun night.

BIG BROTHER

Is anybody else a fan? Big Brother 10 started on Sunday - out of the blue -no advertisements or anything. Jason and I love to pick out who we think will win the prize money in the beginning. We are thinking either Brian or Ollie. If you have never watched it - try it out this summer. Nothing else is on the TV anyway. It is on 3 nights a week - Sunday, Tuesday, & Wednesday. Let us know what you think.

Out with the OLD and in with the NEW

Well - he did it. Jason made a change in employers. He has been with Stantec Consulting - basically his whole career, and decided a change would do him some good. He has joined a firm called Horrocks (I refer to them as hot rocks) and is liking it so far. Yesterday was his first day - and he already gets to go on a trip. And the best part is.... I get to go too! I know this decision was so hard for J, but I am so proud of him. I know he wants the best for our little family and will do anything for me. I couldn't have asked for a better husband.

The 4th Rodeo

Happy 4th of July everybody. The last two years Jason and I have been to the Oakley rodeo in Utah, but this year we are spending the 4th in Arizona. So we decided to keep the tradition and go the the "worlds oldest rodeo" in Prescott. We were joined by my mom and dad and had a lot of fun. It was nice to get out of the 110 degree weather and into the 75 degrees. We added a video incase you felt like you needed to see a bull rider.

Lo que paso en Puerto Rico

I wish we didn't have to come home, but real life made us. We spent a wonderful week in Puerto Rico with the Vega's. It feels like the time flew by, but we were able to see and visit so many places. We have lots of pictures, so bare with us.

Wednesday was one of my favorite days. We went to Flamenco Beach, which is always talked about on the travel channel as being one of the greatest beaches. Believe me, it was. The water was crystal blue and the sand was powder soft. I couldn't ask for a better beach.

Flamenco Beach is located on an Island called Culebra, which is about a 1 1/2 hour boat ride or a 15 minute plane ride. We decided to do both. We flew over and took the boat back.

I usually don't have a problem with small planes, but I think I saw my life flash before my eyes when we were about to land. The plane held 8 passengers and all of us had to sit in particular seats according to our weight. The captain told us before we left, Culebra has strong winds, so the landing maybe a little bumpy. The take off and 10 minutes in the air was awesome, and then the landing came. We had to fly over a mountain and drop suddenly in order to hit the landing strip. Our plane jerked side to side, looked like it was going to hit the mountain, dropped suddenly, had a couple alarms go off and then landed going what felt like 200 miles an hour. Even though our lives flashed before us - I would do it again.

Thursday we went to a beach called Crash boat which is located in a town called Aquadilla. This was a favorite beach of Bacho's growing up. It was fun to chill out and eat pinchos (grilled kabobs).

Friday was a lot of fun and busy too. First, Jason and I went to the beach in Dorado. We took a bike ride around the beach and around some of the neighborhood. Both of us were so sticky and sweaty when we returned, but it was fun.

The second thing we did was went to the El Yunque rainforest. It was so cool!! I love places like this. We hiked around and went to La Mina falls. On the way out it was raining so hard, but I guess that is why they call it a rainforest.

The third thing we did, I know - Friday was a busy day. We went on a kayak tour. We went to the town of Fajardo and went to the Bio Luminescent bay. We weren't able to get any pictures of our own, because we didn't have the right kind of camera. As soon as the kayak guide sends us our pictures - we will post them. However, I have added a picture that shows you how cool it is. We left on the kayak tour at sunset - so we had no light to guide us into the bay. We paddled about 2.5 miles through the ocean and the red mangroves to the opening of the bay. It was so cool - the closer we got to the bay and the more we touched the water - the more it would glow. Jason and I ran into the mangroves many times and hit our heads on a couple of trees while paddling, but it was worth it to see the bay. If any of you go to Puerto Rico - I recommend this.

On Saturday - our 5 year anniversay day - we went to Old San Juan and El Morro. A little history lesson - the English and the Dutch attacked the Morro repeatedly in its time. Located on the San Juan Bay, the six-story fort was originally constructed in 1540, although its exterior walls were not erected for another 200 years. Inside the walls is a veritable labyrinth of chambers, barracks, hallways and prison cells.

Old San Juan was really neat. It has shops all over the place, blue brick on the street, tons of people and lots of culture. It was really windy this day and extra humid, but we still enjoyed our selves. We were able to go to the gates of puerto rico, eat at a bakery Rachel Ray recommended and watch tourists and natives walk by. And to top it off, we went out to eat that night in Isla Verde for our 5 year anniversary.

Sunday we went to visit with some of Bacho's family and then Jason and I went to a town by where Bacho grew up named Ponce. Lastly we went to the beach to hang out and visit the last time in Puerto Rico - for this trip atleast.

Thank you Vega's for helping make this trip an enjoyable one, for taking us around the island, and showing us traditions of Puerto Rico. We had so much fun. We loved every minute of our vacation and only wished it was longer.

To Jason - my hubby of 5 years and my best friend for much longer, Happy Anniversary. I am so thankful to have you in my life. I think we should have an island getaway for every anniversary from now on. Love you!!!