Puerto Rico 2012

I know, I know. I quite possibly am the luckiest girl in the world. 

Me and eight of the coolest people I know (including my boyfriend and son) ventured across the good 'ole United States all the way to an island in the Caribbean, known as Puerto Rico. Devin's good friend Sean found a sweet deal on some airline tickets that we just couldn't say no to...and luckily some of our favorites felt the same way. We also decided to bring Matix along, which made me the happiest little momma in all the land. Normally I have to leave the little one behind as I go on my adventures exploring the world...but not this time! Devin helped make it possible. (he's the best) And the rest of the gang welcomed him with open arms. Such good friends we have. :)  (And did I mention that I didn't have to take off any work? New job perks.) 

We flew out on the red eye on Wednesday and got to PR Thursday morning-ish. Matix was beyond excited about the fact the he got to sleep on a plane!! I wish I shared that excitement. haha. After a short layover in NYC we were finally in PUERTO RICO!! Matt & Anne and Margo & Miriam had all flown in before us so we were picked up at the airport and driven straight to the Castillo San Felipe Del Morro Fort in Old San Juan. We snatched up the most delicious gelato I've ever had from a street vendor with Matt and Anne before heading up to find Margo and Miriam in the fort.

A short while later Sean and Ashley had landed so we were ready to venture out of San Juan to a city called Fajardo where we boarded our ferry to the amazing island of Vieques, which is about an hour long ferry ride off the coast of mainland PR. 

Stay tuned...

Farewell Fun.

Stranger things have happened....

 I think?
Okay, Maybe not.

Seriously, girl's nights are the best nights. I have the best friends. When we all get together, which isn't often enough, anything could happen. 

Obviously. 

But I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Unfortunately this night happened as one last hoorah before Brynn packs up her life and moved herself across the country to fulfill her dreams as a makeup artist in the concrete jungle where dreams are made of. Words can't express how much I miss her. And how excited I am to visit her cute new apartment on the upper east side :)

Lakehill Campsite: Ephraim, Utah.

Every year Devin's friends from American Fork (his middle school years) get together and do some sort of a trip. This year, the guys in charge chose to go camping at a place right outside of Ephraim, Utah. So off we went. I was a little sad we were missing Lake Powell with my family, but we already went this summer so it wasn't too big of a deal. First world problems, I know. Anyways, it was really fun for Devin to get some much needed guy time! And it was fun for me to meet some more of his friends that I hadn't met yet. It's kind of a big ordeal for them...people even came into town all the way from Boston and Idaho for it. We spent the 3 days hanging out, fishing, roasting marshmallows, and eating pig. That my friends, is not a joke. Matix had an absolute blast...and even met his newest girlfriend, Bella. Her awesome fishing skills are what initially sparked Matix's attention (she's the only one who caught any fish...and she caught 3!). They are quite the adventurous pair. It was precious.

After the camping was through...we headed up to Pleasant Grove to spend a little time with Devin's family. We miss them dearly. We spent all day Sunday and most of Monday with them before heading back to Vegas. We can't wait to get back up there...for a longer amount of time. 

Next year's American Fork trip is going to be in California. And we are in charge. Wish us luck :)

the nineties.

Saved by the Bell. Skip it. Neon Colors. Full House. TGIF. Slap Bracelets. JTT. The Spice Girls. Man, do I miss the 90's. I think we all do. Luckily a couple weekends ago we got to live it all over again. For a night. Needless to say it was a good, good night. 

scuba certified.

Back in Thailand, I had my first little scuba diving experience. To be honest, before that I never really had put much thought into ever being a diver. Well...Thailand changed that all. I loved everything about being 30 feet under water, and fully submerged in ocean life. It's like a whole new world down there. So many amazing things to see and explore. And I was ready to see more. 

I got home and looked into getting certified, but it was pretty expensive. And I just couldn't justify it. Especially because it's one of those things where you have to have people in your life that are just as interested in diving, to make it worth it. 

Fast forward to one year later...And insert Devin. It just so happens that he also loves scuba diving and got certified years ago. (his family are divers as well) So we decided that it would be best if I got certified too. Happy dance. This kid just keeps on getting better and better. 

After a week of classes I am now officially a Padi Open Diver...just in time for our next adventure!!

My scuba class friends

New Job.

The lovely life of unemployment has unfortunately come to an end. Boy, was it good being free. But alas it was time to enter the real world again. 

I was hoping to get a PR job, since that's what my degree is in but a job that works perfectly with my mom schedule fell into my lap so I took it. I now work at and orthodontist's office, full time, but only 3 days a week! Which also happen to be the three days that Matix is with his dad. It's perfect. And as an added bonus, how the days work out gives me 5 day weekends every other weekend. I couldn't be more happy with the schedule. 

I've been there about a month and so far it's going good. But it has been really stressful trying to learn so many new things. I'm a bit overwhelmed right now but in another month or two I think I will be good. Hopefully. Here's to a new adventure. (And more money in my bank account)  :)

Angel's Landing.

My friend Allison had reserved 12 tickets to hike the Subway on July 14th. (the day after my bday) I have always wanted to do that hike so we decided that would be the perfect birthday activity. A last minute trip to Hawaii forced Allison to cancel altogether, so I invited a few of Devin's friends in Provo and we decided to meet at Brianhead and make a weekend out of it!!

...That is until it decided to rain. We still had high hopes so we headed to Zion anyways. As soon as we drove up the the hike entrance the heaven's open, as if the Lord was personally telling us not to go on this hike, it started to pour like I have never seen it pour before!! 

We obeyed and headed back to the car to make a new plan. On our way back to our second car we noticed (everyone but me and Matix since we were in the trunk...don't ask) a huge waterfall that definitely had not just been that streaming off the mountain. (That should give you a hint as to how hard it had rained.) So we stopped the car and hiked to it. It was freezing and quite the adventure...but super fun! 

Afterwards we headed over to the main Zion visitor center and found out that it had indeed flash flooded in the Subway that morning, so we were glad we opted to pass. The first time the hike had been closed down this year. What are the odds?!! Ugh. We decided to hike Angel's Landing instead. I was less than thrilled about this, but eventually was convinced to do it. It was hard to go from thinking I was doing a 9.5 mile downhill slot canyon full of canyoneering and swimming to climbing 1,488 feet in 2.5 miles with straight switchbacks. However, even though there were a few times that I wanted to give up and or kill myself...I survived. And was actually really glad I did it! The view was remarkable. And I didn't want to get shown up by my four-year-old son...but I did. Matix took that hike on like a champ. He had no fear. And never even stuggled! In fact, he was always the one requesting that our breaks be cut short. He even was a real man and pooped on the peak. We have picture proof but I will spare you the visual. :)

I did have a few small heart attacks having a four year old with us looking over the edge of that ginormous cliff. But he was very obedient and loved every second of it. We had a few crazy looks taking a four year old on such an intense hike but it seriously was a piece of cake for him so I am glad we chose to bring him. However, I bet he is the first four year old to ever make it to the peak...with no help. He sure loves adventures and hiking!! We had a blast. It was fun to spend some more time with Devin's friends. We love spending time with them.

But before we parted ways...we were left with this goodbye from his poet friend....