Ten Years

   The day after Dan's birthday in April he suggested we consider going away for our ten year anniversary.  Before allowing myself to get excited I quickly asked if he meant with or without the kids.   He informed me he meant a vacation without the kids.  Still hesitant to get too excited (although I was already really stoked) I asked what exactly he had in mind.  After all there is a big difference between Prescott AZ or say, Bora Bora.  He was thinking less like Prescott.  I immediately agreed trying to play down that I was jumping out of my skin and quickly ran downstairs to call my sister nearly in tears after just two days before saying how badly I just needed a vacation.  I quickly became obsessed with the trip and possibilities.  After several weeks and lets admit it, several arguments due to my own high expectations, Dan told me to just do what I wanted.  A very large amount of time spent on tripadvisor led me to pick Jamaica.  It was warm, tropical, green, the same price as Mexico and you can drink the water while speaking English.  The last nail in the coffin was when I read someone making a comparison and stating, "do you like reggae or mariachi music better. . ."  Enough said.  Not that there is anything wrong with Mexico by any means, there was just something about Jamaica that appealed to me, I think the biggest thing being the greenery.
    We flew out at Midnight the saturday before our anniversary which meant we got there around nine in the morning.  It was a long night of traveling, but I figured we could sleep on the beach, and frankly I wouldn't have slept due to excitement anyway.   While waiting to disembark the plane we were informed there were some technical difficulties.   A few minutes later the captain came back on to inform us that we couldn't get off the plane because they couldn't get the jet bridge working correctly and were afraid it would fall if we got off the plane.  Not the most reassuring thing to hear ten minutes into landing in a third world country.  However, I had made a very solemn promise to myself to just relax and enjoy our time together regardless what happened.  We eventually got off the plane and through customs and I immediately couldn't help but notice how friendly and nice the people were.  We then got on our bus with three other couples to head to the resort.  After a while it became apparent our bus was not in great shape.  We had to pull over a couple times and eventually they called for another bus to meet us.  At this point I was starting to get nervous about my choice.  However, once we got to the resort I wasn't disappointed by a single thing.  It was absolutely beautiful with fun little paths all over and secluded hammocks or spots to relax.
     We spent the next six days relaxing on the beach or by the pool, kayaking, paddle-boarding, snorkeling, enjoying a water-fall excursion, trying scuba for the first time, doing Yoga with a Rastafarian, wake-boarding, and enjoying great food in an absolutely beautiful place.  I know it wasn't exactly the vacation Dan would have picked but he was so sweet to just go and have a great time for me.  I had such a great time with him and loved nearly every minute.  Dan also took a couple runs into town and got some lap swimming in. The resort also had a steel drum show one night which was one of the highlights for me.  Not only were they incredible musicians, they all had moves!  Just another reminder that I didn't get a single ounce of rhythm and some people have it in spades.  Every person at the resort was extremely friendly and easy going- I loved the people.  They were all super happy and easy going too.  I had read it talked about online before but they really would sing to themselves whether they were raking seaweed,  sweeping walks, mixing drinks, or serving you at one of the restaurants.   I felt like Baby in Dirty Dancing, no, I didn't want to hook up with them, I just wanted to go hang out with them and learn to dance!  It was a great trip and I am so lucky to not only have been able to go, but to have been able to have a ten year wedding anniversary with the love of my life to celebrate.  I am lucky to be married to a great guy who works hard and puts his family before anything else.  I loved having a full week alone with him!  We were spoiled to have Dan's family watch our kids and had a great week in paradise.

One view from our balcony:  Despite not getting a more expensive room we agreed we actually got one of the best views in the resort.  

Looking out the other way:  The view from the triple window in our shower looked out this same way but showed more of the ocean and was a little prettier.  The maids kept closing the blinds for turn down service, but I would open them right back up.   The view was too pretty to cover up even if it was the bathroom window.  

Pretty area near the mineral pool- we spent a lot of time there.

The picture I took prior to this Dan gave the camera the finger, I gave up after this since it was apparent he wasn't cooperating.

Cute little gazebo-there were a couple weddings here.

Looking at one part of the resort from another.

Walking from our room to another part of the resort.  Their is a small private section of beach here with a gate going into the ocean as well as a staircase leading down to a natural mineral spring that is suppose to take ten years off your appearance.   The picture also shows how thick the foliage was, it nearly made a tunnel over you.

I absolutely love Hibiscus flowers and they had varieties I had never seen before.  These were right outside our room and we could pass by and see them folded closed at night and in the morning and then open with the sun.

A separate portion of the resort, not the main beach near the local beach that gets the best sunsets.

Pictures never do sunsets justice.

A vendor at sunset beach selling conch shells.  He also rolled a joint and started smoking it right in front of us.   He was a nice guy, as they all were.  

main beach looking at the ocean on the one drizzly overcast day.  It was still hot and we made the most of it.   Kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling kept us entertained and it doesn't really matter if it is sprinkling if you are wet anyway.  

right back to where it all started-Dan and I actually met wake-boarding.  Fortunately for the jamaicans Dan didn't do it in a speedo like he did eleven years ago.  Although they may not have noticed anyway as they were pointing out the pretty jamaicans to each other on the public beach.  Also, the calmest water was right next to the nude beach so a speedo wouldn't have really fazed them.

It took me my whole time to really get comfortable on the board.  I always say I don't really get into and get aggressive until I have crashed once.  By the time I had my good break in crash it was time to head back in.  

Near the water-sports shop.  I asked some friends we made to take a picture since we didn't get any pictures of us actually kayaking or anything.  Our camera wasn't water proof  and I never thought to ask someone else on the beach to take pictures while we were out doing stuff.  At one point when Dan and I were goofing off and both standing on my paddle board an employee passed on a kayak.  When he noticed we were on the same board he said, "hey! you should get a picture!" I still didn't.  

Relaxing in the mineral pool.   I loved that every lounge chair at the resort had a floaty on it.  When  you got hot or just wanted to relax in the water you could just grab your float and go.  We spent hours and hours happily "floating".  At the mineral pool it was often pretty quiet and you could float without worrying about running into people.  Dan also figured holding onto a pole worked if there were other  people in the pool.  Out at the beach there was a swimming rope you could hold onto to keep from drifting off.  Also, not going to complain about the hunk on the floaty either.  

A view from our balcony at dusk, right about the time the tree frogs go crazy.  Dan asked the first night if they were going to make noise like that all night.  I was a little concerned not knowing the answer, but it turns out they quiet down right around the time we wanted to as well.  It was fun to lay in a hammock and listen to them while the stars came out.  There were two hammocks right below one of our windows,  I kept forgetting that since we mostly saw the ocean and would walk in front of it to the closet to get dressed.  Oops, hopefully no one was traumatized. 

A little garden by the lobby.

And I could have skipped the previous six thousand words. . .

He was hesitant so Mike was kind enough to suggest I climb in first- oh great!

little more heavy duty than his halloween costume

I honestly have no idea what was going on here but I just love that Jeanna is playing with Bailey a day after surgery, and Bailey's face so it got posted anyway!

She was enamored!  She literally had both legs up inside of it.

The ambulance, he didn't want to get in first because he said that is where people go when they "died", but we showed him the teddy bears they give kids and how they make them feel better so they can go home to their families and then he was okay.

He picked the perfect day to wear a patriotic shirt and his "exercises" shorts.

My dear grandma, I was a little nervous to hand her Bailey, but they all survived!

Shad's grand adventure on "the little horse"

Tinkering: what's not to love?

Having fun with the sand and water.

He was a little short for it.

Bailey at the Tour of Utah- yes her mouth is full of food, always happiest while eating!

John pointing the police dog out to Shad.  Pretty sure he was a bomb dog not a drug dog because the handler was letting him jump up and lick people and stuff- definitely don't see that with the drug dogs.

Let the Party Begin!

  Earlier in the summer Dan received an invitation from his brother in law to help him set up furniture at the Tour of Utah the first week of August since his furniture store was sponsoring.  Professional cycling, time to ride the course, and hanging out with John- what more could Dan ask for?  He was thrilled.  He needed to be in Cedar City on Monday the fifth.  Since we needed to be in Salt Lake by Friday the ninth I decided rather than drive the five hours home alone with the kids and then the full nine hours on Friday that I would just drive the rest of the trip to Salt Lake Monday.  It gave me the perfect opportunity to spend some time with my extended family as well.  I was really nervous about the last three and a half hours alone with the kids after already spending five hours in the car that day.  There were a couple rough patches but overall I was amazed at how well they did.  I will admit we caved and put a movie screen in front of Bailey.  This requirement that kids need to be rear-facing until two years old means they have nothing to look at.  I wasn't going to make her stare at her own reflection for nine hours.  At one point both kids were crying and I was sort of stressing.  I had the thought to get a book out for Bailey so I just handed it to her without being able to see.  Within seconds she was happily talking to herself and playing perfectly content.  She continued like that for over forty-five minutes.  It certainly felt like I had received a little inspiration.  I may have had an angel sitting in the back seat, because the whole mood of the car did a 180.
     We made it to Lehi to my aunt and uncles house to find out my aunt was at the hospital having a kidney stone out.  I agonized over what to do but ended up staying with them after all.  Hard to say no to someone still loopy from anesthesia saying they will be devastated if you don't.  Jeanna is a trooper, you would never know she had surgery!  We had a great few days in Lehi with my dad's brother's families.  Shad got the royal treatment.  Tuesday morning he got to go out to the point of the mountain and ride in a haul truck at my uncles' company.  That afternoon we went up to the West Jordan fire station where Jeanna's brother was kind enough to give us a grand tour.  It turned out to be pretty educational.  We learned where the water in the fire hydrants comes from too! Mike was so cute with Shad.  He even had them do a test call over the system they sound in an actual emergency and told them Shad's name so that when they called overhead they told Shad to have a great day.  It was really cute.  Shad loved it.  Bailey loved the fire station too.  She was determined to climb in the wheel hub of the fire truck, silly girl.
     Wednesday we let Jeanna rest a little.  I took the kids to go visit my dad's mother.  Sadly, Shad was less than happy to be there and literally spent the whole time lying on the floor moaning.  Bailey on the other hand was screaming bloody murder.  She was beside herself that I wouldn't let her play with the porcelain nativity my grandmother has on the floor on the tile in front of her fireplace.  Since Bailey would not leave it alone I had to hold her the entire time and she was furious.  Luckily, I got a couple pictures, however with both kids upset and my grandmother being ninety-one and losing her hearing we didn't get much meaningful conversation in.    After that we headed over to Thanksgiving point with my aunt Kris.   We first did Farm Country.  Shad was running around wanting to see everything at once.  When it came time for the pony ride it became obvious how novelty has it's own allure.  Despite riding large horses alone (even trotting around bareback) many times Shad was ecstatic for the pony ride and kept saying he wanted to ride the little one.  He picked the very smallest pony they had.  It was pretty funny.  Next, we headed over to the dinosaur museum.  I was a little worried Shad might be too young for it, but he loved it.  He especially loved the tinkering section in the front and the sand and water stations at the end.  He immediately laid down and rolled everywhere in the sand- then proceeded to remove his shoes and turn them upside down as soon as we got in the car.  We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out in Kris and Jeff's backyard.  It was really nice to spend some time with Kris.  That night I went back over to spend some time with Jeff as well.  He ended up needing to take my cousin to get stitches and didn't get home until 9:30 so it was a late night, but well worth the lost sleep.
     Thursday morning my uncle asked if he could take Shad to breakfast.  I thought it was adorable and happily sent them on their way.  When Gary asked what time Shad needed to be back I said I needed to leave for Payson at 2:30 to meet Dan but fully anticipating seeing them back by nine.      Imagine my surprise when I start receiving pictures and videos through text of them and they don't come back until two.  Gary and my cousin Corbin were getting Shad to race through the playground at McDonald's and told him he was just shy of the world record.  His last time (which was painfully slow still) he apparently beat the world record so they had to go to the party store to get him a medal.  Seriously, where do men come up with this stuff?  Hilarious.  They then took him to see their show truck and all the other toys and motorcycles at the office.   Shad still gets nervous about loud noises but he still loves all things boy.  He was in no hurry to get home and see me.  It was so sweet of Gary, Jeff and their families to spend time with us and be so good to my kids.  It is always a little hard and makes me miss my parents so much but it is amazing how it is brought us close to family in a way we never were before.  
    That afternoon we went down to meet up with Dan at the Tour of Utah stage in Payson.   Dan was really anxious for us to get there so he could see the kids.  We got to hang out in the VIP tent at the finish line and saw a really exciting finish for a pivotal stage of the race. It was pretty swanky and fun to watch.  Those guys make it look like I ride backwards in comparison.   We then headed up to Salt Lake to spend a couple nights with Dan's parents.
     Friday Dan had the opportunity to go do an invitational bike ride with some pretty big names.  While he did that I got the kids packed up and ready to go to the zoo.  We went with a friend and her kids as well as Dan's sister, Michelle, and several cousins, not all of which belong to Michelle.  It was fun to spend time with everyone.  It was really great to see Jessie and Tally before they head off to their next adventure in California- at least it isn't Zurich.  And Michelle and Taylor always make me laugh.  That night we went to dinner with Dan's parents which was fun.
     Saturday morning Dan did a triathlon with Myndi and his niece.  His parents were nice enough to take the kids while I went to breakfast with my dear friend, Karissa.  It had been way too long since we had seen each other and it was great to catch up, although it is never enough time.  She was sweet enough to meet up on her anniversary even though it was a Saturday and she could have spent it with her husband.  After that I went and spent some time with Ryan and got to see his house for the first time since it has been finished.  It was fun to see it and catch up a little.  We had planned to try to get dinner together but unfortunately it didn't work out.  I am just glad I didn't miss him this trip.  Saturday evening we went up to American Fork Canyon to celebrate Michelle's birthday.  Once again, it was fun to just relax and enjoy time with Dan's family.  I had to try and keep my snake phobia in check since I know the rattlesnakes have been bad in Salt Lake this year and a person from the forest service did come up and warn us of the same thing.   We headed home and got our kids to bed and then Dan and I got all repacked and ready to head to the airport to spend a week celebrating our ten year anniversary!

Phillips Family Vacation 2013

  Each year Dan's parents are generous enough to provide a family vacation with all of his siblings and their children.  It is much anticipated even each summer.  The last few years it has taken place in St George, Utah.  This years trip was the last week in July.  Prior to leaving I was speaking to a sister in law who was complaining about their camera.  I offered to let her use one of ours for the week since we have to.  I then promptly forgot both.  I felt terrible for us, but more so for her.  Unfortunately, that means I don't have a single picture from this year's fun in the sun.
     Most of the time was spent in or around the pool.  After all this was St.  George in July.  We certainly were not use to the heat.  Despite still considering it an option if Flagstaff doesn't work out and being the number one place Dan would like to live I heard him say, "Man, it is hot!" three times within the first twenty four hours we were there.  That is saying something coming from him.
      Other than the pool there was family skits, great cooking, and a fun day spent at Sand Hollow. Some of the family went to Zion's hiking for a day.  I stayed back not wanting to hike in 103 degrees.  I didn't regret it.  Lunch with Karen, Michelle, Mark and Tessa definitely beat cooking to death.  The best part is simply spending time with Dan's family, especially now that we live the farthest away.  It wouldn't be a Phillips family function if Dan and his brother's weren't in a contest to shock everyone the most.  As usual, it led to some interesting experiences.  It was also good to let the kids spend some time getting reacquainted with the Phillips clan before they were left with them for a week.
     It is still a little hard being in St George since it was on this same trip two years ago I found out about my parent's accident.  Sand Hollow choked me up a little when we got there because that is where we had spent that day and I hadn't been back since.  However, it is amazing how time heals even the deepest wounds.  I can now appreciate that my kids have an AMAZING set of grandparents here that they get to know in this life.  And another set watching over them that they will get to know in the next.  I am so grateful for that perspective and the great family we have that loves our kids and us.