Mexico pics

Two weeks ago we went on a family vacation. Now that I'm feeling better I've been dying to get out and go somewhere, somewhere warm. I was first thinking about Costa Rica because there was this incredible place we stayed at for one night on our honeymoon that we've dreamed about going back to. But once I looked into the flights (10-12 hours) and then driving a car to the beach from the airport (a few more hours) I decided that was too much for an almost 3 year old and pregnant woman to do. So then I looked at where we could go on a direct flight on Delta (Shaun has miles). That narrowed it down to a couple of places in Mexico and finally settled on Cancun. In just over 4 hours we could be in a tropical place with warm ocean water and tons of things to do. It was perfect. We asked my parents to come, they have done so much for us, especially with this pregnancy and we thought they would enjoy the vacation too (which they say they did). We swam in the ocean, played on the beach in the super soft white sand, snorkeled in caves and caverns and in the ocean with fish and turtles, saw some Mayan ruins, watched a Mayan fire dance, saw tons of butterflies and different kinds of birds, and were woken up by a flock of flamingos. All of which Cecilia was able to do. Not to mention the yummy Mexican food we ate. Only when we vacation to Mexico do we come home and want to make/eat more Mexican food. Shaun and I want to go back to Playa del Carmen just so we can go back to Yaxche and try more dishes. He wants to convince the owner to open a restaurant in the states :) It was that good.

Playa del Carmen was the perfect vacation and the only reason I got on the plane to come home was I wanted a good night sleep without being woken up by a ton of birds at 6 am (Cecilia needed it too, she slept almost 15 hours the first night we were home). I was also hoping my swollen ankles would go down (which thankfully they have, but probably only temporarily). In fact I felt really good the whole time we were there. I hardly had any nausea despite waking up at 6 am every morning. I don't know if it was vacation, the elevation, the warmth, the humidity or what, but I felt great. The few days after we got home I felt really crappy and wanted to hop on a plane to stay in Cancun 'til this baby is born. But my doctor told me I really didn't want my baby born in Mexico and that I should stay here. We'll just have to keep Cancun on our list to revisit someday, there was so much we didn't get to do, the zoo, Chitzen Itza, swimming with dolphins, and of course more food :)

Here are a few pics at Tulum.

Albuquerque

I almost forgot to tell you about our trip to Albuquerque. We went down to see the balloon festival. It was the most fun I've had getting up at 4:30 in the morning. They were trying to set a world record for the most hot air balloons set off in an hour. I don't know if they made it or not but I heard there were about 500 balloons that took off in two hours. It was so much fun and I went crazy taking pictures. Here are a few.

The next day Shaun, his mom, his brother, and his girlfriend (now fiancee) went on a balloon ride. They said it was really cool and got to touch the river with the bottom of the basket. Here are a few of their pictures.

It was another sleepless weekend with the Ritchie's, but again so fun.

Blueberry picking

Last weekend while we visited Shaun's family we went blueberry picking. I was really excited to take Cecilia. I thought she would really get it this year. Last year she kept trying to eat them off the ground. She took right to it and I only had to tell her once to pick the dark ones and she got it. She definitely got her fill of blueberries though because we went back later in the day to pick more and she didn't want to eat any. Between the two pickings we had 26 pounds. I know we are crazy, but they were 86 cents a pound! That is practically giving them away! Which we did lots of after we picked 26 pounds of berries.

Strawberries!

Over the 4th of July we went to visit some friends in Seattle. We had a great time. One of the highlights was they took us to a U-pick berry farm. It was the perfect temp for berry picking. Their daughter entertained Cecilia most of the time so Shaun and I were able to pick lots of berries. Here is Cecilia with one of the two boxes we picked. As you can see she also had fun sampling the berries (notice some on her forehead).

Success! We ate lots of these berries during the trip and managed to transport the other box home. You know how Shaun and I are with our berries, we'll find a way.

After strawberry picking we headed to lunch. On the way we found a place that sold "indecent" ice cream cones and had to stop. Nothing like dessert before lunch on the 4th of July. This is the "kiddie" cone that the three of us shared.

Lighthouse and families

During our trip to Seattle we went to the beach to watch the sunset. It was a beautiful day and this was a great way to end it. We walked down to the lighthouse to watch the sun set over the water. Not something we get to do very often. Here we are with the Brubaker family, who were gracious enough to drop their weekend plans and entertain us.

Cecilia adores their daughter Sophie and had so much fun following her around. Here they are being silly as only little girls can be.

Venezuela

While the optimist in me would like to think Shaun will sit down and write a blog post about his trip to Venezuela the realist in me knows that isn't going to happen. Fortunately for us he went to visit his brother who has taken the time to write a very entertaining post about their adventures. Find it here.

Seattle

Last weekend we visited some friends in Seattle. They recently moved there from here and we missed them and had to go catch up. It was a packed weekend with lots of yummy food. Cecilia loved their youngest daughter so much. She followed her around the whole time calling her name. It started out sounding like "goofy" but with lots of practice turned into "Sofie" by the end of the weekend. This is Sofie helping Cecilia up the stairs at the place we rented. It had a gorgeous view. Thanks Brubakers for a great weekend! We'll have to do it again, next time when it rains less.

Women's Weekend

The weekend after the Inc 500 conference was Women's Weekend. I've mentioned it before, but this was the real deal. For the first time in years we all actually went somewhere. This was the most exciting place of all, Mexico. We flew to Phoenix, rented a car, and drove to Shaun's parents house in Puerto Penasco. They were generous enough to let us overrun their house for the weekend. The weather was perfect, the water was warm, everything was perfect (except our car was broken into). We went out on Dennis' boat, we swam in the ocean, we walked on the beach, we saw dolphins, and snorkeled and of course had yummy Mexican food. Can't wait to do it again, once we have all saved up enough vacation days with our husbands :)

Here we are enjoying lunch and I'm sending a picture of it to Shaun, trying to make him jealous :)


This is our version of going crazy in Mexico. What silly mothers I have!


My sister Tammy buying presents for her kids from an adorable Mexican child.

Inc 500 conference

So the first weekend in October (I know I'm late in telling the story) I took Cecilia up to my parents house and drove to the airport to meet Shaun. The Inc 500 conference in DC had come! I had my dress in hand and a good book for the 5 hour flight WITH NO BABY! The first few hours were nice to read my book, but by the end I was going crazy. That was the longest stretch of time that I've had by myself (Shaun got upgraded to first class) to do nothing since Cecilia was born. I was missing my baby by the end of the flight and I was anxious to get going. We got a car, drove to a restaurant for dinner and then drove to the conference. They had a networking event that night at which we stopped by for a bit before crashing. Next day I went shopping while Shaun went to the conference. I was proud of myself for driving to a place I've never been, to the tux place, and back to the hotel by myself with no navigator and without getting lost. Shopping in Alexandria was fun, they have some quaint shops where I found the cutest coat for Cecilia. It is just a little big which is perfect because she will be able to grow into it this winter. After shopping, it was time to get ready. I was pretty impressed with how my hair and dress came out. I looked pretty good, we looked pretty good. Don't you think?

We are holding the award they gave Shaun. It is pretty cool. It looks like the magazine inside this plastic cube. It will look great as a paperweight on his desk. Congrats again Shaun and Dan!
That night we went to an after party at a club. It was so late by the time we got back to the hotel! I haven't been up that late since way before Cecilia was born. I'm sure before I was pregnant with her. We slept in the next day, but I just felt crappy the whole day from lack of sleep. And we didn't even drink anything! Boy am I getting old. Next day we visited with Shaun's partner and his family. It was nice to see them again, it has been a while. Then off to the airport and home. I was so happy to be home. What a whirlwind weekend! I was so glad we didn't have Cecilia with us! What a nightmare that would have been! Monday morning when I got her up she gave me a big smile and a hug. I was on cloud nine since this is not a cuddly kid and was probably the first time she has done something like that. And I hear she had a great time with grandma and grandpa. My mom told me this week she missed Cecilia. That tells me that it wasn't too much of a burden to watch her and they will probably do it again :)

Flaming Gorge

This week we went to Flaming Gorge with a lot of my family. It was so fun to see everyone. I haven't seen my nephews that live in Washington for a long time. We all got together in Manila to go boating. Growing up 15 minutes from the lake made us boating people. It was fun for me to watch the next generation learn to water ski and knee-board and catch some air on the tube. The lake is as chilly as ever but you just suck it up and jump in. Shaun loved driving my dads boat and told me more than once that he wants one. I love it too so someday... Cecilia had the best time playing with her cousins, especially Chandra. She just loved her! You should have seen her lounging on her and following her around. I'm sure Chandra was happy when we left the way she mauled her!





We also took Cecilia on her first boat ride. She was a little timid at first, but then she warmed up and I was holding on to her life jacket for dear life as she leans out the front of the boat going 20 mph.



We stopped off in Green River (where I grew up) on the way so I could reminisce. It was so fun to drive around as a grown up and remember old times and look at the town from a different perspective. I don't know when we will go back so I'm really glad we took the time. I also wanted to stop by my old High School. I was in the last graduating class from it. They built a new high school and turned it into a middle school. It was interesting to see the changes and think back to that time of my life. Here I am by my old locker.


I remember standing in the main hall by the office on graduation day thinking I would never go to that school again. I showed Shaun the classroom where I decided to be a scientist. Here Cecilia are knocking on the door because it was locked.


It was this same classroom where I took anatomy and decided I didn't have the stomach to be a doctor :) But we did a course on genetics and I was sold. It is interesting how trivial High School is, yet at the same time you can make decisions that will shape your whole life. I know more than one girl who got pregnant and changed their life forever. My decision to go into genetics changed my life, I know I'm no great scientist that will invent the cure for cancer and change the world, but that decision has effected me and the way I think for the rest of my life. It will effect my children in ways unknown, and who knows who else. So I had a great time driving around town and looking at the growth along with the things that haven't changed since I was a kid. Just like me.

Staycation

Sometimes you just need to get away. Now that we have a baby with her own schedule, which seems to be messed up if I breathe wrong, getting away seems to be more work than relaxing. So my new favorite thing is a staycation. You've heard of them, they got really popular when the economy crapped out. You vacation in your own town and do something you wouldn't normally do that is enjoyable for everyone.

Park City here we come. It is perfect, half an hour and you are there. No missed naps or late bedtime. This time of year they have some great deals. Last November (also in the off season for PC) We went to Stein Eriksen lodge with Shaun's parents. I felt more relaxed by the end of the weekend than I ever have after entertaining, or any vacation for that matter. Stein has everything that makes for a perfect vacation, a fully stocked kitchen where we can make some amazing meals (and if you know Shaun and I, cooking is very relaxing and enjoyable). It also has a large, dark, quiet bathroom that we can put Cecilia to sleep in and not worry about making too much noise. And it has another full bathroom off the main room so it isn't missed. The place has several fireplaces that they will come light a real wood burning fire in. Who doesn't relax watching fire? There is just something about it. The setting couldn't be prettier, up in the mountains with the yummy smelling Spruce Pine tree and daffodils that are just blooming. Of course the people are nice, this time when we stayed they brought over some yummy scones and jam just to say thanks for staying with us again.

So when I needed a vacation this weekend Stein Eriksen was the first place I thought of. They even had the same deal as last time, free dinner or Sunday brunch. This Sunday brunch is amazing so I couldn't wait to book it. Yesterday we drove up in time to go swimming before Cecilia went to bed. Which she loves to do and generally makes her sleep better. Then Shaun made this amazing chicken dinner. We tried to invite some friends to enjoy it, but that didn't work out so we selfishly scarfed it down.

Today we stuffed ourselves at the brunch and ran home for church fully rested and ready for the week. Well almost fully rested, Cecilia woke up twice last night crying. We are working on breaking her from the brace that she is growing out of and doesn't need anymore. Surprisingly she has a hard time sleeping without it. It is all the freedom, just moves all over the crib and can't just settle down. Hopefully tonight will be better... If not I may need to go on another staycation :)

Temple Square

We had a great time being tourists in our own town yesterday. I think there is a term for that, Shaun? We went to Temple Square before church yesterday. I had the inspiration as I was praying for help to enjoy my new calling as primary teacher more. I can't resist going on a tangent here. In college I admired the Elementary education majors because anyone who could spend all day 5 days a week with 30 young children and try to teach them something while keeping them under control was someone to admire in a "you're crazy" kind of way. It was the last major I would have picked willingly. Physics, Math, yeah hard, but doable even English would have come in before EE and I hate English (as you can tell from my spelling and grammar on the blog). Well the more I think about it English would probably have to tie, and teaching English in Elementary! Oh the Scientist in me cringes at the thought. I would have dropped out of college after the first semester and taken a permanent job at Village Inn (my least favorite summer job). So it was a real test of my faith when I was called to teach the 4-5 year olds in primary. Let's just say I have a hard time getting anything spiritual out of just trying to keep them in their seats, let alone getting them to listen to the lesson. But it is only the third week and I'm sure as I get used to it I'll be able to glean good things from it. I have to admit they did get something out of my lesson on prayer two weeks ago because I just had to begin to tell them to fold their arms, close their eyes, and bow their heads for the prayer this week before they did it. OK moving on...
Temple Square was so beautiful. It was just what I needed to relax before church. The weather was just gorgeous and the flowers are just starting to bloom. It was so relaxing and Cecilia really enjoyed it. She was especially enthralled with the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. It is so ornate and has a big statue of Joseph Smith that she couldn't get enough of. Here are some pics of our "trip."





She really does look like him, huh?

Wooden Anniversary

Yesterday Shaun and I celebrated our 5th anniversary. How did we celebrate? You are all probably thinking that we went to some great place on vacation. But no, we celebrated with a screaming 9 month old child in a body cast. A far cry from 250 of your closest friends and family bringing you presents and wishing you well. It is amazing how your life can change in 5 years. In all honesty, she didn't cry long and I was able to feed her and put her down in 15 minutes. But the difference remains.

Anyway I've spent some time reminiscing about the last 6+ years we've known each other. How grateful I am for my wonderful husband! He is so good with Cecilia and makes an effort to be home as much as possible because he knows that is what I want. He cooks, cleans, does laundry, gets up with the baby in the morning so I can sleep in, gets her in the middle of the night for me, and changes lots of diapers. Husbands take note, you can do these things too, and your wives will love you all the more for it :)

We've had some great times over the years and traveled many places. Here are a few of my favorite memories from over the years in chronological order. I can't find the first picture of us taken way before we started dating. It is driving me crazy, but oh well, here are other great ones.

Havasupai falls where Shaun had to help me carry my pack up the hill and when I apologized for my weakness he said,"sometimes I carry you and sometimes you carry me." How sweet huh? That was when I knew I wanted to marry him.

New York City and the first of many pictures taken in the "Ritchie style" as our friend calls it, where Shaun holds the camera and takes a picture of us.

Toronto where Shaun surprised me and proposed. If you haven't heard the story ask us about it sometime, it is a good one.

Puerto Penasco taking engagement pictures.

Escalante backpacking with friends. This time I carried my own pack the whole way, but I'm so out of shape I probably couldn't do it now :)

Catalina on our 1st anniversary.

Spain where I hated the food so much that I begged to go to McDonalds for breakfast and ate a Big Mac. Which if you know me, says something about Spanish food.

Venice, isn't my husband so hot?!

Rome, a great place and we want to go back someday.

Skagit Valley tulip festival. I went hog wild taking pictures, this is of course one of my favorites.

Mexico City, one of our favorite repeat places to visit. Mostly because of friends, and the food.

Shaun's 30th SURPRISE birthday party. And he was surprised! I spent weeks on the preparations and had a local restaurant make his favorite Mexican dish just for him. His brother Mike (in the picture) was nice enough to fly in and help distract him for the day so I could get everything set up. It was such a fun night!

San Francisco, another favorite place to visit. We always find things to do and great places to eat. Plus it is so close to travel to, just a hop, skip, and a jump away!

Portland where we had a blast picking all the berries we could. We later found a pick your own blueberry farm by Shaun's grandma's and had a great time picking blueberries. They were so big, ripe and TASTY!!! Oh if only blueberries grew here!

Millcreek where we just found out we were pregnant with Cecilia. Boy if I knew how sick I was going to be over the next couple of months...

Ok I know this is getting ridiculously long. But I just keep finding more great pictures and memories that I have to share. One more and I'm done.

I hope you enjoyed the stroll down memory lane as much as I did. Happy Anniversary Shaun!

Puerto Penasco- The Beach

The three of us took some friends down to Shaun's parents beach house in Puerto Penasco this weekend. We had a great time. Everyone said it was very relaxing and fun. I'll let Shaun post about the details of the weekend but I was really excited to post about Cecilia's first experience with the ocean.
The first day we took her out there and the waves were a little noisy well we all know how she hates noise. So it wasn't too surprising to me that she didn't like it. Here is a video of her being wimpy with her cute sunglasses on.

I tried to carry her farther into the water past the noise but she kept fussing. It was the first time (of many I'm sure) that I saw her afraid. You could totally tell she was afraid of it. She had a death grip on me and kept turning her face away from it and burying it in me. It was kinda funny.

But the next day the ocean was really calm and she liked it better. I was able to get all the way in with her and let her play in it a little. She kept doing her fish face and it reminded me of when we called her a fish when I was pregnant. Well the fish swam in the ocean this weekend! Here is another video and pictures.



The next day I took her out and let her play in the sand. I don't have a video of it but do have a bunch of pictures. She liked to run her fingers through the sand. I don't think you can see but she has a little on her face too. Maybe next time I'll let her play longer and let her eat some of the sand :)


It was so much fun to take her to the ocean and let her experience another new thing. The first of many trips I'm sure :)