The Big Kahuna!

Today is Justin's & my five year anniversary and since I just had a little surgery I was expecting it to be very different than our oh so luxurious honeymoon to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. BUT.....I got to thinking and realized things really haven't changed much in the adventures of our lives together.

Our Honeymoon: We went deep sea fishing, our boat starts sinking.....Fast!!! A pelican tries pecking at me and trying to steal my lunch.

Today: I feel like I am the sinking boat, Caden was pecking at me trying to eat all my food.

Our Honeymoon: We go on a two hour road trip on roads washed out from a recent hurricane to the middle of nowhere, we get lost and get our rental car buried about a foot high in the sand, we have no water with us and the town we finally arrive at has not yet received their rations from the red cross. They have plenty of beer though.

Today: Hmmm, a little trickier. Well, we drove all over town today while I am a bit dehydrated (see next section), I am wishing I had a beer to numb the pains each bump causes to my recovering body. J/K.

Our Honeymoon: We ordered lemonade since we are in Mexico and it is not advised to drink their water. We soon feel like geniouses when we realize lemonade requires water to be made. We spent the next day indoors if you get the picture.

Today: I spent some time indoors. I guess one of the medications they gave me produces undesirable effects. Sorry for the visual if your touchy about that kind of thing.

Our Honeymoon: We watched this guy try and put on his scuba flippers before going out to sea. He fell over repeatedly, but just wouldn't give up. We nicknamed him Scuba Steve.

Today: I look like Scuba Steve trying to wobble around. I guess I'm supposed to be healed by now, but I'm beginning to wonder.

Our Honeymoon: We came back from our sinking boat trip and our rental car had been "moved"---no crashed into. We had parked in an area that apparently opens up into a road during the day. Since we had arrived before the crack of dawn we were not aware of this and instead of giving us a ticket or towing us or something normal that they would do here in the US. Someone just decided to drive right into our car and push it out of the way. Nice.

Today: Well, luckily we weren't actually in a wreck, but for some reason I felt like a wreck today. I felt much better yesterday, and tonight I have actually been doing really well, but for the record, this morning I was a wreck.

Our Honeymoon: Even though there were many moments of panic and fear for our lives, we laughed our way through it and loved every ounce-- especially of the lemonade.

Today: We are still laughing and always will be about our many exciting adventures of the past, present and yet to come!

I love you Just, and am glad you still love me even as an invalid! We rock forever!

Kick Some Crash!

Try as I may, I just can't seem to keep our blog updated. I guess that is good because it means we are busy having too much fun. But, since this is really the only journal I keep these days I am still going to post our pictures of the demolition derby we went to with our friends a few weeks ago. I have never been to a derby before so wasn't really sure what it would entail. As you can see in the picture it's pretty much a bunch of crappy cars smashing each other to pieces. It is extremely entertaining and even more entertaining is the crowd it draws out!!! We got to watch 40 year olds making out like it was prom night, then there was the frozen t-shirt contest, enough said there, especially when many of the contestants were much too old to be baring their skin, and of course to top it off, the toilet seat toss. And then Caden who has been ANTI potty in every way, shape or form, all of a sudden decides he needs to go to the bathroom and of course they only have outhouses. I tried to blow him off several times, and Justin even told him to go in his diaper of all things, but he just wouldn't stop begging and to no avail we (I) would end up taking him to The "Biffy". I was really hoping this wouldn't ruin our chances of ever having him potty trained. But, being a boy, he of course loved every minute of it, and even asked me if he could linger around and look at his potty afterwards. Gross, no, you just can't stick around in that thing! As much as we loved Sharky and "Green Car" we are glad Captain Crunch won. Our friends brought their girls who weren't so sure about the whole derby thing, but I guess having a pink car made it all worth it.

Thrifty Mama

I love a good Thrifty experience! I don't know quite what it is that excites me about it so much, but I think it gives me a strange sort of high. It empowers me. I had this feeling especially after today while at the DI. It had been way too long since I had been there or any other thrifty place. In fact, it had been so long that I had forgotten how much I enjoy the moth-ballish antiseptic smell, the grabby customers snatching things directly from my basket and the greasy hangers. So, while we were there Caden out of the blue says "The guy on T.V. told us that we need to 'Come on down' today and buy a car for $199 dollars. He then continued with, "Muuuooom, the guy told us too!" I was blown away and a bit taken back by the impact commercials are obviously having on our children, at least mine? Well, Mr. commercial man and all the other people selling me your trash. I can buy junk at the DI for a lot less....$6.50 to be exact, and I don't have to go through buyers remorse. Of course, I have to admit I am still a bit consumerish sometimes and a sucker for toys too, so naturally we still ended up shopping (for Caden obviously) and he was in Hog heaven when I told him he could pick whatever he wanted today. I guess the good news is that I don't cave in to every commercial and I am sometimes frugal. Here are our fantastic finds from our little outing.

Oh the Places We Go

These pictures depict the places and ways we spend much of our time these days. It seems school is all a buzz at our house. Justin is thrilled to be studying after a nice long day of work, grad school & swim class.
Caden was slightly apprehensive about going to his new preschool class the first day. I don't have a 3 year old curriculum so Caden goes to his own little class twice a week and has been loving it so far. The first day (post picture moments) he came home ecstatic to tell me all about his new friends & his class. In his words he said "Mom, come sit down by me, I want to tell you all about my day!" So stinking cute! Then he proceeded to tell me all about something to do with a train, a game, a story, and painting. I am so happy he loves it! I am also happy his teacher was kind enough to let him still attend since he isn't potty trained as I had planned. It was a long and tiresome summer trying to achieve a diaper free life, but he is just not ready nor interested. He has become pretty proficient in the number 2 department, but nothing official. His laptop in the fourth pic. was something he worked hard to earn by going numba 2 in the potty several days. He loves to "going to work" with his laptop, going to his "dot com website" and "working online". I love to hear kids interpretations of the things adults do. FYI: Thrifty I may be, but I DO generally make a point of buying Caden articles of clothing that fit him and are stain free, I promise! This is his special shirt he was to wear the first day and it is the only size that was offered.


As for me, this is where I have been spending more time since I have started up another fun year of preschool. I have downsized to only one class twice a week with 2 hr. sessions, from previously having 2 classes. I have already noticed a huge difference in such a small change. There is much less prep work and set up for just one class which works out great for me and Caden. We love to play together & we get some extra time this year which has been really fun!

Cackles Forever...

How high would you think my expectations of Lagoon are? Well, since I grew up in Utah and we hardly let a year pass by without going to Lagoon at least once, I have EXCEPTIONALLY high demands of what a day at Lagoon should be. Well these were far and beyond surpassed last week! I went with some really FUN girls and had some very memorable bonding moments (It's nearly impossible not to bond riding the Music Express)! I knew it had been a great time when I came home with whiplash, a few drool stains, a raspy voice, sore stomach muscles from laughing, inspiration for a new and improved hair makeover (see below -this is kind of what I am envisioning), and of course some great friends & memories. I just don't think I'll ever be the same. Go Rasputia & Norbit! Love at first sight.

Caden to the Rescue...

This happened a while ago, but I thought I better post the story of how Caden saves the day so I can always cherish his tender moment. So, one day Caden happily comes in the room telling me this horrifying story of how his pickup truck caught on fire but the people are o.k. Whew, what a relief! He insisted on me coming to investigate. Well, I decided I had better humor him and go see what he had dreamed up this time. What I found on the scene was his green pickup truck full to the brim with the "water" that his "hose" had put out. I'll let you leave the rest of the story to your imagination. Good job Caden for a job well done... You are so awesome!