Eight Down, A Million To Go...

This week Rusty and I celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary on June 30th. Sometimes it is strange to think it has 'only' been 8 years, since we have technically dated for over 12... Anywho. I thought it would be funny to list 8 things I never thought growing up I would EVER do or try---and thanks to my sweetheart I have not only done, but loved, mostly...

1. Swimming with dolphins. Rusty took me to Miami last year, it was so much fun. Just the two of us for 5 days. Nothing better. I am not going to lie. I totally screamed and freaked out right before we got in the tank, but by the time it was our turn to ride them I was all in it. I even kissed the cute little, fish smelling thing. We also held alligators that trip, I was breaking all kinds of barriers!
2. Visiting Disney World. Hey, that may not seem like a big thing, but I only went to Disneyland once as a child, so getting to go to Disney World for 8 days was amazing. It was so fun to ride all the rides and have Rusty let me buy all the stupid nick-nacks I couldn't live without. I think the best part though, was watching Braden experience it all.
3. Lake Powell. I know I just posted this, so you are thinking, What? But I get very, very motion sick, in cars, planes and especially boats. So for me to not only go to Powell, but LOVE it and look forward to it, shows just how much fun we really have (and how great Dramamine is).
4. Biking down a volcano. Ok, so technically, this was before we were married, but it still counts. Rusty took me with his family on his senior trip to Hawaii (BAMSanFran, I don't wanna hear it) and while we were there we biked down the Haleakala. I can't say I was looking forward to it, but I did enjoy it-after.
5. Babies. Ok, so of course I didn't aim to be single and never have kids, but what I didn't expect was that for one; how hard it would be for me to actually get pregnant (both times). And secondly, how much I would hate every minute of each pregnancy. I am NOT one of those lucky girls who has no problems in pregnancy, and looks great the whole time. I eat and puke, I think about food and puke, I sleep and wake up to puke. The ENTIRE nine months. I truly believe that Rusty is the single person on this Earth that is capable of understanding my quirky needs and ensuring I endure the pregnancies. I really think he would take my place if he could. It think that's why I love the actual birth so much- it means I am DONE.
6. Skiing. If you are cringing because you know I grew up in the ski-nation of Utah, with a family condo at a Snowbird Ski Resort, so sorry. I actually never learned to ski until I was 18 and a long time Arizona resident. Of course, Rusty grew up skiing so when we went, he skied backwards showing me what to do. I guess when Braden picked up snowboarding at 4 years old, I shouldn't have been shocked.
7. All things sports. Not that I am not a sports fan, I just would prefer to do other things, given the choice. Thankfully, through his persistence I have learned to love watching football, basketball, baseball and even (gasp) Nascar. Thanks to Rusty I have watched more games from the suites at Chase Field than I have seen from the seats. I have even watched a game from the pool (remember that?). I have even been to the World Series Game 6 the year the D-Backs won.
8. Traveling. I never thought as a kid, "I would love to go to on a cruise through Europe." For two reasons, the flight and the boat. I used to hate the 90 minute trip to Utah! But again, Rusty grew up flying everywhere, big planes and small (I cannot tell you my happiness that his family sold their plane before I ever had to ride in it!!!) so he has been so encouraging about getting me in the friendly skies. Slowly we have worked me up to longer and longer flights, so I really don't hate flying anymore. I can hardly believe the trip we have been planning for over 6 months will be over before school starts! Italy, France, Greece, Croatia, Spain-here I come! I really think once I have this trip under my belt, I can go anywhere! But I won't lie, the Zanax & Prozac help a lot too...

Rusty, thanks for opening my eyes to new things, for making those things not so scary and for not laughing when I still think they are terrifying! Despite all my worrying and planning, I know we will have the trip of a lifetime! Thanks for putting up with me for all these years, and still loving me despite how well you know me! Happy Anniversary! I can't wait to see what gifts we buy each other on the trip...

Lake Powell Trip...

*** New photos added to the slide show!!! Including the boys on the wakeboard!***

We just got back from 5 fun days at the Beck's houseboat on Lake Powell. Although it was a shorter trip than usual we packed just as much fun into our time there. We even got to see the other Beck's (Rusty's uncle Ron's family was there too) as well as running into a couple other old friends. For such a big lake, we were pretty lucky to see anyone we knew! I don't have all the photos from every one's camera's yet, so the slide show will be updated again tomorrow, so check back. Braden loves tubing and is getting braver and braver. He thinks standing while tubing is fun. Next summer he will be ready for wake boarding. He and Rusty wake boarded together again this year and he loved every minute of it. Poor Berkley was running a fever of 103 for nearly two days, on and off, so he is much happier to be home and in his own bed! Big HUGE HUGE thank-you's to Kelcie and cousin Meredith for being my saving grace on the car ride home and on the boat. We learned a few new card games, 'Ten' as well as 'Hand & Foot' and brushed up our skills on Rummy, BS, Hearts, and our favorite Nertz. Jill and I have decided we really need to play cards more than once a year, because we have so much fun. Oh, and I even helped catch a fish-with a net, not a pole- at night! Me! I know! So Bill did most of the work but I held the flashlight to blind the fish so he wouldn't know he was swimming right for a net! Berk and his little cousin Jaci were full of tricks to keep us on our toes. From making the back deck their hang out zone, to showing they are smarter than we think at opening the latched gates to the water below. I was quite proud of my Magiver move of using a straw to keep it closed! Hah hah little ones! I wish we had been there longer but I am glad to be back in A/C again. We hope to make atleast one more weekend trip this fall. I am glad to be back and trying to get all ready for the big trip next month!

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Personal Space...

Both of my boys have always been cuddly boys. Braden's favorite pastime still includes snuggling and watching TV. But Berkley has taken this to a whole 'nother level and I think that he has confused cuddly with clingy! I think it is time he learns what personal space is... and while I know one day I will long for the days of snuggle time, right now I just wish I could do the laundry without him ON the washing machine. Or blow dry my hair, without him IN the sink. Or use my computer without him At my feet!See Berk, Yaz is ALREADY in the stroller and there isn't room for two!
Just an average TV watching position.
Staying close while Mom tries to nap on the couch. Close close, as in ON my face...
Watching intently Braden play his DS.

Help and hinder must be another interchangeable word in Berk's vocabulary...

So, What's the deal???

Ok, honestly. What is the deal with laundering swimming towels. My loads of laundry nearly double in the summer because of all the towels we use in our backyard pool. That's double the time, double the folding and double the heat from the dryer in an already hot house. Thankfully, we do have the pool to keep us cool and entertain the boys. And most days this summer, we will be in it a few times a day. That's just a ton of towels...

So, I wanna know, what is the point of washing and drying swim towels when they are just going to get wet, and dry all over again (and again and again)!? I really don't see a good solution to this problem anytime soon... Fabreeze maybe and waiting and washing them in September???

Speaking of swimming... I am planning another pool party playdate at my inlaw's house soon. It is a come one come all thing, so if you wanna know the details shoot me an email or leave a comment. We had a good time last year, swimming and eating pizza. I will be sending an email out soon , but I am thinking the week of the 23rd of June. In case you haven't seen their 'teeny' pool here's a sneak peek...

Oh, but bring your own towels, cause Heaven knows I am not gonna wash all those!

What a Difference a Decade Makes...

The Gang's are all here!
Let the crazy start!Well, last night was my big Ten Year High School Reunion. It was a lot of fun. (Steph, we missed you tons, but moving here this week makes it ok- I guess...) Before the reunion even started we had a few get together's of our own. Friday, we had a pool party and the kids had a great time. Thanks Summer & Kendee, for putting it together- it was so much fun! I forgot to take any photos though, my fading sunburn will have to serve as proof...

(Summer, Katie Z, Katie T, Kendee, Brit, Amy, Alison, Ketsy, and I)

Saturday, we started off the day with a girl's breakfast at Cracker's n' Co. We laughed, chatted, and caught up on our lives-- not to mention the yummy breakfast! Brooke H, you still crack us up and we are glad you got there in time to visit at the end!

After breakfast, Rusty's dad and sister were going to take us to the lake, for a little pre-Powell trip, but by 11am the lake was closed (too many boats already), so we opted for swimming at home with the Burkinshaws.

Our reunion was held at the Pavilions at the Phoenix Zoo. We had a good turn out in my opinion, considering my graduating class was close to 900 students, I bet there were almost 300 people there.

Court, Brooke H, Summer, Beth, Katie C, Alison, Kendee (& Maile), Katie Z, and me. Jami Baker & I, this lovely girl introduced me to Rusty! Thanks forever for that one...
Me, Ami, Cara & Brit. These girls and I go back to elementary school days...

I swear - I thought I took a ton more photos, but I guess not. I hope I get some by email in the coming days...(hint hint) Big props to all our hubbies who came, and didn't even gripe when we left you all at the table to gab away, again and again... Glad you all got to bond and stuff... Even bigger props to Rusty & Steve, who didn't even go to their own reunion last year, but came to ours anyway... A few funny memories of the night include Brooke H's crazy dance display during the game, somethings really never change, do they? I laughed and laughed when the girls were trying to remember, sing and preform the Fight Song. I will hold the video as ransom for something good someday (wink). Honestly, you know way more people remembered it and pretended not to. Shoot, chorus and/or cheer engraved it in our brains? Right?

Rusty and I had to stand at the front for being HS Sweethearts, but it was worth it, I got Sweet Tarts & Sugar Babies and some mardi gras beads as a prize. Kinda funny, that they gave Runts to all the 'Sleeping with the Enemy" couples--people from Mtn View who married someone from one of our rival schools. I was surprised by the number of people I did remember, and annoyed by the ones I recognized, but couldn't name. I may have to bust out my yearbook and solve a few mysteries. I think the funniest was just the amount of people that commented to either Rusty or I about the fact that we actually ended up getting married. I guess the two years we dated in HS was enough to convince them! It was nice though. I love that I got to see a few people I have not seen since graduation, meet their spouses and hear about their lives. It is amazing how far spread across the U.S. we are-California to NY! Honestly, it is crazy to think that we are old enough to be Doctors, Lawyers, Dentists--ect. If you were there, I am so happy we caught up and if you weren't, you have better go to the next one! Go Toros...

Catching Up...

So I am trying not to think to much about my trip and just enjoy the summer. New plan. Stress less... I have been told time and time again that if I worry too much before the trip I won't enjoy it, and I would hate that! I appreciate all the tips and I plan to use them all! Anyway, I had to share a few photos from the end of the school year and soccer season.

Getting his soccer trophy. He ended up becoming quite a little soccer player. He even shot the ball a couple times and came so close to making a goal. He stopped nearly every goal that came his way when he played goalie.

We had a fun time with all the families from the team.
They were such a fun group.
We played at the park, did awards, had a little dinner. A great time.

The whole team, we are really excited that nearly half the team has already signed up for next season-with Coach Rusty!

The last day of preschool with buddies Lincoln & Ryan.

More buddies, Rylee Schild and Payton Van. He wants me to call them everyday!
(How fun is it that my kid got to go to school with the niece and nephew of two of my HS friends?)

And with his AmAzInG teacher Miss Christine. I honestly can not imagine Braden making it through 3 years of preschool with any other teacher. This woman is the most patient, more caring woman ever. She has more patience with kids then I have ever met. Maybe that's why I drove over 15 miles each day to get him there, and why after teaching for so many years, she now has a second generation of students! She even taught Rusty's sister and brother. Braden has learned to read, do math, and realize what an amazing soul he is. Shoot, he even learned to ride a bike without training wheels there. It is a Montessori program and he does so well helping the younger kids learn. I really have no idea what I am going to do when he goes to a new school for Kindergarten in the Fall! Luckily I have a few more weeks before we have to say good bye for good--or until Berkley starts...