Here's me going down a zip line. We were actually instructed to position ourselves like this, so don't blame me for the goofiness of the photo.
Then, after spending a couple days in that area, we drove to the pacific coast and stayed there for a couple days. We went to a couple really gorgeous beaches, and to another beach where the waves were good, but the riptide was too strong.
Next to this beach, we went on a hike and saw a few sloths, monkeys, coatis, and agoutis; these last two things are basically day-time raccoons and long-legged guinea pigs.
So, it was a lot of fun. Here's a video of our tour guide going down the zip line at our first destination. He took our camera down with him, to get a video of what it's like. It was more fun than it looks. When he looks down, it's probably 500 feet to the ground (this one got up to 200 meters off the ground).
So when I got to the Derby, I weighed my car, and it came in at about half the weight allowed. So, I borrowed a couple weights off of one of the Elders (yes, the Elders were there, with pretty sweet cars too), attached some more weights to the top, and here's the final, intimidating product:
Sadly, after probably 4 hours of working on my car, it came in sixth. It at least got into the final round, but took last out of those cars. And it did better than others that obviously took even more time to create. Of course, what made it disappointing was that a guy who took his unpainted wood block, whittled down the front corners, and taped quarters on the back came in fourth. I want my Saturday back. Here's a picture of the competition, with the winning three cars closest in the foreground:
Try not to be jealous. I can't think of anything else right now and Dan wants to play Boggle so maybe I'll add some more later. If you're still reading this, you rock!
Look out, world!
That's right. Try not to be jealous! I have hereby been declared a VIT by Ben & Jerry's. "What does this mean?" you ask. Free ice cream? Free deals? Fame and fortune? Say as to what flavors should become a part of the Ben & Jerry's legacy? Oh, no, my friends. I'll tell you.
Sorry the picture isn't bigger. When I zoomed in, it got blurry... The guy who lived there before him was from France and one day I looked out to see him and his buddies having a bongo party. They were all just slapping their bongos while other people danced. He was pretty crazy but very entertaining as well. I hate to say it, but we're going to miss this place when we move this summer!
We stayed in C'ville for Christmas and New Years. Here's me doing something like Blue Steel with my beautiful Christmas stocking, which is about twice as big as Kristen's stocking. Santa got me lots of Reese's bells, which I've determined are not as good as Reese's minis. So now Santa knows for next year.
Here's Kristen with all of her Christmas loot. Note the birdseed on her lap. She seems to love telling people that I got her birdseed for Christmas. Maybe she's hoping that I'll feel sorry for her and buy her some more birdseed.
Then we went to St. George, Utah, for Kristen's sister's wedding. The luncheon was catered by the restaurant in this Holiday Inn. Congradulations Candice and Craig! Take luck with being married.
They got married in the St. George temple, which was really pretty, especially when the weather cleared up, and the sky was blue. It was nice to go to St. George, have some warm weather, and come back to C'ville where it's been in the 60s.
This is just another classy portrait that Kristen took of me outside the St. George temple. She always knows how to accentuate my good side. Thanks, Kriwten!
However, you've still gotta love Elaine. This image used to dance before. I don't know why it's not working. Try this. P.S. Sorry for the swear word.
First, Kirk (Kristen's brother) took us to the local overlook. It must be a pretty popular make-out spot, as all good overlooks are.
Then Kirk and Gretchen (Kristen's sister-in-law) took us out for some famous New Haven "apizza" (that's New Havenese for "pizza"). It was as delicious as it looks.
Then we went on a tour of Yale's campus with Kirk, where Kristen took lots of really nice artistic pictures, and we learned that hamburgers, frisbees, education, diversity, and pants were invented at Yale. Where would we be without those guys?! Summer barbeques would sure be boring, I can tell you that much! Yale really did have a beautiful campus.
We went down to New York City and saw the Statue of Liberty. It was impressive. I didn't know that you could no longer go up to her head inside the statute. You can only go to the pedestal on which she stands. Oh well. It was still cool.
Then we went to Times Square, which also seemed like a pretty good make-out spot, judging by all the making out we saw there. We also went to Rockefeller Center and saw where they do the Today Show, which was exciting. They had the Christmas tree up too, though it was surrounded by scaffolding.
And perhaps most importantly, I got to chase some geese, which was a real blast.
How could you not love this face? Dan's the best. He's fun, funny, happy, and a very loving a sweet husband. I'm so grateful for him everyday!
These guys are the best! I love them all so much. My family is just fantastic and we have so much fun together! It will be exciting to be "complete" as far as in-laws go come January, 2008! (Although he was welcomed into the family picture prematurely... Good thing things worked out!)
It's a beautiful place and I'm so glad that we've gotten to see so much of it. We're still quite a bit shy of seeing all 50 states, though. That's our next goal.
Those are just a few things that I thought of. I'm just grateful for this time of the year where everyone is so focused on what they've been GIVEN. We're really blessed.
Congrats, Katrina! You're going to be a great mom and I'm so excited for you!
