The Nice Witch and the Candy Corn

Halloween is not one of my favorite holidays.  Good thing I have kids to make me celebrate it.  And despite having a party pooper for a mom, they managed to have a great time. Of course, being kids, they wore their costumes the entire week before (I only had to wash them twice), and I must admit seeing them get so excited and worked up about Halloween made it fun for me.

We had our traditional pumpkin soup dinner and doughnuts and then the countdown for trick-or-treating began.... the kids thought it would never come! We were so excited about the forecast for trick or treating - mid 50's!!  This is California trick or treating weather!  You would actually be able to see their costumes instead of being hidden behind a coat (or tired to put on over the coats) - this is a first for Utah and I was thrilled.  But, literally, just as they walked out the door to go - it starting raining!!  So on went the raincoats and up went the umbrellas.  I was totally bummed, but they didn't seem to mind and they were still so excited and happy the entire time.  Their trick-or-treating was cut a little short, which I was fine with because it means less candy for them (and less candy for me to sneak out of their pumpkins! What!? I would never do that!) :D

Grandma and Grandpa came over to see the kids and stayed after they were in bed for a game night (and more doughnuts, of course).  We learned that my mom has been the secret expert on the card game "Spades" all this time - who knew she has a fail proof strategy!!  Funny!  (I guess you had to be there)...

So, when all was said and done it was a great Halloween night.  Still, I am glad it is over!

Cancun

OK, I am finally ready to talk about it.  

Cameron and I took a trip to Mexico a little over a month ago, and I am just now ready to revisit some of those memories.  Don't get me wrong, we had a great time during the first part of the week, but the last part was a different story.  This is a family blog, so lets just say we picked up an authentic, free, Mexican souvenir - and we are not talking about a giant sombrero.  After 5 days of misery, I couldn't bare to even look at the pictures and the thought of returning to Mexico was like torture!

The PTSD is slowly passing, and although I am not ready to return, I can at least talk about it and post some pictures.  Baby steps, right?

When we arrived, we were thrilled to find that we had been upgraded to an ocean front suite.  It was sweet!  We had a  huge gorgeous balcony that overlooked the pool and beach and we could hear the waves and watch the sun rise over the Caribbean every morning (well, I would watch it, Cameron slept right through it every morning - how, I don't know - the sun was SO bright). 

The ocean was beautiful and warm - and basically ours.  We unknowingly went during the off season, and we felt like we had the place to ourselves.  So nice!

One day we took a day trip out to a little island called Isla Mujeres to do some snorkeling and shopping.  Cameron got to play Steve Irwin or Jacques Cousteau (or whoever) and swim with the sharks.  This is where we also learned that if you would like to use a public bathroom, hand over the pesos, and if you would like toilet paper  - more pesos.  Soap to wash up after?  That's right, more pesos.  Interested in drying your hands?  Well, you get the idea.  And the bus drivers don't speak English, or even understand Spanish spoken with an English accent.  Just so you know.

We loved the view from our room, this picture doesn't do it justice (and the picture was so dark I had to adjust it so you see that it really was us).  We were enjoying ourselves and then.....

(don't worry, I don't have any pictures of the rest of the week to share - I am still trying really hard to forget those memories)!

Mexico.

Mission Accomplished!!

A lot of you have been asking, and I am so sorry I am so slow at posting, but HE DID IT! And in record time, no less! Ryan rode into Huntington Beach last Friday after going nearly 800 miles in 11 days!! WOW! We are so proud of him and hope he gets the much needed (and deserved) rest and relaxation!
Cameron was able to ride next to him for a few days when he was in Utah, and despite the wind and cold, he had a great time. And he managed to get a few pictures too! I am proud of you sweetie! :D




At one point during the ride, they were going through some tiny town and passed an elementary school. All the kids came running out to the fence and were clapping,screaming and shouting encouragement. They both said it was so cool and uplifting to see the support of strangers. Now where is the picture of that?? ;P

Congratulations Ryan! We love you and are so proud of you!!

Ryan's Invictus Tour

After 2 years of training, Cameron's brother Ryan started pushing his hand cycle on Tuesday morning from Salt Lake City to Huntington Beach, California. Why, you ask? Well, because he is an amazing dude. And it has been a goal of his for years, he is honoring a late friend, and he is hoping to raise money for charities along the way (not to mention breaking a world record). He is planning on riding 70 miles a day for 13 days straight! We are all quite amazed at this feat and his determination. We wish him the best! If you are interested in finding out more, catch updates on the ride, or to donate to one of his charities, visit his website: invictustour.com
We love you Ryan! Be safe and best of luck!
(Sorry about the commercial you must watch to get to the video. :-( There is no way around it)