Loa Here We Come

Leaving to Loa, UT to visit these guys

What you've never heard of Loa?! Maybe this will jog your memory.

The booming metropolis of Loa

Still nothing? Don't worry you're not alone.

According to Wikipedia...

As of the census of 2000, there were 525 people, 165 households, and 134 families residing in the town. The population density was 595.5 people per square mile. There were 203 housing units at an average density of 230.3/sq mi .

I don't know if they'll have room for us. It seems as though every square inch is taken, oh well, we're going!

See ya Monday!

Reunion with an Old Friend

I have always loved Mexican food, especially burritos. Prior to being pregnant I would crave these babies all the time. People are always asking if I'm having cravings. My answer-no, if anything I'm turned off by most foods sadly, even my beloved burritos. I eat because I need to. (That is so no me)

Last week John mentioned going to Chipotle and because the thought didn't make me dry heave I was game. I almost didn't want to order anything for fear of disappointment but I bit the bullet and got my usual chicken burrito with black beans and rice, hot salsa, and cheese.

It was good, not like I remember it but these things take time. I was able to keep it down and am looking forward to my next date to Chipotle or Qdoba. Things are looking up in the food dept.

Catalina

Last Friday we spent all day in Catalina. It was glorious. The weather was perfect and the company grand.

One of our main reasons to go to Catalina was to snorkel. They have a dive park off the bay. Visibility was pretty good and we saw quite a few fish. Nothing like the Caribbean or Hawaii but never the less it was fun.

Snorkel gear is a good look for us

We attempted to smile while masked up. My thin white lips just could not pull it off, I look in pain or deformed. John on the other hand is rockin it.

Us at the top of the casino overlooking Avalon bay

Apparently the most asked question of the casino guides is why it's called a casino when there's not one gambling table, deck of cards, or slot machine in sight. Well the word casino pre Las Vegas was defined as a building or room used for social amusement. It has since morphed in meaning to include gambling. Now you know.
Inside the theatre which is still in use today.

I was loving the art deco designs of the casino.

After lounging on the beach we rented bikes and rode around. I loved my orange beach cruiser! It even had a basket!


We failed to get a picture of us on the way there so on the way back we asked a priest standing near by on the boat to take the picture...it's a little blurry but you get the idea.

Good bye summer

Called to Serve

My cousin Dustin got his mission call last night! He's going to Tallahassee, Florida! We're so stoked for you Dustin and can't wait to come up for your non farewell farewell soon.

The Evolution of Casper Part I

Week 8-ish


14 weeks

Anyone want to lend me maternaity clothes?

There is No Adjective to Describe Him

So I've been a little preoccupied lately. You see I met this guy and we've been getting together every night for the past week. He is so amazing and I've been replaying the events from the week over and over again. Don't worry, John's even getting in on the action.

I tell ya I'm obsessed with this guy, and his abs:)

Please Micheal stop wearing the full body suits.

I prefer to see this....

GOOD...

BETTER...

BEST...

After a DTR we've decided to split up. Don't get me wrong it was an amazing week but we need some time apart, say 4 years, then we'll see how things are.

Catching Up

July 23-26 Beach Camping in Carlsbad! It's was my grandma Matern's 80th birthday/family reunion!


July 28-30 Business trip to Fremont

July 30-August 3 Jex Family Reunion in Napa

August 5-7 Girls Camp

What that adds up to is 7 nights on an air mattress, 3 nights in a hotel, and a grand total of 75 hours at my home in two weeks.

I have been such a slacker when it comes to my blog and taking pictures. Hopefully things will start to slow down.

First, the beach...

My cousin Rheann and I. She lives in GA so it's always a treat when I get to see her. We always have fun together hopefully next time it won't be so short.

My adorable cousin Olivia

And her equally adorable twin brother Sean. I had so much fun with these two.

Collin was buried in the sand. The boys used a shovel to dig a really deep hole and making it impossible for Collin to get out. The waves were coming so they showed mercy on him.

We stopped by the outlets on our way home. I also got a treat from the Godiva store. It was a cup of delicious chocolate/caramel ice cream goodness. I think next time I would go for just the plain milk chocolate. FYI it tastes so much better going down than coming up.

On our way home we saw this schnazzy automobile.

Next was the Jex reunion in Napa. We spent Friday at the lake. I went tubing but don't worry it wasn't a crazy ride sadly. I just couldn't sit in the boat and watch any longer so they let me ride the tube back to camp. Can't wait til I can wake board again next year.

Saturday we just swam, played games, ate shave ice, and hung out with everyone. Kerilynn and Cory broke out the face paints. I wish I would have got more photos of their artwork. These will have to suffice...

My cousin's daughter Smara

Can't remember the relations but she wanted a worm.

and Jr.

"Why so serious?"

Last Saturday John and I wanted to do something fun. We decided on a day trip to Catalina to snorkel however we failed to call and make reservations on the shuttle so they were all sold out. Too bad we had to find that out minutes before we were leaving our apt. We quickly changed our plans and drove up to the Ventura county fair. It was fun! The weather was fantastic and just perfect for looking at all the livestock and 4H kids, checking out all the cool info-mercial/flower/gem/collection/everything you could think of exhibits.



One of the main reason I go to the fair is for the food. It was hard to decide what to get. I really wanted some BBQ corn but didn't have floss and wasn't going to deal with kernels in my teeth all day. I wasn't feeling the turkey legs/pork chop on a stick/ huge slab of meat either. We finally decided to try the famous Pinks hot dogs. We ordered a chili cheese dog to split.
That looks so gross. I wish I could say looks are deceiving but truthfully it wasn't that great. The chili was over the top greasy (which is to be expected considering it's fair food) but the kicker was really the hot dog. The casing was so thick you couldn't bite through it. So every time we would take a bite it would squeeze the "meat" out of the middle of the dog but the casing would remain so we had to try to rip/nibble it off-gross.

John's treat- a caramel apple and mine-a juicy pickle

Yum Yum Yum

We got a funnel cake. I personally believe that all must purchase and consume a funnel when going to the fair or Knott's Berry Farm. We went with the Bavarian creme/raspberry topping with powdered sugar and whipped cream.

I justified all these purchases with this logic:

1. I am probably going to throw it all up anyway
2. I don't normally eat this crap
3. I've been walking all day and actually all week at girls camp (not to mention I swam a few laps too)
4. We're at the fair. This is what you're supposed to do. right? right?
   

After the fair we hit up a local beach where I crashed. John thought it was hilarious that I was propping my head up on the chair.

To all you nay sayers this method totally works. It allows one to breath without getting the kink in your neck from twisting your head to the side.

Proof that we were at the beach...my feet are the ones on the right Kevin.