Back to Where the Trees are Green and the Air is Clean

I don't get to see my family very often these days. Especially since one sister lives in NYC, a brother is in Germany, another brother in AZ, and the rest of my siblings and my parents are in various cities in Oregon. So it was great to be able to spend time with my family in May.

Allie, my mom, and I had breakfast at Busick Court. Haven't heard of Busicks? Well, if you are ever in Salem, Oregon, you HAVE to go. Hey, Rachel Ray did.

The fam bam, minus Chris, Kyle, and Adam.

My CUTE parents. They are  my best friends. Man, I love them!

I'm not afraid to make the jump.

One of the things on my bucket list is to go skydiving. I especially wanted to do it before I have kids and more responsibility. My mother-in-law bought me a skydiving pass a few Christmas's ago and I finally got to jump when I was in Oregon last month.

This is a look of excitement and sheer terror mixed. Oh, and don't you love the orange jumpsuit. I look like I  belong to a prison street cleaning gang.

The plane is taking off!

This is the target in the landing area. I landed 3 feet away!

The scariest part is right when you jump out of the plane. When you are free falling, though, it just feels like there is a lot of wind.

Exit Altitude: 9800 feet

Freefall: 38 seconds

Average Speed: 135 mph

Maximum Speed: 141 mph

Coming in for a landing!

Landing!

With two feet firmly planted on the ground, and all I want to do is jump out of a plane again.

This is my friend Troy. He was the ONLY person who would go with me. 

This is our instructor. He was great. I had a great time. I want to go again!

I'm a Daddy's Girl.

I love my dad. He's been my biggest support, cheerleader, and adviser. He taught me how to ride a bike, took me camping every summer, and helped me apply for college. So this Father's Day, I just want everyone to know how grateful I am for him. He's really is the World's Best Dad. 

I love you Dad!

Towel Animals.

One of my favorite things about cruises is the cute towel animals that they put on your bed as part of their turn-down service. I wish I knew how to do them. Wouldn't this be fun to do for kids? Enjoy!

Swan.

Sea Lion.

We guessed that this was a either a snake or a bird. 

Joe loved the mystery towel animal.

Bear.

Another bird?

Bunny.

My favorite, the Elephant!

We went searching for the sun.

I know that I should have blogged about this a long time ago, but better late than never, eh?  In May, Joe and I went on a Mexican Riviera cruise. We had yet to go on a vacation with just the two of us, and our honeymoon was just two days at the beach. So, we thought it was worth spending our tax return on this getaway. We had seven lovely days on a cruise ship with no places we had to  be and no deadlines to meet. It was FANTASTIC! We stopped at Caba San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. Highlights of the trip include:

Swimming with dolphins

Kayaking with a glass bottom kayak

All you can eat soft serve ice cream (Joe made sure to take PLENTY advantage of this)

Playing mini golf on the ship

Sleeping in and not feeling guilty of it

Para-sailing over the ocean

Chillin' in the hot tub

Awesome shopping (Well, this was a highlight for me.)

Formal dress-up dinners

Meeting new friends

Wonderfully warm weather

Snorkeling in a coral reef and seeing the most beautiful fish

Reading the entire Hunger Games series

Getting an incredible massage

Zip-lining in the jungle canopy

Towel animals

All you want room service

Being able to spent wonderful time with each other

We had a wonderful time and are so glad that we got to take a break. The only downer was that it ended so soon!

The first day at sea was cloudy, but the weather got better as we traveled more south.

It was mother's day weekend so this guy made an ice sculpture of "MOM." It was cool to watch.

Our lovely room. 

We got a yummy pina-colada in this fun coconut monkey!

We saw this cute guy in Cabo San Lucas.

Our ship: Carnival Spendor

Lovers Beach in Cabo.

Supposedly this is a really famous arch. I thought it was pretty.

I'm not  a fan of salt water, but it was worth it!

Getting ready to go para-sailing! I think Joe was a little nervous.

We had a GREAT time. I hope we can go on another cruise someday!

Running, running.

I ran 2.5 miles tonight. I know that doesn't sound like a lot to some of you, but for me, that's exciting. The best part? My knee feels fabulous! It been really frustrating over the past two years when I would try to run a mile or two and not be able to walk the rest of the day because of my swollen and painful knee.  But, so far, that hasn't been the case this time and that makes me SO happy!! I've been running pretty consistently over the last few weeks and my knee hasn't bothered me once. Actually, the only time it was sore was after a long workout on the elliptical last week. Go figure.  After two years of nursing this hurt knee, I think the time has come where I can get back to running as much as I like. I am starting slowly though. I don't want to overwork it all at once and get hurt again. So for me, 2.5 miles is a good start.  Running makes me feel happy, good about myself, and like I accomplished something. Who doesn't want a daily dose of those things?

P.S. My friend Lauren has convinced me to train for a Ragnar relay in the fall. Yeah. The only thing that comes to mind is, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!!"

P.P.S. Another Bonus--My husband told me I look hot when I work out. Yeah, definitely going to keep this up!

Justice, finally.

I remember exactly where I was when the first plane hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. I  was an 18 year old freshman at BYU and was walking from my dorm room down to the Cannon Center to eat breakfast. A friend of mine was walking toward me and told me the news. I quickly went into the Cannon Center and joined the crowd gathered around the T.V., only to see the second tower being hit. I remember the tears running down my cheeks and how my heart hurt for all those on the planes and in the towers who were lost that day. That experience is what comes to my mind when I hear the word "terrorism." 

Now, almost ten years later, President Obama has confirmed that the man who orchestrated those attacks is dead. 

Osama Bin Laden has finally met justice.

I can't help but reflect on the teaching in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, about fighting against evil and secret combinations. I find it no coincidence that so much of that sacred book is dedicated to how to fight against evil leaders and evil groups, of which Al-Qaida is undoubtedly one. The following verse comes to mind:

3 Nephi 5:6

And thus they did put an end to all those wicked, and secret, and abominable combinations, in the which there was so much wickedness, and so many murders committed.

There is still much to do in fighting for freedom, truth, and righteousness.  However, the end of that evil man who has caused the murder of thousands of innocent people is good progress in that fight. I honor and am so grateful for all the men and women who have sacrificed their time and put their life on the line to fight against terrorism. 

They are heroes.

I am proud to be an American. God Bless the USA!