Dinner At Communal

We had our 21st anniversary dinner at Communal, a very nice restaurant in Provo. We tried some things that we had never tried before, which was really fun for us. We had fried fish (with the head on), bone marrow on toast. Going out to eat with Dae is one of my favorite things to do. It was so great. I love you Dae. Twenty one years with you has been more than I could have hoped for. 

Pizzaria 712

Out for lunch celebrating our Anniversary...again! Really we can celebrate it whenever we want. We really love this place though. They have the best daily soups and pizza.

Our 20th Anniversary

Cancun~ Day 3 and 4

After I ate my omelet and banana, Dae was off to his security training. I on the other hand had some personal time to myself. Of course I would spend that time out in the sun. I watched as the beach was combed and groomed with tractors, back and forth...

Here are some of my favorite pictures that I took that day. My wandering shoes.

Together...

Hanging out on the balcony of our room. It had a HAMMOCK.

Getting ready for some crocodile hunting(scouting) before dinner. The kids really wanted to see a picture of a real one. We were told they were small. Still dangerous, but small.

We took some crazy videos of ourselves acting like the "crocodile hunter", accent and all, as we walked around the grounds looking and looking, which we sent to the kids later that evening. They got a crack out of watching us act like amateur actors.

Stopping for a break amidst our crocodile hunting, for a game of miniature golf. I am proud and NOT ashamed to announce that I WON. Here that? I actually won Damon at something that he is good at. Notice all the puddles in the course from all the rain??...That just made things more interesting.

Look at how cute he is in his river trip hat.

At the end of the day we came home crocodile picture-less. I guess all of them were hiding that day, except for this cute little one I found lying on the beach. He didn't even bite.

Later that day it became very windy and started to rain again. We ran back to the hotel as quick and we could, laughing and jumping over puddles the whole way. When I looked in the mirror, this is what I saw(the bottom picture on the left).

My HAIR reminded me of a "Who that lives in Whoville" or some kind of creature like that. I've decided short hair and bangs are definitely not for tropical weather. Without my hat, I was absolutely untamed just like a wild beast the entire trip.

Dae was laughing so hard at my hair that he made me stand against the wall to do a mug shot, just like a criminal. 

When he went out I fixed it and took another.

Which one, which one? 

A late night dinner at only the best restaurant available at the resort...all inclusive. The Riviera Maya. The thing I remember the most was the delicious fish cooked in banana leaves seasoned to perfection. Oh my. Goodness...

Going home on the 4th day. It was a short trip, but so worth it. Dae and I kept on saying to each other over and over, "I can't believe I was questioning whether or not to come". So I'll say it again...I'm so glad I came with him.

P.S. I searched for a hibiscus flower, that I admire so much, the entire time we were there and couldn't find one. Then as we were leaving I noticed one near the pools that was there hiding the entire time. I'm sure I passed by it more than 15 times and didn't notice. I will always remember our Hawaii adventure each time I see one.

Adiós hermoso Cancún. Next time I hope to know your language a little better, like you knew mine.

Cancun~ Day One and Two

Off for a short but exquisite trip to Cancun for a security conference aour 20th anniversary.

On our way...

When we finally got to the resort it was pouring tropical warm rain. A man drove us around in a golf-cart-like vehicle. He was so talkative and new English very well. He showed us the location of the "friendly" crocodile that lived in the swamp among them, inside the resort. It seems they all just leave it alone and it leaves them alone. Although there were signs all over the grounds warning tourists like us to "beware of crocodiles". Here that nice man is driving away after dropping us off at our room...

That evening looking out the window of our room was absolutely...magnificent.

The morning sun peeking around the corner...

The beautiful resort pool grounds. Well, a small portion of it anyway.

Kidding around inside the main lobby after breakfast.

We couldn't believe the weather. It was so perfect.

Lounging while listening to music.

We spent the day paddle boarding, hanging out at the pools, and just soaking up the sunshine.

Later that night, karaoke night in Cancun = watching drunk people try to sing on key = funny.

Honeymoon In Hawaii

Seventeen years ago you surprised me with a trip to Oahu Hawaii for our honeymoon. I couldn't believe it; it was a dream come true. I believe our favorite "outing" while we were there was the day we spent at Hanauma bay, which we had to get to by bus. I had never seen such a beautiful place in all my life.

Do you remember...

-That I sang quietly to you(Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You, by George Benson) on the bus drive there, in a very awkward setting, and for some reason it felt like we were alone?

-Remember how right when we got to the beach I had to go to the bathroom SO bad? Remember the echo through both the men and women's bathrooms, which contained no ceilings by the way, and you heard?...In fact, there was a long line of women waiting in line right after me as I stepped out of my stall. It was one of the most humiliating moments of my life.

-Snorkeling with all the rainbows of fish all around us and feeding them in the perfectly clear water?
-Remember how you talked me into snorkeling in the first place? How I was afraid that my eardrum would get infected and break?...Which it did a week later; but even so, I don't regret that experience with you one bit. It was amazing and so worth it.

-Remember how I almost had a panic attack because I thought you were going to die while swimming out by the reef and the tide? How I got mad at you and made you promise not to do it again?

-Remember how you were the camera savvy one, not me, that thought to take all the pictures?...I'm so glad you did.

-Remember how we almost missed the bus back to town because we were dawdling and didn't want to leave?

Other things I remember, that stand out to me, from our trip to Hawaii...
-One night we were walking back to the hotel after a day spent at the beach, when we got a little lost. It was raining lightly and the temperature was very pleasant. I remember neither of us cared how long it took us to get back; we were completely content to be there talking and walking together in the warm rain.

 -Hawaii has some of the strangest, most exotic trees I've ever seen called banyan trees, with roots growing all over the place. Leave it to you to climb in one for a picture!
-Remember Eggs-n-Things and the coconut syrup?

I would love revisit Hawaii and all it's beauty again someday. To map out territories that we left uncharted; I know there are so many more adventures to be had and much more we would love to see.
But in the end, it isn't Hawaii that I loved so much.
It was being there on an adventure with you.

When We Said Yes.

We sit alone together, both dressed in white, as we anxiously wait.

You're holding my hand.

Only in whispers do we speak.

The anticipation only grows with each moment, and I start to fidget with your watch.

It's time.

We walk in a room full of familiar faces, smiling eyes all on us.

As we are married, I turn towards you to meet your eyes.

I can "see" you.

I see that look that only I know...the promise that you are mine. That you are my soul mate, my best friend.

Suddenly, everyone in the room disappears from my consciousness...and it's only you there with me when we said "yes". by Annie

February 29, 1996