Visting Home-Kentucky!

In planning my husband-less summer I knew I wanted to head home to Kentucky for a few days to see my family. I lucked out and was there in between the heat waves so it was high 80's-mid 90's and gorgeous!

My parents are in the middle of a 3-4 month remodeling project of their kitchen (finally, my mom has been waiting ten years to do this), bathrooms, and family room. Up to this point my parents have re-done on their own all the bedrooms, living room, dining room, a bathroom and just finished updating the basement a few months ago. But now for the big stuff the pros were called in--- You name it, it is being done-raising the ceiling in the kitchen, moving lighting, plumbing, knocking walls down, and steam room shower, one of a kind cabinetry, moving sky lights, new doors, and so on! I think you get the drift that this place is getting a make over! I can't wait to see what it looks like when we go back at Thanksgiving--hopefully it's done!

When I walked in this is how the kitchen looked!!

We spent Saturday going to Louisville's Homerama where you walk through 20+ homes that were all custom built and decorated from top to bottom. You walk through, see all the latest design trends, get ideas about things that might look good in your home, see paint colors, different fabrics and materials, landscaping, and everything in between. This year it was at Norton Commons-where all the houses are 2-3 stories plus a basement! Needless to say walking in 20+ houses up and down each story--my calfs were so sore the next day!

Here are a few of the 2011 Homearama homes

Of course one of my favorite parts of the trip was seeing my nephews. They are so funny and are the best of friends. My mom planned a FHE that week about the pioneers and my dad told a story about one for our ancestors crossing the plains to head to Utah. So, my mom had the great idea to make a handcart with the boys. The LOVED it!

Here are the boys helping grandma figure out the proper height for the wiring

We all got to wear bandanas that showed we were all in the same family--just like the pioneers did. The little boys were the only ones who looked cute in theirs (which is why you don't see my picture here)!

Here the boys are ready to go out on the "Trek"

The boys all hot and sweaty after the Trek. I think I'll stick to riding inside the car in the background!

Liam wanted to be sure everyone knew he was strong enough to pull it himself.

Driving to the airport I saw this building---wow--I spent wayyyyy tooo much time here!

And lastly, I made it back to Phoenix--only to see this dust storm! No this wasn't the big 'haboob' dust storm that was all over the news--but don't worry I was in that one flying two weeks earlier! One thing about traveling so much this summer is that it has made me afraid to fly! Every flight was late, every flight was bad weather, and every flight I thought was going to lose my breakfast!

As always, such a great visit! Other highlights were seeing my good friend-Tasha, eating Grater's ice cream twice, staying up watching food network until the late hours of the night with mom, going to calypso cove with the little boys, seeing my family, and seeing all the green trees! Sure does make me homesick to fly back to AZ to see clouds of dust and brown blah! We will be back soon enough hopefully!

Temporary Home

Nick's temporary home this summer has been Freeport, Texas. I should use the word home more loosely as his tiny one bedroom apartment leaves much to be desired, but at least there is an end in sight---3 weeks! When he tells people that his apartment is on Avenue J the common response is, "You live in J block-wow!" I am so grateful that after my convincing Nick to live as cheaply as possible so we could save some money this summer-he agreed to live in an apartment where the monthly rent is a $100 less than his weekly stipend from work to live! It has been nice to save so much more money that we were anticipating this summer, however it is coming with some sacrifice on his part. Just let these photos doing the explaining.

The 'living room' -aka-Nick's office

Fully equipped with: a boom box, lap top, soap box for paper storage, and a camping chair

The Bedroom:

And people say I don't know how to rough it! I sleep on a cot every time I go visit! So romantic, right?!?

Fully Equipped with: "wood" floors, black-out curtain, comfy bedding, box fan, and even a walk in closet (not pictured)

The Kitchen:

Probably my most favorite part of this apartment (not!!)

Fully Equipped with: Cupboards that are painted/caulked shut, a leaky sink, no microwave, no handle to open the oven door, a fridge door that opens out so you can't get around it to get anything out, and a cockroach or two in the pantry.

Other features of this complex include: a laundromat infested by mosquitos at night, a pool that does have pool furniture out because it will get stolen, bars on the office window, and a rule that does not allow for two people to be standing outside together after 10pm or the cops will be called. At least the apartment door has two deadbolts and another lock that will only function if the door is just in the right spot!

It goes without saying that I think Nick will be more than excited to come home at the end of the summer, because I know I sure am every time I make the trip to visit him. Yes, the saying "Home is where the heart is"--is true, however home is also where you can be safe, be comfortable, and where you want to be! 3 more weeks---Yippee!

Vacation: Life on the Ship

So many great things about life on the ship that is deserves its own long post with lots of pictures. We wanted to be a part of all the ship had to offer (yes, the boys even went to the gym one day)! So here is a run down of what we did on those days at sea.

The Food: So let's start with the best thing!! Good thing the dieting happened before because the rumor that you gain a pound a day is true :( We had late seating at dinner which was not until 8:15, but it gave me time to try to be hungry after all I had consumed through out the day. You name, we ate it. The guys tried snails one night (I couldn't be convinced) and as you can see from the picture below you could have as many main courses as you like.

Here Nick is taking full advantage of prime rib and lobster tail!

The two of us at dinner

We splurged one night and ate at the Pinnacle Steakhouse on the very top deck of the ship. It was an extra charge per person, but worth every penny. It was very fancy and when we made the reservation they said to allow 2 and 1/2 hours for dinner!! No, the service was not slow, it was just that we ate so many courses! The four of us had a great time and Nick, TJ, and Michelle gave in to my sappy games that we played. For example, everyone go around the table and say what it is they love about the other person and where they see everyone in 5 and 10 years from now! Hah--I can thank my college girlfriends for those great suggestions. It was a lot of fun and made for a great evening of food and friends.

Nick and I enjoying our meal

Outside the Pinnacle Steakhouse

Now this is what I call a piece of cheesecake

Filet Mignon

Good Times

The StateRoom: We had a room that was right next door to TJ and Michelle which made it nice and convenient. Despite the bathroom being a little cozy the room was great. The bedding is the best part---oh so soft! No wonder at the end of the week they give you information on how to buy it for your own bed at home. I can't complain about having someone make your bed each day, turn it down at night, pick the towels off the floor, and tidy up for you.

The only picture I really had of the room

Loved walking in the door to see this

Day Time Activities: During the at sea days we occupied our time by laying out at the pool, playing bingo, playing cards, sleeping in, going to some of the games that the cruise director planned (like the newlywed game and battle of the sexes), and eating ice cream cones!

Waiting for B-I-N-G-O to start

Playing cards

Me with my not so lucky bingo card

Nick with his very lucky bingo card that made him a winner!

The Night Life: Never a dull moment could be the headliner for this one-especially with Nick and TJ on board this ship! I've always known how entertaining and hilarious my husband is, but this trip was a constant reminder of how fun he is to be around. Comedy show, kareoke, dancing, and the evening shows provided by the cruise ship kept us up in the early hours of the morning. These pictures don't do justice to show how entertained Nick kept us all. HAHA

Nothing like dressing like old man twins in Hawaiian shirts to keep the deck party rocking. Seriously my stomach hurts from laughing when I look at these just thinking about this night

Despite being somewhat embarrassed me the 'old men' at my side-Nick convinced me to break a sweat dancing

Don't worry the dancing continued in the night club too!

And I cannot fail to mention the 'country rap' Nick and TJ performed in the karaoke lounge that was sooo horrible. No really it was, just ask them

"I take your picture!" Everywhere on the ship photographers wanted to take your pictures in hopes that you would buy them. We take great pictures on our own for free if you ask me!

The Ship Celebrity: As I mentioned in an earlier post, Nick was selected the first day (after beating out several other men on his manly Tarzan call) to be the so-called ship celebrity for the week. Each night before the ships' main show in the "Spectacular lounge" (seats a 1,000+ people) he would go on stage, profess his love for me and then have to prove it by jumping up and down 3 times and doing a dance at the end. I have some great video of one of the 'performances' that I need to try to upload. Needless to say, by the end of the week all the passengers on the ship knew who he was and felt the need to shout out "Domenic, Domenic" anytime he was spotted. It was too funny, and I'm sure he loved all the attention from the little Asian ladies on board. On the last night the cruise director, Felipe, awarded him all his prizes for putting up with constant harassment (but, who am I kidding-Nick loved it).

Here Nick is on stage collecting all his goods

Pretty much anything that had Carnival written on it made it in his arms that night

I think this finally sums up the vacation posts! It only took me two months to get it completed. Such a great time we had with the Badger's. It was nice to not have our cellphones, email, or think about work/school for a second. Time to start planning our next vacation! :)

Vacation: Puerto Vallarta

The next port of call was Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on May 19th. We splurged and decided on all day adventure in the so called Mexican jungle! We got on an inflatable speed boat and headed toward the other side of the city, where the open air mercedes trucks were waiting for us.

Here we our in our life vests!

The ride in the trucks was 'fun'--it gave me an appreciation for the roads in the USA. Needless to say, if I didn't have back problems before that truck ride I would have had them afterwards--a little bumpy would be an understatement! We got to ride through the city and the farmland and laughed at how the animals would lay in the middle of the road and would not move out of the way! Lots of roadkill to be seen for miles.

Wanting to use all types of transportation on this excursion we hopped onto mules to carry us up the mountain. I hate to be the mule having to carry Nick! My mule was pretty well behaved thankfully I didn't have too many close calls of thinking it was going to throw me off the ledge of the trail.

Nick is showing this mule who is boss

Once at the top of the mountain--let the fun begin! We spent the rest of the day racing down zip lines, repelling down waterfalls, walking tightropes, and getting soaking wet! It was great, and we all agreed it was worth every penny! Here are a few of the great pictures that were taken. So many too choose from, but these made the cut for the blog!

Awesome day...more fun ahead!