We visited the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics ski jumping and sledding events (bob-sled, luge and skeleton). The big fun there was a zip line that ran the entire length of the longest jump - Weee!
Cheryl and I really wanted to get outdoors and this was our chance. We walked out of the resort and right onto a dirt service road that led up the nearest ski mountain. We followed these service roads most of the way to the top. It was a LOT of uphill hiking, but it was rewarding to say the least. Amazing views and probably the most fun part - just enjoying it with Cheryl.
Utah is an outdoor enthusiasts dream land - amazing national parks with stunning sights. Although the biggest and best parks were several hours south of us, we planned from the beginning to go see at least one of these parks. Arches seemed the mosted doable, so we got up really early (5am!) and gt on the road. The drive alone was incredible - mountain passes, high deserts, waterfalls .... WOW!
The park, though was the best part. Enter by switch-back road into an absolutely phenomenal menagerie of sandstone spires, fins and arches. Strange shapes everywhere and most of them towering over you hundreds of feet in the air. We got out and hiked a short trail to see the "Delicate Arch" and were blown away by the view and the surreal immensity of the arch. After dinner in Moab, we drove home in the dark and slept well!
I was not the guy in HS that all the girls wanted to date. In fact, I distinctly remember that my brother, Matt, had more success with the girls in my class! (Love ya brother - I'm not bitter!) When I met Cheryl and began falling in love and began realizing that she was the first one that 'got me' (and didn't run), I began the most amazing relationship of my life - the one with my wife. I never could have imagined what this would be like. I knew early on that I was a family man, and really struggled in my mid-20's giving that part of my life to God when all my friends were marrying. But he knew what he was doing and blessed me with Cheryl just as soon as he had done what he needed to get both of us ready for it.
Today is our 7th anniversary. Wow! 2 kids, a house and a dog - we are living the dream. Having these years with my wife is more of a blessing than I can even communicate. She is more than half of who I am! The most exciting part is knowing that she is the one for the rest of this journey.
Wow - what a great weekend. We took the singles group out to a local lake and enjoyed the day waterskiing and riding on two jet-skis. Let me tell you - these were no ordinary jet-skis. These were the high-end kind. ...The high-end, blow your hair back kind. ... The high-end, 0-60 in close to 3 seconds, rocket across the water at 70 mph, fear for your life, "man, I wanna buy a jetski" kind. I haven't been blasted forward like that since riding the Greased Lightning at Astroworld as a kid. Wow.
Sorry, babe, but for my next birthday you've got it easy!
Cheryl did a great job describing all the details, and it really was a fun day. I thought I might add my perspective a bit though! Cheryl loves birthdays. She does. Birthdays are an important event to her and it is a level of importance that has been an area where I have been challenged to adapt to. Last year was her big Three - O! We were all a tad violently sick, but the truth is that I didn't really plan like I could have to celebrate it in a big way. I really wanted not to make that mistake this year. For comparison's sake, when I turned 30, Cheryl took me to Fiesta Texas for the day and brought me home to a big surprise party with all of our friends. It was awesome! I was pretty ashamed after last year. My wife really deserves much more. She deserves this everyday!
What would you do if you came across a very realistic looking rubber cockroach? Cheryl and I were confronted with this dilemma recently when she bought the decorations for Isaac's "Bug" themed birthday party. Of course, we did what any other normal loving couple would do and showed to the other laughing about how funny it would be to mistake that for the real thing.
Right after new year, Isaac and I had a special guys night - one we've been planning for quite a while. We went out for fish! I love fish - we grew up often eating fish that we or a friend had caught. We ate catfish, bass, perch, the occasional variety of fish that dad would catch off shore on a trip with his coaching staff.
Then it was off to the Bahamas. We've missed the warm tropical sands that we walked on our honeymoon, so what better occasion to visit them, than our anniversary. We were feeling adventurous and had lunch while dangling from a parasail! No one had ever tried that before and our success drew another crowd. I, ever sensitive to my wife decided to find some place quieter. We strolled along this beach and laughed while we made 'sand angels' with noone but the waves to watch.
To wrap up the day, we flew up to New York City for a Broadway Show. Grease was opening with Max and Laura as Danny and Sandy and after watching them all season on "You're the one that I want!", it only made sense to be there. We dined in a small restaurant on the water by the light of the skyline and took this picture.
Can you believe it?! I always suspected that Cheryl would really enjoy blogging if she tried it. I was right...MAN, was I right! At first, I was impressed, but now I'm downright intimidated! hehe - Seriously, I have really enjoyed not only reading Cheryl's blogs but seeing her get so excited about it! If you haven't seen what she has been doing, give it a look at:
