We're BaaaaAAAaaaaack!

Back from our oh so fun trips and back from our blogging hiatus

(I don't think we've ever gone this long!)

We've been doing a lot of fun things so far this summer so bare with us as we share them with you because it's going to take a few posts and lots of pics to catch you up to speed.

First up - our trip to Utah and Cali

WARNING THIS POST CONTAINS LOTS AND LOTS OF PICS!!!

What would a visit to Utah be without Cafe Rio? We love that place and went more than once. I actually went to Utah before Shayne while he took his finals, so I was able to catch up with some of my best friends (I cheered with these 3 girls) Richelle and her cute son Jack, Sarah and Bo, it was so fun to see you guys!

My good friend Adam Archer (he was also our SBO President in highschool) was having a surprise bday party and I was just lucky enough to be there for it. It was like a mini highschool reunion since I hadn't seen some of these guys since highschool, almost 10 years now - wow!

April, Adam and Pat I go way back with these 3 - we all used to be in a singing group together (I think since we were 9y old) - such great memories!

Kia and Killi I love these dogs (my parent's) and miss them so much! I miss having big dogs!! Sherri headed to Cali with her fam, we've made it a tradition to go every summer - Shayne was still stuck in Ohio studying (good job babe!)

First stop Oceanside Sherri's parents own a timeshare this isn't the best pick but it looks so pretty at night!

Sherri's family has a fun time goofing around, who doesn't! This is her silly little bro Darren doing his raptor impression!

Thought you only saw this many bubbles in the movies - think again! This is Sherri's other little bro Scott messing around, he wanted to see how many bubbles he could make - apparently a lot!

Sherri's sis - it was so fun to be able to be with her for a little bit. She had to leave Cali early to go to El Salvador where she is volunteering doing humanitarian work, good job Dados!

We definitely did a lot of this - we absolutely love the ocean and the weather was awesome! Isn't this just the picture of paradise? I love palm trees they are the best!!

This guy was hilarious, just out on the beach like noone was watching, practicing his karate! He was very entertaining and kept us busy for awhile! More of this!! Yay, Shayne finally caught up with us after all his hard studying. We headed up to Huntington Beach, possibly our favorite spot! Medieval Times If you've never been we'd highly recommend it, it's very entertaining. It is a dinner show with live jousting and sword fighting. You sit at long tables like this and watch the show. The food is even midieval - cornish game hens Some yummy soup - no utensils, you eat everything with your hands Each section cheers for their own knight - ours was the Blue Knight He didn't win but he put up a good fight We both caught a flower that the Blue Knight threw to us. What are the chances we both got one, he didn't throw that many! Guess he knows a good cheering section when he sees one! There is a torture museum you can walk through before dinner starts. It was pretty interesting and some of it was really gross we decided to just put this one pic up because it was extra disturbing to Shayne If you can read this (double click on the pic and it will make it bigger) you can see why it would bother a future dentist, makes me hurt just reading about it. Honestly, did people really used to do this kind of sick stuff?

Click on this link if you want to see a video of what we experienced - so fun! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfPKwQmFGuk

Shayne was finally able to get some R&R in after all his hard work

We love walking on the piers, there's just something about it! This particular day we were watching all the surfers from above, man are they good! This was the view from our timeshare, isn't it awesome. Seeing as Shayne has become quite the golfer as of late every time he looked out the window it made him mad he wasn't out there. There are some definite must haves that we always partake of when we are in Cali. I don't think I can count how many times in this one trip we went here, as Shayne would say, "Delicious"!

Another must is Wahoo's - we introduced my family here for their first time. I'm pretty sure they'll be coming back with us now every year!

We headed down to Tijuana for a day so Shayne could go back to his Mexican roots!

"Yo Quiero Taco Bell"

We wanted to bring home our own taco bell dog from Mexico, isn't she cute!

Only 100 pesos but we resisted!

What do you think, should we move to Mexico to practice?

If you know Shayne, he is always eating, so of course we couldn't miss out on all the great authentic mexican food. The restaurant owner here actually gave us the recipes for some of his food we are excited to try them!

More great food (according to Shayne anyway). This is a fruit called jicama and chips, to the normal person they are great but then Shayne smothers them with chile sauce (a very popular thing in Mexico) and they are disgusting. Who the heck puts chile sauce on fruit? Shayne couldn't get enough!

What would the great food be without something to wash it down, happy hour was 3 for one drinks so of course at that price we had to get one of every kind!

Good thing we didn't drive in, this was only half the line at the border!

We couldn't go to Cali and not pay a visit to THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!

Sherri had to chase Minnie down that woman is popular!

We loved the new Nemo submarine ride!

And of course Indiana Jones, Sherri always has to drive!

Matterhorn - need we say more! We always love the rides that take your pics, some of the faces are priceless! (These shots didn't turn out the greatest cause it's a pic of a pic but still fun) And of course, more food! Turkey legs for all - even Sherri and her mom had one.

They were greasy but worth it! Apparently there is this private(hidden club), Club 33 at Disneyland. We found the hidden door but couldn't get in, hmmm wonder what's inside?

The Blue Bayou

This is the restaurant in the Pirates of the Carribean ride we went with our friends Dan & Holly. It was really good food (yes we are eating again) and such a fun atmosphere!

Hmmm where to next?

California Adventure!

Hollywood Tower Of Terror is the best ride there! Again pics are the best!

Shayne was in heaven, we went to the tortilla factory where they showed us how they mass produce tortillas and then gave us a hot sample! Dan and Holly Lujan - friends of ours from Utah (Sherri grew up across the street from Holly) that live in Oregon now just happened to be in Cali at the same time. We met up with them for and Angels Game and again at Disneyland Angel Stadium is awesome It was a bobble head night so it was very crowded and bonus, we got free bobbleheads! Ballpark food is the best!

Shayne and Dan - Go Angels!

Thanks Mom & Dad for such a fun trip - we miss you!

Back in Utah we finally get to visit Shayne's family. Out to lunch so we can celebrate Father's Day!Such a great buffet and it was even decorated for the dad's!

We all love chocolate covered strawberries!

I think Shayne's mom takes home the prize, she put down at least 20!

All the crab legs we wanted - that's heaven if you ask me!

We were admiring these bikes and the owner just happened to be standing by watching us so he let us jump on for a snapshot!

Sherri's dad loooooves sunflower seeds so we made sure he got a years supply! What would Father's Day be without cheesecake? Sherri's fam - Happy Father's Day Dads we love you both! A little horse after to work off that cheesecake! It was fun to catch up with so many friends!

Rhett and Holly Germer James and Tiff Evans Paul and Emily Ellis Babies, Babies and more babies

A lot of our friends, in fact most are starting their families and we were able to meet their beautiful babies (sorry only got pics of a few, wish we could show them all to you) it was so much fun, they are all so cute! This is Lucy Ann isn't she precious!

Lucky Anne

Isn't she a doll, literally I think she looks like a little doll with all that hair and she still has it all at 2months, I couldn't get enough she is so cute!

Ryker Paul

Does it seem like everyone is having girls lately or is just me? Well not these guys, cutest little boy ever! He has grown so much since we saw him at Christmas, what happened to the brown hair?

Kaylie - she has grown sooo much too!

Love the half pigtail, she was awaiting a little brother who arrived after Sherri left so we never got a pic but he is super cute!

Our friends Shawn and Tiff Nelson were also on town from Connecticut and had us out boating at East Canyon Their killer boat - we always have so much fun! Do not be deceived, they may look warm now but it was freezing, the water anyway. It was 52 degrees!

No matter, it gets warm after you are in right? At least that's what we kept telling ourselves, we weren't about to miss out on a chance to wakeboard just cause the water was cold!

Nice work Shayne!

We did a lot of surfing too. We put this pic on here so you could see just how close to the back of the boat you really are.

The idea is to catch the wave and then let go of the rope and surf it. I did but unfortunately Shayne isn't the photographer in the family and just happened to get this one lame shot of me. But...I had to put it on so you could see I also braved the cold - and yes I did let go of the rope!

Shayne surfing, a better shot so you can see the wave - you get the idea! Then there's Shawn, he's the pro, you can see him surfing the wave - he makes it look easy!So much fun - thanks guys, it was so good to see you! Just don't ask!

Sherri and EM - bestest friends!

Caballo Negro Our friend Ryan Money owns this energy drink company - we were all having fun taste testing!

Just trying to warm up! After we went boating we went back to Shawn and Tiff's condo for dinner. We ended up helping Ryan make some commercials for it and were up til 2am - it was pretty funny!

Yep those are my 16 year old brother's rock hard legs can you believe it? Not so little anymore I guess! Again part of the Caballo Negro commercials we were doing, if you watch them this pic will make more sense!

Since I have tried everything under the sun to upload videos and it won't work it you want to see them you will have to go to this link. This is the 2 commercials we did for caballo negro: http://lovesac.typepad.com/

WE HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME, BUT IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK - THANKS EVERYONE SUCH GREAT MEMORIES! MORE PICS AND POSTS TO COME OF OUR SUMMER FUN!

Getting Older

Getting older isn't so bad (at least that's what I keep telling myself) especially when you have great friends to share it with. I celebrated my birthday Saturday and had such a great time, what a fun weekend. The whole long weekend was packed with fun, some of it was for my birthday and some just for fun, it was such a blast to be with Shayne so much before I leave for Utah and he dives into studying for finals.

Friday night we went to Cheesecake Factory and then to see Indiana Jones (not impressed) with some friends.

Saturday was my actual birthday and it was sooooo fun because I was able to spend the entire day with Shayne, which is rare. He took me shopping and I bought a bunch of new clothes, then our pool opened so we went swimming all afternoon. After that Shayne had told me he had dinner and bowling plans for my bday so it was no surprise. However, the surprise was the amount of people he had invited and that actually came to spend my bday with me, I was so overwhelmed! We went to Red Lobster (lobster, shrimp and crab legs I couldn't get enough) - 16 people came, and then bowling - 30 people came there. Needless to say it was a little crazy trying to get organized but once we did I think we all had a blast bowling.

Thanks Shayne for planning such a fun day and thanks to everyone that came for your friendships and such a fun time!

Sunday our good friends the Richards had us over to their house and surprised me with a delicious birthday cake (I didn't even get one pic can you believe it?) Thanks guys, it was so yummy and it is so nice to have such great friends!!

Monday we went to the Richard's again for a bbq and some volleyball. They had just bought a new grill and wanted to share it with everyone. Such great food and fun - pics to come of that soon! Now it's back to business as usual! It was so hard to start back up with work after a weekend like that.

I love this place!!

The youngest party goer, Davis. He is always so cute and pulls some of the cutest faces, his mad face is my favorite! Not sure what this one is, thinking hard maybe? Look at all those people that came to celebrate with me (or just laugh in my face that I'm older and they're not) whatever the reason it was so nice to have them all there - such great friends!

Us with the Dallin and Amanda Williams

I never actually got a pic of our dinner, but Shayne and I shared lobster, shrimp and crab legs it is always so fun trying to get the crab meat out, I think I flicked half of it all over the table! I was treated to a Lava Flow (pina colada and strawberry drink) it was tasty if you've never had one I highly recommend them!

Stephanie & Dave Jump with Chase & Raquel Davis

Brian & Rachel Dansie with Ashely & Jeremy Miller

Bad lighting on this one but Ben & Amanda Goates with Molly & James Heaton

Red Lobster doesn't usually do anything for people's bdays so why they made an exception for mine I don't know (Shayne must have paid them well) but everyone sang to me and then they let me choose any dessert from their menu. I chose the large warm chocolate chip cookie with ice cream - delish! The 4 ladies that didn't bowl, if you can't tell 2 of them are preggie - they are hiding it well!

Just getting started - these are our friends Ben & Amanda who used to live by us in Utah and now they are out here in Ohio too, we love having them around! The guys were pretty competitive so we split up, the girls on one lane and the guys on another so they could compete against each other. It was pretty funny watching them and how much they were all into it! The girls were just in it for fun!

Some of the guys!

Everytime someone on Shayne's team got a strike this is what they would do while cheering really loud. If you can't tell they are making an X with their arms for the strike. We started imitating them and added in a little chest bump every now and then!

Can you tell I am having a Happy Birthday?

I think Brett is having a Happy Birthday too!

Bowling babes!

It's so fun to watch how each different person bowls befcause everyones style is so unique. Even though this pic is blurry I had to post it, it was hilarious. Dallin, I'm no quite sure what to think of this!

Boys Will Be Boys

Finally we have some pics to post. A few weekends ago we went to a Japanese Steakhouse (Genji) with some friends. It was such good food, and fun to watch them make our food right in front of us. As if we weren't stuffed enough already we decided to stop by Graeters for some ice cream. If you notice below we all have pints cause they just happened to be half off and we really like ice cream :) The guys discovered the play area and were having way too much fun - the wives all had a good time watching and laughing as our hubbys played around!

Us with Jeremy (his wife Ashley is taking the pic), James and Molly

Shayne was like a kid in a candy store, he loves ice cream and had never been to Graeters before, you can tell he is really excited about the really really big ice cream cone! Just one little lick?

Horsing around! The guys had a good time trying to make shots from random areas (standing on top of the jungle jim, by the slide etc) into the different levels of baskets, it was actually hard the hoop was not much bigger than the ball.

I think these 2 pics speak for themselves, like I said boys will be boys! Do you think maybe all that ice cream/sugar has gone to their heads?

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

We just wanted to tell all the wonderful women in our lives Happy Mother's Day and let them all know how much we love them! They are all so beautiful and talented and such amazing mom's and examples to us all. We sure love and miss you guys - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Lora - Shayne's Mom

Collette - Sherri's Mom

Sherri's Grandma Later

Shayne's Grandma Pace