5 reasons we love Boating.... and other random summer updates

We love boating because:

1) The lake is a place we don't have to think about the other stresses of life

2) (Per Jason) You can surf almost 500 miles away from the ocean.

3) What else are you supposed to do when it's well over 100 degrees outside?

4) Where else can you spend time with family/friends and still see this many smiling faces?

5) We love sharing our love for boating with others as they experience water sports for the first time

   

Other Random Updates from the summer

1) We have really been missing these guys from Phoenix:

Thank heavens we were lucky enough to have ALL of them come and visit (Barber's were in last post). When the Blood's came we got a little crazy and went to the dinosaur tracks museum. Jason claimed it was just for Ry... but I think he was just as excited about it as Ry was. 

In commemoration of the museum, I even refreshed my origami skills and made Ry a "pterodactyl" and a "T rex" (which he corrected me and stated it was actually a "Utah Raptor"... smart little tyke!). 

2) We have missed road biking A LOT!  Although we will definitely miss boating, we will be excited for the cooler months to start biking again.

3) Joe got married (one of my adopted brothers)

4) We traded in Frank..... and we did NOT like it

Frank has been Halee's (my car) significant other for 6 years now.  Jason has had Frank since before he and I started dating (though I was the one to name him :) ).  Accordingly, there are lots of memories associated with that truck, including but not limited to:

- Star gazing in the back of the truck bed

- Drive in movies

- The only automobile we ever took to go snowboarding

- Always having to open our door to let our passengers out (joys of an extended cab).

- Breaking down on the way to our St. George reception and requiring towing for 50 miles.

- Doing donuts in snow storms in vacant parking lots

- Breaking down on our date night, and having Jason's grandpa come pick us up to give us a ride home.

- Hearing the exhaust rattle like it was going to fall off while towing.

R.I.P. Frank..... We'll see you on the other side. You lived a full life.

And so we won't ever forget you, we've named our new truck "Jr," in your honor so we will never forget he who went before..... even though Jr is bigger, newer, stronger, and doesn't rattle and shake.... but you were Halee's first love, and allowed us to create lots of fond memories... and we will never forget that.

5) We visited The Hoover Dam

It wasn't exactly a destination.... more like a one-hit-wonder while passing through.... but we figured we had a little time when we were on our drive to Phoenix to catch our flight to Costa Rica (yeah.... that's right.... PHX.... had to drive there because the flights for the trip were booked before we moved and were going to be $250 each way (x4) to change.  We decided we would rather drive and take the opportunity to see our friends again).

Now, the next time we watch Transformers we can say, "I've been there."

 6) We were able to eat at two delicious, non-chain restaurants while in Phoenix.  First Chelsea's Kitchen:

(I have been craving this salad since we moved. It's made with blanched and chilled brussel sprout leaves and OH SO GOOD.)

Then Gadzooks..... I was seriously ready for seconds of their green chile verde pork enchilada BEFORE I even left. Too bad I was so full because it was DELISH.

Can't wait until the next time we are able to visit Phoenix again and enjoy the delicious food and great friends, both which are missed equally.

Costa Rica Blog coming "Soon" :)