El Bosque Country Club: Day One

When we first got to Peru it was about 6:00 AM, so we went straight to bed and that afternoon had lunch at Tia Gloria's and walked to a really cool bridge and ocean lookout. We of course didn't have our cameras that day, so we are waiting to trade pictures with Daniel's brother who didn't have his camera in El Bosque. We went to the country club the second day in Peru. It is about an hour away from Lima and it was so nice. We had such a great time there that we wished we could have stayed longer.

Sam and his Abuelito feeding the geese.

Sam and Aunt Melissa

Sammy was fascinated by the stones in the pavement. He tried to step only on the circles. He liked to touch the little stones and slide his feet like an ice skater. He also liked to chase the pigeons.

This was a yummy restaurant where we had lunch the first day. The food in Peru is so good and so cheap. The entrees were all less than $5.00 (and this is the fancy restaurant where you aren't allowed to come in your swimsuit. More on that tomorrow)

All Hail The Birthday King!

Sammy's first birthday was on the Fourth of July. We celebrated a few days early in Peru. Daniel's aunts threw an amazing party for Sam and we all had a lot of fun. Everyone was so kind and generous to us during our stay in Peru. We can't thank them enough.

Look at all the yummy treats. There were so many good things to eat. This is a picture of Daniel's grandmother "Tati", Tia Judy, Tia Mary, Tia Gloria, and Sam's "Abuelita".
Sam loved being the center of attention. He now expects applause for every little thing he does.

Here's Sam cutting the cake. In the picture from left to right are cousin Angela, Tia Lucy, cousin Silvana, and Tio Aldo

Sam really had a good time. He crawled on all fours for the first time and then entertained everyone with some pretty great walking. He walked to and from people for a good 45 minutes, giggling the whole time and soaking up the applause.

One of the best things about our trip was being able to spend time with Daniel's parents. They loved getting to know Sam and he loves his Abuelitos.

This is Tati and Tia Judy decorating Sam's cake.
(We have lots more pictures to post, but I thought I'd start with the birthday party.)

We have arrived! We are home from Peru and were met at the door by all the stresses of real life rushing back full force. I was afflicted with a horrible and much delayed case of Montezuma's revenge. It was truly awful. I stared to have a little stomach ache on the plane back to the US, but by the time we got home I was miserable. But the really bad part was that upon opening the door we were met by a wall of stench. Disaster of all vacation disasters: Rotten Fridge.
Daniel being the ever cautious, fabulous husband that he is, was worried about the electrical breaker to the dryer causing a fire while we were gone so he turned it off, but unfortunately he also accidentally tripped the breaker to the fridge as well. Let me tell you, no power, record high temperatures and a fridge and freezer full of perishable foods is a foul combination.
Bless Daniel's soul. He deserves a million billion points for emptying the fridge and freezer and completely cleaning it, maggots and all. I can't even imagine. He cleaned it with bleach water, baking soda and water, took it outside and cleaned it, scrubbed the drip pan, cleaned the condenser and coils and yet the stink goes on. Last night we plugged it in and following the many suggestions found all over the Internet I soaked paper towels in vanilla and put them in the fridge. We have spread baking soda on baking sheets and put them in the fridge and freezer, but nothing is working. My next step is to buy coffee beans and stuff them in nylon stockings. That was a suggestion from a Hurricane Katrina victim. The house reeks. It is nearly 100 degrees outside and Sam is the grumpiest one year old ever. Since we've been home he is so whiny and needy and wants to be held all day. I think he doesn't feel well (he has a bad cough and cold and diarrhea). I am nearly at my wits end. If I had an extra $500 bucks I'd just buy a new fridge. It is vile. Suggestions anyone?

We rode Thomas the Train in Heber with the Orme side of the family. It was fun to get together with everyone and to see all the kids together.

This is a baby llama. Its neck was so long it looked like a stuffed animal.

Sammy loved the train. This reminds me of the scene in Evita when she is traveling to Buenos Aires. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Here's the whole gang.

Daniel, Blake, Adam, Sam, Chris and Madison.

Congratulations to Jeris and Susanna!
We've spent the last two weekends celebrating their marriage. We all love Susanna and are so excited for both of them.

I love this picture of my brothers and sister. We have such a terrific family even if I do say so myself. I love these guys.

Here is Sam at the temple learning to walk. He is so excited about it.

So you would think with all the picture taking opportunities that I would have a better shot of the bride and groom in whose honor all this celebrating was done. Nope.

Last Saturday Jeris and Suzanna invited us to go with them to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. It was so beautiful. The weather was perfect. (Almost too warm even). The grass was thick and it felt so nice to walk barefoot in it. I had to indulge myself in that because it is one of my favorite things. The colors were amazing. It was just one of those perfect evenings that makes you happy to be alive.

Another trip to the Zoo!

I'm way behind on posts, but a few weeks ago Andrew, Sam and I joined our friends Ashley and Gabe for a trip to Hogle Zoo. I hadn't been in years, but it was just as fun as I remembered, but somehow a lot smaller.

Sam and Gabe got up close and personal with many of the animals. Sam really enjoys seeing them. He squeals and points and sometimes it is difficult to tear him away.

The spotted leopard was napping right at this window. The little girl next to the boys kept saying, "nice kitty, kittycat". I didn't tell her that the nice kitty would eat her up in a second if it had the chance.

The elephants were huge and really neat to see.

This looks like one sad giraffe.

They were so tall and gentle. They came right up to the fence. Gabe was within inches of him.

The two amigos and their matching strollers.
This image prompted Ashley and I to recall an experience we had not too long ago. We were pretty much one anothers shadows in high school. Always together. At Christmas time we were together at the Festival of Trees (for like the first time in two months) and ran into a guy we went to high school with. There he is telling us about his grown up job as a pilot and all the while we were both thinking, "Yep, he totally thinks we have done nothing since high school, but hang out together every day and lead identical lives everlinked to each other." It was a little pathetic, but mostly untrue. And even if it is true, I like Ashley. So there.

Here's Sam trying to grab the camera. He had a great day.

When we got home from Costco the other day I went into the kitchen to put away a few things and when I came back Sam was precariously checking out the rest of the purchases. I just can't get over how he is growing up so fast. He is so much happier now that he can get around more independently.

We spent Easter weekend in Idaho Falls. On Saturday we went to the zoo. I thought it would be a nice walk, but I didn't think Sam would be that interested. Turns out he had a ball. He loves to look at the animals.

Sam and Aunt Lindsey with the camels.

Sam in the children's petting zoo with the donkeys.

The monkeys were the funniest. These monkeys came right up to the window and visited with Sam. He thought they were very interesting.

We saw the lions and leopards, but Sam loved the tigers. I literally couldn't tear him away.

He watched and watched and talked to them.

He was a little nervous of this tiger at first, but warmed up to it right away. He even took a ride on it.
We had a great Easter!

Sammy is too cool for school.

Sam and his cousin Madison got to hang out a couple of weeks ago when Chris and Lindsay were in Provo visiting. It is so fun to see these two together because they are so close in age. They are getting so big. Follow the link to Chris and Lindsay's page to see a photo of the two babies when they were about 6 weeks old.

I am a Canna What Flower Are You?

"You stand up for what you believe in, even if it gets in the way of what other people think. You are proud of yourself and your accomplishments and you enjoy letting people know that."

So I took this little quiz, but I don't really feel like I am a Canna. But I took it twice so who knows. Sometimes do you think that other people (not some random internet quiz), but the people you are closest to, really do know you better than yourself. I think sometimes it is nice to see yourself the way others see you. It's reassuring, like looking in the mirror. And no matter how well you think you know yourself it's always good to know if you have spinach in your teeth.