Roadtrip! Welcome To Texas!

After such a fun time in Cancun I was definitely not looking forward to a two day car ride to Midland, Texas. It took us about 19 hours but it seemed like we were driving for weeks. On the bright side though we got to see some pretty awesome sites along the way. We stopped at Arches National Park along the way and drove up to see some pretty amazing arches. 

And the one that I was most excited to see... the infamous "delicate arch". We didn't have enough time to hike all the way out to the arch but we did hike to the viewpoint and got a chance to look at this little baby. And little it was... I don't know if it was just the viewpoint we were at or what but this arch looked so small to me. It was really neat though and I am grateful for the chance to see one of Utah's most noted features. 

This rock was pretty awesome. It was called "balanced rock." John and I were both amazed at this one. The picture doesn't do it justice. For how large this rock really is, I can't believe it hasn't toppled over yet. 

After spending some time at Arches we knew we needed to get back on the road. Trust me after this point there was nothing I repeat NOTHING to look at. It was hours between towns and all we could see was sagebrush and oil pumps along the way. However at about 11 pm we drove past this small town in New Mexico that had a fair going on. So of course we had to stop. I hate fair rides but this was a once in a lifetime opportunity so I braved up and we went for a ride. We had such a fun time and I am so glad we stopped. 

 We arrived in Texas sunday night and the next morning Johnny woke up and hit the doors. So far he has been doing great this summer and is having a lot of success. I am so proud of him for all the sacrifice and hard work he puts forth to support our family. I also have decided to pick up a job and am now a waitress at Texas Roadhouse. One great thing about Texas is how generously everyone tips down here! :) Its hard for us to find time to be with each other when we both work late everyday but we are doing our best to make the most of all our time together and we have definitely grown so much closer through this experience!

Isn't he just so cute? Also as I am now adjusting to married life, I am learning how to be a good wife. I am actually really enjoying the chance I get to cook dinner every night for my boy. Trust me he loves coming home to this... at least I hope! 

These cookies were amazing! 

Our roadtrip turned out to be not as bad as I anticipated and adjusting to life here in Texas is coming along. I definitely have a new respect and love for Utah and especially Cache Valley but it has been a great experience to live out here and learn from these people. I have gained a stronger testimony being out here and I am learning important life lessons. So here's to an amazing adventure here in Texas this summer! Ya'll wont wanna miss it!

Cancun- my new favorite place!

For our honeymoon John booked a trip for us to Cancun, Mexico! I was really excited because I have never been outside the United States and it was my first time seeing the atlantic ocean. We had such a wonderful time and got to do so many fun things!
Day 1-
From the moment I stepped off the plane I knew the humidity was going to kill me. I have never felt such strong humidity and I just felt like I was constantly sweaty! The temperature was awesome but I am so grateful for the desert air we have back in Utah. After checking into our hotel we went out to see the ocean and soak up a little sun.

Day 2-

The main thing I wanted to do in Cancun was go look at the ancient mayan ruins. I had heard a lot of cool things about them so I told John that was the number one thing I wanted to do down in Mexico. So we went and visited Tulum. The ruins were amazing and it was so cool to learn about how they all relate with the Book of Mormon. Our tour guides father-in-law was LDS so he knew quite a bit and could share a lot with us. It was such a testimony builder to walk along where the ancient Nephites and Lamanites lived. 

This was the beach at Tulum. They just recently closed it down to visitors because they found baby turtles living on it. :) I was hoping to see some turtles but unfortunately I didn't get to see any. 

After we walked around the ruins we decided to try a coconut. They aren't that good but we were so thirsty we drank it all up anyways!

Afterwards these guys volunteered us to get in a picture with them... and then made us tip them for the picture... haha oh well its a fun picture!

After we saw the ruins on land we got to go out in a boat and see the ruins from the ocean view. It was really beautiful and neat to see. 

Then we got to go snorkeling in front of the ruins. It was my first time snorkeling and I loved it! I did have a close encounter with a barracuda fish who was interested in my silver ankle bracelet (apparently you're not supposed to wear jewelry while you snorkel), but luckily my brave husband noticed him and used his flippers to get him away from us while I just unknowingly swam on.  

Day3- 

This was probably John and I's favorite day. We went to this park called Xplor. It was amazing and we had such a fun time. 

We got to zipline across the jungle tops and zipline through waterfalls into caves. We also got to rid hammock ziplines. It was such an awesome experience and if you ever go to Cancun I would highly recommend it. We also got to ride ATV's through the jungle and swim in underground rivers. It was an amazing park and we had such a blast! 

Day 4-

On day 4 we went to a water park called Wet and Wild. At the water park we got to swim with dolphins. This was my first experience with dolphins and it was so awesome. We got dolphin kisses and danced with them and got to have them pull us across the pool. Those animals are so smart and I was so impressed at how intelligent and how well they communicate. Unfortunately we couldn't take cameras into the dolphin park so I only got a picture from outside, but it was still an incredible day. 

After swimming with the dolphins we got to swim at the water park. They had huge water slides and rafts you could ride. It was so much fun. Our favorite slide we nick named the "toilet bowl" slide. You would go down the slide into a big "bowl" where you would spin in circles until you were "flushed" out the bottom. 

Day5- 

We spent the day on the island- isla mujeres. It was a small little island, but so beautiful and full of culture. We rented a little moped and drove around the island a few times. It was so fun to see the beautiful scenery people get to live with every day, but it was also a real humbling experience to see the homes and conditions some of these people live in. It made me so very grateful for the place I get to live in here. 

Day 6-

Time to fly home. We only had a half of a day on our last day so we spent it soaking up the last bit of sun we could before our long flight back to the United States. I am so grateful for this amazing trip and for all of the fun memories John and I were able to create. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband! Cancun was amazing and has become my new favorite place. Adios Amigos!

The Story of Us-

I thought before I started blogging about all the new adventures John and I are about to embark on, it would be smart to start off with a little background about us. We met at the 80's dance up at Utah State University almost two years ago. Believe it or not he still asked me for my number even though I had some awesome bright purple make up and crazy hair ( I guess his outfit wasn't much better...) I wish desperately that this picture was from the first night that we met, but we got one at the 80's dance the next year, so this will have to paint the picture for you all.

As you can tell he was one good looking guy, so he got about ten other girls numbers that night too, and I was the last one he asked out... Last the best of all the game right?? Anyways, he finally did end up asking me out and we went on our first date to the Brad Paisley concert. When he picked me up I was still living at home and my dad answered the door... John had thought it would be fun to dress up in his wranglers, belt buckle, cowboy hat, boots, and duster... So that was my dads first impression.... After all the embarrassment we went to the concert and had a great time getting to know each other. We went on several more really fun dates and started to fall in love with each other.

After a year and a half we finally decided to get married. John proposed to me up inside a helicopter with rope lights on the ground spelling out will you marry me. I couldn't imagine my life without my best friend. Ever since I met him he has made me laugh and smile every day. I knew marrying John would be the best decision of my life and would make me the happiest! I love you John!

Finally, April 13th rolled around... The first day of our fairy tale :) We were married for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple. It was the perfect day and everything turned out perfect! I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful wedding! Thank you to everyone who helped and was apart of our special day! :)

     

So thats the story of us- luckily its just the beginning and hopefully there will be many new chapters added to our fairytale :)