Happy 30th to Me!

I don't mind turning 30 at all, especially when I think back all that's happened this past decade.  A blessed marriage and home, amazing friendships I've gained, seeing the world, an awesome career, and so much more.  I can't wait to see what the next ten years brings to my world.
For the big celebration, I decided we'd start out at PizzalChik for dinner and drinks.  The owners were thrilled that we brought such a big group of 20+ people, to which they doted on the entire time.  We sat outside and enjoyed the nice weather, live band and always delicious food.  Key lime cheesecake with a candle accompanied a fun Bob Marley style birthday song. Afterwards we moved the party down to our place, which lasted early into the morning.  After all the preparations Phil and I worked so hard on, the house looked amazing and a good time was had by all.  Can't wait to do it again.
And of course we must mention as well, the world didn't end!  Ha!  Although I started to think it was going to when the cleaning company I had scheduled with never showed up or called (beware of Bubbling Express Cleaning), which essentially left me on my hands and knees scrubbing floors unexpectedly before go-time.  But oh well, all the work was done in time and nothing ruined my day, it was absolutely PERFECT! 


A funny gift for the Idaho girl

It's a PizzalChik Patio Partttaayyy!

Heather's gourmet salad

CJ Strike

First camping trip of the year, went to Strike for the weekend with Tim and Di.  It was an extremely windy weekend.  The day before we arrived, three guys had capsized their boat and were rescued after 40 minutes in the water - lifeflighted out.  The guys went out once, but us girls decided it was nice to look at from ashore. 

                                                                      CJ Strike Dam

Full on waves out there, nevermind that thought...

Spring Scenes

4/10/11 Phil and I were at Lucky Peak to test a client's boat and do a little fishing.  Thanks to the amazing snowpack this year, we're seeing an awesome water release below the dam. 

The spring moment I always look forward to, Tim and Di's pear trees in bloom.  I can't help but pick one or two and place them in my hair. 

4/16/11 Timothy & Uncle Phil

The little guy dwarfed under my large umbrella



Travel Tip

A good travel tip I just ran across...

If you download the United Airlines (yahoo search engine) toolbar…

Perform one search or purchase one item by April 30th, 2011 and receive 250 free Mileage Plus miles.The miles should post within 10 weeks of the promotion end date.

Receive 1 mile for every three searches (up to 100 per month)

Shop with the United retailers, of course there’s more earning power there as well.

Our first Yurt Experience

Banner Ridge Yurt

Well if spring is taking its sweet time getting here, we might as well go find some powder to play in!  There was plenty of that north of Idaho City this past weekend.  We joined the Stenquist crew for some fun at Banner Ridge Yurt for a three day trip.
The hike in was over two miles with about 750 feet climb in elevation. I yelled out a big WOOHOO once I saw the yurt, I was so relieved! 
We had a great time hanging inside eating delicious food, playing cards and listening to good tunes.  Outside we enjoyed the awesome fire pit the guys dug out for us, as well as sledding and of course, a TON of snowshoeing. 

The 2.5 to 3 mile hike in via snowshoes.  Complete with 20-50 lbs. packs per person and one sled full of delicious home brew and other goodies.

A very cold, but very cute outhouse

Love what Phil wrote on facebook,

and still amazed I was able to lure him away from the snowmobiles for once!  :)

Happy Birthday Heather!

Fun & crazy shenanigans in downtown Boise for Heather's birthday.  Started out at the Bardenay with our private Boiler room....next was Tom Grainey's with its awesome underground dance floor..... and last but not least The Lobby with the most entertaining bartender of the night.  Ooh whatta night! 
                                 

Birthday Girl!!

Adria, Heather S, Heather C, Amber

Taking off the winter chill

We just got back from a week-long vacation in Florida.  Phil had to go down for a Marine Technician's class and we decided to take full advantage of it and tour the state as well.

Started out in Daytona, the 18+ mile beach that Phil loved driving on,  Also toured Daytona National Speedway. 
Spent the next three days in Islamorada, a small fishing town in the Keys that was absolutely perfect for the kind of vacation we had in mind.  If you're ever down there, you must check out Chesapeake Beach Resort.  Laid out by the pool.  Took a paddle boat over beautiful corral reefs in shallow water, watched stingrays and large fish swim by.  Our room was very nice with a great view of the Atlantic with a private balcony. There were maybe 3-5 other couples there at the time, not crowded at all.  Right next door was Wahoo's Bar & Grill that overlooked Whale Harbor Marina.  Delicious food and drinks (mmm Rumrunners!) that also overlooked the Atlantic. 
Drove down to Key West for an afternoon, since our charter fishing trip we had planned got rained out.  But that's the nice thing about Florida, there's so much to do and see you can just go with the flow.  Stopped in at Robbie's for some Tarpon feeding fun, which are these HUGE fish near the docks that pretty much swallow your hand.  Phil fed them while I was attacked by a damn Pelican.  And without a doubt the best piece of Key Lime Pie was found at Lorelei's Cabana - They served it frozen and oh my was it good! 
Next up was the Everglades.  First we stopped in the national park and walked the Anhinga trail, crazy to see 8 foot alligators just feet away from a bunch of tourists.  Also along the way were many different bird species.  We loved it.  After the park we had to go to a seperate location for the airboat ride that we were really looking forward to, but unfortunately it was just a tourist trap, the ride only lasted about 10-15 minutes.  Still neat though, we saw a handful of gators and also a few very large iguanas hanging overhead in the trees.  The driver did a few 360's that threw water on those who sat in the front - yes of course that was the two of us.  We need to get one of those boats! 
After touring all that, checked out the Gulf side of Florida which included collecting shells and taking in the beautiful Sunset.  Visited Beverly Hills to see my friend Kathy.  And then it was time to head back to the Orlando area and fly out the next day. 
Amazing, beautiful and warm vacation overall.  Can't wait to return one day and do it all over again.  Well, maybe not all of it being that we drove exactly 1300.0 miles.  I'll take a drink in one hand with my feet in the sand - planted for hours soaking up the sun and laughing with girlfriends.  Yes...that's the next trip I have in mind!  :)