Bermuda

Paul and I got to go to Bermuda last week for some work "meetings" and really enjoyed the warm breezes, beautiful beaches, and relaxing days! It is a great island to visit with a lot to do and see and plenty of sunshine! (Now if only I can get Paul to stop singing, "Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama")

A disturbing thing happened on the way to the forum...

(the dress I was wearing during the "incident")

So Paul and I were in Rome and I needed to use the rest room near the Colosseum. There was a female attendant showing people where to stand and monitoring the cleanliness of the place. As I walked in to find the line, she came up to me and motioned toward my stomach, asking if I was pregnant. What?! So I know that I have never had a flat stomach and I have had three children, but my last is 18 months old! I honestly never thought I would be someone that could be mistaken for a pregnant person when in fact I was not. I told the story to Paul and rationalized the possibility someone would think I was pregnant by saying my camisole had bunched up underneath--he said maybe my posture wasn't very good. But really, how do you get over someone thinking that you're pregnant when you're not? I am now in full blown sit-up mode to dispel that notion, even to some crazy woman in a bathroom in Rome. Although, I think she was trying to help me get to the front of the line, if I really was pregnant. Which, again, I was not.

Our Italy Trip

Here are just a couple pictures from our trip (obviously not all of them--we took almost 300) We had a great time and have already made a list of things we'd do again and more we'd like to see!

Trip Preparation

So Paul and I are finally taking a trip to Europe--and we chose Italy. Rather, I chose Italy. I have always wanted to go and Paul said that was fine. He put me in charge of all the plans except the flights. We'll spend 3 days in Rome, 2 days in Florence and 2 days in Venice. If either of you two readers out there have recommendations for things we must see, let me know. The trip planning (and subsequent wardrobe planning) is the only thing getting me through our cold, yucky winter and Paul's multiple days away from home. He sent me a text-message this morning to cheer me up--only 11 days until Italy!

Thanksgiving Recap

We headed down to Atlanta to spend time with Paul's aunts, who are actually closer in age to us than a traditional aunt--which means they also have lots of cousins for our kids to play with! They have so many great activities planned including a hayride behind a riding lawnmower and a turkey "shoot" which the kids loved. To see better pictures, head over to Kristen's blog. Paul was in charge of the camera while I took care of Halle inside. We have to rely on the aunties for the great photos of this event! Many thanks to the "Hiltpuzersons" for the wonderful Thanksgiving!

I've Returned

Paul had meetings out in California, so I tagged along. Kelsey came out to watch the kiddies, so I had a few days to just hang out, shop, eat, read by the beach. It was wonderful & peaceful. Paul & I also took a day to visit Disneyland--yeah! I love that place. I also did not take a purse with me for the first time in a while--hence, the only pictures are of me with Paul's camera phone. Now it's back to reality--laundry, kids, dishes, cooking, schedules. Nice to be home, though.

Washington

Remlinger Farm
Hanging with Thurmonds
Pony Rides
Playing with Nana & Courtney
Paul's "Olympics" with the cousins
West Beach
Shopping with the girls
Hair Cuts
Family Photos
Waterslides
La Conner
Dinner at Grandmas with everyone
Cinnamon Rolls
Golf for the boys
We had a great time!

Utah

Discovery Museum
Swimming Lessons
Draper Days
Birthdays for Grandpas
Lunches with Friends
Feeding Grandpa Bunting's Fish
Sleepover with Aunt Heather
Teasing Otis
Dinner at Chad & Jordan's
Playing with Brinley & Cade
Movie with Aunts & Uncles
Barbecues
Scrapbooking
Lots of Fun Memories!

Our Bags are packed...

Luggage Sculpture
Originally uploaded by Roger Lynn

...we're almost ready to go. The kids and I are heading out to Utah for a couple weeks and then up to Washington for a week. Travelling with three kids by myself will be quite a test--we feel like we're carrying this much stuff with us. You never know what you'll need!

"Working" it in Maui

Okay--we knew this was a "work" trip, but we forgot how much work is discussed. Cheryl and I often found ourselves without husbands, so we took pictures of just us! We also got ourselves in a picture with Stephen Covey, just to prove we were there during the meetings too!

Playground in Paradise

The Grand Wailea Resort was such a great hotel--it had tons of pools, waterslides, a water elevator and a rope swing. Here's Paul trying out the swing, Paul & Doug playing water volleyball, and one of Paul, Doug, and Cheryl following FranklinCovey CEO Bob Whitman on his daily waterslide tour!

Hawaii

Paul and I loved having a relaxing week in Hawaii--it was also tons of fun to have Doug and Cheryl there too. We took a jeep up Mount Haleakala (I think that's how to spell it), went snorkeling, boogie boarding, and enjoyed lots of meals together!

Boys will be Boys

Paul and Doug took advantage of all the fun things to do in Hawaii!

Bandon

Paul went on his golf trip with his friends Matt Thurmond and Keith Wilson last week. They travelled to Bandon, Oregon so they could play golf "the way it was meant to be played." All had a great time and are anxious to do it again next year.