Murder Mystery #2

So, we had our Annual Halloween Murder Mystery dinner party the day before Halloween...and it did not disappoint!

This years theme was "Roman Ruins" and we were honored to have present Cleptopatra, Disgustus Caesar, a Senator, Prophet, Soldier, affluent Business Woman, Vestal Virgin, and Roman Party Girl! What a crowd we were!

Once again, our dinner was not ready until around 9:00 PM...and our guests were STARVING!!! Apparantely, Jordan and I are too used to eating dinner really late! Once we got food in our Roman guests, they were pleasant again, and up for a good night of laughter and accusations!

Thanks again Brimleys, Days & Nichols! Once again, you did not disappoint!

Mexico, anyone?

While Jordan and I were in Mexico this past August, we (unwittingly) attended a timeshare presentation for the "sister" resort of the one we were staying at. While the timeshare presentation sucked...the resort was AWESOME! And for our time and suffering, they compensated us with a certificate for a 7 night stay at one of their resorts!

Here's the catch...you have to pay a "nominal" all inclusive fee for your stay, but the hotel cost is covered. In plain english...you get a GREAT discounted rate at a GREAT resort to be used anytime with in the next year.

In looking at our schedules, Jordan and I don't think we'll be able to use the certificate before it expires (8/23/10). So, we're offering it here. If you think you and your spouse/friend (and up to 2 children under the age of 12) will be able to use it, please let me know.

I tried to included a scanned copy of the certificate and the email response I received from the resort stating the AI fee at both of the resorts for various times of the year, but it wouldn't let me upload a PDF. So, I'll include the AI fee's for each resort below:
Sandos CARACOL/PLAYACAR
1/4 - 1/31/2010 $152/ $198
2/1 - 4/1 $182/ $232
7/1 - 8/25 $152/ $134

*These rates are for 2 adults per night.


When Jordan and I went, we stayed at Sandos CARACOL. It was nice, the food was good, and the staff were all friendly. However, in our one day visit to Sandos PLAYACAR we determined that the food is better and the beach is about 100% better here than at the resort we stayed at. If we were to go back, we would stay at the PLAYACAR. However, the certificate is good for either one, and the AI fees are a bit higher at the PLAYACAR resort.

First response takes it!

Oregonians

Grandpa Dick & Grandma Sue...We're so glad you decided to extend your road trip to Syracuse, Utah! We loved seeing you and continue to be amazed by your energy! We love you guys!

GiRLs NiGhT OuT!!

My sister, sister-in-law, and sister-in-laws-sister all got together and went to see Howie Day and Colbie Caillat in concert last Friday night. The concert was in a tiny building, and we got there early enough that we were only about 20' away from the stage! It was standing room only (mainly because there were no chairs)! But we had a blast!
While the women were at the concert, all the men had all the kids at our house so the dads could watch some football game. I was THRILLED to get home and find NOTHING had been broken! Good job dads!

Last Saturday while Jordan spent the day studying, I spent the day in Logan, getting my hair done (Thanks Amber...I love it!) and attending my very first "Backyardigans" Birthday Party! I can't believe the boys are 3 already!

Don't I have the cutest neices and nephews around?!

The Fruits of our Labor

All the hard work we've put in (and continue to put in) to our landscaping are all worth it when we get to look at this...
I think our yard looks so pretty! Too bad the summer blooming season isn't longer here in Utah!

Also, this summer I planted a cantalope plant and was soo..excited when the first one was ready...or so I thought! I picked it WAY too early, and had to throw the whole thing away! What a disappointment! I have since learned how to tell when a cantalope is "ready." We'll see if the 5 growing on the vine right now are able to ripen before the freezing temperatures kill them off!

ViVA MeXIcO

In celebration of our 3rd Anniversary (and me losing one whole pound during my office Biggest Loser run!) we spent 6 days in Playa del Carmen, Mexico! It was fabulous!
We went to the same area (Cozumel & Tulum) on our Honeymoon, and loved it so much that we were excited to get back there! Plus, I got a great deal at an All-Inclusive Resort...so Jordan was ExTrA happy about that! We'd never been to an AI before, but decided that we LOVED it! We never once pulled our wallet out while we were at the resort! Meals, drinks, activities, and even tips were included in the price we had already paid! It was wonderful!

While in Mexico, we decided we would not let the humidity deter us from an excursion to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza! And, although the humidity did nearly kill us while walking around the jungle ruins, we we were so glad that we went! It was so awesome to see the cities these Nephite/Lamanite descendants built, and the detail they put into everything. We could still clearly see the ornate carvings in the stone of jaguars, eagles, skulls, etc. It was awesome...we HIGHLY recommend it to anyone going...we also HIGHLY recommend NOT going in August!

In addition to leaving the resort to go to Chichen Itza, we also left for a day to go visit Isla Mujeres...The Island of Women! It's a teeny, tiny island off the coast of Cancun and it was beautiful! The south end of the island is a National Marine Preserve, but costs $35/person for admission. So we asked the local golf cart rental salesman if there were any other options, and he steered us to a locally owned snorkeling "park." We had so much fun snorkeling around the reef, and even saw several LARGE barracudas (which wasn't so fun for me, but Jordan loved it)! I must admit that the water in this area of Mexico is a prettier aqua blue and more clear than the water's I've seen in Hawaii...and that's saying alot, since I think my heart truely lies in the Aloha State!

All in all...it was an awesome belated Anniversary celebration! I'd go back to Mexico anyday...but preferably next time, it wont be in August!

ThREe FiRstS & a SeCOnD

First FiRSt...Last night I made my first ever batch of homemade salsa! After being gone to Mexico for a week, we got home and found that we had about 12 LARGE tomatos ripe at the same time. So...I decided, "Why not?" I went to the store, bought the large black canning pot, the jars, and all other required tools and came home to attempt my first batch of "Wonderful Salsa," (www.recipezaar.com/Wonderful-Salsa-9272 ). Aside from the very painful steam burns I got on both of my hands, I think it was a success! I may even try some more when the next batch of a dozen tomatos ripen at the same time!
Second FiRSt...For my birthday my sister gave me an herb garden, and those herbs have been growing like crazy! So, a couple weeks ago, I cut a bunch of my Sweet Basil and tried my hand at homemade pesto and it too was delicious! I still need a recipe for Sage, since it's growing like mad right now and I have no idea what to do with it! So, if you know of anything, pass it along!
Third FiRSt...After coming home from Mexico we noticed Elvis limping around the house. After a couple days, he wouldn't even walk on his right front paw, and it was swollen about twice as large as his other paw. So I made an appointment with the Vet, and took him in on Thursday. Luckily, it's not broken, but he did have a large, infected cut...so to keep him from licking it all day long, he get's to wear the "LampShade!" This is the first time I've ever had a pet in one of these, and it's HiLArIoUS! He's constantly walking too close to walls or cabinets and hitting his lampshade or getting stuck in the chair legs under the table! I haven't laughed so hard in quite a while! Luckily, he's already acting and feeling tons better, so I'm sure the antibiotics and lampshade are doing their job!
Finally, the SeCOnD...I brought the bangs back! I've had bangs like this before, but it was about a year ago, and I'd grown so tired of my hair the way it is, that I had to do something! It's a definate change, but I like them! Also, they help hide my larger than life forhead...you can't complain about that!