Brett's Walkabouts

walk·a·bout (wôk-bout) 1: a temporary return to traditional Aboriginal life, taken especially between periods of work or residence in modern society and usually involving a period of travel through the bush.

Apparently in his 3 week break from rotations before graduation, Brett decided he needed to become a real man. Or become one with nature. Or put some variety in his life. Or whatever it is the Aboriginals do when they drop everything and head out into the wilderness on a walkabout for extended periods of time. Brett's own version of this involved two back-to-back outdoor adventures to pass the time and get in some excitement before graduation and residency. His last hurrah, if you will.

His first adventure was a 5 day backpacking and hiking trip to Havasupai, a small Native American village and tropical oasis in a remote part of the Grand Canyon. We've been here twice before and had a blast hiking, camping, and cliff jumping; but with my current status (bun in the oven) there was no possibility of me going, so Brett convinced his brother BJ to go with him. Once in the campground, they met up with a large group of friends coming from UT, which included our friends Chris and Nicole. Brett was able to survey the damages/changes to the campground and waterfalls since the major flash flood in 2008. Although Navajo Falls is now completely dried up, they did have fun discovering a few new waterfalls (Rock Falls, New Navajo Falls, and Hidden Falls) and many new cliff diving spots! The only casualties were Brett's big toes, which are now a bright shade of black from Brett making the uphill 10-mile hike out without ever tightening his shoe laces! Dumb boy. :)

Clean, well rested, and smiling before the hike in

Mooney Falls

Havasu Falls

The Whole Gang

New Navajo Falls

Brett takes our camera for a dive off Hidden Falls!

After a quick 1 day turn-around to do laundry and re-stock on supplies (i.e. food), Brett headed out for his second adventure with our friend Kevin; a 5 day rock climbing and backpacking trip thru Zions National Park. The first two days were meant to be solely for rock climbing, but Brett's toes were still sore from his hike out 2 days prior, so he sat out on the second day of climbing and visited his friend John who lives in St. George. Monday morning Kevin and Brett set out for their planned 3 day "Bear Grylls" adventure. Intending to live off the land and drink from the stream, their plans were quickly thwarted when they learned from the park ranger that the route they had designed was filled with chest deep 40* water. They changed plans and headed uphill. The only problem: uphill = higher elevation = colder weather. The boys packed clothes for sunny warm weather and ended up hiking thru snow! They had a great time hiking and climbing, but cut their hike short by a day because they decided they could not survive another 20* night with shorts and thin sleeping bags. Let's just say, they didn't get much sleep shivering all night and were EXTREMELY tired when they got home!

The only pic of the boys climbing (actually...rappelling after the climb)

Visiting John, Jessica, Gabby, and Max

Headed off on their backpacking trip!

After hearing about all Brett's adventures, I'm glad he was able to have such a fun time before residency starts, but I'm even MORE glad he is back home with me and still in one piece! Thanks to BJ, Chris, Kevin, and John for FULLY entertaining my husband for a week-and-a-half! And for returning him safe and sound!

"Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair

...if you're going to San Francisco."

A few weeks ago I met up with all the Blaser gals (minus 1, we missed you Liz) in San Fran for a fun-filled girl's trip.  We shopped, ate, shopped, saw the sites, and shopped some more.  So much fun!

We completed many of the common tourist rituals including riding the cable cars and visiting Fisherman's Wharf.

Sunday was Mother's Day, so what could more appropriate than being pampered with MAC makeovers and a matinee showing of Wicked?!

We naturally planned all our outdoor activities for the one day that was supposed to be sunny and warm.  In true San Fran style, that was the day it poured!  With our Segway tour cancelled, we were left to enjoy icecream sundaes in Ghirardelli Square and spend some more time indoors...shopping!  (What else?)

We put on some ponchos and tried to convince the Segway guys to let us go in the rain.  They weren't convinced.

Finding shelter from the rain on the bus

Fortunately, the weather cooperated the following day, and we were able to tour the city via Segways.   So much fun!  Of course, we made friends with our tour guide, Walid, or as we liked to call him "Fabio, our Italian Stallion."  After our tour, he introduced us to a wonderful Armenian deli near Union Square.  We soaked up some sunshine while enjoying our foreign cuisine.

And what did we do in the evenings you ask?  Other than a trip to the emergency room to treat Brittany for anaphylactic shock (the dipping sauce for Cheesecake Factory's Avocado Eggrolls contains cashews, btw), we did what all girls do when they get together... we put on our matching pj's (thanks Grandma) and talked till all hours of the evening.  And attempted to make pyramids.  And had pillow fights.  Classic girl fun!

What would I do without all these extra sisters?!  I miss them already!

Game Over

I've played my last game of softball, that is, at least until after October.  Sniff sniff.  It was fun while it lasted, but at some point (the point when you are no longer sliding, you are out of breath after running the bases, and you fear, instead of hope, that the ball will be hit at you) it's time to quit.  My doctor had given me the ok to play for as long as I felt comfortable, and apparently, for me, that comfort  disappeared around week 17.   So for now, I'll hang up my cleats, make myself a nice indentation on the couch, put my feet up, and sip my Caffeine-Free Diet Dr. Pepper until this baby makes his appearance this fall.

*At my last game at 17 1/2 wks preggo

The Happiest Place on Earth

What do you do when your husbands are about to accomplish something great and your friends are about to move away?  Celebrate with a trip to Disneyland!!  Two weeks ago we were able to take a quick road trip to Disneyland with several of our good friends for one last hurrah before graduation.  It was an exhausting 3 days, but definitely worth the trip.  We had so much fun, and enjoyed the extra time with friends. 

The Whole Group: Kevin and Jill Gardner / John, Mandy, and Maddie Willms / Me and Brett / Hilary, Jeff, and Sophie Gardiner

Jill and I found Aladdin and TRIED to keep our hands off him :)

Brett's favorite thing to do at home AND at Disneyland - shooting aliens

The boys prepare to enter lightspeed

Captain EO - the best part of the WHOLE trip!!  The King of Pop lives on!

I decided to take our waterproof camera on Splash Mountain to capture every second of the thrill.  As you can tell Jill got SOAKED!  The rest of us fared pretty well.  Sorry Jill! :)

Group pic in front of the castle

And they lived happily ever after...

Our baby's first trip to Disneyland!  He rode every ride except Indiana Jones.  I decided that might be a bit too much for him. :)  Yes, I am pushing out to make my belly a little more visible.

The girlys

And the reason for the whole thing...

...we couldn't be more proud of these smart boys!

Thanks again to the Willms, Gardners, and Gardiners for a SUPER fun trip!!!

It's BACK!!! But Will it be Better than Ever?

NOT SURE.

I couldn't contain my excitement when I saw the new promo for this yrs SYTYCD starting May 27th.  So excited!!  But there are so many changes, and although many are GREAT, I'm not so sure how I feel about all of them.

I LOVE... that we get to see 12 all-stars from previous seasons return to partner the new dancers.

Ade (Season 5), Allison (2), Niel (3), Lauren (3), Dominic (3), Kathryn (6)
Courtney (4), Pasha (3), Twitch (4), Mark (4), Anya (3), and Comfort (4)

I don't love... that from the whole audition process, they will now only pick 10 new dancers, instead of 20, to compete.

I LOVE... that we don't have to suffer from Mary Murphy's blood curdling screams EVERY week anymore (only every few weeks).

I don't love... that we still have to hear from Adam Shankman every week.  Bring back the old days where Nigel was the only stationary judge.

I LOVE... that only 1 dancer will be kicked off each week, instead of 2.

I don't love... that the judges will have final say in who gets kicked off each week, up until the finale.

I LOVE... that Mia Michaels is back to give us so more of her amazing routines.

And I LOVE LOVE LOVE... that SYTYCD starts again in only 3 weeks.  Can't wait!!

Snips & Snails & Puppy Dogs' Tails!!

Apparently that's what our little BOY is made of!!!

Baby Talk

Sorry I've been slacking in the posting department lately.  I've been busy and distracted the last few weeks, but now I'm back and on top of it again.  I'd first just like to say thanks to everyone for your sweet comments and congratulations.  We are so grateful for this little one and could not be more excited. 

Now, speaking of babies, here's a few conversations Brett and I have had over the last few days.

--As I'm standing right behind Brett tucking the back of his tie into his collar--
Brett:  "Awww, honey.  I can feel your belly more than I can feel your boobs."
Thanks honey!  Just what EVERY girl wants to hear!

--A text convo telling Brett I'd moved my Dr's apt--
Me:  "My apt. is Fri at 11:00!  Yay!!!"
Brett:  "Wahoo!!!  I can't wait to find out that it's a boy! And I shall call him... Sr. Francesco Ruggles the Sixth, master of time and space, friend to dolphins, and coneursoir of fine cheeses!"
Brett:  "P.s. I don't know how to spell coneursoir."
I actually laughed out loud for almost a whole minute.

LOVE that boy!  He makes me laugh every day, and I can't imagine my life without him!