Taco Time!!

We haven't taken a true vacation since being pregnant...and it was time! As hard as it was to leave Ashley, it was something I had to suck up and do...Mommy and Daddy needed some, well, Mommy and Daddy time!! So, where is the safest place you would think of going and getting away...Mexico!! Everyone thought our heads were going to be chopped off...and to be honest after telling a few locals we were from Arizona (learned that lesson real fast!), the fear had passed through my mind as well! That aside, we had a fabulous time :-) We were joined by our "vacation buddies", Uncle Keith and Aunt Karen, and made some great memories!

Hanging out by the pool ...getting burnt on the first day!Swim-up bar Right on the beach...Friday night, we took an hour long catamaran ride to dinner and a show...it was quite spectacular and very relaxing eating dinner by candlelight on the beach, with our feet in the sand
Oh what do you know...Brian found the entertainment...

and this guy doesn't know I'm from Arizona...
Pepe's!! The best tacos in town...so good, we ate there three times!!
Three days...23 tacos (that's just for Brian!)
Is this safe...?Cute little Mexico doggy
Goofing around...This is cute...but this is cuter!! Our Senor Frogs servers...they like to take pictures of themselves in Mexico...Needless to say, this was a fun night...I guess we stuck out in Puerto VallartaGood times...Taking a break on the boardwalk...Tommy cars...I had no idea I was about to fear for my lifeAll business...ready to goView from the top...yes we drove up, up and UP...the entire way I could see off the cliff and the husbands thought it was funny to goof around and get as close as possible without dying! This was probably a first, I was terrified and Brian wasn't.Last night in town, Brian made friends with the taxi driver...and he took us to the best dinner around town! We never would have found this place on our own...a big thank you to our Danielle Steel loving chauffeur, you made our evening!Cheers!All shrimp, and a little lobster...SOOOO GOOD!!!No clue what I'm doing, I was just so excited to see this...still don't know what it isI was the only one to hold the croc...for $3View from our room...About to fly home...one last picture momentThanks to our family at home, without them we would not have been able to take this time for ourselves and rejuvenate! Now...where to next...?

30 - 1

What does every girl want to do on her 29th birthday...forget it!! Act like its not happening, right!! That's how I felt anyways, so I thought what better way to keep busy and take my mind off of the unwanted aging, (and yes, I am now battling the war against unwanted wrinkles and even a few, we'll call them "non-brown" hairs) than going to the zoo!! I haven't been in years and this was a first for Ashley!! It was such a good idea...we are now members!! You couldn't beat the weather and watching Ashley discover all the different animals for the first time, was so much fun!!

Daddy...look what's coming our way!

Ummm...I don't know about this Mom...

As Daddy was taking pictures, this little fellow stuck his head out and was trying to eat Ashley's treats in my diaper bag!! Can't pass up an Icee opportunity

Ashley did decide we were there too long that day, and so we had to miss the giraffes...we'll start with them next time!

Ashley is quite the helper when opening birthday presents...she took my beautiful new necklace and ran...girl of good taste!

Thank you to everyone for all the birthday cards, calls, texts, singing and warm wishes...for a day I wished would go unnoticed, it ended up being unforgettable!

Easter (Part Deux)

The Easter Bunny was very kind to Ashley this year!!...and boy what a difference a year makes!! I can't believe last year we had to prop her up to take pictures of her and this year I was chasing her around the backyard as all the eggs were flying out of her basket! Every day I am reminded how quickly she's growing up and how every moment is truly irreplaceable!
and the hunt begins...

Smelling the flowers with Daddy! Round Two! Grandpa and Grammy's house!
Checking out some new dresses Stuffed Bunny from Great Grandma Gastsneaking a little Easter treat with Grammy...
A little end note here...we did take Ashley back to her church "daycare" and I am happy to report she was not bit again!! We did have a few tears (I think she remembered the scene of the crime) but all turned out well!