Barcelona

So if you're friends with me on facebook, I've been slowly adding pictures from our vacay.  But, I suppose I should post a few of them here.  However, you won't get much commentary.  I'm not really in the mood for that.  Lo siento.

Day 1 in Barcelona was all about Gaudi - a Spanish Architect.  

He designed everything that you see below, even the park.

Day 2 we ventured into the smaller coastal towns of the Costa Brava, Spain

 As much as I wouldn't recommend only spending 2 days in each city/country we sure did see a lot in each of those 2 days!

I didn't think I was jet-lagged

Ryan and I made a point to sleep a lot on our trip.  With the whole non-drinking thing, there's really not a reason to be out late at night.  We ate dinner at 9ish every night, which is standard in Europe, and pretty much crashed after returning to the hotel.  We got almost 8 hours a sleep a night, slept on airplanes when necessary, but forced ourselves to stay awake on the flights home so we could get a full night's rest on Sunday when we returned.  I've been fine during the day but the past two nights have been horrible!

Guess what time we went to bed on Monday.

8:15 p.m.

And last night?

9:30 p.m.
(after I had already fallen asleep on the couch for a few minutes).

Ryan was a good man and unpacked and did a lot of the laundry, but we still folded it as a team and there was plenty of my stuff he couldn't put away.  So I've been picking away at it bit by bit, trying to figure out dinner each night, edit the photos from the trip for others to see, all while keeping up with a busy social agenda this week! Ryan's been a champ though.  With this summer schedule he's only had a few hours of class in the morning and then he's been working out and getting stuff done around the house and pretty much taking care of me while I'm a lazy bum.  Like I said, good man.

I know, I shouldn't complain.  We went on the trip of a lifetime and we have so many more wonderful fun things ahead of us this week.  But goodness, I'M TIRED.

Ryan's Christmas Present

I know, I know, you all want to see pictures from our trip.  But it's taking about 10 minutes to load them from my SD card to my computer so you get these pre-trip pictures instead for now.  (I know I said tonight is pizza and cuddling but apparently Ryan has some homework to do, boo).

And yes, Christmas was 4 months ago, but we finally got around to using what I got Ryan - a 1 hour horseback ride.  Let me tell you, this boy was in heaven! He had never been on a horse and I could see his nerves at first, but then he was grinning NON STOP.  His words once we got in the car? "I wanna go again! Let's go again!"  Sometimes I swear I married a child.  It's no wonder no one believes he's 30.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

Ahhh, sigh of relief.  We're home.

I love our apartment. And I love that we left it clean when we left.  It's the BEST feeling to come home to.  

And I love that Ryno was there waiting for us (thanks for dropping him off, Kate and Greg!).  Not in love learning about the chewing Ryno did while we were gone.  It looks like it might have to be the crate for this little guy if we're out of town. 

But we're home.  And I'm already back to work.  But, I have the best husband ever who woke up with me at 6:30, even though class isn't until 9:30, and immediately started being productive. He took out Ryno, unpacked the suitcases, sorted the laundry (to be done by him later in the day - amazing husband, right?), laid out my bagel for breakfast, and mostly just made my life a whole lot easier.  LOVE HIM.

We had a wonderful, wonderful trip.  I don't think I ever mentioned this in the blog, but we were both a little (maybe very) nervous because some of the only times Ryan and I argue is when we're traveling.  There is something about the stress of being in a foreign place and trying to decide what to do and how to do it that upsets us both and it can get ugly.  But it didn't.  We both went into this trip relaxed and with open minds and it was perfect!  Pictures probably won't be up for awhile.  I think tonight is going to be a pizza and cuddling night to just relax before the storm of life fully sets in again.

Phoenix, it is!

We finally have an answer! After hearing almost 2 months ago that Alaska was cancelled, we know where we are headed in July.  And while they both start with "A" it might be close to the complete opposite of Alaska.

ARIZONA.

So the plan.  The real plan that better not get changed or I might just finally lose it plan-ish: 

I'm just looking at a calendar and plotting it right now, as I type.

Friday July 13: Ryan's last day of class (there are so many Friday the 13ths this year!)

Pack up our entire apartment and hit the road.

Tuesday July 17-ish: Arrive in Nebraska with ALL of our stuff

Friday July 20- Tuesday July 24: Babysit the Kobza Clan

Wednesday July 25: Drive to Denver?

Thursday July 26:  Denver 

Friday July 27: SLC

Saturday July 28: SLC/St. George?

Sunday July 29: Drive to Phoenix

Monday July 30: Ryan begins work at his first Clinic!

Yes, it is ridiculously hot there.

Yes, the puppy will be coming with.

Yes, I am really excited.

Yes, the plan after that is still Omaha from Oct-Jan and Durham from Jan-May.

UPDATE: More specifically we will be living in Sun City West.  The old folks are gonna love us:

Sun City West, the nation's premier active adult golf community, offers the lifestyle you've been looking for.  The community offers everything for the active adult 55 and older, from more than 100 chartered clubs and seven golf courses to state-of-the-art bowling and countless activities.  Baby Boomers and Greatest Generation members alike - and everyone in between - will find the Sun City West lifestyle suits them.  Welcome to the neighborhood! 

Two raincoats, please

With this forecast, and plans of almost all outdoor adventures, a few raincoats might need to be purchased in the next few days. Oh, and note to self - the white capri's I was planning on wearing might not be such a good idea.

 

Thank you, Egypt and your desert weather for providing us with some guaranteed sunshine.

Countdowns

NOW begins our 3-day weekend and Ryan's official finish of this semester. 9 days until we go overseas.  23 days until we see my sisters Shelby and Whitney.  27 days until we see Wicked.  28 days until my lovely wonderful friend, Megan Holt, arrives.  57 days until Ryno turns one. 89 days until Ryan's Birthday. 99 days until Ryan is done with class FOREVER.  100ish days left in Durham (for now, that we know of...)