Vacation. Finally.

Man. It seems like I haven't taken a real vacation in soooo long! Actually, the last trip I took was our Honeymoon trip to Hawaii a year and a half ago.

It was such a nice break! The first day we drove to Zions Nat'l Park in Southern Utah and hiked the Emerald Pools. It was only about 2 1/2 miles total, so nothing to brag about, but it was gorgeous and very wierd to hike in sand.

We then went on to my parent's house in Nevada, where my Toby Cat came to his senses and cuddled with me. Ever since I so kindly gave him to my parents 4 years ago he's been a bitter little fuzzy buddy and usually gives me the cold shoulder. I was glad to see he's a little less prideful.

After visiting with my parents we we on to San Diego! The weather was gorgeous, a perfect 75 degrees! We stayed in a hotel downtown, within walking distance to a number of restaurants and other exciting places. I experienced my first outdoor gym- there were actually treadmills, weight machines, a lap pool and basketball court all on the roof of an office building! It was so amazing, as far a gyms go.

We also visited the Midway Museum, courtesy of Dan's friend, Jason. The Midway is a aircraft carrier that has been retired, docked and is now a museum featuring at least 20 airplanes, helicopters, flight simulators and tons of other military-ish artifacts. We were on that thing for hours, and didn't even make a dent in all the attractions. I'm so thankful for our country's service men & women-- I can't imagine giving up my cushy life to spend time on one of those mo-fo's.

Dan also took me to my favorite beach in Huntington. I don't know why, but I just love that place! I am such a giddy idiot when it comes to playing in the ocean. I have so much fun getting slapped around by those waves... I think Dan envys the ocean...j/k.

Anyways-- it was a great time. Like the old woman I'm becoming I forgot my camera most of the time, but I've posted a couple of pics from the aircraft carrier. Fun times!

Reunion Time!!!

Gpa with some cousins...I don't know the cousins
Kylee (Anne's) & Devri (Bobby's)
Tera (Nate & Nadj's) Abby (pushing / Anne's) and Daph (Mark&J's)
Bonnie & Her little one, Chloe'
Kylee, Nadja & Bobby (Nate's, not my little brother.)
Daphne, Tera & Soph Soph (anne's baby grillll)
James, Mark and Janis's arm
Tera


I'm so sad that I forgot my camera on the first day of the '08 Bradford reunion!!! But I was able to catch some pretty awesome stuff on the last day... You hafta check out the Gpa Rap-just the fact that my grandpa turned his hat sideways is funny enough- He's such a cute little man!

I'm usually hesitant to attend family events like this- no offense to any family, I just get anxiety and it's not super comfortable for me, but this reunion was nice. I was able to catch up with some long lost cousins and see my out of town siblings. It was good to see Nate Dawg & Nadj and their cutie pie kiddos. Annie was also down, I love hanging out with my sisters and it seems like I never get to see Anne & her girls...who are so big & grown up!

I'm sure lots of people are having reunions -- 'tis the season!
I can't wait to see all of your pictures!

Happy Independence Day!

Hello Everyone! I just wanted to post some 4th of July pics & videos. It was a relaxed 4th, Dan & I just hung out during the day, watched the history channel (getting a play by play on why we celebrate this holiday) did some laundry, played some Halo (Dan) ... ya know, the usual. In the evening we went to my Grandma & Grandpa J's annual 4th of July party, which was everything I expected. We had lots of yummy salads & sides, tasty cheeseburgers and of course home made ice cream.

Most of my Utah siblings were there to enjoy the food and watch my Uncle Jim's amazing late afternoon fireworks show. The Utah fireworks are spectacular... as they spin and shoot up 2 inches off the ground. Later that evening my brother, Mark, lit some fireworks out here in E.M. It was cool to hang out with them & Bobby & Layne. Poor Phil, he must have spiked the punch or something b/c he biffed it like 5 times that night, I'm not talking a little trip, I'm talking face first into the gravel. He's so tough.

All in all it was a fun weekend hanging out with my family and of course my Hus.

I'm basically just kind of bored right now & I haven't written a thing in over a month. I've had strep throat, or one of it's cousins, over the last week- not very fun. I think I got it @ the gym... one of the side effects of working out--toned tooshie & sore throat.

Other than that life has been non-eventful. I recently passed my series 6 & 63 tests, so now I'm registered to speak to people about mutual funds. The NASD is really strict about how you word things- so don't sue me. Dan has just started a new part-time job. He's working with a local funeral home on a sort of estate planning package for their clients. It sounds funny-but it's a necessity I've learned (while working in the financial arena) that everyone should have established. I'm sure he'll do well.

I feel bad for anyone who has to read my boring blogs- I wish I were witty or had the charm of Erma Bombeck or something, but I'm all out tonight.


I really miss shopping lately- trying to cut back on the frills right now, but he's what I've been window shopping for:

My First Time

Ever since I ran track in high school I've been terrified of races. My goal back then was to at least try to not come in last. Well this year I decided to run the Susan B Komen Race For the Cure 5k, and my sweet sister Joan volunteered to go with me. I got to the Gateway, where the race began, and felt a panic attack coming on.

We had our fannie packs ready to go (it was so funny we couldn't stop laughing, I felt like a granny.) We checked in, where I got my newest nightgown (I ordered a small T-shirt , but now I know that a 1/2 hour early is not early.)There were thousands of people there, and I get anxiety in big crowds, but sucked it up.

We weeded our way through the crowd to the starting area, and my blood was pumping, images of me trying not to come in last at the track meet flashed through my mind...

So the race began a little slowly b/c of the zillions of people running it, but I got going and it was a lot of fun. It was really cool to feed off of the other racers' energy and it was a gorgeous day for a run. I felt a little bad b/c I wanted to beat my personal best, so i kinda left Joan behind (sorry !) But at least she had fun too...

It was a great experience & I hope to do many more 5k's in the future, now that I've broken the ice. It doesn't hurt that I beat my personal best by one minute. YAY! Now I'm hooked. Poor Joanie, I have a feeling she'll be dragged to a lot more of these events...

Family Weekend!

Munching away : Shane & Dan Soph Soph & Daffy Doo!

Phil Phil & Bonnie's Baby-Chloe
Joanie & Abbie




Wow- It seems like I haven't been on here in forever! Not much is going on, I guess that's why I never write! But here's what we've been up to:
-I got a new calling at church- I'm the Young Women's Secretary, so far so good!
-Dan's still teaching the kiddies- They love him a lot more than they liked me!
-I'm having a hard time thinking of stuff b/c Dan's standing over my shoulder asking me questions!

Anyways... here are some pictures from the latest Bradford shindig. It was my neice's, Abbie, 8th b-day. It's always fun to get together with the Fam!

Family Weekend

Last weekend was tons of fun. The whole Bradford (well almost, we were missing a few) clan was in town. We had a huge dinner Friday night @ Buca di Beppo's. We had their largest table, and barely fit around it.

Saturday my niece, Brooklyn, was baptized. I can't believe she's already 8 years old! I remember when she was born! Crazy how time flies...

This picture was taken Sunday after Mark & Janis's baby, Nickolas, was blessed. He's the one I'm holding. He's such a cute little chub! Dan's enjoying the huge group gathering and my nieces were excited to see him (Abby-Anne's daughter- is sitting on the other side of him.) Joanie and Pudge are having an in depth conversation on the other side of me... Pudge is so cute! I guess they're all cute. It was so fun seeing everyone! The weekend went by way too fast!

We were also able to visit with Dan's family earlier in the week. It was on a sad note though, the Colonel, Dan's Grandpa, passed away. He was a great man, a great grandpa and friend. I see a lot of him in Dan. It still hasn't sunk in, but I'm so glad I was able to get to know him. I love Dan's family- they're all really great. I lucked out in the "in-laws" department.