I will live my life as a Lobsterman's Wife

This title inspired by that song by Ingrid Michaelson. If you don't know it, you can listen to it here. You won't regret it.
So, it's that time again. Lobster Fishing season here in Key West! This year, Tyler's brother and sister-in-law came to spend the week with us and experience the lobster fishing for themselves.

They came a few days early to hang with us in Ft. Lauderdale. The night they got here, we had a little going away party for our good friends The Johns (seperate post about that later) and Carrie and Todd were good sports and came along.

 We also spent some time at Bass Pro Shop (because who doesn't do that on vacation?):

And enjoyed sushi with the May's:

Tuesday morning we got up ready for the good stuff. We had an estimated time of departure of 1:00. Actual time was 5:00. Only four hours later than planned. That's what happens when the lights on your boat trailer aren't working and you find out on your way out of town. Not off to the best start and the boys weren't feeling super happy by the time we actually left Ft. Laudy Daudy. Luckily the drive to Key West is super entertaining because of giant staues of sea animals all along the way and billboard signs with trashy ladies advertising family restaurants. That helped lighten the mood pretty quickly.  I made Tyler promise that if we ever drive down to the Keys with no kids that we would stop at every sea creature statue along the way and take pictures with them. It may take us two days to make it down to Key West but I think it would be worth it to get pictures with things like this:

 Once we got to the hotel we settled in and made it our home for the next few days:

On Wednesday (Tyler's Birthday), Tyler, Todd and Carrie got up to get an early start on the Lobster Fishing. Because the waters were rough that day, Owen, Collette and I decided to stay at the hotel and do this:

Unfortunately, they didn't have much luck with the Lobsters so we decided to go to our favorite restaurant to lift everyones spirits:

And then went home to celebrate the birth of this amazing man:

Thursday morning we got up late and headed out to sea to try our hands at catching some lobster (again).

Owen has become such a great little swimmer. He loved hanging on to the rope, letting go and riding the current into mommy and daddy's arms.

I love this kid.



And this kid. She was a perfect little boater. She just chilled in the shade all day. Don't judge me, I only took her life jacket off for a photo op.

Our little boat captain.

Todd had some business to take care of.

and SUCCESS! Tyler caught one!

 Unfortunately that was the only one we caught over the course of the two days. Luckily, we still had some fun things in store for us in Key West. Like the sunset celebration that night:

And some super yummy pizza:

Luckily for us, you could take a breathalyzer test right across the way for only three dollars.

Totally worth it.

We got up Friday and headed back downtown for a few hours. We HAD to go back to check out this place:

Because who doesn't want to learn about underwater treasure?

We also wanted to head back downtown just for this:

No matter how many times I see this sculpture, I can never get over it. It's so weird to me.

Also, Tyler wanted to visit his stores while we were there. Owen really liked that idea so that he could do this for a while:

Favorite new game... he can't get enough of hiding,which is super cute until you can't see him anywhere so you start freaking out and he won't answer because he really wants to be a good hider. Then it's not so fun.  .

After a few hours in Key West we decided it was time to make our way back home. On our way we stopped at Robbie's. This place is awesome. You can feed the tarpon, like this:

We were loving it, especially Owen.

Pretty cool little pit stop on the way home.

We finally made it back to the house about 8:00 that night and decided we better cook up the one lobster we caught.

It was fantastic. Thanks husband for being so good with the grill. Yummy!

You all might be wondering if we were sad to only come home with one lobster. The answer to that question is no... and this is why... We can't wait to have an excuse to go back to Key West again soon and jump back in those beautiful caribbean waters! Come join us!

Utah- Week Two

Sick of hearing about our trip yet? Well... too bad. We were in Utah for two and a half weeks so you get one more post of the things we got to do while we were there. The second week, we spent time with family and tried to get together with some of our friends. Unfortunately, we never get to see everyone we want to see (so sad I missed you Em, Ally and Steph, to name a few). Below is a quick (I'm lying, it's about a million pictures so it's not really going to be quick) rundown in pictures:

We hit up the Dinosaur Park with some friends. Thanks for hanging Kaes, Max and Cash!

  



Noticed half way through the day that I had put two different shoes on Owen. Sorry buddy...





Owen loved this place. Luckily we have been watching The Land Before Time lately so we knew all the scientific names to the dinosaurs like Sharp Tooth and Long Neck.

We BBQ'd with some friends:

Owen really loved what Tyler was cookin up



We were lucky enough to get invited to Em and Trav's for dinner. Yummy!

Owen loved hanging with his cousins

We went to Hogle Zoo, where we got to see even more dinosaurs. Don't be confused, there weren't live dinosaurs at the zoo. Just sculptures of them scattered throughout. Owen was in heaven:

See, couldn't take his eyes off of the big guy.

We did some hiking (honestly, one of my favorite parts of the trip) I really really miss those mountains.

With my bro up Bells Canyon (My all time favorite place to hike)

Then up to Secret Lake (almost) with parents, husband and children and my 83 year old grandpa. Yes people, you read that right... he's 83 and still hiking with us. Go Gramps!!!



I forgot Collette's bonnet so we made a makeshift one with a hankerchief. That's why it's great to have dads around, they carry things like hankerchiefs.

Owen couldn't get enough of the snow. Yep... snow, in July. Which is why we almost got to Secret Lake but not quite, too much snow in our way.

Tyler and Owen flying up the hill (Cute right?)

Maybe my favorite picture of the trip. This is my parents. They are still super in love even after 36 years. 

We had a bday party for my brother Brandon and an early celebration for Tyler's b-day:

We really loved having cousins around





The Birthday Boys

The boys put on a firework show to end the night.

The kids loved it but really they mostly just played under the blanket

We visited Grandparents while we were in town:

 And the rest of the time we just spent hanging at my parents.

It was such a fantastic trip! We miss our Utah peeps already so much! Now it's your turn to come see us!

Blessing Day

This post is dedicated to our little lady.

Since we were going to be in Utah and most of our family members were going to be here as well, we decided to bless Collette while we were here. It was such an amazing day. Tyler gave such a beautiful blessing and Collette was a little angel through the whole thing. She has already been such a blessing to our little family. She is a very happy baby, super quick to smile for everyone. Plus she is a great sleeper (which makes mommy super happy). We're so grateful to the family and friends that were there to share this day with us. Warning: Lots of pictures to follow. I want Collette to know everyone that was there for her special day.



The Travis Rhodes Family

 

Derek and Lindy

My amazing mamma

The Cushing Grandparents

The Whitesides Grandparents

Collette and Grandma Rhodes

She couldn't get enough of her Grandpa

The whole Cushing family

The Rhodes' Family minus a couple

 

Yay for our good friends, the Christensen's who were there to support us.

And for my best friend Wendy who happened to be in town at the perfect time.

Typical family shot right now. Tyler and I posing while Owen tried his hardest not to look at the camera.