Saturday, April 30, 2011

April Weddings and Family Visits

April was a gorgeous month in Arizona - the trees and shrubs are blossoming, the summer grass turns green again, and the citrus trees give off that ever-loving orange aroma that is just to die for! And the allergies get BAD :)

We attended two weddings in April for some very close friends - who, in fact, used to be each others neighbors! What a small world it is!

First up was Jana and Mike on April 2nd... their wedding was OVER THE TOP and simply to die for... likely the nicest wedding Tyler and I have ever been to and ever will go to again :) We really felt like royalty and we were just regular guests! I can't image how the bride and groom felt on their special day... not to mention their pampered wedding party. It was truly a magical experience and we're so grateful to them for their kindness and friendship!


Next up were Merek and Brittany on April 23rd. Their fabulous reception was in an outdoor garden that was just spectacular - not something you see every day in Arizona - an oasis! They were the cutest bride and groom on the planet and had a genuinely wonderful time on their special day. Tyler and I just adore these two and their artistic abilities, sense of humor, and love of travel... kids after our own hearts... they'll make it all the way to forever!!


April also brought a WONDERFUL visit from my dad and step-mom... to see the baby bump... and my aunt Karen, uncle Doug, and close friend Debbie. I don't have any picture proof of these visits :( Hopefully someone does!

We love our treasured time with family and friends and April was chock-full of it! We are so fortunate to have so many special relationships...

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Viva Puerto Rico!

We went to Puerto Rico for a week in March with my mom and step-dad, Don. What a blast! We stayed in a fully stocked condo in a little beach town called Loiza (about 40 minutes from San Juan), rented a car to get around the entire island, did day trips and ocean excursions, and soaked in the sun and latin culture. It was an incredible experience and I'm so glad we were able to go on what could be our last vacation for quite a while :)

I'll let the pictures do most of the talking:

Mom and Don being silly in Ponce :)

The El Yunque Rain Forest (the only rain forest in North America)

San Filipe del Morro Castillo & Forte (built in 1539 by Spanish settlers)

Hacienda Buena Vista Coffee & Cocoa Plantation
We were there in cocoa season and got to see a natural chocolate bar made from scratch! We also got caught in a torrential down-pour of rain, but it was warm and wonderful :)

On the adorable, quaint, private beach (part of our condo rental) - Tyler enjoying a cerveza!

We have thousands more pictures from this trip that I'm sure I'll post in time with more in-depth stories, but for now, just a taste!