My birthday cake...no birthday pie....no Birthday Fruit Pizza

For my addictions class we had to give up something for the semester. I gave up sweets of any kind. So, when my birthday rolled around I told Susan not to make me a cake or anything. I was not expecting anything but she managed to come up with something that was not a sweet. So, here is my Fruit Pizza birthday cake.

Lava Hot Springs

The first week of April I went to Logan, Utah to hang out with Nikki and Sandra. We went up into Idaho to Lava Hot Springs for a night. I was really surprised at the nice facilities they had. After enjoying the hot springs we went to dinner at Fat Jacks. And yes, I felt fat after eating there. Since there is NOTHING to do in the town in the evening we played monopoly and watched way too many episodes of the Golden Girls. Then the next morning we had a Idaho breakfast at the Chuckwagon and then headed back to Logan. Since I was going to be in Idaho, I had mentioned that it would be cool to buy some real Idaho potatoes for my coworkers. We did not see any potato stands in Idaho but there was one north of Logan. So, thankfully Sandra was insistent that I get some potatoes and we stopped at a stand. There was no one there but a trailer with the door open had 3 sacks of potatoes in it. There was a drop box for money and a high security surveillance camera which we made funny faces for. So, we paid our money and Sandra picked up our 50lb bag of potatoes. And they were very delicious potatoes. I just finished my last two today.

Lava Hot Springs

Nikki, Holly, and Sandra in the second to the hottest pool.

Nothing like a greasy burger and fries after relaxing in a hot springs.

Sandra riding the Lava Hot Springs bull for 8 seconds. There was no sign but I am pretty sure she should not be on that bull.

My hearty Idaho breakfast. No, I did not finish it all.

These potatoes were straight from the ground. It took me a good 3 minutes or so to clean off all the dirt. I don't know if I will ever be able to eat store bought potatoes again.

Ivana P.

So, since I am graduating I will no longer have my graduate assistantship as the University Disability Support Services (UDSS). I have really loved working there and will miss the job, people, and opportunities to play pranks. So, as a way to say goodbye I have pulled yet another prank. Part of our job is to proctor exams for students with disabilities because they recieve certain accommodations. This semester we have proctored over 800 exams. To keep all the exam times organized we use a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. It is the most SACRED document at UDSS. So....I made up a fake name "Ivana P." with a fake final in a fake class with a fake professor, "Professor Depends". My boss is very detailed oriented so it will be interesting to see how long it takes her to figure out that Ivana P. is actually a sensation instead of a person.

Maui Helicopter Ride

I have always wanted to go on a Helicopter ride. So, I decided that Maui would be the perfect place to take a ride. It was amazing to see Maui and Molokai from the air. There was some turbulence but overall it was amazing. I was in line to sit in the back because seating is based on weight distribution. The lady in front of me was assigned to sit at the emergency door in the front but she did not want to. So, when they asked me if I would sit there and open the door in case of an emergency I said "Absolutely". So, I got to sit in the front.

This the west side of Maui.

All the waterfalls on Hawaii are from rain water. This waterfall is on Molokai.

This is the best picture I took. In 45 minutes I took 125 pictures.

One of the many valleys on Molokai.

To the right is the peninsula were the leper colony was.

This is the only road that takes you to northwestern Maui.

This is after my ride. Just behind my head is where I sat. I would definitely pay to go on another Helicopter ride.

Maui -- Part 1

For Spring Break part of my family went to Maui from March 12-March 20. We stayed in Kihei on the south part of Maui. It was a great location. It was really relaxing and I didn't think there were many tourist. There was a beach right across the street too. To make this simple here is our itinerary.A view of our beach from the parents' room.

Day 1:

• Flew into Maui
• Relaxed
  

Day 2:

• Went to church (sacrament only)
• Walked on the beach with family
  
• Played a new game called "Bang"
• Relaxed

Greta and Holly are excited about going "buggy boarding" the next day.

Day 3:

• Jogged with Owen in the morning
• Went to the beach with family
• Owen, the parents, and I tried another beach but it was to rocky
• Went back to "our" beach

Holly and Greta work hard on building a Sand Castle

Day 4:

• Snorkeling Excursion -- We took a boat out to Molokini to snorkel. On the way out their we saw Humpback Whales. Molokini is a crater in the ocean. The snorkeling was really great. After snorkeling at the crater we got back in the boat and went over to Turtle Town were we saw some turtles and amazing fish. On our way back to the harbor we had a BBQ on the boat. I would go with this company again because the had prescription goggles which were great for me. I also enjoyed just being on the boat. I love boat rides.
• Worked out at the gym
• Went to the beach
  
• Watched a movie in the evening: My parents went to a show while we watched a "violent" movie. Upon returning from the show I told my dad he wouldn't like it because of the violence. He then said, "I much prefer sex over violence" referring to movies.

Molokini crater with a whale swimming by.

Here is a better picture of a whale. Apparently a few males were fighting over a female near our boat. This is a picture of one whale pulling a ninja move against the other pursuers.

Derek and Greta enjoying the boat ride

Day 5:

• I went on a helicopter ride over West Maui and the island Molokai where a leper colony was set up. I have never been on a helicopter and have always wanted to experience a ride. I enjoyed it a lot but as a little scared when the wind picked up. It was very beautiful and I took 125 pictures in 45 minutes.
  
• Went running with Derek, Alexis, and Owen. On our run we checked out some beaches and found a really good one for boogie boarding.
• Went to the beach

This is me after the helicopter ride. More pictures to come later.

Waterfall on Molokai

Molokai has the highest sea cliff I believe in the world.

Day 6:

• Parents took the twins to the Aquarium while Derek, Alexis, Owen and I went boogie boarding. The waves were great and at times a little scary. Derek told me he could see why I loved boogie boarding so much and how I could do it all day. This was the first time that Derek, Owen, and Alexis had every boogie boarded.
• Went to the gym
• Went to a Luau in Lahaina. The luau was at the Hilton Hotel which was just gorgeous. The luau was pretty good to.

Owen and Holly ride a wave in.

Here is a family picture at the Luau.

Day 7:

• We drove the road to Hana. Although it is only a little over 40 miles it takes about 3 hours because of the narrow roads and twist and turns. It is a gorgeous drive
• Derek, Alexis, Owen and I ran up a 2 miles trail to a waterfall. The run was really neat because we ran through a bamboo forest, past a huge banyan tree, and we were able to put our heads underneath the waterfall. I was glad Alexis suggested we run.
• Walked around the the seven pools and took a swim in one pool.
• We also explored a Lava Tube.

Evan is happy to be in Maui.

Holly, Derek, Alexis, and Owen near Waimoku Falls.

Owen, Holly, and Derek. Behind us you can kind of see portions of the "Road to Hana".

Day 8

• Spent 5 hours on the beach boogie boarding.
• Drove up to Haleakala volcano. Unfortunately by the time we got to the top the clouds were covering the crater. It was really windy and raining. We got out to take a picture at the lookout point although we couldn't see anything. I put socks on my hands to keep them warm. The drive up to the Haleakala was really beautiful.

Evan and Greta learn how to boogie board.

Greta the boogie boarder.

Opa, Evan, Holly, Greta and Derek. Behind us is the crater.

Day 9

• Packed to go home
  
• Drove up to Lahaina for a seafood dinner
• Flew back to Colorado

Beaten Up by a Macaroni Noodle

Last Saturday I was testing a macaroni noodle to see if it was cooked. I skillfully retrieved a noodle from the boiling water and lifted it up to my mouth. Unfortunately, the noodle slipped out of my hands and some how landed below my chin burning me. Never underestimate the pain caused by a macaroni noodle. Sorry about the up the nose shot; I was just amazed at how burned I got.

What do you get a 66 year old man for his birthday?

Owen and I were having a hard time coming up with a present for our dad. He turned 66 on February 9, and we decided instead of a book, clothing, or some other item that he probably doesn't need we would give him a memory. We took him snowshoeing in December and he really liked it so we decided to take him again for his birthday. So, February 12, we packed him and Susan up in their mini-van and headed up Poudre Canyon. We had great weather as we snowshoed on Blue Lake trail. After snowshoeing we took them out to "Nordy's" a BBQ restaurant in Ft. Collins and had a delicious meal of brisket, pork and chicken. They also have a noodle slaw side dish that was really good.

If you look at the back of my head there is a white patch because someone named Owen threw a snowball at me.

Yes, Ninjas also snowshoe.

Some where beneath us there is a bridge.