Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Hawaii!!!!!

If you couldn't tell already, C and I are going to Hawaii!

We leave in 2 hours and I could not be more excited. We are spending a day in Honolulu, flying to the island of Kauai for a few days and then flying back to Honolulu for one more day.

We've planned several activities like a snorkeling cruise, a sunset cruise, parasailing and a rafting trip through the mountains and sugar plantations in Kauai. I hope to sneak in some kayaking and hiking as well.  We just visited the Grand Canyon (oops...I guess I should upload some of those pics) and Kauai is supposed to have the "Grand Canyon of Hawaii" so that will be fun to see....as well as the many waterfalls!

Most of all though, I just can't wait to put my toes in the sand on those gorgeous beaches.

I'm sure I will have tons of pictures when we return...we are taking two regular cameras and two underwater cameras :)

Aloha!

(Yes, that was a lot of exclaimation points....but I'm just so excited!)

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Things about "Us" I couldn't make up (Part 2)

1.  Our dads have the same middle name - Joseph

2. His Sister-in-Law shares a birthday with my brother. And my grandpa. And my Uncle.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Michigan Trip, Part IV

I have never tailgated for a college football game, but I had a lot of fun.  
The weather was gorgeous out and it was absolutely perfect in the shade.  We had prime tailgating spots as we were with the football crew so we were parked right next to the facility.  You know what else that meant?  Potty pass!  I am so grateful we got to go inside the building and not to a lovely port-o-john!
Tailgating with my love

After we had been there for an hour or so, C left with his friend to get some beer.  So C’s son and I stuck around are played a lot of Bag-O (or corn hole) and kicked around the soccer ball for a while.  It was then that he started called me his stepmom. Huh?  That was a shock! I certainly wasn’t expecting that.  Either C or N must have put that thought into his head because it certainly wasn’t something I had said!  I guess he does understand the idea of step parents because he has a step dad that lives with him….but still. It felt really odd.
Go Spartans!

We had a great time at the game….minus the fact that C had to trek all the way back to our car because they wouldn’t let me take anything in.  I had a little backpack with our water bottles, my wallet and the camera (among other things) and they refused to let me take it in.  Ok fine, I get it.  So I pulled my camera out so I could take it in, which was still in the case. Guess what?  Can’t take a camera case in either!  Geez people.  Just in case you are wondering, jackets weren’t allowed either.  Um what?
It was the first game of the season and they were playing Boise State.  Everyone had said the atmosphere would be electric and that there was nothing like it.  Being a NFL season ticket holder, I couldn’t imagine anything better so I was really excited.  It was kind of a letdown though….it didn’t feel any different than any other football game I’ve been to.  Even C said it felt so much different when he was in college. The game was still fun and the weather was fantastic.  If we didn’t have K with us we could have spent the game on the sidelines. Bummer.  Oh well, at least they won J 
The next day we went to C’s son’s grandma’s house to pick him up to hang out.  Talk about intimidating.  First I have to meet his son’s mother….now his grandmother?!?  We went over to her house and spent a good hour (at least) hanging out and chatting.  I was trying so hard to act like this was totally normal, I hope I fooled them!  At one point we got on the subject of step-parents (again) and either C’s mom or his grandma said something I will never forget. She said, “If Justine and Cliff get married then she will be your step-mom.” Holy cow! I was so shocked….who just outright says that?  I mean, I loved hearing it but that’s a pretty bold statement unless C has really been discussing all of that with them! I just I could remember which one said it, but I was too shocked to remember.
We spent the rest of the time hanging out with K doing various kid things. Chuckie Cheese pizza and Cold Stone Creamery were some of the highlights J
All in all I think it was a great trip.  I was so happy to be able to meet C’s son and get to know him a little bit.  It wasn’t nearly as awkward as I thought it was going to be meeting the rest of the family.   When we got home I did need a bit of a break though.  I can be very introverted and shy and meeting all of those new people and spending time in unknown places was tough for me.  I was happy to be home and comfortable in my surroundings!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Michigan Trip, Part III

Whoops....time has gotten away from me! On to part three.

After visiting the new Michigan State football facility we plugged in the address for C’s sons mothers house. Man, that’s a mouthful. Let’s just called her N.   I was so incredibly nervous for this meeting, as I am sure C was also.  The plan was to just show up unannounced. At least to C’s son K, N knew we were coming.  K had been begging C to come for his birthday for quite a while but C kept telling him he just couldn’t make it. 
So we pulled up and knocked on the door.  K answered.  It was honestly a little bit uncomfortable, because he didn’t seem excited at all.  Maybe he was in shock?  We went in the house and K went right back to the couch and started playing his video game. Huh?  Is this what you do when your dad travels across the country to see you on your birthday?  Granted, he is 8, but still. 
I said hi to N and gave her a hug.  It wasn’t nearly as awkward as I thought it was going to be.  I’m pretty sure I know why too.  Full disclosure?  It’s because she wasn’t as pretty as I thought she would be.  I know that sounds so terrible, but I had completely built her up in my head.  She was a total supermodel in my mind and when I found out that she wasn’t……..I felt relieved. I know, I’m horrible.
C thought it would be fun to take K somewhere, but when we asked, his really seemed disinterested.  I guess I could understand that. Your dad who you rarely see and a stranger show up and want to take you away from your mom?  I wouldn’t want to go either!  Finally we were able to convince him to go to the Burger King playland with us J After an hour or so he warmed up and we were able to have some fun.  He opened all of his Star Wars presents that we have so conveniently carried on the plane with us and spent a lot of time in the play place.
After a little stop at Wal-Mart for some necessities (our luggage STILL hadn’t arrived) and a big Hershey’s bar for K (how proceeded to get it all over his face), we dropped him back off and went to C’s friend’s house where we were staying for the evening. 
The night we went out for dinner with their crew, where we made sure to get some rather large margaritas.  I think we deserved it.  Then we went to a mini birthday gathering for one of the MSU staff.  The head coach was there again….and I was still in the same clothes he saw me in last haha. We were still in the same clothes we had left Phoenix in over 30 hours ago.  I was feeling pretty gross!  Our luggage was supposed to arrive a few hours earlier….but of course it still hadn’t. It was a nice evening, but I was exhausted and really just wanted to sleep.

Giant margarita's and what feels like week old clothes...

The next morning I awoke to the most beautiful sight ever….C bringing in my luggage!  Finally I could wear clean clothes!  We got up and got ready (I used my own makeup!) and then headed over to campus again to see what kind of MSU gear we could find for me.  C said they had all sorts of shirts and clothes that would be really cheap.  I think times have changed though because they weren’t nearly as cheap as he thought they would be!
After lunch at C’s favorite old hang out, Georgio’s pizza, we headed out to the hotel we’d be staying in for the rest of the trip.  We got ready for the game, picked up K and then we were off to tailgate!

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