St. Maarten - last Day :(

We needed to get a shot of our SWEET rental. Most cars are very compact over there - We loved this thing. Could turn on a dime - and still get us to the top of the island. It was a great little automobile.

We only had half the day before our flight took off so we headed back to Phillipsburg - which wasn't too far away. They had another fort we wanted to see. Here is some pics from that fort.

The side view and one sweet boat coming in.

This was the home/hospital of a lady and six kids. She took care of people there and also took care of the fort.

This was just a random bird cage with parrots in it. We thought it was a fun addition to the hotel we passed on the way to the fort.

This is our swimming pool. There was our daily activities and then we would come back and lounge on the beach. You can see it in the distance. Today we just hung out in the shade.

This was the ebach we passed on the way in. It was fun to take off in the same direction.

So happy to see our kids!!! Here is some of the suveniors we got them. Well this was their favorite. One was broken the second day from being shaken and beat against things a little too roughly. It was such an amazing trip - always nice to go - and nice to come home.

St. Maarten Friday - my favorite day

So I was a little chilly on the drive... Brice wrapped me up nice and tight in the beach towel ready for our catamaran ride around the island. This was my favorite day. For only $100 a person it was worth seriously every penny.

The boys getting the sail up so we can head out of port.

And we're off - the first side of the island was the windy side - and unfortanately pretty choppy headed out. I only get motion sick while pregnant - so this first side was a bit rough for me -but until I got sick - it was actually a blast getting splashed by all the water and going up and down on the waves! One of the crew was awesome with me - and got me over my sickness quickly by telling me where to sit on the boat. After the first stop I was fine the rest of the trip. It was all you could drink throughout the trip - and all alchohol was included so we had quite the party toward the end. Brice and I had to ask twice to make sure our drinks didn't include the rum ha ha.

This was our first stop. Another little island not too far from St. Maarteen. Snorkeling was awesome and I saw the biggest fish I'd seen in real life up close. Honestly it scared me because I think fish over 4 feet have to be meat eaters. I was fine to enjoy the beach after seeing that one.

Back again and this time the ride was amazing as to how smooth it was. Off to our little French restraurant for lunch!

I'm in the boat - but you can see Brice on shore. He just jumped in a swam over like a lot of other people did. I know I was a pansie - but I didn't want to be wet while I ate...

Here's the little place we ate at which was included in our price. We got a yummy chicken dish with this SUPER spicey sauce, I didn't try - but was confirmed by Brice - to be SUPER spicey.

Ready to head back on board and further around the island.

Now the laides had a chance to put the sail up. It was only like 4 guys - and all us ladies - for some reason we felt we needed to back up as we pulled and me and the poor lady behind me about ended up over board.

Third and final stop around the island was to this ritsy part of the island. It is the biggest beach on the island but very exclusive. You have to really know the roads to get to the beach by car - otherwise you have to be staying in the villas (upwards of $1500+ a night) or have a boat to make it around to this beach. We were happy we just got to say we were there ha ha ha. The fish were obviously used to visitors because these guys would eat right out of your hand. After one of the crew said they only bite 'occasionally' I opted OUT of the feeding. But was all for snorkeling.

Brice found this shell an they let us take a few on board. This crew member tried to find one bigger than Brice but didn't. We actually ended up trading him for the one in his hand because we figured it would fit better in our luggage ha ha.

After we got home and cleaned up we ate at a place just one door down to the Atrium - the hotel we were staying - it was a sweet little restaurant on the beach. This is a big bon fire they have every night. It was so funny because people DO bring their kids here. We watched amazed at all the kids just hanging out around the fire and on the beach. They were building forts with the beach chairs they have there. It was a bar restaraunt - but they had kids with trikes just riding around the outdoor bar. Of course at this point - we were missing our kids - even though it was a bar - and a big fire - I wanted them there running around.

St. Maarten Day 5

We decided to go to the highest peak of the island. You can drive to it with only a little walking - considering the steep mountains - I was happy to be able to drive. This was the 'main road' to get there - This is a two way road and I still honestly do not understand how people get around each other without pulling into the bushes. That is what we did - and maybe that is just how it is done.

This gives you a better idea of what I was talking about before... no switch backs - just up the mountain. We had to low gear it and turn off the AC to make it up ha ha ha

One of the views from the top.

Here is another thing I loved about the island - what mosquitoes are to UT in the west flat areas, butterflies are to this island. They were EVERYWHERE. I honestly loved it.

This is another view from the top - all the white specks are butterflies.

Coming back down we came across the zip line path you can do. Here are a couple people ready to do it. If it wasn't so fragmented, I think we would have done it. Maybe next time :)

Wandering off the trial for a bit - pretty vegetation everywhere.

We also decided to rent a kayak and head to one of the neighboring small islands. It's very small and only took us about 15 minutes to paddle there. When we got there they have one restaurant on the beach, and one water ferry that can take anyone over there. The beach is covered with beach chairs on this side... and for only $12 a chair - you can actually sit in one. We just took pictures and decided to take the kayak around the island for a more private beach - and a less expensive one to enjoy.

Ahhhhh much better. This is just on the other side. There must have been a walking path to get there because there would be random people here and there - but basically it was just us as you can see.

The little shack we rented our kayak from - a great little French guy who gave us a great deal.

We wanted to try one of these little 'meal on wheel' type things and got a panini. Now - back home - these are meat sandwiches with cheese, cream cheese, butter, and some sort of jalapeno jelly. Here - at a legit French place - it was a ham and cheese sandwich. She looked at us like we were nuts when we asked for some mayo. The nice thing about this island is most EVERYONE speaks English - and they take Dollars at least every place we went to - but you still got to see a LOT of the influence from their culture. Best of both worlds. Got to hear the language, try the food, hear some of the stories about them on the island - and the not so great part - that 'nude beaches' means bottoms off as well. 'Family friendly' beaches just mean they keep their bottoms on - but it's assumed that tops are optional everywhere. That took some getting used to - but it wasn't like EVERYONE - just a few here and there. Other than that portion of the influence - I enjoyed seeing some European culture mixed with true islander.

St. Maarten Days 3-4

I thought this sign was a little freaky/funny at the same time - they have them posted at the beach I was describing the day before. The beach is literally on the other side of the road.

One of the things I was not used to seeing - herds of cows roaming freely next to the main highway.

One of the views from the top of 'Brice's backroad' - he found a very very VERY steep road that cuts over one of the mountains. They don't bother with switch backs on the island - they just pave the road straight up and over. This is from the top and the backside wasn't as steep but it was one way - so I couldn't get a pic going the other direction.

These frogs in St. Maarten are like our crickets back home. They make a very interesting noise you wouldn't think could come from such a creature. It's very loud and they only do it at night. Interesting.

Hello Elders!

On Tuesday we decided to go Para sailing and we hit a museum on the way. The pics they took of the para sailing adventure have not yet been developed but was excited they took some pictures for us!! I had never been before and it was a GREAT time. We had some french people take us and I was LOVING their accents - and their willingness to let us do it for $50 for the both of us. The museum we hit on the way was very informative, but small.

This is where we purchased ALL of our souvenirs. The market down in Phillipsburg, in the dutch side of the island.

The next day we hit the other side of the island. This is the market on the French side. It goes in one big circle and this is the market more for locals. They sell touristy stuff as well - but they also have lots of food and spice stands. Maybe if I wasn't pregnant - i would have been more daring to try new foods.

You can see the fort we went to see right after the market, just on top of that hill there.

One of the many views from the Fort.

One of the few pictures we finally got together :)

This is a panorama of the top of the fort.

St. Maarten Days 1-2

Brice and I had the wonderful opportunity to get away for seven days - just us. Between clinic, call nights, tests, morning and night lectures we haven't seen much of each other. My sister, Michelle Yost - was gracious enough to take our kids in for the week - with help from my parents and other siblings toward the end of the week and over Halloween. Missing that super fun holiday and seeing the kids all dressed up was the only down side to the trip. This first picture is evidence that this place must be up and coming - ALL of those high rise buildings are in the process of construction - LITERALLY every single one. It was a ghost town - but in reverse... people hadn't yet left - they are waiting for habitation. I just couldn't believe how much construction was going on down in that little area, on this little, but BEAUTIFUL island.

This is one of the many spots they have boats. This is actually a lake on the island but you can see the ocean on the other side.

For a green a place it was - who knew there was be TON of cacti. I couldn't believe the random large groupings - I thought it was only a desert plant.

You can see how 'clear' the water is in this picture. This was one of my favorite things about the island. You literally could snorkel from pretty much anywhere - there were places better than others - but 90% of the places we snorkeled were right off the beach - we didn't go even one time where we didn't see some amazing sea life.

Obviously I couldn't get enough of this water - we have many many shots of the green and blue water.

Evidence again of the cactus around the island and the beautiful water. The dark spots in the water is reef!!!

How fun hotel room. Since we don't have TV - literally at all - we were probably the only people who didn't get the digital conversion thing... We were very excited to have some cable TV ha ha ha.

Here's our kitchen and our first batch of groceries. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) the only decent priced items were junk food at the 'market' so that was a majority of our food - but thanks to having a kitchen we were able to do some cookin - and save some money.

Equip with EVERY car rental - yep a club. I thought this was hilarious. They also encourage you never EVER leave things in your car. Our car did get broken into once - glad we listened - nothing was stolen.

Our first meal out at Pineapple Pete's. GREAT food - and that is the water just behind us.

This was great! One of the beaches out there is very popular because you can see the planes coming in for landing. It's the beach, the main road, a security fence, and then the run way - most of the planes come in in the late afternoon (our flight was one of those coming in). Here is a video of one of the entertainment of this specific beach.

Pumpkin Patch

J and J gardens up in Layton does a fantastic little halloween tradition. They do a little hayride to their HUGE pumpkin patch in the back and let you pick out pumpkins... for free.... no joke! Yes, we had to bring some cans of food for the food bank - but I don't know if I would count that as an 'entry fee'. I don't know if they will change it in upcoming years - but I would pay for it regardless in the years to come. The kids loved it and loved picking their pumpkins off the vines. Jayci literally wouldn't let me put hers outside for a while because she was pushing it around in her little stroller and would say over and over "I love my pumpkin". It was hilarious. We had a great time.

It just keeps going and going :) Here is Michelle, Greg and Britt walking back from the south end.

Mom and Dad take the kids while the adults are still looking for their pumpkin

"Cute head and Butt"

Michelle lookin on the east side :)

We tried forever to get them all sitting and all looking at the camera - this was one where at least they were all sitting ha ha

Jayci STILL carrying around her precious pumpkin

Jax found his!

My cute Dad helping haul kids around.

Jayci on her quest

The hay ride out.

Things I've learned...

My mind has been on things a little deeper lately and really looking at the things we are asked to go through and wonder what there is to gain from them. It got me into a list of things I've learned...

I've learned first and foremost - there is ALWAYS ALWAYS something to be gained through ANY trial. I've also learned what we view as something very negative going on in our lives - can actually be a positive thing. Brice helped me see that one time when he introduced me to a old story called 'Good luck Bad luck'. I've literally tried to live my life by that philophopy since.

I've also learned there is true value in being honest - but taking care to examine others feelings before you just 'lay it out there' - and to really examine if it's necessary.

I truly value individuals who rejoice with those that rejoice, and mourn with those that mourn. Competition between people, children and material objects is a waste of time and a personal irritation of mine. I've learned how boring and ugly this world would be if we all had the same talents, abilities, and stuff.

I've learned if you look for the bad in people you will find it - and if you look for the good in people you will find it.

I've learned how careful you need to be judging anyone - regardless of ANYTHING they may have done in their past.

I've learned how forgiveness is truly a power. A power that will make you free. I've learned that children can best teach you this concept.

I've learned how important humility is in ANY relationship.

I've learned that selfishness - has astronomical collateral damage.

I've learned that TRUTH is something discovered, not invented. It is something that always was, is and always will be.... and as you search for TRUTH - not looking for something that will merely justify decisions or lifestyles - you will find it.