Cancun part 1- Wednesday to Friday

We had less than three weeks from when we left Columbus, MS to take our stuff home to Utah, visit family and friends we haven't seen in a year and be to Altus, OK for Mike to start class on Monday June 10th. We decided with all this time we might as well take a trip to Cancun, Mexico. We were definitely feeling the time crunch on both ends of the trip, but we're glad we were able to go. We talked my parents into joining us and we made a lot of fun memories.

We stayed at the Omni Cancun Hotel and Villas. We rented a three bedroom 3.5 bath villa near the beach and took full advantage of the all inclusive dining. (perfect for pregnant women that LOVE Mexican food) The weather wasn't great, but it was still nice enough to enjoy some time at the beach. We arrived Wednesday afternoon and after getting settled in we went and walked along the beach until dinner time. (I didn't take any pictures on Wednesday)

 Thursday was our first full day and it consisted of beach, beach, food, beach, food and passing out. 

 Grandpa's job was helping the kids to wave jump

The service staff was great. There were five or six different restaurants at the resort we could choose from throughout the day. Our favorite one for breakfast and lunch was on the beach. 

 I asked for tostadas, which weren't on the menu, and they brought me these lovely delights. :)

Adam was showing off his skills at shoving large grapes in his cheeks. 

Adam wasn't used to skipping naps, so he just slept in his stroller. 

I have never seen these two fall asleep as quickly as they did the first night. They were seriously out 30 seconds after we said our prayers. 

On Friday we went snorkeling. I didn't think Adam would be able to snorkel, but our guide was great and let him. He gave him his own mask and snorkel and pulled him around in the life preserver while Adam kept his face underwater. I wish I'd had a water camera to capture the actual dive, but it was fun. It wasn't very colorful, but the kids got to see a lot of fish. 

After the guided tour Mike, the kids and my dad all went back out. 

My mom and I kept Adam company on the boat. :)

Steven was so tuckered out that he fell asleep on the boat ride back to the marina. 

The boys spent a few minutes of each day chasing iguanas around the resort. There were a couple that could always be found in the same spot near our villa. The quickly hid when the boys approached although Steven did get better at the army crawl to look at one that was always perched on a hill. 

My parents gave the kids pesos to spend at some vendors that came to the resort and Sarah and my mom decided that this sombrero was a must have. Isn't she cute?!

Multi-tasking. Walking while reading Matilda. :)

Mini trip to Utah

Between Mississippi and Oklahoma we had a couple days in Utah to drop off our stuff and visit with family and friends. We owed Mike's parents some quality time after their trip to Columbus. They had come out for Mike's graduation but since the Guard only gave us a weeks notice that we'd be moving ourselves most of their time was spent helping us move. We were so grateful to have their help, but we felt bad that they that's how they spent their time.

We had a good time visiting Hogle Zoo. We didn't get a lot of pictures, but the highlights were the Bird show and the carousel. We always like to take pictures of the kids on these statues so we can see how they've grown through the years. Hopefully they'll still let me take them when they're 30. ;)

Something really funny happened while we were there. At lunch time I saw a man in line that looked just like Mike's dad who was not with us. I called Mike over to look, he laughed, and then called over his mom and younger brother Kevin. Mike's brother Andy posted something on Facebook that perfectly illustrates what happened.

Mike Starley sent me this pic saying, "Check out dad's new elephant shirt." My first thought was, "Wow, that's a pretty unremarkable shirt." Then Mike called me. I could hear the excitement in his voice, so I knew something was up.

"Did you get my pic!?"
"Yeah. It looks like an elephant shirt alright."
"Call me back when you see it. Okay, bye."

After we hung up, I studied the picture some more. Okay, Dad's ordering some food. He's got a hat on. Glasses. New shirt. Nothing out of the ordinary yet...Is he wearing Mom's purse? That can't be the cause of the excitement. Wait, is Dad trying to be 'hip' by wearing cargo-pants? He's never owned a pair before, but that still can't be it...

Then I spied them: the New Balance shoes.

For my entire life, my dad has not ventured away once from his Reebok tennis shoes. When one pair wears out, he replaces them with the exact same style. So I call Mike back. He can barely contain himself at this point.

"Did you figure it out yet?!"
"Wait. I'm confused," I say sheepishly. I know there's something amazing about this picture, but I'm afraid to voice what I'm really thinking, for fear of being an idiot.
"Is...is that not Dad?"
"NO! It's NOT Dad!" Mike said, bursting into laughter.

Apparently, my dad has an exact doppelganger that had everybody present confused. My dad was not at the zoo today, but on first glance, they (my mom included) all thought this man was Steve Starley. The one sign that everybody picked up on, to know that it was not my dad? The New Balance shoes"Yeah. It looks like an elephant shirt alright.""Call me back when you see it. Okay, bye."
After we hung up, I studied the picture some more. Okay, Dad's ordering some food. He's got a hat on. Glasses. New shirt. Nothing out of the ordinary yet...Is he wearing Mom's purse? That can't be the cause of the excitement. Wait, is Dad trying to be 'hip' by wearing cargo-pants? He's never owned a pair before, but that still can't be it...
Then I spied them: the New Balance shoes. 
For my entire life, my dad has not ventured away once from his Reebok tennis shoes. When one pair wears out, he replaces them with the exact same style. So I call Mike back. He can barely contain himself at this point. 
"Did you figure it out yet?!""Wait. I'm confused," I say sheepishly. I know there's something amazing about this picture, but I'm afraid to voice what I'm really thinking, for fear of being an idiot. "Is...is that not Dad?""NO! It's NOT Dad!" Mike said, bursting into laughter.
Apparently, my dad has an exact doppelganger that had everybody present confused. My dad was not at the zoo today, but on first glance, they (my mom included) all thought this man was Steve Starley. The one sign that everybody picked up on, to know that it was not my dad? The New Balance shoes

This is Liz again. It was a fun day and I'm grateful we got to spend time with them and that I have great in-laws. 

Mike's UPT Graduation- Graduation night

In the evening we attended the graduation banquet. It was a formal dinner with everyone from class 13-09 and their guests. Both sets of parents and Andy attended in our party.

 There is a tradition of giving a rose to each spouse and then giving her a kiss. Each guy is supposed to outdo the last guy. Mike led me to believe they'd done away with it because two classes before one guy motor boated his wife to kick off the contest. Mike was last, so against my wishes he picked me up and carried me out of the room to give me my kiss. I didn't know it was coming. :)

The toast with all their classmates 

Megan and me

The Utah Guard crew- Mundens, Starleys and Barrys

Christy and me

Shaylee, me, Christy, Megan and Sam

Most of the wives and gfs of 13-09

Mike and Matt Carey

Mike, Mitch and Alex

Rounds, Mike, Roling and Johnson

This year has been really exciting, trying, fun, challenging and all around wonderful. We didn't know what it would be like in Columbus, Mississippi, but we all loved it. We were in no rush to leave. We made a lot of friendships that will last a lifetime and memories we won't forget. We all had our challenges, but I'm very thankful we had the opportunity to go through this together. 

CONGRATULATIONS MIKE! We are all so proud of you! 

(I think I would write more if I wasn't behind on blogging and pregnant) :)

Mike's UPT Graduation- Breakfast, graduation ceremony and SIMs

On May 17th Mike graduated from Air Force Undergraduate Pilot training and earned his wings. It was a wonderful day culminating 13 months of very intense work.

In the morning we attended a breakfast. Both of our parents as well as his brother Andy came down for his graduation. (I guess I only took one picture at breakfast)

 Sarah fell asleep after breakfast on the way to Mike's graduation.

Mike receiving his wings from Colonel Sears

The ceremonial breaking of the wings with Colonel Moore

After the ceremony we went outside to take pictures

Next up were the SIMs. Mike was able to schedule two sets of SIMs. The first was for the moms and Steven and the 2nd was for the Dads and Andy.

Steven was up first

Next was Lynette. I'll have to ask Mike for the timing again, but she killed us all pretty quickly. Being married to a pilot and having two sons as pilots apparently does mean you'll be one as well. :)

My mom was up next

I think this is me flying. I flew it along the Grand Canyon and Steven talked me into purposefully crashing into the side of a mountain. I'm definitely not a pilot. 

I'll add the pictures of the men when I get them off Mike's phone.