The "Flying Crazies"!

Flying.....Hmmmmm....Usually does not bother me. I take a dramamine and I am usually pretty good to go. A little turbulance does not bother me. Crazy people bother me! Steve-Hmmm....altogether is a nervous traveler. He would rather drive than fly. I am too impatient. Give the plane any day. Well you take a nervous traveler and add them to crazy people and it makes my travel partner a freak out too.

See that airplane? They were coming and going on our travels in February.

Our flight to Costa Rica-Great! No problems, except for the little man next to me spilled his entire cup of hot coffee in his lap. Now that was a sight.-Ok a yelp or too.

Our flight from Costa Rica into Atlanta-No Problems. A little weather, but I just rub Steve's arm and tell him he is ok.

When we got into Atlanta we had to go through customs/immigrations. Nightmare! It took forever! But in the meantime, I had to go to the bathroom. I slipped out of line to go to the bathroom. On my way I saw this peculiar looking black gentleman. He was huge and was wearing this white gown and turban. I thought "Hmmm wonder where he is from"? Then I moved on about my business. When we finally got on the plane, we ended up waiting and waiting and waiting. Finally the captain said that they were still waiting for a passenger. Well they only usually hold a plane up for dignitaries or handicapped people. So we waited. The flight was full. There was one seat right across from me that was not full. Well the person that filled that seat was this big man in the turban. Steve started freaking out! He was like OMG they held the plane up for a terrorist?! I again started rubbing his arm. So the man sat down. He was carrying this pot like thing. Steve let his head run wild again. He was convinced that there was a bomb or something in that pot that was going to kill us all. I told him no-that the TSA would never have let him through. Anyways, this man was very demanding the entire flight to Phoenix. He made everyone around him uncomfortable. At one point the man in the seat in front of him laid his chair back and this turban clad man shook his chair and yelled at him and said "YOU WILL NOT LAY IN MY LAP!" Scared the poor man! Anyways we were pretty freaked out the entire trip. He was not a terrorist and he did not have a bomb. Sad though that we were all nervous about that. Oh and there was a screaming baby for two hours that was directly behind Steves chair. Steve was a nervous mess.

Flight from Arizona to Salt Lake City:
NIGHTMARE! Everyone is loaded and ready to go. 700 flights had been delayed or cancelled due to weather. We were 2 and a half ours delayed. WE were ready to go home. As our plane starts taxiing to take off a woman a few rows ahead of us starts yelling at the stewardess that she cant fly, that she has to get off the plane. Guess what-Yep Steve starts freaking out, and I have to rub his arm again. One attendant goes and talks to her and tries to calm her, another attendant goes and talks to the head attendant in first class. The head attendant tells her to tell psycho lady that we were already 2 hours late, and that if we turn around that we will be grounded for another 2 hours-so sit down and shut up and lets move this bird! So lady is between one attendant and her totally embarrassed husband. Both are trying to calm her. The rest of us think she is whack. As the plane takes off, the woman (must be adrenaline) stands up and is screaming! Seriously! It was crazy! Took her 10 minutes to calm down. I am sure it was the valium and alcohol that knocked her out. When we landed in SLC she was laying across all 3 chairs and they needed a wheel chair to get her off the plane.
Yeah- Delta-my vote is to screen your passengers before they fly. It makes life so much easier for my Stevie Wonder buns if we dont have to deal with crazy people.

FAME 2011

We went straight from Costa Rica to Phoenix Arizona. THis was the Aflac Headquarters "FAME" Trip. I cant remember what FAME means in Aflac verbage, but I know that if Steve hits his quota all 4 months of the year then he and his lovely wife (thats me) get to go on a fun trip-all expense paid by AFLAC. This trip was at the new 5 star JW Marriot Desert Ridge Resort. OK it by far was one of the nicest places I have ever stayed.



We had a really great time. Only a few of the Utah Associates qualified, so we got to meet a lot of people. I was bummed because it rained (What the heck! Arizona), it was cold (What the heck! Arizona!), and I didnt get to see any of our family that lives there! (What the heck!) It's OK because we still had fun. We did go to several movies and shopped. Did I mention-I love to shop!

When we arrived, they had this amazing welcome lunch in the courtyard for all of the qualifiers. GOOD FOOD! Later that evening busses came and drove us literally out into the desert. There was this cool little place out there that was out in the middle of the cacutus, coyote and havalinas! We had a western barbeque, live band and dancing, all the drinks and food you could drink, smores (I love smores), and western games. They also had a gaming barn. I played black jack and learned how to play Texas Hold em...UM not so good at that one, BUT had a great time.

I was grateful that everyone was patient with me.!

We went to the awards dinner one night-It was awesome! LOVED the food! AFLAC spoils their field force. We ate and danced. And did you know that

Really its true!
We really appreciate our team back in Utah who helped us achieve our goal this year of making it to the FAME trip. It has been totally fun, totally relaxing and yeah its been so great being together.
Lots of dancing and partying to be had by all as we celebrated a great 2010!

Thanks again Aflac for another amazing trip!

Pinnacle Trip 2011- COSTA RICA

We have been to alot of places, but OMG there is just this amazing beauty about this little place called Costa Rica. Steve worked extremely hard this past year- with his job to earn this trip. It was well worth it! Seriously one of the most beautiful, romantic places on earth. Steve had to be in the top 2 in his management catagory in the territory. I know, a lot of jumbo- but that is within 9 states I believe. Anyways, it was awesome in itself that he qualified. We love our Aflac trips.
There is nothing quite like sleeping on the beach, listening to the waves and seagulls. RELAX!

One of the things we had to get used to was the sand. It wasn't white or pink-but black with gold specks. The first day we thought it was ash from the volcano but nope it was its natural color. We have never seen anything like it.

We stayed at the "Papagayo Hilton" about 30 minutes South of Liberia. It was an amazing all inclusive resort. We all had our own bungalows. All the food and drinks you want.

We would be sitting at the restraunt or bar and we would see all kinds of creatures. Monkeys, racoons and these giant things. Meet Pepe'. Creeped me out.

Here are some of our Utah friends that qualified to go.

Cheers! To good times, good friends, great company and an awesome vaca!

Here is Steve-o snorkeling. He loves it! A sting ray went right between his legs. Scared him a little.

The sunsets in Costa Rica are amazing! This is from the deck of our bungalow. There was a wedding one night,right by our bungalow at sunset on the beach. It was pretty cool to watch.

We did a couples message right by the beach. I highly recommend that to anyone who gets to experience such a tropical, beautiful place. I think I look and feel pretty relaxed.

LOVED our destination! Loved Costa! Loved being together. WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH!

Here are the Utah Raptors again.. Steve and Ker, Heather and John Kierksek,Mith and Courtney Mc Beth, Maurie and Damon Streetman, and Nancy Harmon.

Saying Good-bye to Costa Rica...We shall return someday. Thanks Aflac for another wonderful trip.

February 2011

Center Stage Spring Showcase- Thanksgiving PointEvery year Center Stage does a showcase for our teams. Mikayla's team is not totally ready for their season but did a great showing. I love-love-love the costumes for this dance. It is called "Night of the Dancing Flame". Janalyn Memmott choreographed it and it is a funky, fun little number.
Love this girl! She is so happy and fun and full of spunk!

Here is her cute team minus our three boys- hence this was taken in the locker room.