Darcy sees the Ocean for 1st time!

Bon Voyage! For our 5th year wedding anniversary Andrew surprised me with a cruise off the coast of California. He was stealthy and planned this cruise in January. He then told me about it on Valentines Day. Of course, he had this all planned before the whole mold fiasco. For a while there we didn't know if we should cancel the cruise and use the money for home things or not. In the end we knew we took the trip to just enjoy each other. My mom took care of Daraby.
You see, Andrew promised me that he would take me to the ocean before our five year anniversary. I had never seen the ocean or swam in it. While on the cruise I saw and swam. I even touched and fed the fish. It was a four day cruise and we were supposed to stop in two ports but because of the swine flu they canceled our stop in Ensenda, Mexico. We were a one stop ship with two fun days aboard the boat.
(Our buddy Jeremy took the picture above when were on the tender boats going to shore.)


We boarded these tender boats to get to Catalina Island.


We had just finished kayaking in some really rough water. It was a ton of fun and very wet. Let's just say, I got my sodium intake for the day.


We were able to see a dead whale while kayaking and some incredible condos built on the side of a steep hill. We paddled by some people living out on their sailboats. It was a very relaxing community. Our kayak guides were hilarious because they paddled way in front of us. So many of the couple were kayaking for the first time in these huge waves. Andrew and I kept thinking about what would happen if a couple flipped over- the guides wouldn't even have a clue. I am not kidding the kayaking was rigorous. There were huge waves and we went around the other side of the island. Some of those couples barely made it back.
In the afternoon we went snorkeling. That was a ton of fun. It was a riot getting into wet suits. One couple was pretty hilarious. When we got into the water our guide gave us great instructions and off we went. Our guide was a spirited man close to 70 years old. He was incredible. He would dive down and bring up stuff for us to see: sea urchin, plants, shells, crabs etc... I'm so glad he was our guide and not the other guy. He went way above and beyond. There were fish swimming all around us. Beautiful fish- I might add. Most of the couples that went kayaking with us also went snorkeling. By the end of the day we were all burnt and exhausted.
I made Andrew's day by kayaking and snorkeling. He loves it when we are active. By the way, we don't really vacation, we have a schedule to keep and things to do. Andrew wakes me in the morning to give me the itinerary. One morning, he woke me up to tell me that the alarm was going to go off in 10 minutes. Who does that? I told him to leave me sleep until it went off. He was too excited to let me sleep!

This is a picture of Avalon, CA. This is the town on the Island. We happened to wander around the town for an hour in between kayaking and snorkeling. We enjoyed a some great ice cream. They had yummy fat free strawberry frozen yogurt. No, it doesn't make up for all the terrible bad foods we ate while on the boat. Cruise ships= unlimited eating. While wandering around town we happened to enter a beautiful art gallery. I loved all the paintings and we took our time looking them over. I ended up talking to another lady in the gallery about the paintings and the next thing I knew she was signing a poster for Andrew and I took take home. SHE WAS THE ARTIST! She just stopped by the studio to check on things. She has a home on the Island and often paints there. I was tickled pink to meet her. By the way her name is Ruth Mayer check out her art at http://www.ruthmayer.com/

We met some great friends on the boat. Jeremy and Anouk, Brad and Stacey, Marvin and Velda, plus our great waiters-Tvan and Ben. We attended many shows and events-Went mini golfing, played b-ball, sang karaoke, and ate... It was great to be with other couples and laugh. Thanks for befriending us and hanging out. Oh Andrew and I sang "Keeper of the Stars" to each other at Karaoke. Our DJ sang that at our wedding reception and since we were celebrating our 5th year anniversary we thought it was appropriate even though the range was a bit hard for us. :) After that Brad, Jeremy and Andrew got up and sang the YMCA song. Marvin and Velda asked where they could buy our CD. HA!

Gone Cruising!

We are on Catalina Island! Our only port while on ship.


This is the harbor on Catalina Island. The round buidling in the distance is neat to look at. The Wrigley (Gum) family owns most of the Island and donated 88% of the island to conservation. They have up to 250 buffalo on the Island. So neat! The island is 22 miles from L.A.


Andrew was dedicated and got up to see the sunrise. Usually, it was cloudy in the mornings.

I know this picture is blurry but it is the best I have. This is the main lobby on the ship. Lots of glam.

It was amazing to watch this guy carve these two love birds. They formed a heart. He was very quick and artistic.

Grandpa and Grandma Boersma come to visit!

Grandpa and Grandpa Boersma- Daraby's Great Grandparents- came to visit us the last weekend of April. This was their first time out here. Amazingly, they hauled a piano from MI in the back of their minivan to Colorado for Rachael and Daron. I can't believe they got it to fit. It was nice for them to see where we live and the unique lifestyle here. They spent a lot time playing and holding Daraby. Of course she can't get enough attention.


We showed them Rackett Hall. I find history and antiques so interesting. This building was an old dance hall, community center and theater. It is beautiful with hardwood floors. The building is located out by our former home- way out in the country.


Yep - Grandpa is peeking in the windows- he didn't know we could just go in. I find most of our neighbors and friends don't ever lock their homes or cars. We don't- someone might need to borrow something. We live on the trust system. What I find hilarious is when friends come to visit and they lock their cars in our driveway. Believe me no one is going to come steal something at night! I've known our one neighbors to leave their car parked at the end of their driveway with the keys in it when there was a suspected murdered lose roaming the hills. They figured they would rather have him take their vehicle instead of him coming in their home.


This is some of the scenery right by where we are living.


I took this picture from the deck while Grandpa and Grandma Boersma were here. The sunsets have so much color.

Outside adventures! Goats?

Every night we try to take a walk as a family. It is a time to talk about our day, exercise and enjoy each others company without working on supper etc...


While Andrew's grandparents were here we went to visit Jeff, Tracey, Johanna and Chance. They have a passel of goats. It was fun to run and play with them all. We didn't have time to stop by my friend Alice's home. She also has goats.


I love animals. Someday we'll have a small hobby ranch with an assortment of critters.


We grabbed a couple goats for quick photo. Daraby didn't know if she liked them or not. One started to suck on her toe and she was outraged. So funny! Oh Abby didn't know if she liked the goats either. Our kids are a bit jealous!


Daraby likes to ride in the tractor with Dad. She even grabs the steering wheel.

Season of Brandings

Andrew n Daraby hanging out at Thelander's branding. He wants to start her riding early. We will raise her to be tough.



This is our neighbor Diane on the paint horse pulling a calf to a couple wrestlers.



The calves have such a soft fuzzy look.

Here Andrew n Troy hold down a calf while it gets its' shots and brand.

One of the main reasons why I love living out west is the value of women and the role they live out on ranches. Out here it doesn't matter your gender- everyone works. My dad raised me to drive tractors and loaders and didn't question my ability because I was a girl. We were born to be tough and I'm grateful for the equality I was taught. I'm not a girl to sit in the house, cook and clean. I would rather be out on the tractor, horse or four wheeler. We both have the ability to work in the house so we split chores at home. We both cook, clean and organize. For us this is how it works- I would deck him if he ever told me my role in the home. :)