Camping

Last weekend we headed up to the mountains (Woods Canyon) to escape the heat (110 plus this last week) with the Saagers.  We got up to Woods Canyon, and everything was PACKED.  There were so many people with the exact same idea.  After driving around for a while, we were able to find a secluded spot, where we couldn't see/hear anybody else.  We had a great time eating tin foil dinners, enjoying the fire, relaxing in the hammock, seeing great views, and Tyler even got to shoot his gun (which he was really excited for :).
{I did a LOT of sitting during this camping trip, as my foot is still healing, and in a boot}

My head lamp was doing weird things...

 Hanging out in the morning

Overlooking the rim

 We stopped so the boys could shoot & we could have a picnic.

Shout out

Last Monday I had foot surgery to remove a bone spur on the top of my foot.  Nothing super crazy, but surgery nonetheless.  I was originally told that I would be able to walk {with a boot} the day after my surgery.  Well...I may just be a wimp, but I definitely could not walk the next day, and still am not able to walk without crutches.  So, I have pretty much been couch-ridden for the last 9 days, forced to read a lot, watch TV, go through all of our trip pictures, and of course, blog!  I'm not going to lie, it's kind of nice to be stuck in a position and have to do things like read, watch movies, and blog.  It kind of forces me to do all the things teachers want to do in the summer.  I am really looking forward to getting back into my classroom (hoping by the end of this week), and getting things prepped for the first day (only 3 weeks away!).

Anyway, throughout all of this (me not being able to do anything for myself), Tyler has been such a rockstar.  He has literally done everything for me, and has taken such good care of me.  I'm lucky that we live so close to his school, because he doesn't usually leave until right before 8, and he always comes home for lunch.  And, him coming home for lunch meant that I didn't have to get up and wobble around the kitchen trying to find food.  He has been such a huge help, and I really don't know what I would do without him.  Even on the days last week where I was totally passed out (from heavy medication), Tyler stayed by me.  He would get up with me when I needed something in the middle of the night, and then always made sure I had everything I needed before he left for school.  

So, here's to the world's greatest husband!  For being so selfless these last 9 days, and always putting my needs before his.  My only hope is that I can return the favor, and be just as selfless.  

If you're looking for a good {but also sad} message about marriage, watch this.  It's a really good message about showing love & compassion for your spouse.  The quote at the end is awesome:

"Marriage provides an ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to be selfish or self-centered...Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good, and the foundation of a successful marriage."
            -Elder Richard G. Scott

Venice

Our cruise ship took out of, and came back to, Venice, and the when we boarded the ship we had absolutely no time to explore Venice, so we set aside the day we got back to enjoy the city of love.  We spent the whole day Saturday touring around Venice, and really got to know the city.  Unfortunately, I felt a lot of motion sickness for some of the day, but luckily it let up in the early afternoon, and it didn't end up affecting too much of our day.  

We started the day early, checked in to our hotel, and headed to the island of Murano to watch a glass-blowing demonstration.  This was so cool!  Definitely one of my favorite parts of Venice.  After the demonstration, we walked around that island for a little bit (much quieter, and more deserted than actual Venice).  

 Views from the water shuttle that we took over to Murano

 The glass-blowing demonstration 

The finished product! 

A glass chandelier 

Trying to figure out the {water} public transportation  

 After the island, we headed on the water shuttle over to St. Mark's Square (more views).

Next stop in Venice: Doge's Palace 

{this is where I felt a lot of motion sickness}

This place was incredible...everything was really beautiful!

 On the "Bridge of Sighs"

the outside of the palace

There was a ton of gold trimming!

Heading down to the prison

They could look through the holes to see the "Bridge of Sighs," which is where they would see their family for the last time before going to prison.

I was too tall for many of the doorways {big surprise!}

Next stop: St Mark's Cathedral/Basilica 

Surprisingly, this was free!  To go inside the treasury though, cost 3 euros (they always get you some way!).  Luckily we went later in the day, and the line really wasn't bad at all.  

 The Treasury {below}...this wasn't as cool as we were hoping (not very big at all)...

 Outside the cathedral/basilica

one of the lions outside

Next stop: Walking around & catching a gondola ride 

pigeons EVERYWHERE

 Our "gondolier" was hysterical...definitely made the whole ride worth it

After the gondola ride, we got dinner, and walked back to the water shuttle (it took a while for us to get back to the hotel).  

We left early the next morning!