Not all fun and games (Peru part 2...the ugly stuff)

As much fun as we had on our excursion to Peru, it didn't come without a few mishaps. Here are some things that happened that made our trip that much more memorable:

We had a lot of problems with buses...which usually led to a lot of waiting.

We each came back with about 70 bug bites. Mine are still healing.

A lot of early morning wake up calls.

Some of us got sick on the hike and couldn't make it (sorry Ryan). 14,000 feet up!!!

It was cold, real cold. Our faces are close to freezing off in this picture (around 15 degrees the first night).

By the time we made it up to Machu Picchu, we were ready for a nap.

More bus problems......

Which led to more waiting.....

And some of us pushing....(Cortney is an iron man)

We ended up hitching a ride on this "truck"....

And rode like refugees for a couple of hours.

More to come....

Summer love.

Afton, being bashful and showing me why she is my reason to live.

Laney-bug, taking over control of the fountains.

Afton running through the splash park (Laney in the background making sure she's sufficiently hydrated).

Olivia, eating graham crackers and trying to figure out who the heck I am.

Grayden, just being darling in his baseball hat.

I was lucky enough this week to spend time with some of my favorite people, and favorite little-people in the whole world - Erin, Lindsey, Julie, Holly and I went to the splash park on Tuesday to play with the kids in the mini-fountains. I am so obsessed with these kids that I sometimes (and when I say sometimes, I mean ALWAYS) wonder how crazy I am to live so far away from them. They make my life worth living. It has been pretty warm in Utah, so being near the water felt great, and being with my friends and their kids felt even better. Also, Owen and Hudson were there too, but Owen was busy ignoring me and playing with the other kids, and I was too busy smothering and kissing Hudsy to get his picture.

Highlights:

• Afty calling her mom, Erin, by her other name - "Er-dog" (twice).
  
• Owen acting like he didn't hear me when I asked to be his girlfriend.
• Laney getting in trouble for trying to drink the water every 2 minutes.
  

I love you all so much. Let's do it again next week!!

Ashley and Laura in Peru (just the pics)

Click on the link to see some pictures of me and Ash in Peru:

Ashley and Laura in Peru (part 1)

Ok, we're back...

...and we've been back for a while. I'm the worst blogger ever. Right after getting home from the MOST amazing trip ever (information and pictures to come), we had approximately 4 days to pack up our entire condo and get out. That's right, our lease is up and we no longer live in Arizona. To fill you in....Ash and I had a lot of decisions to make at the end of this school year. As it turns out, we are splitting up. We are not breaking up, just taking some time apart. How do I feel about it? Sick to my stomach. But our lives are taking us in two different directions...and two different states. Ashley got a coveted job at Park City High School in Utah teaching Sophomore English and Yearbook and will be starting in August. I decided to take the plunge into grad school getting my Masters in Counseling from Loyola Marymount in L.A., also starting in August. That means that the tripod (Carlee, Ash and I) are officially going to be living in 3 different states. This also means that we are going to be racking up a lot of frequent flyer miles between Utah, Wyoming and California. Anyway, I have yet to decide what to do about the "Laura and Ashley" blog. I'm thinking I would like to keep it and still blog about Ashley (as I am the only one that does that anyway), but I'm curious to know what you all think. Do we desert this blog and start our own? The thought is heartbreaking. Almost as heartbreaking as not being able to wake up to Ashley's sweet face everyday. As you can see, I'm having a really hard time with this. But, I know we are both doing the right thing and will have some amazing experiences (and maybe be able to sustain a relationship with the opposite sex without the other interfering...no promises though). More on some funny stories over the last couple of weeks, and on our trip to Peru to come.....

If you need us, we'll be here....

...trudging through the Amazon, and hiking the mountain ridges of Machu Picchu. A little over a year ago, Ashley and I had a dream of living as Mother Nature intended, with little more than the clothes on our backs and spending time harnessing our inner survivor skills. We have added a few more people to the trek, and have spent more time in REI then is healthy, but are finally ready to go. We will be traveling through Lima, Cusco, Manu, Machu Picchu, Mexico City and back on June 26th. I'm sure we will have more than one adventurous story to tell - hopefully none including us being locked up in a Peruvian jail, getting robbed, or falling off the mountain due to exhaustion. Until then.....wish us luck!!!

Hard of hearing

This is a conversation I had with my hair stylist today:

Laura: Hi Maren, no cut today, just color. I'm trying to grow my hair out. Maybe just a trim to re-shape it.

What she heard: Hi Maren, I'm thinking of trying something new. Instead of growing my hair out, cut it shorter than we ever have before. I'm talking really short. Almost to the point of people wondering whether or not I'm a recovering cancer patient. Seriously, long hair is so overrated. The ability to be able to pull it back in a ponytail, run my fingers seductively through it, or look like a female from behind...I'm so over it. Let's chop it off!

I don't know why this always happens to me. And of course, since I can't keep my mouth shut during my appointment long enough to know what is going on, I didn't say a thing. Oh well. It grows back, right? I'm not going to complain...I'm going to Hawaii until after Memorial Day, and hopefully will have some hair on my head by the time I get back. Hope everyone is doing well.

Rachel's Birthday Shout Out.

Rachel, I remember when you, me and Ashley used to eat tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches while watching Full House everyday after school. 

I remember when you used to cheat off me in Mrs. White's English class in 9th grade and never got caught.

I remember spending the summer of '03 with you, eating "Salad Shakers" (I really wish Mickey D's would bring those back) and singing to the Dixie Chicks in your car. 

I remember sleeping in your huge bed more than I slept in my own. And I also remember trying to squeeze 3 in Ashley's twin size bed...we did, and then took a nap.

I remember you dragging me out of bed in high school at 5 am to go to the gym...and then getting a Juice Tree right after, destroying all our hard work.

I remember how attached you are to your "blankie".

I remember thinking how lucky I was when we became such close friends, and wondering how I ever lived without you. 

I remember how to you took a huge risk and followed your dreams, creating the most stupendous and precious baby clothing line I've ever seen.

I remember how you were the only one who would tell me how it was when I was making a mistake - only because I know you care.

I remember how you always really listen to me and give me heartfelt and great advice. I would do anything you told me to do because I trust you that much.

I remember and think often of how you are the greatest friend EVER. 

Happy Birthday sweet Rachel....we love you, adore you, idolize you, respect you, and miss you even more!

Also, to my fellow blog readers, check out Rachel's adorable and amazing baby clothing line, Rachelli Design. They are the cutest little pieces ever and all the kids should be wearing them. Get some now before she gets really famous and it becomes impossible to get anything....