It is unfathomable thinking that today is already Friday and day 5 of our vacation in St. Maarten. Mike and I are having a wonderful time enjoying Phillipsburg, Margot and Simpson Bay where our hotel is located.
On Wed., after my dives, we went to Phillipsburg for some shopping. We enjoyed Phillipsburg. It is an easy place to shop with all the shops being located on "Front Street" and "Back Street." We only made it down Front Street before we had to head back to the resort for a Sunset Catamaran Dinner. The sunset was not spectacular but the evening was still enjoyable although I did imbibe just a couple too many rum punches (yummy!)...
Thursday, Mike and I took an all day excursion on a catamaran to Prickly Pear Island for the snorkeling, beach and lunch. Prickly Pear is a small sister island near Anguilla. The volcanic rock on the island lends itself to naming the island. Snorkeling is the best we've ever done with a large variety of fish especially of the Parrotfish variety. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the photo's I took turn out and posting them to our blog. The wonderful thing about snorkeling at Prickly Pear is that there is a very shallow natural reef close to the beach and protected within an outer reef area. The Prickly Pear reef is also a protected wildlife marine preserve.
Today, I did my final two dives at Maze Reef and Proselyte Reef. The Maze is true to its name and it was beautiful with great color as well as fish. I did see a trumpetfish that was camouflaged a blueish color which was really cool. We also did a swim through weaving through the reef. The Proselyte Reef was my favorite dive today. Shortly after getting in the water, some of our group saw a large shark swimming away but I missed the shark. Then, as we proceeded with our dive, we came across a baby sea turtle. I tried to get a picture but it pretty much turned and took a beeline away from us. Towards the end of the dive, we came across a second slightly larger sea turtle that cooperated wonderfully letting us swim along next to her. Hopefully, the pictures I took of the second sea turtle turn out with the cheap camera I used for this dive.
Tomorrow is our last full day :(... Mike and I are taking an all day trip to Saba Island which is no larger than 5 square miles with a 3,000 foot hike to the highest point of the island. Hopefully we will make it too the top!
God bless!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
St. Maarten! Day 2 - Update & Scuba Diving
Well, we have been in St. Maarten for 2 full days.
After a long day of airports and airplanes, we arrived in St. Maarten on Sunday. The landing on St. Maarten is VERY interesting with a shorter runway and the pilot hitting the breaks immediately upon touch-down on the runway. A ladder was then pushed up to the plane and we disembarked. Customs was very easy and relatively quick considering another large plane had arrived just before us. The Pelican Resort is very nice and the room is plenty for Mike and I along with having a small kitchen.
On Monday, we took a bus tour of St. Maarten/St. Martin with a beach/lunch stop at Orient Beach located on the French side. The tour was very informative. We also had a chance to do some shopping in Marigot, the French St. Martin capital city.
Today was my (Pam) first day of diving. The dive shop I choose to go through is Ocean Explorer's which is just a short walk from the resort. Today we visited Purpose Wreck and Frenchman's Reef. At Purpose Wreck, I was surprised upon entry to basically go in the water surrounded by Jelly fish. Thankfully, I decided to wear my 3mm and did not have any unpleasant run-ins with the jelly fish. The wreck is an old tug boat that sank just off the coast of Simpson Bay where we are staying. There was a large variety of fish including shrimp hiding at the base of the tugboat and an octopus. Total depth reached was 87 feet. The 2nd dive at Frenchman's reef was very enjoyable with, again, a large number and variety of fish. I saw some HUGE barricuda for the very 1st time along with some very large lobsters. The Queen Parrotfish was one of my favorites.
I did not take an underwater camera with me today, but I will have a camera tomorrow!
After a long day of airports and airplanes, we arrived in St. Maarten on Sunday. The landing on St. Maarten is VERY interesting with a shorter runway and the pilot hitting the breaks immediately upon touch-down on the runway. A ladder was then pushed up to the plane and we disembarked. Customs was very easy and relatively quick considering another large plane had arrived just before us. The Pelican Resort is very nice and the room is plenty for Mike and I along with having a small kitchen.
On Monday, we took a bus tour of St. Maarten/St. Martin with a beach/lunch stop at Orient Beach located on the French side. The tour was very informative. We also had a chance to do some shopping in Marigot, the French St. Martin capital city.
Today was my (Pam) first day of diving. The dive shop I choose to go through is Ocean Explorer's which is just a short walk from the resort. Today we visited Purpose Wreck and Frenchman's Reef. At Purpose Wreck, I was surprised upon entry to basically go in the water surrounded by Jelly fish. Thankfully, I decided to wear my 3mm and did not have any unpleasant run-ins with the jelly fish. The wreck is an old tug boat that sank just off the coast of Simpson Bay where we are staying. There was a large variety of fish including shrimp hiding at the base of the tugboat and an octopus. Total depth reached was 87 feet. The 2nd dive at Frenchman's reef was very enjoyable with, again, a large number and variety of fish. I saw some HUGE barricuda for the very 1st time along with some very large lobsters. The Queen Parrotfish was one of my favorites.
I did not take an underwater camera with me today, but I will have a camera tomorrow!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Happy Birthday! Twins Win!
Mike and I had a great time celebrating his 38th birthday at a Twin's game today.
The game started slow with it being more of a pitcher's duel. Boof Bonser was pitching and only had one strikeout but managed to hold the LA Angels to only 3 hits. In the middle of the 8th inning, the Twin's brought in Neshak when the Angels tied the game at 2 a piece. When the Twin's came up to bat in the 8th, Punto got on base then Castillo got on base moving Punto to 2nd base where he was thrown out while leading too far off from 2nd base.
Bartlet was next to bat and had a great single advancing Castillo to 3rd base. Next, Joe Mauer came up to bat and hit an infield homerun! The score was now 5 to 2. With the inning ended, Joe Nathan came in to close the game....
And that was THE END!
Happy Birthday to MIKE.
Love ya, Pam
The game started slow with it being more of a pitcher's duel. Boof Bonser was pitching and only had one strikeout but managed to hold the LA Angels to only 3 hits. In the middle of the 8th inning, the Twin's brought in Neshak when the Angels tied the game at 2 a piece. When the Twin's came up to bat in the 8th, Punto got on base then Castillo got on base moving Punto to 2nd base where he was thrown out while leading too far off from 2nd base.
Bartlet was next to bat and had a great single advancing Castillo to 3rd base. Next, Joe Mauer came up to bat and hit an infield homerun! The score was now 5 to 2. With the inning ended, Joe Nathan came in to close the game....
And that was THE END!
Happy Birthday to MIKE.
Love ya, Pam
Friday, July 20, 2007
Happy Dance!!!
Yippee!! We had good news at our IVF baseline ultrasound appointment this morning.
Both Mike and I are really excited to get started with our IVF cycle on August 3rd. We were also able to get our appointment scheduled and have an approximate date for Egg Retrieval and Embryo Transfer.
There are NO cysts!
Both Mike and I are really excited to get started with our IVF cycle on August 3rd. We were also able to get our appointment scheduled and have an approximate date for Egg Retrieval and Embryo Transfer.
God is GOOD!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
St. Maarten
Mike and I are getting ready to go on a week long vacation in St. Maarten... We are using our timeshare that had to be used this year. It is actually the first time we have ever used our timeshare exchange. Originally, we thought we would use the timeshare in October or November. But since we had to wait until August to start our IVF cycle we made the decision to enjoy a vacation focusing on fun and relaxation just before starting our IVF cycle in August.
The only plans we really have are for me to do at least 6 dives, enjoy the beach, maybe make a trip to Saba island, horseback riding on the beach and, well, enjoy the beach some more.
We will be staying on Simpson Bay.
The only plans we really have are for me to do at least 6 dives, enjoy the beach, maybe make a trip to Saba island, horseback riding on the beach and, well, enjoy the beach some more.
We will be staying on Simpson Bay.
Aqua Aerobics @ Lifetime Fitness!
In June, I discovered that the healthclub we attend offers outdoor water aerobics. I try to go as often as possible each week. The sessions start at 9am... I actually get up around 8am almost everyday in order to make the class! It still shocks me to think that I'm getting up early to make it to class.
The workouts are really refreshing, fun and cooling. Usually, I attend Lifetime Fitness (LTF) in Savage, MN but I've discovered that LTF in Plymouth, MN offers deep water aerobics at 8am. Yes, I'm getting up even earlier on Thursday mornings to drive 40+++ minutes for deep water aerobics at 8am followed by another water aerobices class at 9am.
The workouts are really refreshing, fun and cooling. Usually, I attend Lifetime Fitness (LTF) in Savage, MN but I've discovered that LTF in Plymouth, MN offers deep water aerobics at 8am. Yes, I'm getting up even earlier on Thursday mornings to drive 40+++ minutes for deep water aerobics at 8am followed by another water aerobices class at 9am.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Update
In May we started our 1st IVF cycle only to have it canceled and converted to an intra-uterine insemination (IUI) due to poor ovarian response. We were really disappointed. Our RE felt that the Long Lupron Protocol over-suppressed my ovaries resulting in the poor response. The new protocol does not use lupron.
Before we could start over, we had to have one month without any type of drugs for a natural cycle. Then we would be on birth control (BCP) for a minimum of 2 1/2 weeks. I really do hate the BCP but I know it serves a purpose and may just help us become pregnant - go figure!
On Friday, July 20th, I have an appointment for a baseline ultrasound. Hopefully there are no cysts and we will get the go ahead to re-start our 1st IVF cycle starting with the stimulation drugs on August 3rd taking Follistim in the morning and evening. We will have more specifics on dosages the same day as the ultrasound. Once we start the stimulation drugs, the goal is to have approx. 12 to 18 mature egg follicles around the 14th or 15th day on follistim. The next step would then be Egg Retrieval followed by either a 3 day or 5 day Embryo Transfer. We've been told to expect Egg Retrieval sometime during the week of 8/13.
Before we could start over, we had to have one month without any type of drugs for a natural cycle. Then we would be on birth control (BCP) for a minimum of 2 1/2 weeks. I really do hate the BCP but I know it serves a purpose and may just help us become pregnant - go figure!
On Friday, July 20th, I have an appointment for a baseline ultrasound. Hopefully there are no cysts and we will get the go ahead to re-start our 1st IVF cycle starting with the stimulation drugs on August 3rd taking Follistim in the morning and evening. We will have more specifics on dosages the same day as the ultrasound. Once we start the stimulation drugs, the goal is to have approx. 12 to 18 mature egg follicles around the 14th or 15th day on follistim. The next step would then be Egg Retrieval followed by either a 3 day or 5 day Embryo Transfer. We've been told to expect Egg Retrieval sometime during the week of 8/13.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Sonshine Festival: 7/12 to 7/14
Our 1st TRIP to Sonshine!
On July 11th, we took a 2 1/2 hour road trip to Wilmar, MN to scope out our camping spot and set up home base for the SONSHINE festival! We arrived around 1pm just as a cloud burst hit the area drenching everything... Thankfully, the downpour was short lived and the sun came back in all its shining glory. We drove around the civic center & high school grounds until we found a promising site and lucked out that a high school group was willing to share the area they had staked out for their tents. The spot was primo! Our camping spot was just a stones throw from an entrance closest to the mainstage and 2nd stage! I couldn't believe how convienent. After setting up the tent, we headed back home for our last full-night of sleep before getting into the GROOVE for a weekend of great Christian music.
On Thursday, July 12th, we enjoyed several Christian bands on Stage 2. Most of them I had never heard of but Mike knew some of the songs by a couple of the bands. The bands were Flowerdagger, Mark Alan, Fireflight (definitely liked this band!), Needtobreathe, and Falling Up (another band we both liked). We then moved onto the Main Stage to see Skillet, David Crowder Band, Tobymac and Newsboys. The photo to the right is from the Tobymac concert. This was my first time seeing Tobymac in concert and I'm now a HUGE fan. Their energy was unbelievable!
Friday, July 13th, we enjoyed another day of checking out the bands playing on Stage 2 as well as walking around just enjoying the atmosphere. Mike really wanted to see Red on Stage 2 and we also stayed around for the concert by Spoken. The acts on Main Stage was what we were really interested in seeing. Personally, Friday evening had THE best acts of the weekend. It was great seeing Peder Eide perform, especially since he is a Concordia College Cobber. He graduated in 1990 just a year before I graduated. His genre is along the lines of worship and praise - love the actions to "Taste & See!" Hawk Nelson was the next band and I enjoyed their show. Josh Finklea was actually a speaker sharing a message of conviction encouraging Christians to serve others and share the Gospel. The Jeremy Camp concert followed and I was surprised
at how much I loved the show. He had a good number of songs that I actually recognized and didn't realize he was the guy singing those songs on the radio. Maybe I should be reading the musician information on my XM radio. The final band of the evening (and my ABSOLUTE favorite) was Casting Crown. Their show was enjoyable but it was a bummer that it was cut short due to a Thunder Storm crashing the party. Below are Mike and I enjoying the Jeremy Camp and you can see the beginning of storm clouds in the background. The second photo is Casting Crowns.
On July 11th, we took a 2 1/2 hour road trip to Wilmar, MN to scope out our camping spot and set up home base for the SONSHINE festival! We arrived around 1pm just as a cloud burst hit the area drenching everything... Thankfully, the downpour was short lived and the sun came back in all its shining glory. We drove around the civic center & high school grounds until we found a promising site and lucked out that a high school group was willing to share the area they had staked out for their tents. The spot was primo! Our camping spot was just a stones throw from an entrance closest to the mainstage and 2nd stage! I couldn't believe how convienent. After setting up the tent, we headed back home for our last full-night of sleep before getting into the GROOVE for a weekend of great Christian music.
On Thursday, July 12th, we enjoyed several Christian bands on Stage 2. Most of them I had never heard of but Mike knew some of the songs by a couple of the bands. The bands were Flowerdagger, Mark Alan, Fireflight (definitely liked this band!), Needtobreathe, and Falling Up (another band we both liked). We then moved onto the Main Stage to see Skillet, David Crowder Band, Tobymac and Newsboys. The photo to the right is from the Tobymac concert. This was my first time seeing Tobymac in concert and I'm now a HUGE fan. Their energy was unbelievable!
Friday, July 13th, we enjoyed another day of checking out the bands playing on Stage 2 as well as walking around just enjoying the atmosphere. Mike really wanted to see Red on Stage 2 and we also stayed around for the concert by Spoken. The acts on Main Stage was what we were really interested in seeing. Personally, Friday evening had THE best acts of the weekend. It was great seeing Peder Eide perform, especially since he is a Concordia College Cobber. He graduated in 1990 just a year before I graduated. His genre is along the lines of worship and praise - love the actions to "Taste & See!" Hawk Nelson was the next band and I enjoyed their show. Josh Finklea was actually a speaker sharing a message of conviction encouraging Christians to serve others and share the Gospel. The Jeremy Camp concert followed and I was surprised
at how much I loved the show. He had a good number of songs that I actually recognized and didn't realize he was the guy singing those songs on the radio. Maybe I should be reading the musician information on my XM radio. The final band of the evening (and my ABSOLUTE favorite) was Casting Crown. Their show was enjoyable but it was a bummer that it was cut short due to a Thunder Storm crashing the party. Below are Mike and I enjoying the Jeremy Camp and you can see the beginning of storm clouds in the background. The second photo is Casting Crowns.
Monday, July 9, 2007
At the LAKE! 8th Crow Wing
Summer Fun!
July has found Mike and I enjoying time up north at my parents seasonal campsite at In-We-Go located on 8th Crow Wing Lake. We took a long weekend after July 4th to enjoy time with my parents and niece's. Friday, we adventured further north to the headwaters of the Mississippi river enjoying Itasca State Park. Everyone had a great time crossing over the rocks and frolicking in the Mississippi. This was Mike's first trip to the headwaters. Kerrigan and Kamryn had a great time in the river as we walked in the river for about a 1/2 mile to an exit point near the headwaters museum.
On Saturday, we enjoyed a day spent on the lake aboard my parents pontoon and being pulled on a tube. The tube was a new toy that "Grandpa Schmidt" bought for Kerrigan and Kamryn. We started with Kerrigan and I getting on the tube to be pulled behind the pontoon. Kerrigan and I had a great time on the tube. Afterwards, I took Kamryn on the tube. Kamryn was a little more timid about the tube. Shortly aft
er taking off on the tube, we took a forward nose dive into the water. Kamryn LOVED the nose dive! I was able to push her back onto the tube then Grandpa pulled us into the boat so I could get back on next to Kamryn. Afterwards, we had a short ride behind the tube. Overall, Kamryn was not thrilled with the tube ride.
Uncle Mike then went on the tube by himself for the first time ever in his life! WooHoo! He had a blast and LONG, LONG ride on the tube. We pulled him all around the lake. Finally, we just stopped the pontoon. Then Auntie Pam went for a tube ride by herself taking the time to show off for Kerrigan and Kamryn. I got up on my knees and let go just. Then I managed to get the tube to go back and forth over the wake made by the pontoon. Finally, Grandpa started weaving back and forth as he passed a speed boat making larger wakes causing me to go flying into the air several times. The final wake that caused me to fly into the air resulted in my decision to do a "crash and burn." It was a spectacular spill into the lake.
Kerrigan and Kamryn then enjoyed just jumping off the side of the pontoon and swimming in the lake. They had a great time and LOVED getting Grandpa's boat all wet climbing back onto the pontoon only to immediately jump off again. Eventually, Kerrigan decided she wanted to try the tube by herself so we moved onto some more tubing. Kerrigan did a GREAT job on the tube by herself. Kamryn and I went for another ride but she definitely did not enjoy the tube as much as Kerrigan.
The day ended with a trip to the local Ice Cream shop for some great treats. Kamryn had the Clown sundae and Kerrigan had the Brownie sundae! Kerrigan definitely needed help from Grandpa Schmidt eating the remainder of her Brownie sundae.
July has found Mike and I enjoying time up north at my parents seasonal campsite at In-We-Go located on 8th Crow Wing Lake. We took a long weekend after July 4th to enjoy time with my parents and niece's. Friday, we adventured further north to the headwaters of the Mississippi river enjoying Itasca State Park. Everyone had a great time crossing over the rocks and frolicking in the Mississippi. This was Mike's first trip to the headwaters. Kerrigan and Kamryn had a great time in the river as we walked in the river for about a 1/2 mile to an exit point near the headwaters museum.
On Saturday, we enjoyed a day spent on the lake aboard my parents pontoon and being pulled on a tube. The tube was a new toy that "Grandpa Schmidt" bought for Kerrigan and Kamryn. We started with Kerrigan and I getting on the tube to be pulled behind the pontoon. Kerrigan and I had a great time on the tube. Afterwards, I took Kamryn on the tube. Kamryn was a little more timid about the tube. Shortly aft
er taking off on the tube, we took a forward nose dive into the water. Kamryn LOVED the nose dive! I was able to push her back onto the tube then Grandpa pulled us into the boat so I could get back on next to Kamryn. Afterwards, we had a short ride behind the tube. Overall, Kamryn was not thrilled with the tube ride.Uncle Mike then went on the tube by himself for the first time ever in his life! WooHoo! He had a blast and LONG, LONG ride on the tube. We pulled him all around the lake. Finally, we just stopped the pontoon. Then Auntie Pam went for a tube ride by herself taking the time to show off for Kerrigan and Kamryn. I got up on my knees and let go just. Then I managed to get the tube to go back and forth over the wake made by the pontoon. Finally, Grandpa started weaving back and forth as he passed a speed boat making larger wakes causing me to go flying into the air several times. The final wake that caused me to fly into the air resulted in my decision to do a "crash and burn." It was a spectacular spill into the lake.
Kerrigan and Kamryn then enjoyed just jumping off the side of the pontoon and swimming in the lake. They had a great time and LOVED getting Grandpa's boat all wet climbing back onto the pontoon only to immediately jump off again. Eventually, Kerrigan decided she wanted to try the tube by herself so we moved onto some more tubing. Kerrigan did a GREAT job on the tube by herself. Kamryn and I went for another ride but she definitely did not enjoy the tube as much as Kerrigan.
The day ended with a trip to the local Ice Cream shop for some great treats. Kamryn had the Clown sundae and Kerrigan had the Brownie sundae! Kerrigan definitely needed help from Grandpa Schmidt eating the remainder of her Brownie sundae.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
4th of July
This 4th of July we stayed in the Twin Cities since the holiday was on a Wed.
I started the day going to the healthclub for a good workout doing the Aqua Aerobics. The best part is being in the outdoor pool, enjoying the sun and getting great workout! Wed. Aqua Aerobics is based on circuit training. The water bikes are an exhausting workout. Phew... I was glad to get home...
Mike and I decide that for the remainder of the day we would go to the Minnesota Zoo then to the Waterpark of America. The zoo was lots of fun and it was Mike's first visit to the Minnesota Zoo. We enjoyed the Dolphin show then went for a walk on the outdoor path. Our future visit to the zoo will be focused on the tropical indoor path.
The Waterpark of America was a TON of FUN. This is an indoor waterpark and it was great that it wasn't mobbed considering it WAS the 4th of July. The waterslides were great and we both loved the family waterslide. Then we enjoyed the lazy river for a while and were surprised that there was also a small wave pool which is connected to the lazy river. After lazing on the river for a while we then did a few more tube waterslides using the double tubes together. Wow... What a ride! We really wiped out at the end of the rides once we hit the water. In order to recover from the rides we had to take the lazy river around a few more times. I ended the day with the Flow Rider - one word - AWESOME! The Flow Rider is definitely my FAVORITE. Mike's favorite is the body WATERSLIDE...
Dinner was wonderful and relaxing. The Split Rock restaurant in the hotel where the waterpark is located was wonderful. They definitely serve some wonderful corn bread - the "secret" ingredient is cake mix!
I started the day going to the healthclub for a good workout doing the Aqua Aerobics. The best part is being in the outdoor pool, enjoying the sun and getting great workout! Wed. Aqua Aerobics is based on circuit training. The water bikes are an exhausting workout. Phew... I was glad to get home...
Mike and I decide that for the remainder of the day we would go to the Minnesota Zoo then to the Waterpark of America. The zoo was lots of fun and it was Mike's first visit to the Minnesota Zoo. We enjoyed the Dolphin show then went for a walk on the outdoor path. Our future visit to the zoo will be focused on the tropical indoor path.
The Waterpark of America was a TON of FUN. This is an indoor waterpark and it was great that it wasn't mobbed considering it WAS the 4th of July. The waterslides were great and we both loved the family waterslide. Then we enjoyed the lazy river for a while and were surprised that there was also a small wave pool which is connected to the lazy river. After lazing on the river for a while we then did a few more tube waterslides using the double tubes together. Wow... What a ride! We really wiped out at the end of the rides once we hit the water. In order to recover from the rides we had to take the lazy river around a few more times. I ended the day with the Flow Rider - one word - AWESOME! The Flow Rider is definitely my FAVORITE. Mike's favorite is the body WATERSLIDE...
Dinner was wonderful and relaxing. The Split Rock restaurant in the hotel where the waterpark is located was wonderful. They definitely serve some wonderful corn bread - the "secret" ingredient is cake mix!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
