Eastern Carribean Cruise

Last week Austin and I vacationed to islands in the Carribean.
First we drove the children to Nelsons' house, who cared for our babies perfectly. Thank you to them for making this possible.
Then we headed to Seattle. We spent a wonderful evening with Diane -- pictures at Alkai Beach, shopping, dinner and a movie. Simply a perfect pleasure spending time with her. We then took the red-eye from Seattle to Miami.
Seattle sky line.

Maimi sky line.

We cruised on the Norwegian Pearl (picture from Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas).

The Pearl had a bowling alley.

It also had a rock wall.

Austin climbed the most advanced route in 28 seconds.

We spent many hours on deck reading. One day we read 6 hours, without being interrupted! (Reading list in another post.)

Every night we spent hours eating. We learned that the average cruiser gains two pounds per day -- Austin didn't gain a pound, even though he finished off my cuisine every night. One night he took my food before I was finished, but we were at a group table so I couldn't say anything. I gave him an earful afterward........

We were asked several times if we were on our honeymoon. The questioner was shocked at our response -- ten years and five kids.


We stopped in the Dominican Republic, we took a taxi to some waterfalls.

Of course Austin climbed the falls, just like the natives, and jumped in. Next time I'll try it......

We then headed to St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., we spent about 5 hours snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. Ahhh.

Then on to Tortola, B.V.I, we snorkeled once again. Austin found and broke open this coconut. We had Smugglers Cove to ourselves for the entire morning. We also rented a scooter and spent six hours exploring the island.


Every two years a perfect span of time to truly vacay. Austin and I spent much of our time laughing and relaxing. I heart cruising; I heart Austin most of all.

Primo Weekend

Although it is Thursday, the beginning of another weekend, I couldn't help but create a post about last weekend.

Friday Austin and I spent nine hours hiking Lone Peak. We gained 5000 feet in elevation while hiking through the breath-taking national forest. What a treat to recreate with Austin. (Sweet Cherie watched the younger children.) The truth is that we could barely move throughout the rest of the weekend.




Saturday and Sunday was General Conference. Good thing Austin and I watched from home, we couldn't have walked to church after our hike. Grandma's family room was filled with notebooks, food, and bodies. We did feel the spirit as we listened the our leaders speak.



Saturday night my parents headed to Park City for their annual retreat. We headed up there for a cool swim. Although the children froze, that had a grand time.






Sunday afternoon cute Aunt Shelly stopped by. She brought gifts for all five children, and they loved the time they shared on the trampoline with her.



Quite often Jim receives anonymous gifts from girls. Usually a love note is attached, but this time, just fresh doughnuts. Because Jim, Mark, and Emily and I were the only ones awake, we ate 2+ each and finished off the box. Keep 'em coming girls, doughnuts always complete a perfect weekend.

Classic Mishap

This morning I asked Austin to take the sheets off our bed and wash them. I was on my way out the door to volunteer in Meg's class, so I didn't have five minutes to do it myself. Also on my way out the door, I couldn't find my phone, so he called it, but we heard nothing. I walked out the door without my phone.
Upon returning home from Meg's class, he was waiting for me, and Maisie exclaimed, "We found your phone. Daddy washed it!"
My phone still powers on, but the screen is foggy. I'm so glad it was my phone that was ruined, because he's had scores of business calls today......And I'm glad he is the one who made the washing mistake.
Perhaps next month I'll get a new phone.