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.

Books of the Month

I've done of bit of light reading this month. Books I recommend:
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (read and signed by the author)
The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott
Beauty by Robin McKinley
Remembering Isaac by Ben Behunin
Kiersten's book is a super-fun quick read.
Louisa's book is the first novel she ever wrote and is filled with a delicious hero.
Robin's book is filled with romantic magic.
Ben's book is slow but has message of faith and love.
As has been noted before, I only read romance novels, so if you have any recommendations, then please tell. Austin and I are headed on another cruise, and I will have many, uninterrupted hours to read.
(Austin just told me that this post is boring. Sorry.)

Feeding Ducks

Many mornings this past month we have spent our time feeding the ducks. Usually we take our left over waffles or toast. Yesterday, the ducks were extremely fortunate to receive an entire batch of mom's white rolls(the yeast was bad and the rolls did not rise). Maisie and Nick are always sad when the bread is gone; Maddie eats the bread and occasionally throws a piece here or there.

Brad Paisley Concert

Austin is finally in Utah with us. After a month separated, we are together. Friday evening we celebrated by going to the Brad Paisley concert at USANA. The evening air was pristine, the company superb and the entire event and huge success. Nat, Ash and I all bought the same t-shirt; our boys all paid high prices for them. We have such nice husbands.
Mr. Paisley's trailer.



Four siblings. (Jim sang every word to every song. His date loved that!)

FHE in the Canyon

Last night we ate dinner and had FHE in the canyon. The trees are just beginning to change color and the mountain air was pristine. The boys played swords and they cut off the limbs of the multiple princi (plural for princesses) while running around the amphitheater. What a grand time we had -- Nick's expression tells all!

Hawk Walk

Yesterday was the 9th annual Hawk Walk at good ol' Highland Elementary. Basically, the entire student body walks around the track for an hour, laps are recorded, pledges are collected, and this fundraiser is painless for the PTA. Mom, the children and I were there in full force, and we were happy to be there, because our kids ran not walked. As adults, we ran many laps with our children. I suppose this activity falls in the category of wholesome recreational activity.
Andy ran 24 laps, 4 miles, the most in his class.

Meg ran 28 laps, 4.75 miles, highest girl in her class.

Emily ran 31 laps, 5.2 miles, highest girl in her class.

Nick, Maisie and Maddie were sure patient during our 3.5 hour ordeal (each of the children ran during different hours).