Eastern Caribbean Cruise

For our 20 year anniversary and our good friends the Olson's 30 year anniversary we went on a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean on Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas. It was a 12 day cruise with 6 ports. Our ports were Labadee, Haiti, Samana Dominican Republic, San Juan Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas, Philipsburg St. Maarten, and Tortola British Virgin Islands. We had a blast. We got to do things we wouldn't normally get to do. We left Baltimore on Monday Jan. 17 and sailed for 2 full days. The first full day was pretty rocky. I didn't get sick but did get a little queezy, but more because it was too cold to go outside to get fresh air. That was the worst day of the whole trip. The rest of it was pretty smooth. We did have a rocky day coming back, but it was still warm then so I could get fresh air, so I was fine.

We saw some great shows which include Hal Frazier (singer) , Jason Neistadt (comedian/impressionist) , Bruce Gold (comedian), Jeff Taveggia (juggler) , ZeidwiG (pianist/comedian) , Haines Magic (magician) , The Happenings (You should know this),David Morgan and Chucky (not as creepy as it sounds), and of course the Royal Caribbean dancers and singers.

We had a lot of fun doing our excursions. In Haiti, we just went to the beach. Tried to avoid the market there, they're pretty pushy. Samana, we went whale watching then shopping. Puerto Rico we went on a Segway tour. St. Thomas we went to Coral Land and Coral Sea (which wasn't my favorite place, since I walked on a dead rat. EEEEWWWWWW!!!!!) St. Maarten we did a treetop to treetop adventure, and then to the beach. Then Tortola we went snorkeling. Which I didn't like at first but once I got the hang of it, it was fun.

Of course we had some of the best food. But that goes without saying.

We had so much fun and have already committed to going on another cruise. We put a down payment on the next one, but we haven't decided when or where. But always fun to go with friends..

New Year, New Beginnings

Well, as we all know I am terrible at keeping up a blog. So here we go, trying again. We've just had a major change to our family, so felt we need to share this change. Ryan just got married. He married a sweet girl, Brittany. We love her to death and are glad they are living out here while Ryan is working as an intern. She will be starting her new job at a daycare next week. She is very excited. They got married in the Logan Temple in Logan, Utah. There was a reception for them out there. It was a very snowy day. Then we had a reception out here for them. I will attach pictures. Also, another big change, I quit my job last week. It felt like the right thing to do, and when it was all said and done I knew it was the right thing to do. Now I just need to figure out my next step. As much as I would like to stay home now, I need to work.

Hole in the Wall

So this year when Chris returned from Iraq we bought couches for both the family room and basement. Every time he comes home we splurge and buy something for the house. Well, the family room couches we were able to bring home the same day. But the basement couches were on backorder so we are still waiting for them. Well Chris and Ryan decided to take one set of the old couches from the family room to goodwill. They've been sitting in the garage for a month now. So, I suggested that since they were at it they might as well take the other couches out of the basement and take them too. Well, we discovered why the previous owners left the couches in the first place. They were able to get the smaller couch up the stairs and out to the garage with some difficulty but they managed to do it. So, they tried the big couch. Well, that was a big couch. The door was closed so I couldn't see what was going on but I kept hearing a lot of banging, scraping, and thuds. Then it all stopped so I was wondering what was going on and went to check and see them at the bottom of the stairs taking the couch apart. And then I turn around and there's a nice hole in the wall. Luckily it's a wall I need to paint anyway, because it's that awful green that I've painted over a couple of times and it's a big pain to paint. Takes 3 coats of primer and 2 coats of paint. Including the ceiling too. So now we have to do some drywall repair and painting. Guess it was a sign.

Christmas 2009

This year we had a great Christmas. First both Chris and Ryan were home. Chris arrived back from Iraq just before Thanksgiving, and he flew out to Idaho a week before Christmas to help drive out from BYU Idaho. My brother and his family were also moving to Virginia that weekend. This was the same weekend of the blizzard. So, needless to say both parties were delayed in getting here. My brother had stopped in Ohio to see the sights in Kirtland. So they stayed an extra night and came down Sunday. Luckily the highways were pretty good for them. Chris and Ryan came in late that night after driving straight through. Anyway, we had a house full. My niece came up on the evening of the 22nd. It was so much fun having everyone here. I loved having small children here for Christmas too. They were so much fun with the whole Santa thing. The boys received a few of their presents early to help them go snowboarding before Christmas. Hey, with all that snow, they had to do it. Everyone received pretty much everything they wanted. Fun was had by all. I'm going to love having Robert (Bobby), Krista, Caleb and Adelyn here. I love being called Auntie Lia. None of my nieces or nephews on the other side call me that, oh well. We also had the missionaries over for Christmas dinner. I got the picture for my living room that I've been wanting for a long time. It's the Salt Lake Temple with a tree with red leaves. Anyway, here are a few pictures, enjoy.

Art Show

Our stake is having an Evening with the Arts on Nov. 14th. I entered 4 pieces of our families art into the show. I hope the artists don't mind, since I didn't ask any of them. Anyway, I put Chris' bird, Spencer's portrait of Chris, Chris' Mom's drawing of Chris as a young cowboy, that looks like Kyle and Brandon, and His grandfather's cowboy watercolor. These have all been posted in previous posts. Kyle and Brandon have inherited this talent too, they just need to exercise it more, as does Chris. Good job everyone, they will be great in the show. Thank you!

Brave New World

Today I received a call from a friend asking me if I had read "A Brave New World". Well coming from this friend it was a strange question, so I say "No, but Should I?" She then preceded to tell me that she is now reading it, because it is required reading at the high school. Her daughter came home from school telling her that they were having a huge discussion in one of their classes today about this book. Apparently a student had come in and asked who he needed to talk to, to take the book off the required reading list. At this point I'm worried because I really have no idea what this book is even about. Then she goes on to tell me that the student who went to the teacher was my son Brandon. Wow, I was shocked. I couldn't believe it when she told me this. Apparently this book talks about teen sex and drugs. How can this be required reading for high school students? I was so proud of Brandon for speaking up for his beliefs. And even prouder because it apparently caused a big stir that it was discussed in classes afterwards. When I came home from work I asked him about it. He told me it was a horrible book and I should never read it. How kind of him to try to protect me from this book. Kyle said the teacher pulled him aside and told him about the stir that Brandon started. WAY TO GO BRANDON!!

Family Art

So while Chris has been gone this time, I've been busy with his paintings that he's been wanting to get framed. I finally took them to get them framed at Michael's and their 60% off custom framing. First I did the bird in the previous post. Then I took his portrait that his brother painted to get it framed and his grandfather's painting of cowboys too. I will admit I was not a fan of the cowboys. I had no clue where we would be able to hang it. However, once we (Linda Warner helped me pick the mats and frame) got it framed it looks totally awesome. Now it is hanging in my family room, and it looks great. I had a hard time finding a place for Chris's portrait that would be seen well. Our problem was we didn't really have anymore walls big enough, or they were too big. I decided to put it in the dining room. Figured if I hung a mirror on the other wall it could be seen from the kitchen. Was hoping it would from the front door too, but wrong angle I guess. Hope he likes it when he gets home. Just over one month now. What do you think?