HALLOWEEN

Halloween was so fun this year. It started out with a package from Grandma Hardie. The kids always get so excited when they get a package from Grandma. We then did a trick or treat at Dave's work. The kids got so much candy and they had a lot of fun showing everyone their costumes along with their moves. Then we went trick or treating on Saturday. Here in Utah it is just understood that Halloween is not on Sunday but Saturday. The kids went with their cousins at my parents house. Dave stayed at the house sick with food poisoning. It was bad. Nate also had a fever, but with the help of some children's Tylenol he would not be left behind. We had a lot of fun and now we are loaded up with candy. I love candy!

The kids were so excited about their costumes. We had them a month early and it was always a fun activity to get dressed up.

Paul was a tiger.

He had a good roar to go with his costume.

Nate was super excited to be spider man.

Everybody loved to see his moves.

Dave taught them this song.

Caribbean Cruise Top Ten Highlights #1: THANK YOU!

I feel like I really need to say thanks. Thank you to my parents for planning this cruise and taking us with you. A huge thank you to my grandparents, Grandy and Grandpa Jack, for taking care of our kids so we could go. We had such a great time and thanks to all those who helped it happen.

Sorry about my horrible editing job but I really don't have the time or skills to do better.

Caribbean Cruise Top Ten Highlights #2: Six year anniversary

Dave and I celebrated our six year anniversary while we were on the cruise. They even decorated for us.

At dinner we were treated with live music and a cake.

It was perfect for us to celebrate our marriage while on this cruise. For the previous three years Dave had been doing MBA night school on top of his full time and demanding job. In other words we did not get to spend much time together during those years. It was so nice that during this week we were able to spend all our time with each other and have so much fun! The week after the cruise we would go to Dave's graduation and school would be over! I was so happy because this cruise felt like such a wonderful and important turning point in our lives.

We had a lot of fun at dinner enjoying some very nice meals.
It was fun being on the sea where we couldn't see any land.

The snorkel ling was really fun and spectacular.

The diving skins we wore were so cute!

At sting ray city the water was so warm and full of beautiful fish and sting rays.

We visited some of the most beautiful places and it was great being able to do it together.

I love you Dave!

Caribbean Cruise Top Ten Highlights #3: Hidden Worlds

On our stop in Cozumel, Mexico, we caught a taxi to the Hidden Worlds park.

We got on one of their trucks and began to wind our way through the jungle. On this ride we had to hold on real tight or we would have fallen off the truck! It was a crazy but fun ride.

I think these trucks were specially made for the bumpy terrain.
We then got on these bikes that hung from a line that went through the jungle.

We had great views from the top of the trees.

We even biked through some caves.

We then went on a zip line. Here is Aubree screaming.



Then we repelled through a hole in the ground that opened up into a large cave.

The cave had water in it and we also did another zip line from ground level into the water of this cave.

Here is Aubree screaming again.

Then we snorkeled in the cave and saw some real neat fish and rock formations under the water.

Me and my hubby having a great time!

At this park there were people from all over the world that worked there. It is sort of an unknown place. I think we were the only ones from our ship that went to this place. We sure had a blast.

Caribbean Cruise Top Ten Highlights: #4 Funny Things

"Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis." ~Jack Handey, "Deep Thoughts," Saturday Night Live

During the cruise we laughed a lot at funny people and funny things. Often we were the funny people doing the funny things...

#1 - As we boarded the boat, the workers took an ID picture of each of us that was used throughout the trip to identify us as we boarded the boat after touring at a stop. Aubree loves to make funny faces for pictures, so she pulled one for her ID shot. Every time we boarded the boat, the crew member would chuckle or laugh out loud at her picture. We loved watching their faces and reactions. It gave us a few good laughs almost everyday. Below are a few of her funny faces (unfortunately we don't have her ID pic!).

#2 - After coming back from scuba diving and snorkeling the first time, Rick announced that we needed to clean off the salt water from our gear. We went to one of the pools to wash it off. Looking around the pool, I noticed several tough guys w/ their Barbie doll wives. They were sitting right along the edge of the pool sun bathing. They seemed annoyed that we were cleaning our stuff and making too much noise. I couldn't take it. I decided to get out and do a big cannon ball that would soak these stiff people! Granted I indirectly warned them by asking the family if I should. Rick and Taylor said that I shouldn't, but I couldn't resist. I ran and tried to make the biggest splash I could!!! People grumbled and shook their heads. Knowing at least one of the guys could take me, I immediately exited the pool, grabbed my stuff and headed back to room...laughing inside the whole time!

(the pool was slightly larger than the one furthest away in this picture)

#3 - It was several mornings into the trip before we actually went to the formal dining area for breakfast. That morning we had Corina, the Romansh waitress, for the first time. She doted on us and gave the great service you always hear about when someone talks about a cruise. Rick was not embarrassed to ask questions or see if certain exceptions could be made. Almost everything he asked for was not listed on the menu. Corina then said in English, "You make me feel...emotional." Rick turned a little red. He at first seemed to interpret this to mean he was a hunk. Mandee and I interpreted it to mean that he made her nervous with all his requests and orders!

(Eggs Benedict is one of the things not listed on the menu that we ordered that first time)

#4 - we all took turns helping Cindee eat throughout the cruise. It was fun and also made us laugh together from time to time. One night I was feeding Cindee a pallet cleanser, a Thyme sorbet. I had already eaten mine and did not enjoy it too much. After giving her a couple of bites, I asked, "Do you want any more?" She seemed to grimace and then said with hesitation, "Well...how much is left?" We all irrupted in laughter. No one had enjoyed it, and even Cindee who loves cruises mostly for the food couldn't bare the thought of more bite of pallet cleanser!

#5 - One morning we were up a little early and headed to breakfast, and Aubree seemed put out. We asked her what was up, and she responded, "I just want to punch somebody in face." Whoa! We couldn't help but laugh and repeat the line several times throughout the rest of the trip.

(For the record, she cheered up quick afterwards and had fun snorkeling)

Anyway, sorry if some of these were "had to be there" humor, but if that's the case, drop us line and we'll plan the next cruise to include you and your family too. Making fun memories like these are what make the trip really memorable in the end anyway.

Caribbean Cruise Top Ten Highlights: #5 Cayman Islands

Seriously, I am horrible at keeping my blog up to date. I have got to finish this top ten about this cruise since it has been over a month since we went on it. Here I go.

Aubree and Taylor took tons of pictures and I have narrowed it down to 15 for the Cayman Islands. My dad hired a man to take us out on a private boat to different places for scuba diving.

The first place we went was Sting Ray City. Here is Aubree all ready to do her first dive as a certified scuba diver.

Dave and I snorkeled while the others were below us scuba diving. Here is Dave and I posing for the camera.

Taylor and Aubree posing for the camera. How cute!

My dad posing for the camera.

Dave and I watching the action from above.

These stings rays were everywhere!

We even got to touch them.

We saw more then just sting rays.

Aubree is so beautiful when she scuba dives.

They also did some other really deep dives where they could not take the camera and you could not see much snorkeling. Here is a boat that was saw docked in the marina. I know my kids would love to go on this "pirate" ship.

Caribbean Cruise Top Ten Highlights: #6 The Food

One great thing about a cruise is that the food is all you can eat and you don't have to worry about how much it costs because it has already been paid for in the cruise ticket. This caused me to eat way too much. It is like Taylor said, "I have been eating way too much, way too often." I did gain several pounds but I sure enjoyed doing it.

My favorite meal of the day was breakfast. We really enjoyed out breakfast waiter. Her name was Corina, and she was from Romania.

Dave and I waiting for our food.

I loved getting the hot chocolate and dipping the pastries in it.

Eggs Benedict, yum!

We had to dress up fancy for a couple of the dinners. Aubree helped me do my hair. I love her face in this picture so I had to post it.

All dressed up at dinner.

Aubree loves to eat!

These are a couple of the appetisers we had.

They served lobster for dinner one night. As you can see, Aubree didn't like it too well.

My favorite part about dinner was the desert. Almost every night I would order two different ones off the menu because I couldn't decide. I still really miss having desert after every meal. The last night they brought out baked Alaska. You can see the waiters carrying the I cream that is on fire. They even did a little parade with it.