Western Caribbean Cruise 2008

Before I begin, I have to say WE LOVED OUR CRUISE!! We were on the Carnival Valor. The staff was amazing! They were all so kind, funny, the best! Most people on the ship were so kind and fun to talk to. The food was amazing! We definitely had our fill. I ate til I was about to explode. I never do that. By the end of the cruise, we were sick of eating. I am happy to say I finally gained some of the weight back that I lost when I was sick...YAY! This was the best experience ever and I can't wait to go again. Pictures are at the end. Now......

On Septemeber 12th we left Utah to fly to Florida and get on the ship and head for blue waters, warm weather and everything wonderful that is the Caribbean, but first, we spent the 13th in Vero Beach. We went up to visit with my cousins, a friend and my aunt and uncle. It was nice to see them all since the last time I saw my aunt and uncle was when I was 17 and my one cousin was at my wedding 10 years ago. So, it's been a while. When we got to my cousins house, we chatted a bit and then went to Chili's for happy hour. We snacked on nachos and drank margaritas. Good start to the amazing vacation that was ahead. Michelle (friend) met us at Chili's. From there, we went gator hunting. Dalan really wanted to see a live gator. We were unlucky, but did find a dead one along the side of the road. Dalan was really excited about that and literally jumped over Michelle to look out her window to see it. We all laughed hysterically and they are still talking about it in Florida. After that we went to my aunt and uncles to have a delicious dinner. We had a great time visiting and didn't want to leave.

September 14th we headed to the cruise ship at 10:30 AM to sit and wait. It actually worked out nicely because I would rather go straight through the line and sit in a chair for a couple hours than stand in line for a couple hours. Once we got on the ship Dalan wanted to run all over it and see everything. I wanted to sit, relax and get a drink. Apparently, he forgot it was a 7 day cruise and not a 3 hour tour. So, day one was mostly spent looking around and eating at the buffet. We didn't go to the dining room to eat because we were just too tired and didn't feel like getting ready.

September 15th was a fun day at sea. We were new to this whole cruise thing and just didn't really know what to do. We tried to see and do all the events. We mostly ate and drank though. There was a cocktail party that night right before dinner. So, we had meatballs and wontons? and drank some champagne. That night was the first formal dinner and the first time we met Jackie and Allen. They were our dinner mates in the dining room. They are from Florida. The first day on the ship Dalan had pointed out a girl who looked like someone we went to school with. So, we were basically "checking her out" and trying to decide if that really was her and if not, wow, she looks a lot like her. Well, we didn't find out til the last day this was Jackie. They were showing video of the cruise on our t.v. and they showed the exact moment when we noticed her, Dalan and I both almost simultaneously said, "THAT WAS JACKIE!!" When we first saw her, she was wearing sunglasses, so that is why we didn't recognize her initially. I thought it was pretty funny and strange. Anyway, after dinner I think we went to a show and then met up with Jackie and Allen at karaoke. They got up to sing, we filled out the paper, but Dalan never turned it in. I think Allen ended up turning it in, but it was too late. After karaoke, we all went up to get some late night pizza. Day one...done!

September 16th was our first stop, Grand Cayman. We did the Rays and Reef excursion. I have heard many people say the stingray excursion is amazing. Ours was miserable! I would never do it again unless someone told me exactly who they went through and where they did it. They fed them in a small area and there wasn't much room. If you wanted to be close, you were risking being kicked in the head or belly bumped by someones head as they swam up. So, I stayed off to the side and the rays swam my way every once in a while. I was satisfied with that and ready to get back on the boat. When we got back to port, we stopped to buy Rum Cakes. They are the most delicious thing ever. Grand Cayman seems to have a pirate theme to it, which I thought was cool because I LOVE the movies Pirates of the Caribbean. So, after getting a couple souveniers, back on the ship we went to hang out and drink some more.

September 17th was the day Dalan and I started dating, so this marked 14 years together!!! We stopped in Roatan, Honduras. There we did the snorkeling, clear kayak and Gumbalimba Park excursion. Snorkling was so much better here. We enjoyed it a lot more. The clear kayak was not what I thought it would be, but Gumbalimba Park was pretty cool. We were able to hold parrots and monkeys. I love monkeys, so this was a lot of fun. Time flew while we were there and before we knew it, it was time to hurry back, shop for souveniers and get back on the ship. I was left with an hour to get ready for dinner and amazingly, I made it! I was quite impressed with myself, but now Dalan will think I can get ready that quickly all the time. We went to karaoke the first few nights of the cruise. I almost auditioned for Britney Spears, but then someone went up there and then more people and I chickened out. I don't like to be the center of attention and would much rather just watch. I really need to get the guts to do this if we ever go on another cruise. It was either this night or the next they had this comedian who was HILARIOUS!!! I was laughing so hard I was crying. His name is Happy Cole. The whole place was roaring with laughter.

September 18th we were in Belize. We did the Raiders of the Lost Mayan Cave excursion. Not what I thought it would be, but it was still pretty fun. We walked through a cave similar to Lehman's cave. We were able to zip line and do what they called repelling, which really wasn't repelling at all. One of the guides thought Dalan was my father. I giggled and thought it was pretty funny. When I told him I was 30, his jaw dropped and he said he thought I was 16. I love looking young! This was another day where we got back to the ship and I had little time to get ready, which sucked because this was the 2nd formal night. Again, I managed to get ready on time and with some time to spare. I really don't know how I do it.

September 19th, by far the most interesting day of the trip and probably the most fun. This was our last stop, Cozumel, Mexico. WHOO-HOO! I love Mexico! We did the beginner's scuba diving here. It was amazing! I freaked out at first, but the instructor was very patient with me and wouldn't let me quit. He let me adjust at my own pace. After about 5 or 10 minutes, I was fine and he lowered me down. I was so glad I adjusted because this was the coolest thing ever. The water was beautiful and clear. The fish were amazing! I loved it! We loved it! After this, we headed back to the shops and walked around a bit. Everyone is trying to get you into their store. I told Dalan I would need a alcoholic beverage for the walk back. Boy was I sad when we got to the end and there was nowhere to get a drink. I figured hold my head down and just walk quickly. When we got back, off to Senior Frogs/Carlos and Charlie's we went. We went just for nachos but ended up drinking way too much. I don't know what they put in their Margaritas, but holy crap, I'm amazed we made it back to the cruise ship, BUT not before I spotted Davy Jones and made Dalan take my picture with him. My memory is a bit fuzzy for the next few hours. I don't remember going through security to get back on the boat. I don't remember the elevator ride up to the bar by the pool. I do remember Dalan talking football with some guy and Dalan ordering me another drink even though I didn't want it, which pretty much did me in. I somehow ended up in the bathroom dizzy and I think banging my head on the wall. A lady came in calling my name, but I don't remember ever leaving the bathroom or going down to our room. Apparently, I forget all the walking parts. So, basically I was pretty sick and hopped into bed and stayed there for a bit. Then, I hear Dalan yelling from the hallway, I thought, I later found out he was on the balcony. He is yelling at Jackie and Allen who also amazingly found their way back to the ship. Up they come to our room and jump on me with their little balloon hats. I was under the covers mysteriously missing clothing. Funny how things just disappear. Dalan takes some pictures and off they go. Dalan ended up locking himself out of the room and I didn't want to get up to let him in. I don't know how he ended up getting in. I do remember Allen returning to tell me Dalan went to get new keys because he blamed me for losing the orginals. Allen then said he needed to go because he would get in trouble and was positive he would see me at dinner even though I said I wasn't going to make it...which I didn't. After a couple hours I did manage to pull myself together and try to go out and about, but had to go back to the room because I wasn't handling it well. Oh, and while I was getting ready, I found the original keys...IN DALAN'S SWIMSUIT. Go figure! I think I went to bed that night in jeans, my shirt, jacket and possibly my shoes. YAY for Carlos and Charlies, and I think I will visit them again one day.

September 20th...ugh! I had to drag my butt out of bed to go to breakfast. Thank God this was a fun day at sea. We pretty much just hung around on the boat and tried to do what we could. We actually played Bingo twice this day hoping to win the money and pay for our cruise. Yep, no luck. We ate dinner in the dining room and then went to a show in which the guests were the stars. This is the show I would've been in if I tried out for Britney and made it. It was hysterical! After the show, we said our good byes to Jackie and Allen and exchanged Myspaces. We pretty much just went back to the room to finish up packing.

September 21st we sat and waited, and waited, and waited to get off the ship. It took forever. Once we were finally off, we headed to the hotel to take a nap. For dinner, we ate at Bubba Gumps and then visited the beach. This was the end of the trip. The next day, we flew back to Utah, and I was depressed at the sight of it. No more warm weather, no more blue water and no more beaches. SIGH!

Our cruise was amazing and I loved every minute of it. We both would love to go again. It was the best vacation we had ever been on. Now we are home and back to the same old routines, which is fine I guess. I did miss the kids and the kids were excited to see what we brought them. Now, I think I am going to eat my Rum Cake, because I haven't yet. I am amazed the thing has lasted this long and I haven't eaten it yet.

BON VOYAGE!

And....I'm still sick!

Okay, I have seriously had it. I am to get ready to leave for the airport in 20 minutes. In my last post, I said, "I should be better just in time for our cruise." Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Yeah, uh, nope. I still have a horrible cough, which I am sure will look very unattractive during our formal dinner on the cruise. I will be all dressed up and hacking up mucus. NICE! I also do not have my energy back. Then, there is my weight issue. I'm eating like crazy, but I'm not putting the weight back on. I went back into the doctor on Tuesday and he put me on an inhaler. For some reason, I thought this would be my miracle cure. I don't feel any better though. As for my weight, he said he wasn't too concerned about that right now. It will come in time. Right now, his main concern is my lungs and getting rid of this cough. I honestly think I might have it for the rest of my life. I've been sick for four weeks and counting. This is just ridiculous! I have never in my life been so sick...ever! So, I'm hoping that this cruise is my miracle cure. I won't be doing much of anything except for relaxing, so I'm praying this is what I need. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.....

I really thought I might die.....

So, I have been sick since August 14th (no, that's not a mistype) and I am just now starting to feel somewhat better. It all hit me pretty hard. I woke up that morning, went to an appointment I had, came home and I crashed on the couch and just didn't want to move. On the 15th, I didn't...well, couldn't get out of bed. I thought for sure I had the flu, but in the summer? That can't be right. I figured I would tough it out because I should be over it in about a week. Plus, if I went into the doctor, I knew what he would say, "Drink plenty of fluids and get rest." It's just a waste of my time. Well, after about a week and I seriously thought I might die from this...and Dalan harping on me a bit, I reluctantly decided to go into the doctor. I sat there in the freezing office for an hour only to have the doctor tell me, "Drink fluids and get rest." Oh was I pissed! And happy that I was right. I mean, I always am. So, back home I went to claim my spot on the couch. So, two weeks go by and I have a cough that keeps me up all night unless I take Nyquil and I have lost about 12 lbs. So, back into the doctor I go. This time I was actually diagnosed with something. What started out as a virus turned into pneumonia...walking pneumonia. That is something I have never had. So, I was given some antibiotics and should be better just in time to go on our cruise. We leave on September 12th. Talk about good timing.

First Day Of School (08/18/2008)

Yesterday was Trent and Kaela's first day back to school. Everything seemed to go fine. They both said they like their teachers. Kaela wasn't too happy with the teacher she got at the end of last year only because all her friends got another teacher. She was about the only one in her class to get this teacher. How did that happen you ask? Well, here they let you put in a teacher request. I put one in for Trent, but not for her. I didn't know any of the 2nd grade teachers, so I didn't prefer one over the other. Plus, I had never heard anything bad about any of the teachers, so I figured she would be fine with whoever she got. However, I forgot that every other parent out there would be requesting. So, I just told her to be good like she always is, get good grades and we will request for 3rd grade. There is one teacher I have heard people say you don't want your child in her class. So, I will be sure to get that request in ON TIME!

Trent came home telling us that his teacher told him she is only mean when the kids are unprepared. I had to laugh a little. This was his 4th grade teachers biggest....not really complaint, but at parent teacher conference he would always tell us Trent is unprepared. I told him he better get his act together this year or he is in trouble! It's not really anything I can help him with. He needs to figure it out on his own. He is a little bit of a space case sometimes and will just drift away in class I think. I think he might get it from me. I have a short attention span when it comes to school or people lecturing...stuff like that. I just get bored. In fact, I can count quite a few times when I fell asleep in class....but he doesn't need to know that.

He is now in the double digits....

Trent turned 10 on August 13, 2008. That week was a busy week for us. On the 11th, we went up to Seven Peaks. The kids had a blast and I got a pretty nice tan. I honestly love to go to water parks and just people watch. It is unbelieveable how many people squeeze into their swimsuits. All I ask is please wear a swimsuit that actually fits you...PLEASE! I don't want to see all your junk pouring out of the sides. It's just not attractive. Then there was this odd guy who wasn't the most attractive thing on the planet. In fact, he looked like one of those cavemen guys you see on the commercials. His friend was lying on the ground on his belly and he decides he is going to run over there and jump on top of his friend. Sadly, it doesn't stop there. He then decides his friend is in need of some humping action. OMG! Are people really that stupid? Then, later in the day the humper decided he was going to put his girlfriend?...friends?...bikini top on. I guess she brought a spare swimsuit. Trent just stared at them and then said, "He's an idiot." I just thought, yes he is.

On the 13th we celebrated Trent's birthday. We took him bowling during the day. I swear not a minute went by where he didn't ask, "Can I open my presents?" We had pizza and ice cream that night..no cake. The kid doesn't like cake. He is weird. We put candles in his pizza and he seems to like that. For his birthday he got an IPod, Guitar Hero for his DS, lots of money and a slingshot. The day after his birthday, he was out on the back porch with the slingshot firing away. I told Dalan Bart Simpson was on our back porch in his pajamas..bright and early. Right after we ate our pizza, Dalan and I were headed off to play softball. After the game, I was shivering and freezing cold. The next day, I woke up, went to my orthodontist appointment, came home and crashed on the couch. I have been sick ever since. I swear it's some type of flu, but it's not even flu season.

On the 16th, Trent had a football clinic to go to in the morning. That night was Kaela's mini cheer performance. I drug myself off the couch and went and got ready to go. I made it through the game, but when we got home, back on the couch I went. And, on the couch is where I remain. I really wish this sickness would just go away. I honestly feel like I could die from it. It's horrible.

Co-ed Softball

So, last year and this year Dalan has signed me up for co-ed softball. When I say he signed me up, I mean he filled out the paperwork, paid the money and put my ass on the team even though I said I didn't want to play. I wasn't aware I was literally playing til he would say, okay, it's set and here's the schedule. Last year pretty much sucked because I couldn't play to save my life. Well, I couldn't hit the ball out of the damn infield. I did play 2nd base surprisingly well though. However, there were a couple injuries. I was hit in the ribs with a line drive as I was running to 2nd base. After I was hit and squatting on the ground, I hear Dalan yell, "Run, Run, get up and run!" I was ready to full on kick his ass! I had the imprint of the laces on my side and Dalan was proud. I was also hit in the ankle I think. Some people remember this more than I. Being hit in the ribs stands out for me.

So, this year has started out pretty good. Our first game, which was last week, I did pretty good. I was hitting the ball solid and making some plays on 2nd base. Last night we had two games. The first game I was hitting awesome for me. I was really amazed with myself and pretty proud. Then came the 2nd game. My first up to bat I struck out. I had a plan and everything for my next up to bat as I was taking the field to play 2nd base. Then it hit me...literally! Here comes a grounder right to me. I was so happy and thinking, "Okay, I got this." Oh did I get it. The ball was leisurely rolling on the ground and then all of a sudden decided to jump and hit me right in my left cheekbone/eye. It was huge by the time I got back to the dugout which was probably 2 minutes from the time it happened. So, now I have a huge, swollen, black eye. Oh, and did I mention this all happened on my birthday? Yeah, happy birthday to me. I knew it wasn't a good thing to turn 30. I'm taking the kids school shopping today. This should be interesting. I will be the one wearing my sunglasses INSIDE the store....

Cuz I'm cool like that.

SIGH!

Road Trip 2008

On July 18th we started our road trip. The fifth wheel was stocked with food and hooked up to the trailer. We pulled out of the driveway and hoped the kids would be good during the drive. They had no idea how much driving we were going to do. They just knew where we were going. We spent our first night in Ashton, ID where Dalan decided he needed to order a 7 lb burger. Bun and all, it was actually 10 lbs. When they brought it, I could hardly stand to look at the thing. It was disgusting! He went there saying he wasn't going to eat anything and then order a monstrosity of a burger. He ended up eating about 4 lbs of it. They took his picture and said they were going to put it up on the wall. So, if you are ever in Ashton, ID, stop by Big Jud's and let us know if his picture is up there.

From there we headed to Yellowstone. We stayed there for four days. We had a lot of fun there and did a crap load of walking. Oh the walking was crazy. I think this is what got my butt ready for co ed. We saw a lot of animals and I came away saying, "I don't want to see another buffalo ever! I have seen them perform every action they can possibly perform." Okay, well, not every. I didn't see one give birth, but I sure saw everything else. We didn't see a bear or moose, which was pretty disappointing. We missed seeing two bears by about three minutes. We pulled up, they were gone. Go figure! That's just our luck.

After Yellowstone, we went to Cody, WY....not much to tell about this place. We ate...we bought a few souveniers.....we left.

From there we made a quick stop at Devils Tower and then off to Rapid City, SD we went. While there, we went to Mt. Rushmore, which was amazing! We also drove by Crazy Horse...which hasn't changed since I saw it 15 years ago. Dalan has his theories as to why, but we won't go into that. We visited Sturgis, SD, which wasn't what I expected it to be. We bought shirts from there and left. The rally is this week. We also did a few small things like go to a water park, went black light mini golfing and went through a maze. The maze was crazy! I never finished. It took Dalan 30 minutes and my mom 22 minutes. It took me an hour and I gave up. I was hot, hungry, thirsty and tired. I was done! I partly blame it on me having two kids in tow as I went through the maze. We also went to a place called Roo Ranch where the kids were able to interact with a baby kangaroo. They loved that!

From South Dakota we headed back to Utah. We stayed in Vernal for a day hoping we could go to the dinosaur thing. Well, the main quarry was closed, go figure. So, the next day we rafting on the Green River. That was fun, but I was hoping the rapids would be a little rougher.

Anyway, it was a good trip and the kids had fun. I thought they would be bored to death, but they really showed interest in a lot of the things we did. Trent is very into Teddy Roosevelt, so it helped that we learned a little about him on our trip.