Welcome Home

Well, we are home from an AWESOME vacation. We went on an eight day cruise with Alan’s parents and siblings. There were twelve of us in all. We left all the kids home but had the time of our lives. Thanks Steve and Susan.

I am not sure how I can post eight days of nonstop fun in one post but I will try. We left on Saturday morning and my sister came to tend the boys. Thanks to Mimi, my Mom, and Nate and Megan Whitney for helping care for them while we were gone. Carden and Max were up bright and early but I was happy to see them before we left.

We flew to Long Beach and the sun was already feeling wonderful. We went on Norwegian Cruise Line to the Mexican Riviera. The first two days were spent on the ship and plenty of food was devoured. The second day we went to all you can eat sushi! Let’s just say Jana’s husband, Jason, saw a new side of me. He never knew I could eat so much.

Our first stop was Acapulco. We rented a 12 person van with AC. When we got in it was actually for 10 and the AC was on when the window was rolled down and the air was blowing. Gotta love Mexico! We went to a beach and body surfed. Alan actually rented a real surf board and tried surfing with his brothers for a few hours. Next, we went back to the ship, showered and ate dinner. We then went back out to the city to watch some mates climb a huge rock wall and dive into the water. It was crazy! We then shopped and headed back to the ship.

The next day was Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa. We took a small boat to a snorkeling area and beach. Mexico is great! You always have to pay for something. To use the bathroom, sit on a chair, or even a canopy you swear nobody owns. We bought a drink in a pineapple and some guacamole and chips in order to stay on some chairs. We snorkeled and Alan’s sister, Lisa, and I got beat up on some rocks when a large wave towed us over the top. We have some battle wounds to share for a while. We managed to still have energy to break it down on the dance floor that evening after eating more food of course.

I am trying to skip the part about how much food we ate because it was mind boggling. This morning Carden said “Wow Mommy! How did you get so big?” That was when I knew I had eaten too much the past week!

The next day was Puerto Vallarta. This was by far my favorite port. We went on a canopy excursion. It was so much fun. It really rates up there as one of the most exciting things I have done. I hate heights but LOVED this. We rode zip lines from mountain top to mountain top. I think there were about 15 lines total. Some about 500 meters. I highly suggest people try this one even if you are fearful of heights. The last port was Cabo San Lucas. The guys went fishing and enjoyed the day together. Unfortunately they only caught one fish that Alan had the chance to bring in. He felt bad later because no one got another chance. Bummer. All of us girls rented kayaks and rode a small water taxi out to an island and watch some huge waves hit the shore line. We almost got ran over by some VERY large yachts, bigger than our house, and even got honked at. It was super crazy rowing through there. We were a little out of place.

We headed back to the ship and waited for the guys to get back. Needless to say, we all panicked when the last tender was coming in and we had not seen the boat come back from fishing. I was so sick to my stomach! Sure enough, they all slipped out of the tender with all the ship crew and equipment. They still claim “They had plenty of time.”

Once again, we managed to eat our selves’ sick the last two days on the way back to Long Beach. We also danced and did Karaoke. We had beautiful weather the entire trip! We only saw rain the last evening on the ship and in the morning when we arrived in Long Beach. The rain actually turned out to be a blast.

We rented a car and drove through the city searching for the famous Trader Joe’s grocery store. We managed to find one after a long detour and some great rides through pools of rain.

We raced home to see the boys before they went to bed. I must admit, I was almost as excited to see the boys as I was the day we left for the cruise. They are the light of my life. I missed them a lot but it was nice to not worry about them on the cruise. Especially seeing as our ship made the CNN news channel. There was an outbreak of Norwalk Virus I am not sure of the spelling but I am sure I was scared to death of it. SICK!!!! NASTY!!!! Over 200 people got it. No one in our family came down with it but it was probably due to the fact we basically took a bath every chance we had in the hand sanitizing machines they had at every corner of the ship. Seriously, we each probably used at least a gallon of it!

So now we are home to SNOW SNOW and more SNOW. My bones ache again and I am getting spring fever. As we arrived in Salt Lake we received word of President Hinckley’s passing and my heart was torn. I guess I expected it but was not prepared. I love him and he will always hold a VERY special place in my heart. I know he was a real prophet and I am thankful for his wisdom. Although we spent a week in paradise with family, I know it was nothing compared to the paradise we can some day live in with ALL our family and Heavenly Father. Welcome Home.

Happy Birthday Maxie!

Where did that year go? Can you really be one? We love you so much and enjoy you every minute. You are starting to play with Carden and your face lights up when ever you see him. Especially when we pick him up from school. You kick your legs and squeal with excitement. You are crawling all over the place and pulling up on things. You can point to noses when asked and give great kisses. You often pat my back when I hug you and you love to play ball. You can sign 'milk' and 'more'. You clap your hands every time Daddy gets home from work! You adore him! You still have digestive issues and we are working on it. You HATE to take any medicines and manage to know when anything is hidden in food. You are becoming a picky eater. This is due to us trying to trick you into taking medications.

You have found a new fake cry and use it when Carden is bothering you. I must tell you, it is not very good acting! You might want to work on that one.

I can tell you and Carden are going to be best friends. You have both been so much fun lately. We love to play together and I love peaking in on the two of you together.

We had a little birthday celebration at Grandma and Grandpa's house on Sunday. You dove into your cup cake and devoured it. YUMMY!! Today was a little down day. Daddy had to go to San Francisco for the day, we had our carpets cleaned, and made you another cake. This time it was banana cake with Cool Whip. Car Car and I sang happy birthday with Nana on the phone. We had to do it three times. The first time the video was not recording. The second time the candle would not light. We played 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey'. Carden was so excited. He asked if he was three now because you are one.

Happy Big Day to my baby! I love you.

As one of my favorite songs says "My wish for you and that life becomes all that you want it to. Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small, you never have to carry more than you can haul." I just want to add that I hope you can gain a love for your Heavenly Father because he loves you and I do also, Maxwell. Happy First Birthday!

Holiday Recap

Where to begin? This one is for the journal! I started Christmas Eve with the gift I always dread...my Christmas cough! I get it every year two days before Christmas. What a bummer!

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents where my Mom made an unbelievable dinner. Steak, shrimp, Cold Duck, twice baked potatoes, and more. This was the first year the kids actually made it through a wonderful dinner and it was enjoyable. We headed downstairs where the kids met the gift my parents bought for them. A kitchen set and train table. They started playing and the adults sat upstairs and actually talked! What a treat! Adult conversation with my siblings. We had a pageant and it turned out exactly like I thought it would with seven kids under seven. It was wonderful. We came home that evening and got the boys in Christmas jammies. Carden was so excited for Santa. They both went right to sleep.

Santa worked hard in the basement putting together a Fisher Price plastic house that looks like it should take 2.5 minutes to put together. We managed 2.5 HOURS!!!!!! It was one of the funniest moments of my life and I can't believe the boys did not wake to all the pounding. However, Carden did say "I heard something banging in the basement. It was Santa!" Thanks to Megan and Robb for helping.

Christmas Eve is gaining a new meaning as our kids get older. We will learn!

We had a wonderful time opening our presents on Christmas morning. Carden loved his new Utah jersey and Max had no idea what was going on. Alan did a GREAT job on the stockings. I love that he does all our shopping and plays Santa! Thanks honey! We raced off to Alan's parents for omelets and pull apart cinnamon bun (a great tradition). The omelets were sensational this year! Maybe it was because I was not so full with baby this year. I had someplace to actually put it. THANKS STEVE!

We opened presents and I will post later about the gift Alan's parents gave us. WE LOVE IT!!!! They are amazing! They do major shopping for all five kids, spouses, and grandkids. They are so thoughtful and buy way toooooo much.

We headed home just in time for naps! Yep, both kids down at the same time and we took a nap also. What a great Christmas gift!

We woke the next morning and headed off to Eden. It was a great week spent in a winter wonderland. It snowed the ENTIRE time and we enjoyed being in doors and out. We ate A LOT! In fact, Carden asked why we call it Eden. I gave my explanation and then he told me the real reason. Because we eat there. We tied the sleds behind the car and froze our noses off while wearing swim goggles. We hot tubbed, watched movies, played games, Alan went snow boarding at Wolf Mountain, made crafts, made sugar cookies and danced to Michael Jackson, played Wii, shopped at Dottie Becks, and stayed up late talking after getting the kids down. Alan took Carden for a quick trip over to the Pohlmans' cabin and they LOVED it! They went snow mobiling and snow boarding.
We came home on New Year's Eve evening and fed the kids. Carden now has my cough and I feel terrible. He went to bed early and Alan and I stayed up late spending time together. We then called at midnight to get Carden on a wait list for preschool. Yep, that is where your life goes after kids. Instead of a great kiss with your honey, your lips are to the phone trying to get your kid in preschool! It is all worth it! Well worth it. I love the holidays and can't believe it is over! I am a little sad but happy to get things cleaned out and organized around here.

Here is to a new year! 2008 here we come! May it be as good as the last!

Vote It Off!

Alan decided to grow a beard a few months ago. I hated it and asked him to shave it. He did, but it got worse. He kept a mustache! Please help me by voting on my sister-in-law's blog! It has GOT to go!!!

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