Cruise in Review!

Warning: really long and lots of pictures!

Unfortunately I am back from vacation! I'll be honest I was dreading coming home so much... I still would rather be anywhere but here right now. But oh well 3 more weeks and I'll be back on vacation for a week with my family and friends. :)
We had such a great relaxing cruise. We met up with my Aunt Jane, Uncle Steve, and Grandma Yoko (yes the famous Yoko Ono! he he) in Florida where we set sail for a 7 day cruise of the Eastern Caribbean. This was a first time cruise for my relatives so they were way excited to do everything, see everything on this vacation. For me, all I wanted to do was relax, get a tan, and get away from all the worries in my life, and enjoy spending time with my fam. The weather was incredible! It was really hot and humid but I loved it!!
Monday: Was our first port, CoCo Cay in the Bahamas. Its an island privately owned by the cruiseline. We layed in the sun, swam and snorkeled, and had a huge BBQ lunch on the beach.
Tuesday: We spent at sea. We all spent most of the day at the pool enjoying the live music, eating frozen yogurt, and dancing poolside (oh you bet i got my groove on doin the cupid shuffle... Jed Smedley would be so proud! ha)
Wednesday: Was our 2nd Port, St. Thomas!! Now let me just say.... WOW!!! this island is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! This was by far my favorite island we visited. We took a guided tour of the island. We went everywhere from the top of the island all the way to the beautiful beach of Magen's Bay. Magen's Bay is my idea of paradise! It's one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever been too. The water was crystal blue and so warm. We had a great time relaxin and soakin up some sun (a little too much I think). We then ended our tour at Black beard's castle where I had me some rum punch! ok not really but they sure love the rum over there :) We ended the day shopping. St. Thomas is known for their diamonds, black coral, and gems. The jewelry market is HUGE over there. I'm tellin you.. that is the place to by jewelry. I decided when I get married I will take a trip back to St. Thomas to get my wedding ring! ha ha.
Oh but the craziest most random thing of the day was while we were shopping I ran into a girl (Dacia Tait) I used to dance with her when I was younger. She moved to St. Thomas randomly about 3 years ago and loves it. I knew that she had moved there but had forgotten so it caught me so off guard when I saw her, I still can't believe it! It was really fun to see her and catch up! She's prego!!! and i couldn't be happier for her!
Thursday: was our last port, St. Maarten! St. Maarten is much for laxed than St. Thomas. We did a snorkel and snuba tour. Snuba is a cross between snorkel and scuba. Its where you have a small raft that has two O2 tanks with 25 foot hoses attached to these rafts so you're able to dive deep and breathe under water just like scuba. Let me just say... It freaked the heck out of me!! I started to panic when I first dove down because all I kept thinking was "this is not normal, I shouldn't be breathing under water!!!!!!" ...So I wouldn't breathe! it took me a little bit to get the hang of it and calm down and just breathe normal! ha ha I know I'm a wuss! But it ended up being ok.. I just wish that we were diving in better water. I didn't see very many fish or anything for that matter while I was down. That whole excursion wasn't the best because.... I GOT SEASICK! :( Yep and I threw up off the back of the boat! ha ha.. Don't be surprised, it wouldn't be a vacation if I didn't! No joke, I've gotten sick on every boat excursion I've ever been on. This time I wasn't the only one though, my MOm and Grandma got sick! No good! Oh well, I didn't let it stop me! Once we got done with our tour we went back to the boat cleaned up, had some lunch and went back to the island to do a little shopping.
Friday & Saturday: We spent the last two days of our trip at sea. I mostly lounged out on the pool deck and worked on my tan while everyone else roamed the boat and went to all the activities. We did see alot of great entertainment that was provided by the cruiseline as well as gambled in the casino, dressed up for formal nights, and ate the BEST food ever!!!! 5 course meals every night!!! YUM!!! I'm happy to say that I didn't gain a single pound on my cruise... phew!!! :)

We had a great time! It was so much fun spending time with my family since I don't get to see them very often because they live in Oregon. We even passed by the Dominican Republic where my brother is serving so it was way cool to be in his part of the country... All I kept thinkin is "WoW! He must be roasting in his shirt tie and pants!" :)
And that's my cruise in review! Now I reccommend everyone go on a cruise.. to the Caribbean of course! It's the BEST!! Enjoy the pics... there's lots of them!

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To my Dad...

Sunday was Father's Day and for me its a very bitter-sweet day. It's not the easiest of days but i am grateful that we celebrate the beauty of fatherhood. There is no greater responsibility than the role of a parent.


Memories of my Dad....

All growing up, I think every family has a certain place where they sit at the dinner table...well mine was by him. It was just my spot. Also in church, us kids would fight over who got to sit by Dad. We all knew if we could sit by him he'd rub our backs. We loved it when that happened. :)

When I was in junior high, I remember all the boys knew who my dad was. They would talk about him and say how huge he was. They all were so intimidated by him. He always got a kick out of that! those of you who knew my dad, he had this great sense of humor and could make anoyone feel welcome and comfortable in our home.

One thing that I admire most about my Dad is the way her served and befriended those around him. I grew to know the full impression and impact he had on others when he passed away. I feel so honored that I had such a kind, selfless Dad who never cared if you were a housekeeper at the hospital where he worked, a non-member, or a CEO of a company... He treated everyone the same. He loved people despite there imperfections. I have been so blessed by his example. it has truly changed my life and what I hold valuable. He has taught me to not be judgmental and search for the good in people.

My dad gave back more than he was ever given. He was the most generous Dad. I knew I could count on him when I needed help with anything whether it be financially, emotionally, spiritually, etc. He worked hard to give us the best of this life. I know that he lived for his family, to make us happy and strong in the Gospel.

He LOVED John Denver!!!!! ha ha We've always taken a roadtrip back to the Oregon Coast once a year to go camping with my extended family and without fail every single trip we had to listen to John Denver! It used to drive me absolutely nuts! I hated John Denver when I was younger... but over the years it's really grown on me! Instead of just my Dad singing the songs we would all belt them out and it made for some really good laughs!! :)

Probably the most memorable moments with my dad are when we'd have our lunch dates. Ever since I could drive I just loved meeting up with my dad at the Mckay Dee Hospital where he worked to have lunch. The food was great, and the company was even better. :) There is nothing better than having one on one conversations with him. We talked about everything under the sun.

Another Memory I have is not one of the easiest of times but one I will cherish for the rest of my life. I was able to go and sit with my Dad every time he had chemotherapy. Those were the best, hardest, happiest, saddest, inspiring talks we've ever had. I learned more about my dad in those few hours than I ever could of in a life time. I am truly blessed to be able to share that time with him. Dad, you are my hero.

I cherish every single memory I have of my Dad and there's not a single day that goes by that I don't think of him. It's a comfort to know that even though he's not physically with me, I KNOW that his main priority is still to his family. I love you so much Dad and miss you more than I can ever express! Happy Father's Day.

Rockin' the 80's

The 80's by far has to be the coolest era! Even tho I really never got to experience it.. I still feel privileged to be an 80's baby. Any chance given to wear bright outrageous clothes and makeup.. I'll take it!

Me and Sexi Lexi

We're ready to ROCK!

The fun has begun!!

We finally got the boat on the water! YAY!!! Last week we attempted to do some boating and we just couldn't get our boat to start. But no worries... it's running like a champ now! When we got there the water was GLASS.. Gorgeous! I didn't care how fridged the water was I couldn't pass on this kind of water. But of course the wind would have to pick up right as it was my turn to wakeboard. That water was way too cold to be in for long...especially when the water was crappy so I made my one run and called it a day! I didn't even get my hair wet. :) All in all, it was still a great time at good ol' Pineview.