Saturday Runs

Every Saturday Trent takes a little run with Rian and Jarom up and down our neighborhood. It's really cute to see them all together challenging themselves.

The Pres. Was At My High School

Dobson "Snobson" High School, Class of 1995

I could say that I had pictures or was in Az at the time the President of the United States spoke at my High School Alum, but...I wasn't and I've searched for pictures. Anyway, althought I don't have much "faith" in our very liberal president, I do still have American pride for the symbol that our President represents. I am proud to be an American (music in the backgroud) and I love my country. It's an honor to think such a respected person set foot where I earned my education (kind of funny how that came out..."earned").

Carnival Cruise To Mexico

Trent and I had a great opportunity to take a vacation. A vacation that was well over due. This trip came with a sweet price we couldn't pass up. We ported from Mobile, Alabama on a 5 night, Carnival cruise line with two ports of call. One at Cozumel, Mexico and the other at Calica, Mexico (Yucatan Penn.--Cancun). Monday morning, Feb. 9th, we began our short 4 1/2 hour drive to Mobile with some friends of ours, Alan and Andrea Bake. This was to be our first vacation as a couple (excluding our short honeymoon 11 years ago), but we thought it would be fun to spend it in good company. We arrived a few hours before boarding and decided to stop at a little Thai restaurant for lunch. If you noticed the Mardi Gras beads...yep it's that time of year.

First Days at Sea

Cutting across the Gulf of Mexico and anticipating a stamp on my passport, I was excited to feel alive again... The boat was Carnival's MS Holiday, and come to find out, one of the smaller boats out their. But for us, we didn't know any different, just what others on the boat with several cruises under their belts, have told us. But with land still far off, we obviously got creative with our time.

This is our dinner table with the Bakes. It was formal night, or captian's night...something, but the one night we needed to dress up nicely. A bit fuzzy, oh well.





















I wish this picture turned out...but the moon was so bright and beautiful. It shown on the water so brilliantly and majestically on the dark, mysterious water. Seriously, out their on the big open water in the dark, it's almost scary. But to have the moon peirce through the darkness was so enchanting.

These pictures truly don't tell the whole story. We are obviuosly on the top of the boat miniture golfing, but the part that isn't so obvious is...it was like a wind tunnel! It felt like 50 mile/hr winds, but probably only 30-35. Let's just say my hair was curly before this activity...

Going down toward Mexico was rough water. The wind made the boat sway back and forth a lot. If I didn't have my mind on other things, I would start to feel pretty yucky. (Most people told us these littler boats can really feel the waves).

At the back of the boat...wondering if waterskiing is an option on that wake!

Cozumel, Mexico

Wednesday, Feb. 11 --Because of the "stormy" weather and high winds, our boat was late to Cozumel. But with the way the boat rocked, I guess I believe the excuse. We waited to get off in the main lobby area, only to find out we needed to wait yet another hour... we decided to whip out our 'carnival' deck-o-cards and play Euchre. I always thought that was a card game from the mission...because Trent's mission buddies always played it, dah, they are face cards, but I guess that didn't stop it from being a BYU game...that's where it came from, so Alan knew the game as well. I'm a slow learner, but I caught on and loved it. It became our 'filler' game when we were waiting for shows or what not.














When we finally got off the boat, we took a taxi to a harbor about 10 mins away to do our snorkeling excursion. We were recommended this company, through a friend, (Thanks to Stan and Laura) and had a great time. He (don't know his name) took us on a little speed boat called "Ballena" or whale, to some reefs and a field of star fish. Honestly, I'm a great swimmer, but I have to say, snorkeling takes some getting use to. I swallowed a bit of salt water too, not recommended, but still I was able to dive down to the white sand and pick up some giant starfish. On the way back to the harbor, we saw dolphins! They would swim next to the boat.

***Underwater pictures are being developed, so I'll share that later.


After getting back to the cruise ship, we showered, had some dinner and went back out to do some shopping. I have to say, negotiation is not my strong point. But I think we did well in our spending for the kiddos.










Finally, we settled in for some karaoke spectating, and hit the hay for our next day in Calica.

Calica, Mexico

Thursday, Feb. 12-- Next morning we got up early for breakfast and watched as we pulled into port. Yeah, that's all that was at port, a building. Really, to do anything, you need a taxi to go anywhere, and don't worry, this country thrives on tourist, so they are there waiting. We found online an LDS tour company called Helaman Tours, that took us to the Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza. Our guides were Carlos, Helaman's son-in-law, and Dan Lehi (all his brothers have B of M names). I recommend this company to anyone! It was a 2+ hour drive to Chichen Itza, so on the way we stopped at a fruit stand and got some mango and drinks. Trent tried the mango with chili powder on it (very mild) just as the Mexicans like it. He liked it. And we stopped at a cute, red, restaurant for the bathroom. I guess us American's have small bladders. But the restaurant was very authentic and I had to get pictures of it.



We arrived at Chichen Itza and really felt the "heritage" of the place. Although the Lamanites were perverted (in the time that gospel left the earth once Moroni died), and it showed in many of their carvings, it was still amazing to think about the people that lived then. Sure I've read and studied the Book of Mormon, but to be there and walk where they walked and try to understand why they thought the way they though just opened my mind to so much more. It's very sad how far from the truth the Mayans strayed from the gospel, but also brought to reality today's own perversions of what's truth. To see two different kinds of civilizations, but one in the same (600ish AD and present day). It's sobering to me how blessed we are to have the truth to guide us and help us, and also to know it will not leave the earth again. I'm thankful for the temples and knowledge I have and that my family is raised in the ways of the Lord. I also thank our parents for being righteous and teaching us, humbling and guiding us, but most of all loving us just as our Father in Heave loves us. Thank you.

Voyage Back

On our way back to port in the United States, we were riding with the wind, and wow, what a difference...smooth sailing! You couldn't even feel that we were on water. We took advantage of trivia, games, shows, good company at dinner (assigned seating, but we scored) and just enjoying the last days of no cooking, cleaning, disciplining children, making our bed and simply not being on any restricted schedule...

So of course we needed a real game, w/o wind. It was actually pretty hot up their. But well received for what we were coming back to.



A different animal was left each night, when the stewards turned down our bed at night. What a cute turtle.








With our kids in mind, we went to a short class on how to fold our own animals.



I even got Trent involved....lots of kids liked the class too.




This was our attempt at an elephant. Hey, for our first time, I think it looked pretty good.


Yep, even Alan got into it.

Last night on the deck. The moon was hiding behind some clouds, but still fun to be outside and enjoy the fresh, salty air.

I do have to say, we were asked a few times from different people if we were newlyweds...no we didn't kiss all over the place, but having a week together can bring you closer.

Home Sweet Home

Arriving back in the US, we returned to cold rain and fog. (Although we needed passports, we never got ours stamped in Mexico, oh well.) We port back in Mobile, Alabama, and drove back to Georgia missing our kids. Yes, time away was good, but we miss our little ones too. We came back to Valentine's Day with our kids. They had made us cupcakes with Gma and Gpa Wardwell and Tarin gave me a flower. A big thanks to Trent's parents for staying with the kids. They did a tremendous job. They had to leave early that morning, so Missy and Troy helped out too, thanks to them as well. Wish we could have talked to Gma and Gpa more, but appreciate all they have done.

Jarom had his two last basketball games while we were gone. He loved playing and did a great job. He's very proud of his trophy. He deserves it for all of his hard work.





Strained smiles run in the family.

Time to hand our our souvenirs to the kids. We had found these really cute puzzles. And the girls had also gotten little white dresses with embroidery. Jarom had gotten a statue of Chichen Itza temple. They also had gotten some other little odds and ends things, but all of them had gotten medals from the cruise...we won a few trivia.

Back To Normal

Yes, this little guy didn't recognize us to swiftly. But after a little bit, he remembered we are the ones he missed. He is back to his cute, cuddly self.

Lessons I Learned...

I've always loved this story, but never knew the church had made a clip of it. Trent showed me the clip this morning and put me in tears. I'm always grateful to the church with their many marvelous productions...the spirit pours through every experience...this one is no exception. It made me take a step back and wonder if I need to modify my attitude...of course their is always room for improvement.

A Bit Slow...I Know

I've so much enjoyed blogging...but I know, it's been a bit slow lately. We all get a slow spell once in awhile, right? Well, it's going to slow again this week. We are on our way to cruising the Yucatan Penisula in Mexico. My first time not only on a cruise ship, but out of the country. I love that I have an "official" document, passport, because I am a proud American! We leave port in Mobile, AL and port at Cozumel and Calica! I hope to have some great pictures and adventures to post in the next week or so.

Thanks, a big-hug-and-kiss-thanks to Trent's parents and siblings for staying with our so sweet kids. I'm going to miss them all very much (the kids...okay you guys too). But on the flip side, we need this time to regenerate our minds as a couple and remember our roles also include being a husband and wife. This is our "stop to smell the roses" event. Wish us luck and good times. Love you all.

Little Boo Boo's

Ammon loves to hang out with his daddy...well, Trent was getting ready to shave, and Ammon had touched the razor and...well, he needed a bandaid. As you can see, he's not too fond of having something on his finger. He's tried all he can to get it off. (don't you just love his cute fat hands...and fat arm that connects to that fat hand?!)

Can't see it too well, but spongebob was the bandaid of choice. Trent put it on really well, until later that day. At the store, Ammon must have found a way to get it off. Next thing we know he's chewing something and pretended to swallow...what? You swallowed the bandaid? I don't know for sure, I hope not. It was pretty big...I'm thinking he didn't, but Trent thinks he did.