We Got Away on the Mexican Riviera Cruise

 

At L.A. airport gathering together as group (around 34 of us).

Bus ride to the boat.

I'm still hoping that I have a great time - we got two hours of sleep the night before!

Here we are leaving L.A.

I find the ice-cream cones right away!

Life Jacket drill for the whole ship.

 Paul finds the chess board - cool, big pieces!

Beautiful sunsets - unfortunately I was never up in time for sunrise.

Sharon and DeAnn laying out - can you find yourself?

We find the kids' rooms, shuffle board and the art gallery.

Walking laps around the ship with Dave and Cindy

Do You Wanna Dance Show

Fiesta Party night with food (chocolate covered strawberries, my favorite)

 Kelley, Ryan, Paul and I at the SkyWalker Lounge dancing the night away!(picture is fuzzy)

Ryan and Paul ride the bull.

 Getting schooled on the ins and outs

 Paul is coming in.

Everyone survived and felt safe (it was a blast).

I recorded this ride!

 

 Los  Veranos Canopy Tour Zipline

We had a blast!

 Sharon and DeAnn

Kelly and Ryan

Feeding the monkeys banana yogurt and powder baby formula

 Authentic Mexican lunch at the Margarita Grill in Puerto Vallarta with the whole group

Delicious Virgin  Piña Colada

 Homemade Salsa made table side (now I want a mortar and pestle)

 Life boats (I feel a little safer)

Dinner at the International Dining Room (every night)

With John, Jeni, Tami, Greg

El Arco de Cabos San Lucas

 Guys playing flag football on Lover's Beach in Cabo

 Paul snorkels and sees thousands of fish

 I parasail with Andrea, Tami, Greg, Becca, and Rich

It was a thrill!

 My hat from Cabo (I need one now that I live in the country)

 I attended a fun little culinary show with the Head Chef and Maître d’ and tour of Galley 7

 The food was delicious and endless. 

I loved the Love Boat dessert.

Excellent Service

 Paul pulled out a few magic tricks.

 We indulged in rich hot chocolate during breakfast.

 

We missed this fruit and vegetable carving.

 We enjoyed sushi with the Elite Cruisers and I pulled a good prank on Dave.

"Sir, may I see your i.d.?"

 We had a detour stop to Ensenada because of the recent violence in Mazatlan.

We found the kids some marionettes and Mexican toys.

Paul bought the rainstick he has always wanted.

Sorry the chess set won't fit on the airplane!

Brady tries on the Nacho mask.

 Paul's checking out the boots.

We head back to the ship.

 The fun is winding down.

Bus ride, check through customs, good bye Sapphire Princess.

We had a great time with everyone and made some new friends!

 I am looking forward to the next cruise, anyone care to join us?

"A Date Which Will Live in Infamy"

 Today marks 69 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor.  As I read an article in my local paper, I remembered how I felt when I visited Pearl Harbor almost two years ago.  I marvel at our military and the great sacrifice that many men and women of our great country give so that we might be safe at home.  I have a deeper love and respect for all our service men and women, as I begin to understand what price they pay for our freedom and liberty.  I had an opportunity to catch a glimpse of this sacrifice when I toured the USS Arizona Memorial and the museum. 

 Tara and I at the USS Arizona Memorial - it was a windy day so don't mind the crazy hair.

The USS Arizona Memorial is built over the remains of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941 when their ship was bombed by Japanese Naval Forces. This loss of life represents over half of the Americans killed during the worst naval disaster in American history.  For more information about Pearl Harbor, click here.

 

 TIffani Standing by the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument 

By Presidential Proclamation, President George Bush, authorized the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument on December 5, 2008. The national monument focuses on the events leading up to Pearl Harbor through to the Peace Treaty in Tokyo Bay—with the emphasis on the historical events of World War II in the Pacific Theater and its impacts on the mainland.

Fun in Galveston

We had a great time on the beach in Galveston - it was perfect weather.  Not too hot for a girl from a cooler-than Texas-state!  The boys raced back and forth in the water, dug in the sand, searched for shells and had a ball.

 

 We had our own little photo shoot (prompted by a photo-shoot we watched of an engaged couple).  Wow, look at my jump- it was harder than I thought to get all the body weight up into the air.  Then we have Jesse and Jaren, my two little buddies! 

 We parked our selves right under/next to the Murdoch's store that extends over the water.  It was totally destroyed in Hurricane Ike - it has been rebuilt since then.  

 Here we are making a souvenir penny at Murdoch's store.  We also took a look through the telescope to see the huge barges way out in the Gulf of Mexico.

 After our fun at the beach, we took a stroll through the touristy area of Galveston.  We found solar panel parking meters, a yummy candy store, on over priced Army surplus store, and lots of historical markers talking about the history of each building (we didn't have time to soak that in).

 

Here are more pics of us.  I just loved the red phone booth and the giant chess game!  Also I took a picture of the stone sculpture which explains that the building of a sea wall after the devastating hurricane of 1900, which killed 6,000 residents.

  Beach Bums for a day. I copied (stole) this from Tonya's blog -  she has some pictures that I don't.

Here's what she says:
Tiffani came to visit and we did a day trip to Galveston. The weather was just right for a Idaho Girl. At 10am, there also was no crowd on a week day. The boys loved running in the water and getting sea shells. Tiffani did some hunting and found a 2 nice crab shells and an inhabitant too.

We watched a couple get their engagement pictures taken. We had no problems people watching! Then we had fun doing our own photo session (when they left). Tiff did some shots running in the water, initials etched in sand, jumps, etc. Here is one of my jumps.

When the boys changed shorts, sand was everywhere. So I had them rinse off in the water with just beach bums. Tiffani was shocked by the cuteness! (or embarrassed of bareness) The boys have no problems in skins. Again, no people around except for 1 sunbather / 1 dog.

Home Again

Last night I flew in from Houston, Texas after spending the last 6 days with Tonya, my sister, and her family.  When I got home the kids were in bed, but waiting for a goodnight hug and kiss from mom.  I found this welcome home sign waiting for me.  They were happy to have me home, but I think Paul managed just fine with everything including the last week of soccer games and practices, ballet, meals, plus everything else including his own office work. Thank you sweetie.

On Monday I flew out in my comfortable workout capri pants, a couple layered t-shirts, and tennis shoes.  I told Paul that I wanted to be comfortable.  He was appalled that I would dress like that in public, but oh well I did anyway (I looked fine).  He said, "next time you will be wearing a Muumuu (which he does not find pleasing)!" 

So at one garage sale (we only hit a couple) we found a dress that I could substitute for a Muumuu.  On my return flight, I actually dressed nicer with high heels - no workout clothes on me (now I have sores on the back of each of my heels where the strap rubbed from all the airport walking - not a good idea, leave the heels packed)!  But before I met Paul at the pick-up curb, I made a quick detour to the restroom where I changed out of my clothes into the dress (shown below) with flip-flops.  While I was doing this, I heard over the intercom "if you see anyone with any suspicious activity please report them to security."  I felt like I was acting a little suspicious to totally change my outfit, but I was not reported.

I met Paul at the curb with a big smile.  His first comment was "nice dress, I like the colors."  I had to explain that I was actually playing a joke on him.  I guess the dress didn't pass as a Muumuu, it wasn't baggy enough.  Oh well, at least I tried.

Sisters at the Houston Temple

I got into Houston last night in time to visit with the kids before bed, play three rounds of Monopoly Deal (we each won a round - Tonya, Ryan and myself) and meet their new puppy, Roxie.  This morning Tonya and I attended the Houston Temple. It was a special treat.  I was here five years ago with Tara visiting Tonya and Ryan (she was pregnant with the twins at the time).

I forgot my camera so these pictures are from my cell phone.  I tried to take a picture of us.  Tonya is never thrilled about the camera-at-arm-length photo - but she looks great and look at my squinty eyes and face.  Yuck!  So the two ladies you can see in the background, came to the rescue and took this picture of us.

Tiffani and Tonya at the Houston Temple.  Afterwards we enjoyed lunch at Dickeys and took advantage of their $1.00 pork sandwich special and free ice cream cones - couldn't get better than that.

Trip to McCall

 

We just returned from a two-night retreat with other couples from Allegis Financial Partners. Some couples are from our area and many others are from Utah. The company took care of the housing, the meals, and the activities - it was nice just to show up! This was actually my first overnight stay in McCall. We have driven through McCall many times on our way up to Northern Idaho while Paul was attending the U of I.

The small beach front is beautiful - the kids would love building sand castles if the weather was warmer. This particular weekend, it was very chilly. A few of the guys were brave enough to tube and wakeboard behind a boat. The water was absolutely freezing -- I'm talking about the 50's! On our way home, we grabbed a Subway sandwich and took a drive up to Tamarack. Hopefully, this resort gets funding so it can be re-opened. We drove around the resort to see the homes nestled among the trees. There is one huge resort building that is open for lodging. It is gorgeous. Someday the area will be thriving again. Many people made it possible for us to get away. Thank you so much!

Here is the little three bedroom cabin where we stayed with two other couples the first night and all alone the second. It had everything we needed and was nice and cozy. Last night we went with some other couples to "My Father's Place" for milkshakes. That is when I noticed this sign advertising the French doughnuts called Beignets that they serve each morning. It was too tempting, so I had to try them on our way out of town. Yum!

Finding Church in DC

Here we are treking across town to attend church. On our walk to the nearest metro station (Dupont Circle) we ran into Melissa from Texas, who we met and sat by on Saturday at the Restoring Honor Rally. We had a nice religious conversation and exchanged information to stay in touch (thanks, Melissa for your emails) and then we continued our journey to church.

By now Tonya and I are feeling very confident with our ability to read the metro map and navigate our way anywhere in the city. On our ride, I noticed a man sitting across from us from the brightest dress shoes I have ever seen - a vivid turquoise! They matched his silk tie nicely. While he wasn't looking I snuck a photo and then proudly showed Tonya my work. She said that she wasn't surprised that I took a picture.

Forty minutes later we found the church building that houses the Capitol Hill Ward, the same ward that Paul and I attended four years ago with Jonathan and Tisha. The building is an old Safeway building that was converted years ago. It is extremely small and many people had to sit outside in the foyer because there weren't enough chairs. The overflow was a result of the many visitors that were in town for the rally. Half of us were from out of town!

Since we didn't fly out until later in the evening we were able to attend all three hours. We enjoyed the third hour as a combined RS/Elder's Quorum 5th Sunday lesson. They have a great Bishop who reminded them of the Ward's 2010 goals which come from Moroni 6:4-5. It reads:

And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.

(So from that verse they list their goals)

To strengthen each other and our faith in Christ, we each will strive to:

1. read the scriptures daily
2. pray daily
3. attend Sacrament Meeting Weekly
4. fulfill our Home and Visiting Teaching responsibilities monthly

Their Bishop encouraged each member to focus on one area this month and to be 100%. They will then repeat this for the next three months to end the year. I took the challenge to heart and have been making time to read my scriptures before the kids wake up - which gives me a great start!

We made it to the D.C. Temple

The first item on our agenda in D.C. was to make it to the temple. Four years ago, when I was in D.C. with Paul we failed to make it inside the temple. We walked around the temple grounds late at night and that was it. That has been my regret for all these years. This time I wasn't going to have that same missed opportunity.

Jonathan (Paul's brother) kindly gave us a ride to the temple and dropped us off. We told him not to worry about us that we would find our way back. After taking a few photos, we entered the temple to be greeted by three men at the recommend desk. We were so thrilled to be here that we were full of conversation. And since it seemed like we were the only ones there, we took our time visiting with them. We told them were we were from and why we made the trip. They then told us that Glenn Beck had just attended the temple the night before and also the Saturday earlier.

We asked them for instruction in how to find our way back to the mall. They asked, "how did you get here?" We explained that we had a ride but wanted to find our own way back. One of them was very kind and offered us a ride to a nearby metro station when his shift was over. So we took him up on his offer and met him back in three hours. He happened to be Wallace Bennett from Rexburg, Idaho. He knows our Aunt and Uncle and his son dated our cousin, Niki! So we felt right at home from the beginning and I made him pose for a picture with Tonya. He was quite the fun character.

Tonya and I had a quick bite for breakfast in their down-scaled cafeteria. They closed the cafeteria and had a few vending machines. We were grateful for the food and surprised to be all alone in such a big space.

I loved view of the temple from the freeway. I have always heard that the D.C. Temple is breathtaking, especially at night. It looks as though it is floating above the trees. It is truly remarkable.

The temple was gorgeous. Tonya and I sat and enjoyed the peace and splendor of the Celestial Room and then we walked up two floors (I think it has six floors in all) to see the 12 sealing rooms! I am grateful for this opportunity, it was the right place to begin our trip.

After our temple work, we toured the Visitor's Center. We happened to be there while they had an exhibit called "The Healing Power of Jesus Christ". It was a stirring exhibit of sculptures depicting the ministry and healing miracles of Christ. Next to each sculpture was a plaque with an explanation and scripture verses.

In the following short video, producer Seth Adam Smith provides a fine tour of the exhibit as it appeared earlier this year in an outdoor setting at Nauvoo, Illinois. The video features a nicely chosen musical soundtrack.

Learn more about Angela Johnson’s work at her website, http://www.ajsculptures.com/. There is a slide show of her “Healing Power” sculptures, with a soft musical accompaniment, as well as links to her blog and her The Light of the World Garden web site.