BYU Bowl Game

One thing stands out above all else
(even 4 months later).
Ask anyone who was there.
Check with X, KC, Randi, Caden,
Meredith, Tyson, Taggart or Lane.

It was FREEZING!!!

On an already chilly night we struggled to withstand wind gusts (up to 55 mph) the entire game. Mer and Ty took turns rotating out to the van for Tagg's comfort. Carolyn found a spot under the stadium and sat out 3rd quarter. Nobody likes a complainer, but this was not fun! We smiled for the picture because the game was over and we could leave.

However, highlights happen...
A visit to the Las Vegas Temple grounds.
Being with family.
Meeting die-hard BYU fans.
Oh, and the Cougs ate the Beavers for dinner!

So Rise and Shout, the Cougars are out
We're on a trail to fame and glory.
Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out
As we unfold our vict'ry story.
On we go to vanquish the foe
For Alma Mater's sons and daughters.
As we join in song,
In praise of you, our faith is strong.
We'll raise our colors high in the blue
And cheer our Cougars of BYU.

Go Cougars!

We are so glad Caden joined us.
Love, Dad & Mom
Lane & Carolyn

Merry Christmas 2009

While shepherds watched

their flocks by night
all seated on the ground...

...an angel of the Lord came down
and glory shown around...

We really enjoyed the evening with family.
Carolyn is grateful for the support of this tradition.
Lane was glad for an excuse to rearrange furniture.
It wouldn't be a shepherd's dinner without squirt cheese.
Shalaun involved everyone during an
entertaining music time.
The scented candles were a little overwhelming.
Chicken pillows are preferred to pita bread sandwiches.
It is possible to seat 25 for dinner in our apartment!

Let's do it again soon!

Merry Christmas and Happy birthday to the sweetest babe, the Christ child and Savior of the world.

With love,
Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

Grateful for Thanksgiving

November 25-27, 2009

Grateful for:

X, KC, Jami, Randi, Callie, Rayson, Meredith, Tyson, Taggart, Britni, Brian, Dalia, Tesila, Jerry, Erin, Ava, Sam, Tom, Shalaun, Emeline, Audrey, Lincoln, Carrie, Matthew, Scott, Luke, Maggie, Stephanie, Jerel, Caden, Carlie, Joshua, Amanda, Cameron, Kim, Anissa, Justin, Dillon, Greg, Kylie, Samantha, David, Daniel, RayDean, Jon, Michael, Darren, Robert, Sarah, Joseph, Stephen...and LANE!

Cooperation and happy attitudes of everyone listed above

Great food throughout the 3 day holiday celebration

A really fun and entertaining ping pong tournament
(ping pong photos disappeared when posting the collage...arrrrgh!)

RayDean saying that she wanted the silly ping pong ball trophy more than the cash prize...but I knew better. Still, I liked what she said

A morning playing soccer

Chris and Lorie sharing there new condo

Seeing a pile of G'kids watching vidoes

Time for building puzzles and playing board games

That everyone reserved time to be in a group photo!

Wanna portrait or two from our winter morning photo shoot? Hope so.

Love, Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

Food, Glorious Food!

Culinary delights, Crafts and Cruising

We mostly took pictures of the food we
weren't allowed to eat.
Everything else we ate - EVERYTHING!

...nuff said.

It's time to come home.
We have missed you!
Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

PORTS-OF-CALL

Side Tours
(random order)

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico:

While visiting a glass-blowing factory Lane
volunteered Carolyn to try forming super
heated glass into a crystalline work of art.
It shattered on que.
(yikes, how many people have blown on that very same pipe?)

Oranjestad, Aruba:

Submarine ride & beach time

Costa Rica: (I do know how to spell it, pardon the misprint below. I'm too lazy to change it.)

LaPaz waterfalls, gardens, wildlife, hiking.

Acapulco, Mexico: (too wet to be photographed)

Shotover jetboat ride. A 40 minute thrill ride
surrounded by mangroves and complete 360
degree spins on the axis completely soaking
Carolyn sitting front row far right side while
Lane sat protected 2nd row far left behind the
driver (he felt jipped).

Back on ship to deck 13 for 2 rounds of
mini golf. We top off our day by climbing the
rock wall as the ship sails away into the sunset
...Carolyn's socks still wet from the jet boat sloshing!

THE MAIN EVENT

Cruising the Panama Canal:
This day is a day for wearing sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. Oh, and drink plenty of water - recommend every 15 minutes. Air temperature will feel 10 degrees higher. We plan to see most of it outdoors at ship railings...just like everyone else. Shortly after we begin the captain points out the LDS Panama City Temple off the starboard side.

Canal facts:

-It opened in 1914
-20,000 people died during the construction, mostly from jungle related disease
-It takes approx 8 hours to transit the 50 mile canal from Panama City to Colon'
-Transit saves 20 days of sailing around tip of South America
-Surprisingly, crossing from Pacific to Atlantic is actually SE to NW
-Transit is through a series of locks, each with two lanes
-Lock length - 1000', (our ship is 965', a.k.a. "Panamax" vessel)
-Lock width - 110', (our ship is 106', a tight fit, see photo - taken looking down from upper deck)
-Tolls for our cruise ship to pass through - $40,000, based on weight
-In 1928 a gentleman paid 36 cents in tolls to swim the canal in 10 days

This night Lane is tied up with last minute business emails so we miss the Reflections Dining experience with our new friends but settle for the Windjammer Cafe' instead. The napoleans were worth it!

Tonight we sleep in the Gulf of Mexico!
Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

DAY AT SEA

A "day at sea" means that from sunrise to sunset
we can be as active or laid back as we want to be.
Each evening we find the ship's newsletter
"Cruise Compass" on our bed, (usually beside
an animal shaped from towels). It outlines
the next day's schedule of activities. It predicted
for today..."one thing is guaranteed.
It will be another unforgettable day."

Upside: It was a great day!
Downside: I can't recall much about it that
stands out from any of the other memorable
"unforgettable" days at sea.

Night.
Love, Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

PANAMA CANAL CRUISE

November 1-16, 2009

Royal Carribbean - Serenade of the Seas

...inside the big boat...

Sunday. We meet our cruise guides at the San
Diego airport and shuttle to the ship dock where
we pass through security and go on to check in.
Lane and I are stopped for a medical screening
because Lane had a sore throat on Friday
...permitted to proceed. Lucky!

After grabbing a quick snack at a dockside cafe
and waiting through security a second time we
stand in line to board. It moves quickly and we
step foot on the "Serenade of the Seas", a
fabulous luxurious cruise ship that will be
our home away from home for the next
14 days.

The lobby is astounding - also known as the
Centrum - with a view from deck four on
up through the ships center to deck 13! Our
compact room is on deck 3 and is considered
large (170 sq ft). It has all we could ever need
and it's even bigger than our Canadian
Rockies camping tent and larger than our motor
home we toured in for seven weeks in 2006.

This should be fun!
Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane