two zero one zero

Good bye 2009...it's been an experience.

We look back with grateful hearts.

An Ensign article held special meaning during a particularly trying time for us. A few quotes follow:

"In one way or another, great or small, dramatic or incidental, every one of us is going to spend a little time in Liberty Jail - spiritually speaking...
"Furthermore, we note that not only has the Savior suffered, in His case entirely innocently, but so have most of the prophets and other great men and women recorded in the scriptures. The point is this: if you are having a bad day, you've got a lot of company - very, very good company. The best company that has ever lived.
"...every experience can become a redemptive experience if we remain bonded to our Father in Heaven through it. These difficult lessons teach us that man's extremity is God's opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse God for our problems, He can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples - or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace."

Thank you Elder Holland. And thank you to each of our children for your support, prayers and listening ears. Talking it out proved very theraputic.

Welcome 2010!!!

Love, Dad & Mom
Lane & Carolyn

Ute Bowl Game

What a difference a day makes!
This time warm sun.
Beach time was much enjoyed.
The smiles were genuine.
Tagg saw this game.
Fabulous fireworks at half.
UTES win!
(was there any doubt?)



Good sports rode in our carpool.
Thanks!
We also appreciate trading vehicles
with the Hill family for 3 days.

Love, Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

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