THE CRUISE!! (day 1 & 2)

We had a vacation of a life time this summer. My parents treated all of my siblings and I, along with spouses, to a cruise. We went to the Eastern Caribbean. It was so amazing. I loved having that week with my siblings. All were able to come expect Sandi. We sure missed her. Her husband is in the Air Force and he was sent over seas and they were getting him ready and saying good bye. It was so fun being around everyone, and a cruise is perfect because their was plenty of time that we were able to all be together and plenty of space and privacy if needed. Also, grandchildren were not there. I enjoyed hanging out with my siblings without them having to worry about their children. Don't get me wrong, I love their children, but it was fun to be with just the siblings.
The whole thing started in Ft Lauderdale. We arrived on Saturday and boarded the boat on Sunday. We spent the day exploring, unpacking and eating. In other words it started off great. Here are a bunch of pictures from that day.

Walking across the bridge to enter the boat for the first time.
Kammi is excited!
Leaving Ft. Lauderdale
Muster Station. Jennie, Bryan, Kristin, Mike, Debbie, Matt
Matt
Our first dinner together. Kelsie, Jennie, Bryan, Mark, Karen, Larry, Dorothy, Matt, Debbie, Pam. We were too big of a group to all fit at one table, so this is only half of us.
Here are several of the boat.








DAY TWO - Princess Cays, Bahamas
The second day we went to Princess Cays, which is a private island owned by Princess cruise lines. It was pretty much a day at the beach. There were plenty of lounge chairs and food provided, and we just laid out, played in the water, read, and took pictures. I enjoyed it all, Matt of course could do with out the laying out, as he is prone to burning. Who would have guessed with the red hair.

In a boat that took us from the cruise ship to the island.
Brooke, Kammi, Donna, Pam, Kristin, Mike, Sharon, Debbie, Kelsie

This picture is fun because you can see Kammi, Brooke and Donna in it. I don't think Matt even realized that when he took the picture.

Our group, My parents, Larry and Dorothy, Karen, Mark, Pam, Kammi, Jeff, Donna, Sharon, Spencer, Mike, Kristin, Matt, Debbie, Bryan, and Jennie
Dinner that night. Kristin, Mike, Matt and Debbie
Mark eating who knows what.
That night we went dancing. They had a line dance night going on and I convinced a few of my sisters that they wanted to go. We went and it was actually really fun. One on the many highlights of the week.

Here is Sharon enjoying the music. I think she actually had Spencer dance with Kammi on one of the slow songs because we all kept dancing as couples and Kammi would sit all by herself. It was just cute to she Sharon enjoying herself.

Near the end of the line dance time, they played a game where everyone got in a circle and they elimated people by talent. Well, Sharon and Kristin got down to I think the final six or four. Then it came down to Kristin and one other. Then Kristin won!! Well the staff had her cheat to win, but she took that.
This was her prize. Alcohol, just what she wanted!
They were able to trade it in for this, much better!!
Thanks for a good night sisters and brothers in law. I love my country line dancing.

Matt Turned 30!!

We had a lot going on for Matt's 30th Birthday, all the way back in May. His mother and brother, who had recently returned from his mission, came to visit for the weekend. We also had a big get together with lots of people and food. Thanks for all that came and the food that you brought. It meant a lot to Matt.

Sorry I didn't get a picture till after the candles and singing.


The Birthday Boy. I love you Matt!!
Andrew, in thought about Samoa. Not knowing how to talk to people. Oh I love newly returned missionaries. He was excited that the missionaries showed up.
Matt's mom, Barbara, helping out. (And Brother Gildea)
Elder Barlow and Elder Jangula. These are the last two missionaries that lived with us before Kammi moved in for the summer. We loved these two. Their story is awesome, Elder Barlow is deaf, and all of his companions had received their calls as ASL elders so that they were able to translate for him, in church and well every where. Elder Jangula was not called as an ASL elder. In one of Elder J's areas he was a district leader over Elder Barlow, they had to work together at various times. Elder Jangula decided he wanted to learn sign language, so Elder Barlow taught him. Elder Jangula practiced till he could sign everything. He translates all church long. It is amazing what he was able to learn. We loved these two and the spirit that they had with them. The members loved being around them.
Random pictures of some of the people that attended. You will have to forgive me, I am not the best picture taker.

Denver Nuggets

At work, Matt was looking into his work getting suite tickets for the company to use. He was in contact with the Pepsi Center working out details with this. This was occuring during basketball season. Then right during the playoffs when Denver was playing the Utah Jazz, she contacted Matt and said she had some suite tickets, and asked if he wanted them. Therefore we got to go to a game, and invite some friends to go with us. I was excited that we were able to pull enough people together since we got the tickets the same day as the game.



The game was late, and I was very tired.
Matt and I with Libby, our friends little girl. She is awesome. I also found out that the suite is a great place for children because their is an open space for them to walk around, not that Libby needed that.

Caden's Baptism

I have neglected my blog long enough and now it is time to catch up. This is what we have been up to in the last six months.

My nephew, Caden, who lives here in Denver, turned eight in April and was baptized on his birthday. It was so fun because my parents, Pam, and Sharon and Spencer's family were all able to come to town.

Sharon and Spencer and kids arrived, then we headed to our favorite family dining, Sweet Tomatoes. Nothing like buffet style food.

Spencer with Cale and Carli waiting to eat.
Danielle enjoying her food.
Kelsie, Brooke, Pam, Donna, Sharon, Danielle, Spencer, Jeff, Matt, Dorothy, Larry. (Sorry dad, not the best picture of you, but it is the only one that I have like this.)
Cade, Cale, Paige, Dillon, and Carli

The Mercer clan ready for the baptism
Matt and Debbie with Cade

I like this picture because I don't think Paige was too happy to have his feet in her face.

That night Brooke had a play that she was in and we were all able to attend. It was fun because she had this part where she didn't talk, but just had to be really scary. I thought she did an excellent job.