2013 Cruise!

*this is a pretty boring post. It really is just for a journal entry*

Our cruise was pretty much amazing. There are lots of comparisons to make with our other cruise, but I'll get to that a little bit later. 

We decided to go on this cruise when my Grandma Ruth had said she'd always wanted to go on a cruise, but it was too late now. If you know my mom, you would know that she takes that as a challenge. So, for our last vacation before we all move on with our lives, we decided to take my Grandma on a short 4 day cruise from Long Beach California, to Catalina Island, and then to Ensanada Mexico. 

Saturday was pretty difficult. We wanted to actually go on our cruise the week before we did. Everything was perfect about that week, except, Karly had to take the ACT on Tuesday. Or it literally would have been thee perfect week.

Why it WAS NOT the perfect week? 

1. We were going to miss Bachelor FINALE (sad that this comes in as number one)

2. It was college spring break so all my friends were coming down. 

3. My mom had the humanitarian thing on Saturday so we couldn't leave till late Saturday or early Sunday. 

4. We had our family "pi" party. 

5. There was a mission farewell in our ward I wanted to go to. 

6. Ashley got invited to play in the all-star game that week. 

7. The girls had their girls camp kick off. 

Crazy. I know. And guess what? The week before, nothing. Nothing was going on. 

But that's ok :) we still got out there and had a ton of fun! 

We left Saturday afternoon like I said from our house. I didn't want to miss church at all on Sunday, so I told my mom we had to do something that would make it so we would be able to still go. 

As we left our house finally after everything was done (we already were leaving a lot later than we planned because my mom had to re-pack the car and we forgot about our formal dresses), we realized that we had forgot something... Ash's book for her homework. Yeah. We went back for it when we were almost to A.F. (even though she didn't touch it the whole time haha). But it was good because we had forgotten some other things too (which is to be expected with our family). Not quite good enough though- after we picked up my Grandma we made it to Provo and my mom realized that we had forgotten our passports. We were trying to think of ways to have someone send them to us or something because that would put an extra hour on our trip. But we just ended up going back to get them. 

FINALLY we were off. The drive was long, and not too bad. It was a little harder with my grandma though, one more person, so someone had to sit in the very back with all the stuff. And, she's a little old so we had to take quite a few bathroom breaks. 

We stayed with my mom's cousin Carey. They were so nice to us as always and we had a ton of fun at their church and playing games and eating yummy food on Sunday. 

We left Monday morning for the beach. On our way all of us were dancing to "Party in the U.S.A" of course, because we were in Cali. Ash did this weird dance move and right as she was doing it this truck with 2 boys that looked about my age (and quite attractive) just busted a gut laughing at her. Then, of course, we all started peeing our pants with laughter. She said- "I've never been so embarrassed in my life!" Then to make things even more awkward and funny they drove by the other side of our car and started doing the same dance move. We laughed pretty hard haha. 

We went to the beach, but it was way too cold to get all the way in the water. So we just splashed a little bit and messed around. 

We got on our cruise and just ate and hung out for a while. 

The next day we arrived in Catalina. It was so pretty! If only it just had the blue water that the Caribbean did, then it would have been perfect. Everyone there just drives golf carts around because the streets aren't that big, and neither is the island. So we decided that we would rent one to see the island. I think this was my Grandmas' favorite part. She talked about it for a while after that. The island was beautiful and we were able to see it all in a really fun way. We also looked around the shops and spent a while in Del Sol. It still wasn't warm all day, but for about 2 hours, the full sunshine was out, so we laid on the beach for a while.

The rest of the night we relaxed on the boat, eating, reading, and laying out. 

The next day was Ensanada. On our last cruise we went to Cozumel Mexico, but we didn't get to see any of it because we did an excursion with dolphins. So this time we decided we would experience it all. We took an hour long bus ride to the blow hole. It was pretty cool. But I'm not sure if it was worth 27$ a person and an hour bus ride. But we had fun! Then we walked down "the street" with all the sellers... It was a good thing we learned how to say no in Jamaica, these people were exactly the same. Except they have the best tacos and churos you can even imagine. Before we did all of this, we walked around the streets shopping and things. We found a puppet that we loved for only 3$. We named him Monte (mon-tee). He's actually really creepy. Then when we were at the blow hole we found one that was a grandpa that we couldn't pass up. After the blow hole we got back on the boat and couldn't stop thinking about our puppets. We wanted more. So- we decided that we would get back off the ship to get 3 more. It was going to be hard though because we didn't have much time before our dinner time (8:15) so we had to run a little bit and hurry. I do not advise this. Although it was totally worth it to find our precious puppets, 5 girls in the streets of a sketchy part of Mexico in the night? Not a good idea. But we got them! We played with them the rest of the night. 

The next day was a sea day. We didn't have much to do so we read a lot, took some naps, hung out eating and going to shows. We even made a music video. It will be coming soon, don't get too excited. That was a super fun day because my sisters and I stayed up till 1:00am making this cray cray video. The next day was the worst. We had to wake up early and get off. Checking my grandmas wheelchair back in, was a nightmare. It literally took 25minutes. We could have gone through the line to get out at least 4 times. We were getting so frustrated. We have no idea why it took so long. But it made me want to punch somebody. The rest of getting off was to be expected from our last cruise. But the beginning was horrible. We drove home that night because Karly had to be back for prom. 

All in all, it was super fun! Quick and simple. That's what we needed it to be for my grandma though. 

What we didn't like about Carnival:

The food wasn't even half as good as Norwegian's. 

The boat was a lot older, and more confusing to get around. I still didn't have it down by the time we got off. On Norwegian's I could find my way around like a pro the second day. 

The boat wasn't designed as well, that's why it was so hard to get around. 

There wasn't as much to do. There was always multiple things going on on Norwegian, but there didn't seem to be as many things to pick from on Carnival. 

The hot tub was never open. That probably has to do with the millions of college students on board, but still... it stunk. We were always in it on our last one. 

The pool was way too cold. Hardly anyone ever got in. 

My mom spend hours trying to check in online but we could never do it. So we had to input all our information when we got there, which took a long time. 

My mom also said she hated their website. 

The dinning room didn't have as many choices, and the deserts were not good. I couldn't stop eating deserts on Norwegian, I took one bite of something and didn't want the rest. 

We could feel the boat moving, all the time. We only felt it one night on Norwegian, and that night was the same as every day on Carnival. I'm still recovering from it, and I don't get motion sick. 

Getting off the boat didn't seem as organized, but it wasn't too bad. 

We liked the many different choices of fancy restaurants that we could go to anytime after 4. 

There was 24 hour pizza and ice-cream. But really- it wasn't 24 hours. The machine broke a few times because there was only 2 of them. Norwegian had like 4. Plus, you had to order your pizza and then they made it. That's nice, but sometimes you just want to grab some. Norwegian just had the best food ever is all. 24 hour, DELICIOUS cookies as well. Good news right there. 

The good things:

It was a short fun cruise. 

They still had fun entertainment. 

We liked the arranged seating because we got to know the family on our table really well. We also liked having our same waiter. But like I said, we kind of liked the freedom of choosing different restaurants and being able to go when we want. It really is a win-win on that one. Unless you include the food... that's a different story. But I already discussed that. 

But really- for what it was and what we were expecting, it was great! Not complaining here... well... I just did. But you know! We are so glad we went on it and that we got to share that experience with my grandma! 

Sorry their aren't many pictures, blogger isn't too good at uploading them. So I just chose some. You can look on my Facebook if you are friends with me :) 

We get to watch Bachelor!!!!!!!!

The waiter dropped bread in my grandmas drink. He was so embarrassed and we just laughed. 

This is why I don't read.

I really don't read that much. I am a really fast reader, and can get through a book really quickly. If I'm reading a book, I will usually finish within 3 or 4 days of starting it. It's sort of ridiculous. I get addicted and can't stop. So I never really have a book that I'm reading that's on going, if that makes sense.
So- going with that. I finished a book by Elder Bednar in 3 days. Loved it. It's called- Act in Doctrine. Go get it right now. It's really amazing. Plus, I'm basing some of my farewell talk off of it :)

But I read Hunger Games in one day. I started at about 7:00pm and ended around 5:00am I think.... Ok really I can't remember what time I started or ended, but it was somewhere along those lines. That was a while ago, a little bit before the movie came out. It became one of my favorite books. Probably my favorite. I think the author (I seriously don't even know who it is...) is seriously good, and really hilarious. You might not see it, but she makes Katniss have this super funny sense of humor. As well As Peeta, Haymich, and others. It makes me laugh out loud a LOT!

The second day of our trip I decided to start reading Catching Fire. I couldn't stop. I stayed up till midnight (2 hours later than everyone else) reading it. I finished it the 5th day of our trip after staying up the night before until 2:00. So not super fast, but we were on a trip ;) I laughed so many times and I love how easy it is to read. It's like the author just sat down one day and wrote what was in her brain and it just came out exactly how we see it.

The real reason I really don't read- I get way too into it. I feel like my whole life for a few days is centered around the book and I feel like I'm actually in it, and I WANT to be in it so badly! It's super weird. Even a lot of things that I say reference the book. It's super weird. The feeling is sort of fun, but really awkward I guess...

Anyways, I just love it. I can't wait to get my hands on Mocking Jay! Even though I have plenty of other things to worry about right now...

Memory #4

My family and I went on this trip to Yellow Stone in 2010. I was dating Austin, so he came. My mom was dating this other guy, so he and his daughter came. It was such a fun trip. We stayed in a cabin and just did all that stuff you do at Yellowstone... 

But the memory I wanted to tell about is something that happened there. My scriptures are my most valuable possession. If there was a fire, I'd probably grab my scriptures, my journal, and my pictures. Scriptures being first. I brought them on our vacation and didn't realize till we were on our way home that I had left them in our hotel room the night before. I was furious. I freaked out till we called the hotel and even drove back to look for them (we were only about 45min out). We did everything we could to find them. Even days after we were home my mom would call the hotel every day to see if they had found them. I was so mad. Those scriptures were the ones I had all through seminary (except for my senior year). They were all marked up and had so many notes and bookmarks in them. All I could think about was the negative things. I was being so selfish. I was angry with myself and "whoever" took my scriptures. 

After a while I finally calmed down about it and realized that this could have been a huge opportunity in my life. Someone that really needed to hear about the gospel could have found my scriptures. Maybe the maid took them, or someone else. I changed my attitude. Now I like to think that someone found my scriptures and could have found the gospel through me. Even if not, it has given me a chance to start with a blank slate and write in my scriptures even more now. I hope in heaven I can find out what happened to them. Even if it was nothing. I know that this was a blessing in my life and that it was meant to happen. :)     

Girls Weekend!

First- I just realized how funny the title sounded, because at our house- it's a girls weekend every day!

What we did:
A lot of hot tub laughter and stories
Movie night with sing-a-longs, dance-a-longs, and balling (a lot of balling, one word- Charlie)
All day at the beach
Sex talk with delicious hamburgers and shakes
Laughter, laughter and more laughter
Lots o' cards
Rode awesome bikes
Yummy food
Shopping!

And basically all the other things you get at a girls weekend- drama, fighting, crying, not knowing how to do stuff, boy talk... all that great stuff!

Ok- I do have to tell this one story...
So we were sitting at this yummy hamburger places eating. I have no idea how, but we got on the subject of sex. Surprisingly, that wasn't that surprising. So we were talking and we got on the subject of showering together, I think it was because we had showered together the night before or something.... but then Katie goes, "well my parents have NEVER showered together!" The funny thing- she was pretty sure of it, and was willing to bet 20 bucks on it. We just laughed at her innocence and told her that every married couple does it. I even told her that you do weirder stuff than that when you are married. But she was still sure that they hadn't showered together. So, she calls her mom. Here is how the conversation went-
Katie- "Mom, I have a really weird question. Have you and dad every showered together?"
Natalie- "Do you really want me to answer that?"
Katie- "yes...."
Natalie- "Well of course we have"
Katie- (with a look of complete horror on her face) "more than once?" (she is freaking out soooo bad! It's' hilarious!)
Natalie- "yes. You know, it's not only to get clean!"
Katie- *screams and is basically crying.
All the rest of us- *laughing our heads off, barely able to breathe

Then we talked with her mom a little bit more. Let's just say, Natalie's answers and the look and reaction of Katie were priceless. I wish I would have thought to record!

Snow Cones on the way there. Grandpa faces. Theater room.  Hot tub. 

Make an ugly face. 

More ugly faces. Showering together. Ping-Pong. 

View. Lake Lake Lake. 

Sunburn. Heart shake. Pictures. 

Card Games. Moses Stick. Riding cool bikes.

What I learned at this weekend...
#1- I will never ever ever ever in a million years be a lesbian. I think that explains itself.
#2- I like boys. (see #1)
#3- Girls cry. A lot.
#4- My cousin Katie, is innocent.
#5- My aunt and uncle have showered together (no surprise to me, but it was to Katie, go back one)
#6- I am getting better and better at nerts. But I still can't beat my cousin Lindsay...
#7- Getting a sunburn really hurts if you go into a hot tub.

..and I shall conquer death..

The title of this post really has so much meaning and is very fitting for what my weekend was like.

As you know my aunt and uncle passed away last week. It was hard on all of us, but especially their family. We ended up going to the funeral in Arizona.

We took off Wednesday night after the girls had young women's at around 10:00pm (I know, that's way past young women's, you know us). My mom was going back and forth trying to decided if she was going to go or not. My cousin was going through the temple on Friday morning; my mom is close to him and was invited, she really wanted to go. She finally decided that she was just going to stay. So me, along with my sisters headed for Arizona. We were in American Fork and got a call from my mom, she was crying and said to come back, and that she was coming. We headed back and got her stuff in the car and left! I have to say, I was pretty grateful, I wasn't too excited about driving for 6 hours straight in the middle of the night. Now that she was coming, we had 3 drivers, which was so much better! Besides that, it wouldn't have been the same without my mom there.

We got in Arizona at about 11am. We couldn't check into our hotel, so we went shopping because my mom had forgotten her swimming suit.

Finally we checked into our hotel, swam a little, then headed to the viewing.

The actual viewing started at 6 but since we were family we came an hour earlier so we could actually see the bodies because they didn't have an open casket for friends.

It was a very moving experience. My mom tells us at every funeral (I don't think that she knows she tells us this every time, but, she does) to look and see how much of a difference the body is without the spirit. It's just not the person. The spirit is what brings our body to life and gives us our "look." It is very true. My aunt didn't look like herself even a little bit. You could tell there was a lot of make-up on her, probably because it had been longer than a week since the accident, and because of the actual accident. My uncle, we actually couldn't even see him. They had a white blanket covering his face and things over his hands. That was the hardest for my family I think. You couldn't help imagining what was, or wasn't underneath. It was probably one of the saddest funerals I have ever been too. All of our family was in the room, just crying. Everyone was hugging and just balling. It was rough. I can't even imagine losing both of my parents or grandparents at the same time. Probably the biggest thing that got me was all of their grandchildren. You could just tell how much they adored their grandparents, and how much their grandparents adored them. A good portion of all the pictures they had up were Karen and Floyd with their grandchildren. We would watch the kids go up and look at their grandparents and just run crying to their parents, burring their heads. It broke my heart. There is nothing that you can say to make that better.

Some people would be mad or turn away from our Father in Heaven. Not us. If anything, it makes us stronger and our faith increases. Of course it's hard to see the big picture of why this would happen to such an amazing family, but we know that trials make us stronger and that everything has reason and purpose. We know that this was their time, and that they were supposed to go together. Sometimes, that knowledge makes to a little easier to get through the day.

As we were driving back to the hotel from the viewing, the song "I know that my Redeemer Lives" came on. As I sat listening to the song I've heard a hundred times a new feeling came over me. The words "and I shall conquer death" stood out to me more than ever. I SHALL conquer death. An immediate feeling of peace and comfort came over me. Not only had Karen and and Floyd conquered death, but my Aunt Laura, Uncle Arlin, Grandpa Calder, Grandpa Cliff, and my Dad have all conquered death. Conquer. It is only through our Redeemer and Brother Jesus Christ that we are able to conquer death and return to live with those who we love more than life itself. I can't even express how much that means to me.

We then had the funeral the next day. I love funerals. Of course not because I like it when people pass away, but I love learning about the lives of the sweet people who are now passed on. No one says anything bad, no one is mad at them, it's all just great things that the people have accomplished and all about the great people they were here, and are now in heaven. I learned so much about Floyd and Karen, it made me wish that I had gotten to know them better, but I know there is time for that later. :) As someone said in the funeral, they were welcomed with open arms and gigantic hugs in heaven and we sure can't wait to see them again :)

We actually drove by the site they were killed at on our way home. I'm not going to lie, I was a little scared of what I was going to see. We pulled over by the side of the road and just sat in silence. I could feel the spirit so strongly. This is where my aunt and uncle had left their bodies and passed on to the other side. We offered a prayer to our Father in Heaven thanking him for everything that he gives us and for the great lives that Karen and Floyd had lived and for the time we got to spend with them. We then continued to pray to protect us on our way home and to be with the Well's family at this trying time.

I am so grateful for prayer and the powerful influence it has on us.

We even had the opportunity to stop and do baptisms at the Mesa temple. It was really fun because all the workers were so nice and you can just feel the spirits of those you are being baptized and confirmed for. I'm grateful that I can help and serve those who cannot be with their families without help from us.

A little more weird stuff about the trip. It took us 11 hours to get to Arizona. 11 long miserable hours. We took our focus to save gas money. Holy cow. Squishy. All 5 of us. Good thing it was in the night or I think we would have killed each other because of the heat and being awake the whole time. We had some good laughs and I think all of us have a couple of bruises, but it was well worth it! We loved the trip!