And so it began ... an adventure we will never forget!

EASTERN CARIBBEAN, HERE WE COME!

We did almost everything the ship offered except drinking and gambling.
There was SINGING...

and DANCING...

Toga PARTIES...

Shuffle Board...
ROCK CLIMBING...

Formal Dinners,

KARAOKE...

Shameless Karaoke,

And True Love

We saw dead people

experienced the effects of 100% humidity,

and enjoyed relaxing evenings at sea.

SAMANA
DOMINICAN REPBULIC
We hired a FABULOUS tour guide named Terry. He took us on bus up through Samana to a Ranch where our excursion would begin. On the way we were able to see some of the people's homes and meet the children. We walked through a school and felt like we really saw how the people of Samana live.

This is one of the plants that grow in the Dominican Republic. Watch closely.

Once to the Ranch, we were put on horseback to make our way through the mountains.
We rode to the top of the Salto de Lemon waterfall.We had to hike a little ways into the base of the falls and it was so amazing!We were able to swim in the pools under the water fall and even went into the caves behind the falls. It was so fantastic!
After our swim, hike, and horseback - we made our way back to the ranch. Here we had an authentic Dominican meal: Rice & Beans, spaghetti and meat. YUMMY!St Thomas
Through Eco Tours, we did a kayak, hike and snorkel tour. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! We kayaked through the mangroves, stopped and walked through Cas Cay - a small island that is inhabited by hermit crabs. We were able to compete in a hermit crab race!We walked along the rocky coast of Cas Cay and got sprayed by the Blow Hole.We of course, had to do a little shopping, and Kelli sported her beautiful fruit hat.And that evening, we couldn't pass up a little Karaoke!
TORTOLA
Virgin Gorda Baths
We took a boat ride to the baths and hiked through the gorgeous rock formationsThis beach was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen! The water was so clear and warm!
The snorkeling was beautiful and the weather couldn't have been better!
Thursday was our day at sea. This was a great day for many of us to show off our assigned outfits! I wore my Utah shirt and was only noticed by one person. He was a Utah fan and he was drunk out of his mind. I thought Mitch was going to die the entire time he was talking to me about how great it is to be a Utah fan. At least I was in good company!
Andrew had a following of teenage girls by the end of the day. He got a lot of double takes as he strolled around the deck.
Tricia fit right in on the cruise. The only thing that set her apart was her head band! She, of course, pulled the look off beautifully.You wouldn't have believed the looks Mitch got as we walked around the ship while he wore his Snuggie. Even the little oriental woman that greets you at the Buffett kept saying "Snuggie! Snuggie" (She normally said, "Washy Washy!" as she sprayed hands with sanitizer). People were pulling out cameras to take a picture of such a freak!

Sara wore her flashy overalls to dinner and dancing.
GREAT STIRRUP KAY
We visited a private island on the Bahamas and had a lovely day at the beach. A bunch of us decided to go para sailing and it was AWESOME!
Brad got out his coconut shells and wore them along the beach!
That evening, the ship was taken over by Pirates!

We had the time of our lives. Can't wait for the next adventure.

CRUISIN'

In a couple of weeks Mitch and I and the rest of the Rencher adults will be here, and you won't, that doesn't mean that we don't want you to come, but it might be short notice.Our cruise will port in Samana, Tortola, St Thomas, and the Great Stirrup Cay. It does not include distributing humanitarian aid in Haiti, much to my mother-in-law's chagrin. The best part about it is we will be with all of Mitch's family (except the kids--which secretly is the bestest of parts). We will have the time of our lives, soaking up the sun (it was freezing in Miami last week) showing off our tanned bods (we are pasty freaks) and entertaining throngs of picture-taking Asians (or at least ourselves) in the Karaoke bar.

We have this distinguished man to thank. In his mind he is the most interesting man in the world. In fact, he once had an akward moment just to see how it feels. The picture below captures that moment. Tune in after the cruise for more on the most interesting man in the world.

He invited us all to participate in the Rencher Family Chunky Challenge last spring. For each pound that we lost, our "sponsors" (the generous folks with the NAACP, the National Association for the Advancement of Chunky People) would pay $20 towards the cruise.
I was not able to participate since I was nursing, so the pounds Ben gained during that time counted as my weight loss. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, we were dieting, exercising, by we I mean they, because I was eating anything and everything that I wanted while packing the pounds on my son. Here are the results:

The total weight loss was 222 lbs, which, come to think of it is how much Brett Favre weighs...oh my he's dreamy, I'd hat to lose him.

The fun didn't stop there. For Christmas we decided that rather than get regular gifts for one another, we would find something for our assigned family member to wear on the cruise.
At the family Christmas party, the outfits were revealed:

Dave will be wearing this piece of paper and nothing else. On second thought, maybe this wasn't a very good idea. Seriously, he will be going as a pirate of the Eastern Caribbean. The man who thinks he is the most interesting man in the world gave him his Cap'n Jack outfit.

Tricia designed a hat for Kelli that is not only stylish, but also tempting due to the fact that we (by we I mean they) starving from the weight loss. This will also be an important accessory when we sing "Benjamin Calypso" from Joseph during Karaoke night.

Sara found some beautiful lime-green glasses, sandals and skirt from Tricia's closet. Seriously, I swear I've seen Tricia her wearing this before.

Andrew wanted to make sure that Brandon did not get shot by confused deer hunters and therefore supplied him with a lovely hat. The hat is really set-off by the ornate cowboy vest donned by the most sophisticated of cruisers.

Jenn decided to put the nut in coconut with magisterial look. B-rad puts the oh-no in coco.

Sara will provide entertainment and/or nightmares for any little children on the cruise with this pair of overalls, which is a cross between clown and grease monkey. Not that it will surprise anyone, but you may have seen this outfit before, as it was used by the "Back Porch Gang." I know what your thinking, I didn't think the Crips or the Bloods wore outfits like this. You're thinking the wrong kind of gang, think the Butter Cream Gang that spreads joy through barber-shop harmony. Oh yes, my mother wore this little diddy while starring in her singing group. I owe my sense of style to this woman. Thanks mom!

Jenn has Ms McGuire to thank for her taffeta evening gown. I felt Karaoke night just wouldn't be complete without a madrigal dress to boost her singing confidence.

Allsion knows just how much Andrew obsesses about Twilight's Edward. In fact, he likes him so much that it is straining the relationship with nephew Josh, whom Andrew is convinced is a werewolf. This snug fit will make an appearance at the pool where Andrew's pasty skin will shine like diamonds. Thanks Alli for helping your brother live his dream. (haha look how happy he looks)

Yet another gem from Jolene's closet - we have this hand-knit sleeveless turtle neck dress for Cherie to wear in the beautiful Caribbean weather.

Thanks to Kelli, Allison will be mixing her innocent and devious sides with a flower tunic and black lace gloves. Allison will be performing a mash-up of My Fair Lady's "Just You Wait" and Iron Maiden's "Iron Man."

Brandon didn't want Mitch to catch a chill on the beach (it may end up being a great gift given recent temps) as he cuddles up to a novel. He even had Tricia embroider "Mitch's Snuggie" on it so that nobody could steal it. . . or him, maybe I should have her embroider Haley's Man underneath so that all the ladies would know he is taken!

And last, but not least, I will be sulking around in the most embarrassing outfit of all. Dave saw fit to ruin my entire trip by making me wear a University of Utah T Shirt. I just don't know how Mitch is going to stand the humiliation. Dave told me they were about to embroider "Max Hall Hates Me" on the back, but thought better of it.

Stay tuned for an update on the next episode of
Cruisin' With
The Renchers