Dominican Republic Sewing Trip

I just got back from the Dominican Republic on a Humanitarian Trip. We went for a week to teach ladies down there how to sew. I packed a sewing machine in my suitcase, fabric and supplies for my project, and a few clothes. No room for blow-dryers and curling irons in that suit case! So keep in mind this was a humanitarian trip when you are looking at our hair and (lack of) make-up. We had a great time and felt like we left the ladies with a skill and machine they will continue to put to good use.

Late night arrival: The Branch President showed up at the airport to pick us up. 3 women travelers, 3 large suitcases full of sewing machines, 3 small carry-on suitcases, 3 purses, 2 non-english speaking Dominican men, and 1 small Jetta. Do you see a problem?

They kept assuring me it was "no problem." So here is where I rode for an hour on top of one of the suitcases. Now just imagine 2 more women getting in this back seat with their carry-ons and you have one not-so-spacious ride.

First Days of Sewing (in the church with no Air Conditioning. Fans only):

My new Dominican Sister: Mildred. We're working on our first project: an apron. Notice how cute her yellow shirt is....

Aprons are done! What a miracle with our lack of Spanish and their lack of English.

Next project: Scripture bags. I like this project- it was mine last year because it's simple! Sew up the sides, add some handles and pin a flower on the front. Walah!

Dinner at a Beach-side restaurant that night:

When you are in the Caribbean, dining on the beach, you have to order Lobster! This was huge, delicious, and worth every Peso I paid!

My mom, me and her friend Karalee Olsen at the restaurant. What a beautiful view!

Back to sewing. Next project was a little girls halter top sundress with shorts and matching flower headband. They loved the head bands and flowers.

We also made skirts, little girl pillow case dresses, hot pads for the oven, sewing machine covers, and t-shirt dresses.

We then took a day off in the middle of the week to go to the beach and sight see a little bit. We went to a resort on the other side of the island that was very beautiful and nice. We ate at the lunch buffet, had frozen pina colada drinks and sat under our cabana. This was my favorite day!

They were shooting commercials on this beach when we were there. Some of the models were sitting in their chairs drinking the beverage of choice down there- Cola Real. Some were running through the water while the cameras followed them. The boys were in heaven.

I am by no means as attractive in my bathing suit as a model- but you need to see how clear and warm and beautiful the water is in case you are planning a beach get-a-way any time soon.

A miniature monkey on my head at the beach!

Back to sewing! On the last day my sweet Dominican sister wanted to give me a gift. She handed me a package she had wrapped up in Christmas paper (all she had, I guess). When I opened it, I found her yellow shirt from the first day. She had take it home, hand washed it with a scrub brush, hung it to dry (many of them don't have washers and dryers like we do), and then even ironed it for me before she folded it up nice and wrapped it for me. She literary gave me the shirt off her back! I was so touched that I felt like I needed to wear it that day to show her I appreciated it. I put it right on over the 3 layers I already had on. Heavenly Father blessed me not to be hot in that sweaty, humid sewing room that day. She was the sweetest sister and gave me something she knew I had commented that I liked.

The ladies worked so hard to prepare us a lunch the last day. It was many traditional dishes that I could not identify that I was positive were going to make my sensitive stomach upset. I ate everything she wanted me to, made yummy faces and hand gestures, and again I was blessed to turn out ok.

All the Dominican Sewers from this year and last, and all American teachers. What a fun group and a good time. Glad to be back home safe and with my modern comforts.

My New Buddy

We got a new puppy! We have been waiting for him for awhile- and he was finally ready to come home last week. He is a German Short-hair Pointer, and has been a great puppy! I like that he keeps me company when Rick is out of town, and he definitely keeps me busy. He loves to follow you around right on your heels and curl into your lap whenever you sit down. His name is Scout... take a look.

Doing what puppies do best- Chew! Beware of your shoes around him. We are learning not to leave things sitting out.
Rick can't wait for his hunting buddy to mature and go to hunting school. He's already teaching him commands. Scout did his first official "point" the other day. Too bad he was locked into the soccer ball and not a bird, but at least Rick feels like he has that hunting instinct.
Carter is so excited about him. He always calls to see if "I need any help with the puppy?!" Carter has been off track so he came up for a sleep over and to play with Scout while I played my morning tennis.
When it gets cold he gets pretty whiney. With all this lovely rain and cold lately, he has been spending some time in my sweatshirt. He crawled in there on his own one morning when I was out weeding the flower beds, and made himself quite comfortable. I"m going to miss this young sleepy stage when he's too big to fit in my jacket! For now, we're just enjoying him.

Spring Break: Family Cruise

The Nehmer family had a great Spring Break. We went on a cruise to: the Bahamas, St. Marteen, and St. Thomas. We had great weather, fantastic food, fun excursions, and good company. Thanks Dad for a wonderful time! My favorite vacation to date!

Day 1: Ft. Lauderdale Florida

It was fun to have some beach time before we even got on the boat. The hotel was fantastic here, and my dad found a great restaurant right on the beach. The fun has begun!

1st stop: Bahamas!

Riding the boat out to the island where we swam with the sting-rays. (those picts and video coming soon from the underwater camera). Poor Billy was sick with a cold on the ship this day. He stayed back and ordered room service and slept.

Telling Dad about our Adventures for the day. Luckily his rest and recovery paid off and he rejoined the festivities that night.

We lunched on the beach, relaxed in the chairs, and enjoyed the Bahamas.

We shopped in town before returning to the ship.

2nd stop: St. Thomas

We started the morning off with a little shopping in town, lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, and then headed to our SNUBA diving excursion. (Again, those pictures on the other camera.. I'll post those later).

3rd stop: St. Marteen- My Favorite!

Lunch was at a great cabana in the sand- Best bacon cheeseburger and fruit shake I've had in a long time!

This is truly my happy place: on the beach, in the sun (hat for shade of course!), with a good book and a cold Sprite! Ahh..

Dinners/ At Sea Days:

Carter got tired of going to dress-up, sit down dinners after the second night. With five more nights to go, we had to find a solution. Turns out he loves Kids Club way more than hanging with his old brothers and sisters at the Adagio Dining Room. He would beg to stay late every time we went to pick him up. His only request: deliver some of that sherbet from dinner half way through the dodge ball tournament! Sure thing Carter.

This ship had so many things to do! Our favorites: the Flowrider surfing wave, rock climbing, laying by the pool, ping-pong, mini-golf, basketball, etc. We didn't have time to try everything! Next time we will have to ice-skate and ride the carousel, and the zip line on the ship.

It took us three days to talk Carter into finally trying it! Good coaxing Rick! Carter's favorite trick: the "Superman." Throw your board out, surf on your stomach, catch it and keep going! You are super Carter!

Thanks Mom and Dad for a great vacation full of sun, laughs and adventure!

In the re-building phase... again..

I went to the Jazz Game with my mom one night while the guys were both out of town working. I didn't know it then, but it was Jerry's last game.

When you sit so close to the bench and watch the dynamics, it becomes obvious that certain players are calling all the shots.

You wonder what this deep discussion was about. For all we know he was saying.. "where should I trade to?"

You jump for that rebound Jefferson. I think you need a few more guys crowding you?!

I am so upset about all the turn-over in the Utah Jazz. We will never be the same without our fearless leader and coach. Who will yell at the refs for us? And then we loose our superstar. Even is he was stubborn- he had some serious game. In my mind, ticket values are plummeting. We find ourselves with young, new players. Once again... in the rebuilding phase. Ahh.. my loyalty is being tested. May the wins start piling up!

Discovery Fair

I don't remember 100's day being a big deal when I was in school. But it's big now! We count the days, and celebrate with quite the party when we hit 100 days of school. This year, our school did a discovery fair. For the older grades, this meant science and history fair projects. The younger kids displayed their 100's day projects. I was so amazed with the creativity. Parent's put a lot of work into these cool projects. This is my most favorite project, and my most favorite kindergartner (my neighbor):

The best part of her project- she framed it cute so that she could display her butterflies in her room after the fair. If you have kids- start collecting 100 of something so you're prepared for 100's day!

Valentines!

We had a wonderful Valentines Day. Rick bought me beautiful flowers, and he got a nice bouquet of "man balloons" (black and white zebra stripe, red and black polka dot balloons- no pink!) delivered to his work. We had a scrumptious, over-priced, fine dining experience at Sundance with our good pals the Thomas's. We all ordered the lamb, which turned out pretty good. My least favorite- oysters. Rick's least favorite- scallops. If you go- eat plenty of the "sundance rolls"- a multi-grain warm roll with a white grape baked in the middle. A new found favorite. Hope your V-Day was extra special!

My Encounter

We went to the Jazz Game Monday night, and sitting right in front of us was Jimmer Fredette! Rick was smart enough to run up to the Fanz store, buy an Official NBA ball and a sharpie, and Jimmer signed right across the front of our ball. He was very nice to all the fans around him, took tons of pictures, signed dollar bills, and didn't turn anyone away. We were the only ones that got a basketball though! Rick wants to sell it. I want to keep it. Bridger keeps offering to buy it. What to do...