Baja Mexico Cruise

Our cruise was an awesome experience. It was so relaxing and fun. I loved it!

We started out on Monday morning flying into San Diego. From there we took a bus to our cruise ship. We had to go through the check-in procedures and at about 12:00 they let us get on the ship. I didn't know what to expect. But, we went in and it reminded me of a big, fancy hotel.

The first thing we did was...eat! Would we have done anything else? :) Afterwards we went around and toured the ship. It was so big that at the end of the week we were just starting to get used to where things were. There was a couple formal dining rooms, many little clubs and bars, a casino, a library, a card room where we played games, several stores, pool, a couple hot tubs, a miniature golf course, a spa, a big auditorium, and many other things.

Tuesday was a full day at sea. We spent the day playing mini golf, games, some of us napped, we ate, then we ate some more, we joined in a few games on the ship, and that night was our formal dinner. We all got dressed up and enjoyed a dinner of prime rib and lobster. Each night you could choose appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. Usually we each ordered 2-3 appetizers. That was kind of fun. They usually had REALLY good soups.

One of the nights we went to a hypnotist show. That was my favorite part of the cruise. My brother, Andrew, got hypnotized. He had been hypnotized once before on a different cruise. I have rarely laughed so hard in my life. He truly was the star of the show. He was so dang funny! At the end of the show the man gave him a black hat with a black wig and a glove and told him that he was Michael Jackson. I have not seen dance moves like that come from him ever!! Hilarious!!

Wednesday we went to Cabo San Lucas. We had signed up to go zip lining. I am going to do a separate post about that. Afterwards we walked along the docks and shopped. It was really pretty there and perfect temperature. We also ate at a fun little restaurant there.

Thursday was another day at Sea. I really enjoyed those days. They were the most relaxing. We filled them up with lots of fun and food!

Friday we went to Ensenada. We rode a bus for about 40 minutes out to the Blow hole. There are only 3 blowholes in the world, Ensenada, Australia, and Hawaii. It was pretty neat. Water get sucks up in a hole and then spouts up. When we were there it was more like a mist, I think the tide needed to be higher to actually spray. They had about 1/2 mile of shops leading up to the blowhole. On the way back we did a bunch of shopping. We ate at a fun restaurant called the Habanna Bananna.

We had a great time. We played lots of games in our spare time and just enjoyed hanging out together. Thanks guys for the fun time! We missed you tons Jarom and Jackie and Justin and Chelsea and hope you can join us next time!

Thank you to Erin, Brandon, Shirley, Mike & Kalli, and Heather for all your help with the kids. Avery ended up getting a high fever and Dave's mom had to take her to the doctor. Nothing was wrong that they could tell and so it all ended up okay. She did throw up and keep Erin up 1/2 the night one night. Sorry Erin! Thank you so much for taking care of her, though. The kids were in good hands and we are so thankful to all those who made this cruise possible for us. It was great!

No, worries! All is well!

Well, we are back! We are safe, and all of my worrying was for nothing, for the most part. We had a GREAT time! It was just what I wanted it to be, RELAXING!! We had a really fun time with my family and did some really fun activities. I am going to blog in more detail about some of the things, but I just had to let you all know we are safe! :) I know you were all sooo worried! :)

Cruise time, baby!!!

Well, it is finally here! Dave and I are leaving to go on our first cruise tomorrow afternoon. Actually, we leave to Salt Lake, and then fly out Monday morning. So, I have looked forward to this for like 6 months...so why am I starting to dread it???

There are so many days that my house is crazy and I think how I would love to be in Mexico or somewhere else right now. But, then when it really comes down to it I am super scared and worried! I am the biggest worrier you will ever meet. So, I have a lot of worries tonight on the eve of our trip.

I worry of course about the safety of the kids. They will of course be in very good hands, that I know for sure. But, anything can happen. I worry that they will be sad and miss us and cry. I worry that they won't miss us! :) I worry that they will drive the poor people who are watching them completely crazy. I worry that the people watching them will not like us when we get back. (Just kidding!!) :) I worry about them getting to and from school.

I worry about our safety. I worry that we don't have a will. I worry that we are going to miss our flight for snow and then miss our cruise! (I am worrying about that A LOT!) I worry that we won't bring enough money. I worry I won't pack enough of or the right kind of clothes. I worry they will lose our luggage.

And the list goes on...

I am obviously kind of a pessimist, but I can't seem to help it. I try not to worry, but it doesn't help. I do it anyway!

But, I am actually still excited to go. I can't wait to get away with my family, especially Dave. It is on trips away without kids that we seem to remember exactly why we are together in the first place. It is great to reconnect. I am also excited to just totally relax, especially after the craziness of the holidays!

I am very, very, very, grateful for the 3 separate families that will be watching our kids at some point this week. Really great friends, great brother and sister-in-law, and Dave's sweet mom. Thank you soooooo much! We owe you all SOOOO big! We know that they are in good hands, and that does relieve some of my worries. I know they will be well taken care of and loved while we are gone. Also, thank you, Heather, for helping with the school situation! I owe you big, too!

So, good bye for a week. I hope to have awesome pictures to show and lots of fun stories to share when we get back!!!!!

Quilts

One last thing that I want to mention. A month or two ago Dave and I decided that we wanted to make the kids quilts for Christmas. We didn't do much until a couple weeks ago I figured that I had better go buy the material. We didn't start tying the quilts until the week before Christmas, and I finished up sewing the last one Christmas Eve. The kids saw us making them and we told a white lie, that they were for two grandmas and a grandpa! :) They were really excited Christmas morning to know that they were actually for them! I am pretty proud of our hard work

Christmas 2008!

I set my alarm for 7:45 Christmas morning. I got up and the house was silent. I hurried and showered and got ready, as did Dave. By the time we were all ready, the kids were still asleep! Actually, Easton had just barely gotten up and was looking in his stocking. I had to wake the girls up. They were still in really deep sleeps and would have slept a while longer.

They were very excited to check out their stockings and begin opening presents. They were spoiled as usual. Santa's main gift to each was: a couple sets of Star Wars legos for Easton, and Easy Bake oven for Paisley, and a doll stroller for Avery. They also each got books, calendars, robes, clothes, etc. etc. Too much! :) Their favorite gifts that all 3 received was MP3 players. Even Avery got one. It is for kids called a Shaker. It doesn't require head phones, and you just twist the top to get to the next song. She carries it around all day and loves it.







After presents we went to my parents' house for breakfast and more presents. They of course got spoiled by grandma and grandpa, as did we.





That afternoon we went to my aunt and uncle's for lunch. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins. We played a really fun game called the Curse of the Wolfen. (google it!) Anyway, soooo fun. We played several rounds of it.

Afterwards we went home and put the kids to bed. Then my brother and his wife and Dave and I played a while on Dave's Christmas present, Rock Band 2. Fun, fun!!

It really was a great day. Full of family and fun! Oh, and good food, what more can you ask for??

The next day I did breathe a sigh of relief. As much fun as Christmas is and as much as I really look forward to it, I still am relieved to have it over and go back to normal life.

Plus, only a week left til our cruise! YEA!!!

Christmas Eve

We always spend Christmas Eve with all of Dave's family. This year we all went to Dave's parents' house and had a great dinner, prime rib and potatoes! Yummy! Then we cleared dinner away.


Dave's Uncle Dennis was in town from Denver. He read The Night Before Christmas to all of the grand kids. They all listened very attentively, especially knowing that they were going to be opening presents next!

We always draw names for presents between the siblings and spouses and then also between the grand kids. So, starting with the youngest child, we each took a turn opening our present. Avery got a play guitar. She loved it. I told my sister-in-law that I will be paying her back for that toy! :) Paisley got a super cute outfit and a Princess-opoly game. Easton got Star Wars Clone Wars movie, and a bunch of Star Wars figurines.

I got a really nice present with pictures of the kids. I loved it!



And, Dave got a Denver Broncos Fathead!! Yea...Not! I mean, he was really happy, he has wanted one for a long time. I am just not very excited to have it on the walls in my house! :) Oh well! He was happy and that is all that matters!

We also give the kids pajamas and slippers on Christmas Eve. It was a great evening. It is a lot of fun to spend time at Dave's parents'. The kids were getting tired and so we took them home to bed. They saw a flashing red light in the sky on the way home and were absolutely sure that it was Rudolph. So they were very quick about getting to bed so that Santa could come.

The kids left out cookies and chocolate milk for Santa. They also left carrots for the reindeer. Easton left his own note for Santa:


I wrote Paisley's note for Santa, dictated by her:

Santa wrote notes back to each of the kids and they thought that that was really neat.

Christmas Eve Eve

On December 23rd we went to a party with all of my mom's extended family. They have been having this party since before my mom was born. So, every year we go have dinner with all of my great-grandma's children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We always eat and then have the most special guest, Santa, come and give the kids a present.

The kids really like being able to talk to Santa and tell him what they want. Avery wasn't scared of Santa at all, she just wanted her present! :) Easton got a basketball hoop to put over his bedroom door. Paisley got a Spirodoodle, and Avery got a little pull-and-say toy. They all had a lot of fun. It was good to spend time with family!

Family Pictures

On December 22nd, all of Dave's siblings and his parents met for family pictures. They turned out really nice. Unfortunately because of copyright issues I can not get one to post. We all wore cream. As we were waiting for others to get their pictures taken I took a few of my 3 cuties! Always a difficult task to try to get a good picture of all of them. They really looked cute that night, though!

Santa at Sub Zero!!

On December 19th, Paisley had a preschool field trip to an ice cream parlor called Sub Zero. I was able to go with her. The only bad thing was that it was at 9:30 a.m. A little early for ice cream I thought, but none of the preschoolers seemed to mind.


They got to watch the people make each of their ice creams.


Paisley got chocolate ice cream with bubble gum in it. To each their own, huh? She loved it.

Soon after everyone was finished, her teacher read them a story, and then what do you know? Santa came!! They were all very excited to see him. Paisley got to sit on his lap and get a candy cane. She asked him for a pair of ice skates. Hmmm...




Anyway, I was really glad that I was able to go with her. It was fun to have a girls' morning out. Thank you to Dave's mom for watching Avery!!!