Cruise part 4: The Fun (ON LAND!!!)

I forgot to mention that after they cancelled our first port at Catalina Island we were supposed to zoom on ahead to our second port and get there a day early.  The next morning they told us the weather was still too rough to port and instead we were going to have another "Fun day at sea."  haha.  Well by the 3rd "fun day" at sea we were really ready to get off the boat.  Sooo thankful to be on dry land again!!

We took Uber over to a Zipline place and paid a whopping $17 to do a 7 line, 5 bridge course.  So awesome!  (Never pay for Cruise price excursions, they were charging $115 a pop!)  At the same place they also did horseback riding for another $17.  So much fun.  Funny, our tour guide didn't know a lick of English so I had to keep translating for him.  Wish I remembered more, it's been a while since I really used my spanish.

Last stop in Enesenada was La Bufadora, a natural blowhole.  We ate some amazing Mexican food, then churros (YUM!) then shopped for a bit.  Everyone was calling at you to come in their shop, it was kinda overwhelming.  We did buy some little things for the kids.

And that was it!  We cruised back to LA and after a stop at In n Out we were on an airplane home.  I'm gonna miss these awesome travel buddies, it was so much fun bonding with them again!

Sure love my good man.  Happy 10 year anniversary and here's to many more!!

CRUISE part 3: on board fun

When we weren't feeling sick the whole cruise aspect was really cool.  I loved being able to eat whatever you want, when you want and not worry about $$.  Tons of variety.  You want room service?  No problem.  Icecream in the middle of the night?  Sure!  We had awesome wait staff (Amy above) that really went above and beyond for us.

Formal night and dancing was a blast!

 Amy remembered we had told her it was our anniversary, so she arranged for everyone to sing "Happy Anniversary to you" then she would hold up this napkin and say "Kiss kiss kiss".  It was so funny, and really thoughtful.  Special dessert just for us with candles.

We really had fun hot-tubbing with Chris and Brit till we turned into prunes.  Just talking story and laughing.  The comedy shows were just so-so.  Broadway shows were awesome.  Lots to do on a cruise ship, I could see why people like it, as long as all the cards are in your favor.  Everyone we talked to said this was the WORST cruise they had ever been on!  And that we should totally give it another try.  Uh, I don't think so.

CRUISE part 2: The Ugly

This picture pretty much summarizes the next couple days of the cruise.  Notice the seabands?  So as we head onto the boat the first day they hand us a paper that says, sorry but due to bad weather we cancelled your first port at Catalina Island.  Total bummer.  Still I don't think we realized how bad the weather would be and what that would mean for us.  Like, stomach clutching, hoping you can keep your food down, kinda feeling.  Ugh.  We also got pretty good at catching our water glasses as they shimmied from one side of the table to the other.   

This is Zui right before the awesome show.  Just trying to keep it together.  Funny, before the trip I bought Dramamine, non-drowsy dramamine, ginger pills, and seabands.  I kept all my receipts cause I just knew I wouldn't use it, or all of it.  Well we used ALL of it.  We were constantly drugged up on something and popping Ginger pills like candy.  I think my stomach reacted better to the meds than Zui.  He pretty much slept day 2 and 3 of the cruise.  Anything to not feel nauseous.

Still, pretty awesome show, minus the constant swaying..

We tried to get up on the top deck often, it did help.  Then they closed it due to high winds.

Fun times with my bro!  Oh how I've missed swing dancing with him.  We had a short dance session in the cold, sans music.  But it was still fun doing all our old stunts together.

Cruise Adventures part 1

So months ago Chris told me he was going on a cruise in February.  I was intrigued, especially thinking that's my 10 year anniversary month we should do something big, so I asked him if we could tag along.  Well we weren't sure if we could acquire enough babysitters to make it happen but somehow we did!  Look how excited we are to embark on our first ever cruise!!  haha...ha....ha...........

No seriously we had a great time.  Especially with these awesome peeps.  Can't say it enough, love these guys! 

The dinners were awesome, 3 course meals all made up fancy with designs made out of the sauces.

And it's not everyday you come back to your room with this guy in your bed.

Doesn't this look fun??  I'm sure it is...if it's not freezing outside (aka freezing= below 72)  It was in the 60's for us.

So the adventure begins!!  I have to back up and say when we got to LAX they informed us they lost my luggage but not to worry, it would arrive at 6pm.  Ha!  The boat leaves at 6pm.  I knew there had to be something good coming out of this, and I was right!  They told me to go buy whatever I needed for the cruise and they would fully reimburse me.  ChhheeeeeeeeHoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!   Talk about exciting!  I'd always wanted an all-expense paid shopping trip.  Now I had my dream come true, just with a 2 hour time-restraint.  Time to get busy.

New Wall Pics

Finally took some new pics of the kids...they're growing up so fast!

Happy New Year! And then some..

We celebrated the New Year at Uncle Eric's house this year.  Luckily someone still had a stash of sparklers (since they are now banned in Hawaii).  The kids were out til 11pm!!  I went home earlier with the babies.

New Years day was bowling, as tradition.

Can't say enough about my good man.  Our dishwasher broke and he not only installed a new one, but moved it over two feet.  A set of drawers used to be where the dishwasher is now.  It was like Christmas being able to use a dishwasher that is actually Right Next to the sink!!

Rec 1 got two waterslides!  It has been so fun for the kids.  This is Zion

Veteran's Day Hike.  We went back to Judd trail Memorial.  Love that place!  The kids love the natural waterslide.