Shelly forgot one of the best pictures from the cruise.
Sweet Cali
6 years ago
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
"The" Cruise
We are extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to go on a Princess Cruise with several friends a few weeks ago. It was a seven day cruise to Puerto Viarta, Mazitlan, and Cabo San Lucas. We flew my sister Char (we call her Saint Char now) and her son Easton down for the week to stay at the house with our FIVE precious children. I tried to make things as easy as possible but there's only so much you can do ahead of time. The fact of the matter is there were SIX children under the age of SEVEN and only one adult (thanks to Grammy and Mel for all your help as well). Luckily, everyone survived and we were able to enjoy our trip knowing they were in safe hands. I know she was exhausted by the time we got back but I just want to tell you Char that you are awesome! The kids had so much fun with you and we really appreciate everything you did. Believe me, I know how hard it is even when they are being good. Thanks a million! So...on with the pictures. Of course, now that we are home I wish we had taken more--next time!!!
This is a picture of us right before we left. We've got our spray tans and I went and got a manicure and pedicure the day before (thanks Mom)! After planning and preparing for 9 months, we were so excited to finally be going!
Leaving Los Angeles, bon voyage!
This is our cruise coordinator (and fellow cruiser), Jill. She basically planned the entire cruise. She would just e-mail us when we needed to pay or do something, it was awesome! We had such a blast and we are so grateful for all you did. We are so sorry you got so sick. I love this picture of Jill, I didn't even make her pose for this one. We were just hanging out when I snapped this shot. Isn't she so cute?
On the second day at sea, Boyd, Ryan, Paul, Shelley, Sara, and Jill participated in the "Water Olympics". I didn't get any pictures with our camera but I took a lot with Ryan and Sara's, so I'll have to post those later. It was hilarious to watch! Suffice it to say Boyd shoved an entire watermelon down his swimsuit and kissed one of the judges on the lips for 10 extra points. Ya, where's the video camera when you need it! The guys also played in the 5 on 5 water volleyball tournament and swept! We were all so proud of our men. When we got back to our room that night, our steward had placed both Boyd's gold medals on the lamp shades. We thought it was pretty funny!
Chillin' in the lounge watching D'version. We basically become D'verion groupies. I think they were actually happy to have people cheer for them that weren't totally wasted. Or maybe they thought we were, I'm not sure. We had lots of good times watching the "happy dancer" (a guy that could bounce like no one I've ever seen).
The girls with the lead singer of D'version. We really WERE that nerdy!!! Good times.
Our third excursion was a snorkel trip in Cabo San Lucas. This is Bill and Shelley. I'm not sure how she does it, but Shelley always looks cute and put together. I mean who looks darling in a bright orange life jacket? Shelley.
In Cabo we had to tender from the ship to shore and the swells were like 4 feet-it was crazy! Poor Jill was so sick on the 40 minute raft ride to our first snorkeling location.
Boyd took this, and yes I'm posting it Jill. I do want to point out that Jill is a really clean vomiter. Every time she would come up for air she just looked so calm and put together. Jill couldn't even think about snorkeling she had to get to dry land ASAP. Shelley missed the second snorkel location to go back with her so she wouldn't have to wait alone. During a potty break, Jill woke up to a "nice" Mexican man caressing her face telling her she was very beautiful. Jill told him to leave her alone or she'd barf all over him. But that didn't deter him much-luckily Shelley returned shortly. Jill really is beautiful, even after she's been throwing up!
The water was so beautiful. I was even feeling nauseated after our first snorkeling location. I can't even imagine how Jill made it back, what a trooper!
This is on the way to our private beach for our excursion in Mazitlan. It was so beautiful and relaxing. Boyd did some wake boarding. Paul got stuck in a terrible current that was pushing him farther out to sea. After swimming his heart out on this broken wake board with no rope we were relieved when he finally made it back in. Sara got stung by a jellyfish in three spots and was so tough. Mike also got stung but not nearly as bad as Sara. I stayed out of the water after that.
Mike and Shana. The beach was the only excursion Shana came on since she is pregnant. It was a lot of fun hanging out on the beach with them.
Boyd in Puerto Villarta. Boyd surprised me by sticking to his tough work out schedule even on the cruise. I'm not sure how he managed to run and not swerve into a pillar or someone but he did awesome. Even "Kronk" was feeling intimidated. "Kronk" is the guy that decided to do his push ups RIGHT next to Boyd in the huge gym. We followed him around trying to get his picture. I think Ryan finally got one, but I think he thought we were a little obsessed with him. Actually, now that I'm writing about it I guess we were.
Getting ready for our bumpy, windy ride to the jungle canopy. My hair does not do well with wind, where's a hat when you need one? It was nice to see a little of the city, there were parts that reminded me of Ethiopia. Only Mexico was much nicer. It really makes me appreciate my life and home.
Jill REALLY enjoyed the bumpy ride!
Getting ready to go on the jungle canopy zip line adventure. I'm not going to tell the most embarrassing story of the trip. I just want to say that sometimes it's hard to tell what people say when they have an accent. Misunderstandings happen. And I had a brain tumor people, it was my bad ear!!!
Boyd took this shot of me repelling the 75 feet from the top of trees. I had never done a free fall repel before, but it was fun.
Ryan broke out some of his break dancing and stole the show! It was so fun to be silly and dance to some of our old favorites like: the electric slide, thriller, and summer lovin'.
Sara has some moves too, she does a great robot! I didn't get a shot of it but Shelley has some skills too. She can do the robot it heels!
The guys on our first formal night, aren't they handsome? Edy sure thought so. She was older intoxicated woman that asked to have her picture taken with these handsome guys. Later that week, someone saw her taking pictures with some other good looking guys. I guess people have different reasons for cruising.
The girls on the balcony of the ship on the first formal night. I didn't notice until now that we color coordinated, nice job ladies!
We did the traditional dining seating so we had the same table and waiters each night. I really enjoyed this part and we LOVED Allen and Princia. They spent 10 months away from their families on the ship, I can't even imagine. Allen is from the Phillipines and Princia is from Brazil. It was amazing to see the diversity of the staff on board, I think they have 49 different counties or something!
Hanging out in the Explorer's Lounge again. Love that D'version. Boyd and Ryan made it a point to embarrass Sara and I by screaming "We love you D'version" and "Woo-hoo" as loudly as possible.
We had a friendly game of Shuffleboard on Sunday. The boys won.
Our first formal night we went to the main show. It was a little cheesy (even for me) so that was our last show.
Overall, we had a wonderful trip but we were definitely ready to get home to kids! We were able to switch our flight to the earlier one and make it home before bedtime and we are so glad we did! The kids made this darling sign for us (with help from Char) and yelled surprise as we opened the door! I think I appreciate being a Mom more because I really missed all of the funny things my kids say and do every day. I was so happy when my sister told me she wrote down all the funny things they said and did on the schedule so she wouldn't forget to tell me, what a treasure! It's nice to get away but there really is no place like home!
This is a picture of us right before we left. We've got our spray tans and I went and got a manicure and pedicure the day before (thanks Mom)! After planning and preparing for 9 months, we were so excited to finally be going!
Leaving Los Angeles, bon voyage!
This is our cruise coordinator (and fellow cruiser), Jill. She basically planned the entire cruise. She would just e-mail us when we needed to pay or do something, it was awesome! We had such a blast and we are so grateful for all you did. We are so sorry you got so sick. I love this picture of Jill, I didn't even make her pose for this one. We were just hanging out when I snapped this shot. Isn't she so cute?
On the second day at sea, Boyd, Ryan, Paul, Shelley, Sara, and Jill participated in the "Water Olympics". I didn't get any pictures with our camera but I took a lot with Ryan and Sara's, so I'll have to post those later. It was hilarious to watch! Suffice it to say Boyd shoved an entire watermelon down his swimsuit and kissed one of the judges on the lips for 10 extra points. Ya, where's the video camera when you need it! The guys also played in the 5 on 5 water volleyball tournament and swept! We were all so proud of our men. When we got back to our room that night, our steward had placed both Boyd's gold medals on the lamp shades. We thought it was pretty funny!
Chillin' in the lounge watching D'version. We basically become D'verion groupies. I think they were actually happy to have people cheer for them that weren't totally wasted. Or maybe they thought we were, I'm not sure. We had lots of good times watching the "happy dancer" (a guy that could bounce like no one I've ever seen). 
The girls with the lead singer of D'version. We really WERE that nerdy!!! Good times.
Our third excursion was a snorkel trip in Cabo San Lucas. This is Bill and Shelley. I'm not sure how she does it, but Shelley always looks cute and put together. I mean who looks darling in a bright orange life jacket? Shelley.
In Cabo we had to tender from the ship to shore and the swells were like 4 feet-it was crazy! Poor Jill was so sick on the 40 minute raft ride to our first snorkeling location. 
Boyd took this, and yes I'm posting it Jill. I do want to point out that Jill is a really clean vomiter. Every time she would come up for air she just looked so calm and put together. Jill couldn't even think about snorkeling she had to get to dry land ASAP. Shelley missed the second snorkel location to go back with her so she wouldn't have to wait alone. During a potty break, Jill woke up to a "nice" Mexican man caressing her face telling her she was very beautiful. Jill told him to leave her alone or she'd barf all over him. But that didn't deter him much-luckily Shelley returned shortly. Jill really is beautiful, even after she's been throwing up!
The water was so beautiful. I was even feeling nauseated after our first snorkeling location. I can't even imagine how Jill made it back, what a trooper!
This is on the way to our private beach for our excursion in Mazitlan. It was so beautiful and relaxing. Boyd did some wake boarding. Paul got stuck in a terrible current that was pushing him farther out to sea. After swimming his heart out on this broken wake board with no rope we were relieved when he finally made it back in. Sara got stung by a jellyfish in three spots and was so tough. Mike also got stung but not nearly as bad as Sara. I stayed out of the water after that. 
Mike and Shana. The beach was the only excursion Shana came on since she is pregnant. It was a lot of fun hanging out on the beach with them.
Boyd in Puerto Villarta. Boyd surprised me by sticking to his tough work out schedule even on the cruise. I'm not sure how he managed to run and not swerve into a pillar or someone but he did awesome. Even "Kronk" was feeling intimidated. "Kronk" is the guy that decided to do his push ups RIGHT next to Boyd in the huge gym. We followed him around trying to get his picture. I think Ryan finally got one, but I think he thought we were a little obsessed with him. Actually, now that I'm writing about it I guess we were.
Getting ready for our bumpy, windy ride to the jungle canopy. My hair does not do well with wind, where's a hat when you need one? It was nice to see a little of the city, there were parts that reminded me of Ethiopia. Only Mexico was much nicer. It really makes me appreciate my life and home.
Jill REALLY enjoyed the bumpy ride!
Getting ready to go on the jungle canopy zip line adventure. I'm not going to tell the most embarrassing story of the trip. I just want to say that sometimes it's hard to tell what people say when they have an accent. Misunderstandings happen. And I had a brain tumor people, it was my bad ear!!!
Boyd took this shot of me repelling the 75 feet from the top of trees. I had never done a free fall repel before, but it was fun.
Ryan broke out some of his break dancing and stole the show! It was so fun to be silly and dance to some of our old favorites like: the electric slide, thriller, and summer lovin'. 
Sara has some moves too, she does a great robot! I didn't get a shot of it but Shelley has some skills too. She can do the robot it heels!
The guys on our first formal night, aren't they handsome? Edy sure thought so. She was older intoxicated woman that asked to have her picture taken with these handsome guys. Later that week, someone saw her taking pictures with some other good looking guys. I guess people have different reasons for cruising.
The girls on the balcony of the ship on the first formal night. I didn't notice until now that we color coordinated, nice job ladies!
We did the traditional dining seating so we had the same table and waiters each night. I really enjoyed this part and we LOVED Allen and Princia. They spent 10 months away from their families on the ship, I can't even imagine. Allen is from the Phillipines and Princia is from Brazil. It was amazing to see the diversity of the staff on board, I think they have 49 different counties or something!
Hanging out in the Explorer's Lounge again. Love that D'version. Boyd and Ryan made it a point to embarrass Sara and I by screaming "We love you D'version" and "Woo-hoo" as loudly as possible.
We had a friendly game of Shuffleboard on Sunday. The boys won. 
Our first formal night we went to the main show. It was a little cheesy (even for me) so that was our last show.
Overall, we had a wonderful trip but we were definitely ready to get home to kids! We were able to switch our flight to the earlier one and make it home before bedtime and we are so glad we did! The kids made this darling sign for us (with help from Char) and yelled surprise as we opened the door! I think I appreciate being a Mom more because I really missed all of the funny things my kids say and do every day. I was so happy when my sister told me she wrote down all the funny things they said and did on the schedule so she wouldn't forget to tell me, what a treasure! It's nice to get away but there really is no place like home!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
2008, Best Summer Ever!
Wow what a busy summer. It passed so quickly and Shelly kept fretting that she would never be up to date with her blog, so I thought that with one entry I would fill in some of the moments that she wasn't able to get to.
Sammy has been crawling all over the place. He has this cool trick in that he pulls himself up to something and then lets go, smashing his face on coffee tables, walls and stair railings. Quite an amazing trick, but for some reason he stopped doing it a week ago, now he just sits himself down slowly.
Gracie and her blankie. I know that other kids may do this, but she chews on her blanket when she goes to sleep. I've seen her drag that blanket all over the place and chew on it at night. Pretty gross.
This is the kids when we slept on the trampoline. I personally would like to thank my 6 neighbors, whose houses I can see from the backyard, for keeping their outdoor lights on all night.
Hudson and Jonah helped cut out the holes on Shelly's bean bag toss that she made. It was really cool, Shelly spent about 15 hours on the bean bag toss and I put in about an hour and yet at the school carnival, everyone was saying how well I did making it. No work and most of the credit, I could get used to that. No really Shelly, you did a great job on the bean bag toss.
Here's spider face, Spiderman, and Fairy Girl at the school carnival.
I'm going to miss all the weeds that made it into our house last summer. Not to mention the sand, flowers and grass clippings.
The kids love to go camping whether in the mountains, the backyard or in this case: the kitchen.
I don't know why I love this picture, but this is our summer in a nutshell: Candy, smiles and blankets tied around our necks to make us superheroes. Which gets me to something I think about a lot when I get ready for work or church. In old period movies (like the Count of Monte Cristo) you see men wearing neckties and capes. How come the stupid neckties lasted for centuries and yet somehow we lost the capes, I would really like to start wearing a cape to work and church. Nothing cheesy with letters and stuff on it, but one that matches my suit. I think that a three piece suit shouldn't be pants, coat and vest; it should be pants, coat and cape.
I love you Shelly and you make great food, but I will always remember this salsa for how great it wasn't. It was so bad that we laughed about it for a couple days. People may think I am mean for putting this in our post that represents our whole summer, but it just emphasizes how really disgusting the salsa was.
This was the best game that Gracie played for about 2 days. 1-She would get in Sammy's bouncer. 2-We would laugh. 3-She would ask for us to help her out. Repeat about 306 times in those two days.
We went to Fairview only once this year and finally found this tree. I had heard about from when I was little. My late grandfather(and my namesake), carved his name and the date (9/14/22) into this tree.
Summer was a fun time for lots of roasted marshmallows!
Many days it was too hot to play outside, and the kids love to play computer games on those particular days. I think that we are the only people who have a computer with stadium seating.
Jonah's first day of school was really really really really bad. He did more in those 2.5 hours than anyone thought could be done. Anyway, after school we went to the store and had him pick a toy that he could earn with 10 good days at school and 12 school days later Jonah had earned his Obiwan Kenobi light saber. I thought that he would have wanted a red Darth Vader, but Jonah wants to be like Obiwan at school because Darth Vader's dad is really mad when Darth Vader doesn't listen to his teacher. Good Job Jonah!
Happy Birthday Emma! I can't believe that you are already 7.
We had a chance to get together with some of Jonah's friends that he knew in Ethiopia. The kids played so hard and had a ball. On the way home we picked up some Injera that Jonah devoured. After inhaling the Ethiopian food, Jonah went into the garage and puked everywhere. EVERYWHERE! It was awesome.
We were trying to get a picture of Gracie gnawing on the cob, but everytime we went to take a picture she would stop gnawing and say "cheese." We finally gave up.
Jonah thought that corn on the cob was one of the funniest foods in America.
Hudson shooting arrows with Grandpa. Now they call it archery, but what is the verb? Do you say shooting arrows? Or can you say "archering?" If anyone knows, please leave a comment and let me know.
The kid had fun on uncle Jace's brand new 4-wheeler. we feel bad, because the week after this camping trip, we found ringworm on Hudson's head and Ethiopian head bugs on Jonah's. Thanks for the great ride Jace, but we probably infected your new helmet.
Shelly and Sammy on the banks of Bridger Lake.
Walking to the fishing spot.
Hudson in the back of Grandpa's truck. Rain came and forced us home one day early, but he was perfectly happy.
Hauling firewood.
The primary parade.
Getting dirty at the ward campout.
Jonah's first time fishing.
Jonah's first fish.
Sammy is starting to suck his finger less.
Nana and Papa at Jonah's birthday party. Thanks for making the great superhero cake Nana!
Showing off his new shirt.
An epic battle between spiderman and venom.
Shelly walked in on Jonah drawing this picture of Jesus. Jonah has always been concerned with Jesus' facial expressions in different paintings. He looks at them and says that Jesus is sad or Jesus is mad, etc... One day he asked "Why Jesus never happy?" We explained that he is happy and rewards us when we keep the commandments, but he countered with his impression of the paintings in our home and church. About a week later, Jonah was helping me clean the garage and he found an articles of faith card that on one side had a picture of Jesus with children. He was squeeling "Daddy Daddy, Jesus Happy. Jesus Happy with Jonah!" Sure enough I looked at the picture and Jesus was clearly smiling. Smiling at the small black child he was looking at in the picture. I gave it to Jonah and he promptly taped it to his headboard.
What a great summer to grow a family!
I don't want to be taken the wrong way, but I just have to say that Shelly has very very nice eyes.
This summer was full of all the fun described. Not to mention, a lot of time outs (pictured above).
Now we are done with summer and we are tired. I was all geared up for fall. This morning we woke up to 4 kids screaming "Merry Christmas!" You see it snowed today. Hopefully next summer is just as fun.
Sammy has been crawling all over the place. He has this cool trick in that he pulls himself up to something and then lets go, smashing his face on coffee tables, walls and stair railings. Quite an amazing trick, but for some reason he stopped doing it a week ago, now he just sits himself down slowly.
Gracie and her blankie. I know that other kids may do this, but she chews on her blanket when she goes to sleep. I've seen her drag that blanket all over the place and chew on it at night. Pretty gross.
This is the kids when we slept on the trampoline. I personally would like to thank my 6 neighbors, whose houses I can see from the backyard, for keeping their outdoor lights on all night.
Hudson and Jonah helped cut out the holes on Shelly's bean bag toss that she made. It was really cool, Shelly spent about 15 hours on the bean bag toss and I put in about an hour and yet at the school carnival, everyone was saying how well I did making it. No work and most of the credit, I could get used to that. No really Shelly, you did a great job on the bean bag toss.
Here's spider face, Spiderman, and Fairy Girl at the school carnival.
I'm going to miss all the weeds that made it into our house last summer. Not to mention the sand, flowers and grass clippings.
The kids love to go camping whether in the mountains, the backyard or in this case: the kitchen.
I don't know why I love this picture, but this is our summer in a nutshell: Candy, smiles and blankets tied around our necks to make us superheroes. Which gets me to something I think about a lot when I get ready for work or church. In old period movies (like the Count of Monte Cristo) you see men wearing neckties and capes. How come the stupid neckties lasted for centuries and yet somehow we lost the capes, I would really like to start wearing a cape to work and church. Nothing cheesy with letters and stuff on it, but one that matches my suit. I think that a three piece suit shouldn't be pants, coat and vest; it should be pants, coat and cape.
I love you Shelly and you make great food, but I will always remember this salsa for how great it wasn't. It was so bad that we laughed about it for a couple days. People may think I am mean for putting this in our post that represents our whole summer, but it just emphasizes how really disgusting the salsa was.
This was the best game that Gracie played for about 2 days. 1-She would get in Sammy's bouncer. 2-We would laugh. 3-She would ask for us to help her out. Repeat about 306 times in those two days.
We went to Fairview only once this year and finally found this tree. I had heard about from when I was little. My late grandfather(and my namesake), carved his name and the date (9/14/22) into this tree.
Summer was a fun time for lots of roasted marshmallows!
Many days it was too hot to play outside, and the kids love to play computer games on those particular days. I think that we are the only people who have a computer with stadium seating.
Jonah's first day of school was really really really really bad. He did more in those 2.5 hours than anyone thought could be done. Anyway, after school we went to the store and had him pick a toy that he could earn with 10 good days at school and 12 school days later Jonah had earned his Obiwan Kenobi light saber. I thought that he would have wanted a red Darth Vader, but Jonah wants to be like Obiwan at school because Darth Vader's dad is really mad when Darth Vader doesn't listen to his teacher. Good Job Jonah!
Happy Birthday Emma! I can't believe that you are already 7.
We had a chance to get together with some of Jonah's friends that he knew in Ethiopia. The kids played so hard and had a ball. On the way home we picked up some Injera that Jonah devoured. After inhaling the Ethiopian food, Jonah went into the garage and puked everywhere. EVERYWHERE! It was awesome.
We were trying to get a picture of Gracie gnawing on the cob, but everytime we went to take a picture she would stop gnawing and say "cheese." We finally gave up.
Jonah thought that corn on the cob was one of the funniest foods in America.
Hudson shooting arrows with Grandpa. Now they call it archery, but what is the verb? Do you say shooting arrows? Or can you say "archering?" If anyone knows, please leave a comment and let me know.
The kid had fun on uncle Jace's brand new 4-wheeler. we feel bad, because the week after this camping trip, we found ringworm on Hudson's head and Ethiopian head bugs on Jonah's. Thanks for the great ride Jace, but we probably infected your new helmet.
Shelly and Sammy on the banks of Bridger Lake.
Walking to the fishing spot.
Hudson in the back of Grandpa's truck. Rain came and forced us home one day early, but he was perfectly happy.
Hauling firewood.
The primary parade.
Getting dirty at the ward campout.
Jonah's first time fishing.
Jonah's first fish.
Sammy is starting to suck his finger less.
Nana and Papa at Jonah's birthday party. Thanks for making the great superhero cake Nana!
Showing off his new shirt.
An epic battle between spiderman and venom.
Shelly walked in on Jonah drawing this picture of Jesus. Jonah has always been concerned with Jesus' facial expressions in different paintings. He looks at them and says that Jesus is sad or Jesus is mad, etc... One day he asked "Why Jesus never happy?" We explained that he is happy and rewards us when we keep the commandments, but he countered with his impression of the paintings in our home and church. About a week later, Jonah was helping me clean the garage and he found an articles of faith card that on one side had a picture of Jesus with children. He was squeeling "Daddy Daddy, Jesus Happy. Jesus Happy with Jonah!" Sure enough I looked at the picture and Jesus was clearly smiling. Smiling at the small black child he was looking at in the picture. I gave it to Jonah and he promptly taped it to his headboard.
What a great summer to grow a family!
I don't want to be taken the wrong way, but I just have to say that Shelly has very very nice eyes.
This summer was full of all the fun described. Not to mention, a lot of time outs (pictured above).
Now we are done with summer and we are tired. I was all geared up for fall. This morning we woke up to 4 kids screaming "Merry Christmas!" You see it snowed today. Hopefully next summer is just as fun.
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