Our October/November Mexican Cruise

When is the best time to go on a cruise?

ANYTIME...

especially when you go with Family.

Joe and Marci invited us to go with them and their 6 kids.

Yes, I said "6" kids.

Were they good? " absolute angels"

Was it stressful or hard? "not at all"
Did we get stares and lots of compliments?
why, yes we did.

*******

R U Ready for some

"Carnival Splendor?"

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This is Dakota who turned "12" the first day

of the cruise.

(I thought it would be creative to have someone hold

a sign up for each day)
 actually saw the idea on pinterest

Wouldn't you know it...There just happened to be a number 12 

she could stand by..

Here's the gang waiting to board the ship♥

Colin and Beau found some scary pirate stuff

while we were waiting.

"Annie, look at the seagulls"

Colin called them Mormon birds..

We are off...Sailing from long Beach.

Here we are on the Lido deck having lunch.

Walking around the ship, and getting a feel for things.

Oh yeah!! there was lots of this going on.

Mark opted for a suite this time around.

Way worth it. Every penny.

2 sinks, bathtub and shower. 2 closets, tons of

storage and a king size bed, and  couch. AND......

an ocean view with a balcony...

Because it was Dakota's birthday

they brought a special treat just for her

at dinner time.

 ( one two = 12)

yum-a-licious

Day two was Halloween...

So our kiddies got dressed in their

Halloween costumes

and wore them for the treasure hunt on the ship.

The cutest love boat family ever!!

No, Annie we didn't forget you!!!!!

parading around for goodies.

Mark took this little girls picture of being

a bride. Great costume.

The wizard of oz family costumes  we liked too.

OK...Done with the parade

 Its time for some water fun!!

swimsuits, flip flops, cruise bathrobes...Check!

The water slide was the one of the funnest things for the kids.

They loved it.

and so did grandpa!!

Dakota at the splash park

everyone loves hot-tubbin

My job was to take pictures.

This swimsuit "don't"

caught every ones eyes.

Really speedo guy?

you looked in the mirror

and said "dang I look good in this"

Day Three--

Cabo San Lucas

excursion

Eating breakfast and waiting to dock

Me and my baby son Jo Jo....

This is what a happily married couple looks like

FOR REALS!

This is what happy Grandparents look like

"There she is Emma".

Cabo San Lucas

absolutely gorgeous

going over on the tenders...

A real person as a pirate covered in gold.

Colin thought this was pretty cool.

(If you put money in his box,

 he jumped off and took a picture with you)

First purchase of the trip.

a hand made bracelet with Colin's name on it

Braids for the girls

Had to stop for chips and salsa and coke zero

Then off to the cool shopping mall with fun

scary people to sit by, and go "POTTY".

Back to the ship for some more hot-tubbin

Karaoke with the family

Grandpa bought the girls the cowboy hats

  KoKo and Emma sang American girl.

They nailed it

Joe and Marci sang a duet

 Father and Son sharing some chords

 Did not want to do it!!!
 I strongly objected

Remember Julia Roberts

 and Cameron Diaz in Best Friends Wedding?

and they tricked Cameron into doing Karaoke?

that's me...I can't carry a tune.

This nice MC wanted Joe to try out for Garth Brooks

in the Legends show..

(Joe has already done it twice before)

Another fun filled day at Cabo

Took a boat ride to lovers beach

  Pelicans everywhere

 back at ya, Marc

The water was warm and the kids loved this day in the sand

  A family that plays together stays together..

Look at how cute Marci is with her kids.

 Lather up Joe, You don't want a sunburn

Is that a WB shirt?

Annie, I love you little darlin♥

Oh yes I did♥

Mark skipped the lovers beach, for a double massage.

2 hours for $70.00

but I was still thinking about him!

Back on the ship and time

 for Dinner, pictures and comedy shows.

The kids dressed up in black and denim for picture

night. I took this with my camera.

Good job Sue!

I was the luckiest g-ma on the cruise

 KoKo was asked to help our waiter with

some magic tricks..

I loved sleeping in our rooms, with cute

towel animals and chocolates..because

the chocolate molten lava cake at dinner wasn't enough!

(all you cruisers know what I'm talking about)

Day five already?

We loved Puerto Vallarta.

We rented a Suburban with a guide and drove around to all the sights.

It was over 100 degrees, so this was the only way to go. 

  All of us together

My favorite picture

Jack fruit

The guide took us to the rain forest 

plants growing in an old pair of shoes.

resourceful don't you think?

Whatcha thinking Annie?

  chips, guacamole and salsa right in the middle of nowhere!

 An old playground in the middle of the trees 

  Watch out Camri..There is something

scary in that cave!

An old cement slide

 waterfalls

 ...and a parrot that wanted to eat Colin

We found a cool church.

a fun arch

back at the room..

aah! Isn't life wonderful?

so peaceful and smooth

Some on board entertainment

beautiful views

 On day 6 we went to the dining room for breakfast.

They had gluten-free pancakes for Emma

  Annie, I think you are gaining weight on the cruise.

 nice  shirts boyz

grandpa loves to tease Beau

more swimming

 and flexing

  and the splash park was another favorite

Me and my DIlove

Father and son

The library had a nice space to play games

KoKo, Emma and I played skip Bo, and we did cheat!

Didn't we Emma? 

 another gorgeous sunset

cool pirate scarfs boys 

Mark and I had a couples massage on the ship.

I had the black stones on my back. Nice, very nice. 

 chillin in the rooms watchin a movie

There was 2 things that the kids loved to eat..

pizza and soft serve ice cream

Our littlest photographer

Annie, your waistline!

no more ice cream

  Marci would put the kids to bed and leave Dakota

in charge while we went to the comedy shows.

Camri got to go to this one. She told me

to "chill with the laughing"

I got up in time to see this beautiful sunrise

finally we are back to Long Beach

Joe and Marci you gave the gift of letting your children
feel the spark and appreciation for all of life.
You encouraged them to be fully
aware in every way.
Age was no barrier.
 You allowed them adventures,
 and a chance for laughter, fun and creativity.
And most important you gave them time and memories
with their grand parents.
GRACIAS
♥♥♥

We loved every single minute