Day Four

Sorry that it has taken me so long for this post. I know that you are all waiting on pins and needles!!

The Plan-- Workout, take tender to Catalina Island, comedy show (are we stupid to try this again??), dinner, Jazz game, Quest game show

Actual--Were we crazy to workout every morning? Probably but, I didn't gain any weight and I ate a ton so, it was worth it to me! And this morning I was able to see the gorgeous view of Catalina Island. I have to admit, I think this was the best stop. It was pretty amazing to look at this while I worked out. And yes this is the actual view, minus some amazing stuff on both the left and








right sides!




It was pretty annoying taking the tender, a small boat, to the island. Only because it took so long to get there. Once on the island, we walked around for a while and shopped. Dan loved this, you all know how much he loves shopping!! We then rented a golf cart and drove around the island. It was so beautiful!! I will try to refrain from posting too many pictures!!





We had an fabulous time! Then more shopping and back to the ship. Once again it took forever! to get back. We napped for a while and then went to another comedy show. I can't remember the guy's name but, he was much better than the night before. I guess though that it pays to be awful. I remember the bad guy's name not the one I liked! After dinner, which Dan skipped out early, we watched the Jazz game. They lost. Too bad! Then we went to the Quest game show. We should have know better when they called it an ADULT game show. The beginning was great. Looking for things in our purses/wallets/pockets like pictures of kids, or something with Royal Caribbean. The end got a little weird and we quit playing, all of us standing around, staring at each other, wondering what we should do.

WARNING-- WARNING-- If you allergic to or avoiding chocolate DO NOT read the next section!!

The chocolate buffet, I was in heaven. I tried not to get everything but, I did eat everything I got! Tons of cakes, desserts, ice cream and candies!! Plus amazing decor-- ice and chocolate sculptures and carved fruit. Look for the watermelons, all fruit "flower" arrangements, the eagle and the fish in the pics! Click on pics for full size!













This next picture is not that great but, I couldn't resist showing the chocolate vases. They are on the tables behind the chocolate tiger. They have fruit "flowers" in them. They were intricately carved. Also notice the Eiffel Tower on the right side. They had taken this all down we we got back to it!

We were exhausted. The chocolate buffet didn't start until 11:30 so, we went to bed.

Tomorrow-- Ensenada

Day Three

The Plan-- Wake up early. Workout/Play basketball. Breakfast. Hangout on ship. Nap. Dinner. Comedy Show.

Actual-- Spencer had heard about a place in San Diego that had a surfing simulator. He wanted to check it out and so did Dan. So after breakfast we got ready to go. Someone found out how to get there and we were off. We took a trolley and a buss to Mission Beach.

Dan and I at the Old San Diego Train Station.



The Girls!

We got to the beach and played for a while. There was sea weed every where and the water was really cold so, I didn't get in.



Adrianne and I went on the roller coaster. And the boys did the ride simulator. It was pretty cool.
Someone who was good.



Dan, isn't he good?!?

Then we went back to the ship and took a nap. That night was the formal night. It was fun to get all dressed up.


Me and some hottie...


We got a picture with most of the couples.


After dinner we went to the bestest ever comedy singing show!! Shawn O'Shea was so NOT! cool. Here is his website if you would like to check it out. I guess that it wouldn't have been so bad if we knew what we were getting into. We thought that it was a comedy show. You know, a style like Jerry Seinfeld or Jay Leno. Not some singing lunatic! His version of current music was Madonna from the 80s!!


Tomorrow... Catalina Island!!

Day Two

Plan--
Leave at 8am PST. Get to ship about 1pm. Have lunch. Relax. Check out ship. Dinner at 5:30. See what things they had to do after dinner.

Actual--

We didn't leave Primm until about 9:00. The traffic wasn't that bad. But, because we had to go all the way to the edge of LA it took us longer than we thought. Royal Caribbean had problems with their "machines" (I don't know which ones so don't ask me!)


So, we ended up waiting around for a long time, about two hours. It was agonizing!!



At least we got to take some cool pics of the ship. Didn't get on the ship until 4:30. We needed to change our dinner tables because we weren't sitting together. The maitre d' would change them but, only until 4:45. It was a rush to our rooms and then up to the dining room. We made it in time but, had to change our time from the main seating at 5:30 to the late seating at 8:00.

Then we were off to lunch...








And then to explore the ship...





Later at dinner we realized that we lucked out when we changed our table. It was the most amazing booth. It was a semi circle of velvet all the way up to the ceiling. And super comfy. I started feeling the affects of the moving ship. Not nausea but, light headed and sleepy.



Spencer was feeling really bad...





OK not really. The waiters sang for us after dinner. It was hilarious hearing them sing an Italian song in 100 different accents. Afterward they put this on his head. We had warm chocolate cake for dessert. It was amazing. Fresh from the oven and delicious!

After dinner we went straight to Karaoke!! I only took video of Dan singing "Morning has Broken." So next time you see me you will have to ask me to show it to you. Then off to bed.

Tomorrow.... San Diego!!

On the Road

So, here it is. My trip report. I think that I will have to do it over a couple of days and more posts than days so, bear with me! I will get it done. This is as much for me as you. I am already forgeting some things and I want to remember it all!

Day 1--

The plan-- Drop the kids off at Grandma Bonnie's about 10:30am. Be at home by 11:00. Finish any packing, get everything in the car. Leave at 12:00pm. Drive our van with the Tong's and Jordan's. Would our luggage fit?? Be in Ceder City at 2-2:30 to watch the Jazz game at Chili's. Not my idea. Stay at Buffallo Bill's in Primm, NV.

Actual--

We, Dan and I, were all ready right at noon. But, there had been some miscommunication between some of the people we were riding with so, we didn't leave until about 1:00. Dan drove like a maniac, going way faster than I would (80-85 mph) to Ceder City. We listened to the game on the way. We still got to Chili's to watch most of the second half. JAZZ WIN!! A quickie stop at Walmart because the Tong's forgot their camera and we were back on the road. I drove to Primm and it was fairly uneventful. Cyndi Jordan sat up front with me and we chatted while the others watched Office Space and some other movie that I can't think of the name right now.

Our rooms in Primm were ok but, nothing to write about except we got a king and not two queens. That would have made me miss the kids. Which I was already doing. There was nothing to do in Primm and it was only 8:00pm!! We walked around for a bit looking for something to do and found nothing!



I got a little silly but, the last time we went on a cruise we stayed in Las Vegas with Dan's sister and He got on a horse on the strip so, I thought that it should be my turn. The coolest thing we saw was Al Capone's car. It had, what was at the time, bullet proof glass and doors. They were both one inch thick!!

We ended up in our room playing Catch Phrase! We are a wild and crazy bunch, huh?

The girls ruled and kicked the boys bums. Funny thing is, I had a great time. Then off to bed after a very confusing talk about when we were going to meet the next morning. Everone keep saying lots of times, meaning Califorinia and Utah. The next morning I woke up at 5am thinking, were we meeting at 7 or 8am? MST or PST? Needless to say, I was the last one ready. We went downstairs to McD's for breakfast. I couldn't believe that I was going there with out my kids!! Don't tell them, because I haven't!!











Dan and Sara outside our hotel just before we left for Cali!

Jayme's First Baseball Game

Jayme had his first baseball game this evening. And it was COLD!! The temp was only about 50 and it had been raining all day. I was a silly momma and I forgot my camera so no pics. Also Jayme took his mitt out of the bag so, we left it at home. I felt like the best mom in the world at that point. Luckily and unluckily the coach's son let him borrow his. Of course it was too big and for a right handed person but, Jayme didn't care. His "position" was between first and second. There were not any outfielders. And only once was a ball hit towards him. It was a grounder and he scooped it up and threw it to first base. It fell a little short but, it was in the right direction so, I was happy. There were only 2 innings and Jayme hit the ball at both of his at bats. One even went to the outfield.

We had a great game and I am so proud of my little man!!

We're BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!

Well, we made it home. Yesterday as we were leaving the ship I had mixed emotions. I couldn't wait to be home with my kids but, we had so much fun I didn't want to leave. We left Los Angeles about 7:30am PST and got to Spanish Fork about 6:30pm MST. We dropped off the Jordan's, the Tong's, our luggage and then ran to get the kids. They were at Whitney Permann's for the last two days. It didn't even faze Kyle that we were there and the only way that we could get him to want to come home was to say that we had brought him presents. Crazy kid. Jessica and Jayme were ready to come home.

I have been feeling really off since last night. I have been calling it the cruise ship hangover. I remember feeling it some the last time we went but nothing like this. It feels like we are still on the ship but, worse. Partly because I know that we aren't. Dizzy, disoriented, lightheaded and a headache. I am feeling better this evening but, still not 100%. I hope that this will all go away soon.

Anyway, I will post a trip report over the next week or so. Hopefully you will all enjoy hearing about our trip!! I will make sure that I include lots of pictures!!

Taking a break

I have been packing all day! I thought that I had so much done already and that I would not have that much to do today. Boy, was I wrong!! Finding underwear, pjs, clothing, for a week, plus extras for three children isn't easy. Normally on a long trip I would wash things part way through or have new things for the kids but, I don't this time. Also, I can usually iron things once I get there but, for those of you who have been on a cruise before know, there are NO irons!! You can send your clothes out to be pressed but, they don't allow irons in the rooms. I know that some things I will send out but, I can't do it for all my stuff. So, ironing all day is what I am doing.

Later tonight we are making a last minute run to the mall. Will the shopping ever end? Nah! Even Dan can think of a few things he is lacking. I think that everything I am bringing is new or very old. I guess that is what happens when you lose 20 pounds. Nothing fits anymore.

Ok. Back to the ironing. It will probably be one big waste of time and everything will be all wrinkled anyway....

Anyone out there??

So, I started this blog about four or five months ago but, this is my first post. I feel a little intimidated by all the "cool" blogs that are out there. Do I have anything funny, interesting or creative to say? Probably NOT! But, I guess that I can use this to keep up with family. Especially those of you who live far away.

So, as I am writing this the kids and Dan are outside playing and I am starting to stress about being ready for our trip on Sunday. Oh, you don't know about it? Dan and I are going on a cruise with our 24 "closest" friends. (OK, so really, I will try not to do those dumb quotes so much.) Anyway, we leave on Sunday, drive to Vegas, really Primm, NV. Then the next morning drive to LA to catch the big boat. Then Tuesday we are in San Diego. Not the funnest of stop so, we think that we will mostly stay on the ship. Wednesday we are on Catalina Island, CA. Dan wants to rent a golf cart. It is the primary mode of transportation, even the cops drive them!! Wouldn't it be funny to be pulled over by one?? Thursday we are in Ensenada, Mexico! I really want to go to a place called La Bufadora. The Blowhole. I also really like the flea markets in Mexico. So, I am hoping that we get to do that. Friday is the long day, with the long drive all the way back home. Thanks to all of you who are sitting for us. We couldn't do this without you!!