Christmas 2009

First off, I gotta say I ALWAYS forget somthing every year! Usally it is only a little present here or, I admit, I even forgot the stockings one year (we ran to the dollar store for last min stockings). This year takes the prize for worst forgetfulness EVER! I forgot ALL the stocking stuffers for everyone! Now usally this wouldn't be too terrible except that Bob and I agreed, the cruise was our Christmas for each other and that we would only buy Stocking stuffers. Of course I don't relize my blunder until we have travelled the entire 250 mile trip to Pocatello, with the children's crying and whining "our we there yets?" It got so bad Bob finally stopped in Burly to buy a portable DVD player (Merry Christmas to the kids and I a little early! ) just so the kids would be good the rest of the way. It worked!
Well we tried to call some friends that were headed to Rigby to see if they would be able to bring the stocking stuffers when they came, unfortunatly our 11:00pm call found them stranded in Mountain Home with car problems! Bob decided to head back to Boise to help out our friends, and hey, while he was at it grab those darn stuffers! As he is driving away I relize he has EVERYTHING still in the car, socks, shoes, pillows, MY MAKEUP! I am not happy going to bed that night alone! About an hour later he comes back, Our friends had called on someone else to help them out and Bob decided he was too tired to drive all night. So in the morning we unload the truck and he drives to Boise and back, just for stuffers. What a great Dad! He really didn't want his kids to have to wait till we got home to rumage threw thier stockings.
After that things got much better! Bob got back to Pocatello at about 5:00 we all opened our Christmas PJ from Gma Willis and then set out the cookies for Santa.






The kids were ready for bed early cause they wanted Santa to come. I should clarify that, kids were ready for "bed" NOT SLEEP! They were laughing and giggling until almost midnight before things settled down enough for Santa to come. My kids were pretty good this year if you look at all those presents!


Christmas Morning came very early, about 6:00 am the kids were awake and pulling us out of bed!





The rest of the day was spent playing with new toys, playing my new game (Settlers of Catan) and visiting laughing and enjoying the spirit of Christmas! We drove home that night because Bob had to work the next morning, although it was a short visit, it was great!

Happy Birth'Week" Alex

Tues we had a family party with Alex.


We started the day off with German pancakes at her request and then She spent the day at school where they sang to her lots and Announced her name over the intercom. After school, McD for a hot fudge Sunday! Dinner was Alex's favorite spaghetti and then instead of a cake she wanted scones! After dinner was present time!!! She already knew one of her presents cause she paid for half! A Wii!!!!
A few months ago I promised her if she paid for half I would come up with the rest. She has been working hard to earn money and saving it all. Finally meeting her goal she got a wii for her birthday! It has been lots of fun to have. The kids play great together. Alex is a pro on bowling, but Will has caught on quick and has won quite a few games! Even Reagan has boxed it out! Bob and I have stayed up late with bowling tournaments and a few Home Run games and I think it is hilarious that I am actually sore! I guess it does give ya a work out! (maybe I will get the wii fit...)

Just had to add this picture cause I think it is cute!

Saturday Alex had a Bowling Birthday Party! It was fun to have 7 of her friends piled into a room playing games and eating pizza
and then we BOWLED!!

Cruise Info

The cruise pictures are posted Finally!!
I had to keep things in order so the post is below Alex's birthday.
Just scroll down!!

Happy Birthday Alex!!!

Alex is turning into a wonderful young lady, despite our many flaws as parents.
Sure, she is defiant....but that makes her a strong person.
Yes, nothing is 'her fault'...but I want her to be confident, right!
Yes, she likes things done her own way, and that is fine...as long as her own way is similar to MY own way....
Alex really is a good kid and she is a very hard worker.
She amazes me sometimes, well, all the time actually.
I really appreciate her and all she does to help out.
She has a way of sensing when a little extra help is needed...
Cleaning up the kitchen, unloading the dishes, taking care of the babies...
But she also has a little pre-teen in her...so sometimes when she has that sense that we need help...sometimes she ignores it...
But usually not.
She worries about doing anything wrong
Alex loves to learn and she understands so much that I don't.
I love that...I hope she continues with that.
I am grateful to have Alex as my first born
I pray that we can help guide her in the right direction.
Alex is a strong kid.
I know she will do good and go far in life.
I love you Alex and I hope you have a Happy Birthday!!!!

Cruise 2009

Mariner of the Seas



Mexican Riviera Dec 6-13 2009
Our itinerary was 1 day at sea, then stops at Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, then two more sea days and back to LA.

The weather was a bit chilly to my standards. The first few days only hitting a high of 67 degrees in LA, that first day at sea was cool. We spent the day finding our way around this HUGE ship.
The Promenade....

3 stories high! In the evenings they had a very fun entertaining Parade


We enjoyed the evening with dinner and a welcome aboard show.

Dinner was a bit akward that first night. We had requested a small table and we ended up with a large Korean family of 10. (American Koreans, so Bob couldn't even practice his korean)We did change our table for the later seating and were sat with a nice couple to enjoy the rest of the week. Dinner in the dinning Room was the best food! We had excellent selections I tried a bunch of new dishes and loved them all! Bob's Favorite was the prime Rib and mine was definatly Lobster! Our Waiters, 2 fun and very entertaining, guys from India they sang for us two different nights even bringing a lighter to encourage our applause. Lobster Night we had reservations at the Italian restraunt on board and I was sad I would miss out on Lobster, but the head waiter saw my distress and promised to save me 2 lobster tails just for me. So after a wonderful meal at Portifino's we went to the dinning room and had lobster tails. I have NEVER been so full!



Cabo
we saw the beautiful Los Arcos rock.

The Sea lion colony










Then we took a snorkel trip,
the snorkeling was great!

We had a few WHALE sightings!! (sorry the pics aren't that great cause the boat was really rocking and I wanted to see the whles with my own eyes not through my camera so I was "point and shooting".) Just kidding, this is what I wish we saw.

Instead we saw a bit of mist and a little lump in the water, but hey,
I SAW A WHALE!


Mazatlan
We walked the beach in the morning and enjoyed the wonderful views of the ocean and watched the parasailer, I tried to talk Bob into doing it but he wasn't thrilled at the idea so we just enjoyed the beach.

We caught a golf cart like thing to take us into the flea market and bought some souvenirs, but we kept getting lost in the maze of shops. The food market was really gross, the smell of raw meat, produce, and alot of unwashed bodies was not pleseant!
So after we shopped for awhile we headed back to the ship. Stopping at an internet cafe to check on the kids back home with my bro and his wife. Then the rest of the day was at the pool with a coke and sunny skies, it was soo nice to just relax!

Puerto Vallarta
We caught a bus with a few others from the ship and headed to the beach. We strolled the boardwalk and goofed around on the funny "art".




Then made our way back, stopping along the way to shop a little.I really wanted this hat, but not sure how to get it home I settled for a silly picture! Back on the ship we enjoyed the evening with excellent food and a show.

The 2 days at sea, back to La, we enjoyed the Rock wall. Bob and I were both super proud of ourselves for making it up to level 2 to ring the bell!
Especially after watching a couple of other guys after me who couldn't get it! Wow, were my arms sore for a few days after it!

The casino is always fun.This floor was so crazy to walk on, covered with shiny coins and lots of light it was just too cool!
The quarter machine was Bob's obsession this time not mine! He almost got that $50 bill!

Instead he tried his luck on the Roulett table and hit his red 3 and made $50. $5 bucks in a slot machine turned into $182!!! I think I will take this guy to Vagas!



There were so many amazing shows, and I can't remember what night we did what but between the "Ice Under the Big Top" Being amazing!!



The "Quest Game Show" being a total riot..... I had to go do the worm on stage! This guy had to wear my necklace, along with many other items from the crowd!!


We were well entertained each and every night! We were even awarded with new Towel creatures every night, when we finally made it back to our room!


Now it is back to cold, frigid Idaho. Cooking, cleaning and making my own bed!! I will miss the Mariner of the Seas!