Cruisen Part 2

 It was nice having a day at sea and it was perfect that it landed on Sunday. We were able to sleep in a little. When I say we, I mean me, Mike is not one to sleep in.

I woke up around 9 and got ready and we headed to brunch around 10.

After brunch me and Mike played some cards, California Speed, Mike killed me.  Matt and Josh did a little rock climbing. I didn't even attempt it, I was afraid I would hurt myself. They did good though.

 We took a nap for a couple of hours, then went up to the top deck to play cards, hand and foot, with everybody. Before dinner we went to the show at 7, this night it was another comedian only this time he was also a juggler named Adam Kario.  He was funny and a really good juggler.

After dinner we went up to the top deck and watched Dr. Strange. Even with sleeping in and taking a nap I had a really hard time keeping my eyes open.

 Our towel animal this night was a cute little elephant.

 We were pretty excited for Cozumel. It was another early morning. We went on a dune buggy ride through the city to the San Gervasio Ruins. 

 We didn't have a lot of time here, but we were able to go on a little tour.

 We saw a lot of lizards. 

 They may have stole the show.

 The ruins were cool, but it was fun spotting the lizards.

 On our way back to the buggies we took a second to hold some macaws.

 Mike took a turn driving the dune buggy, we did a little off roading. Then we stopped by a tequila factory! I tried to get our guide to take us to a bakery instead but that didn't happen. I don't think our guide liked me very much. After the tequila factory we switched and I drove again, just when I was just thinking how nice it was to be a passenger and not stress about driving on the roads. 

 We drove back to the beach where we started and ordered lunch then went for a little snorkel.

 It was pretty good. Probably some of the best snorkeling I had ever done.

I even got to hold a baby ray! That was the best part.

Lunch was so good we had fajitas. Yum.

 Then we tried to do a little shopping which turned out to be way more stressful then it was worth. I am horrible at telling people no, I think they knew it. Mike had to get me out of there quick. But not before I bought Viv the cutest little green dress and Bensen a fun little wrestling mask/cape. On the way back to the boat there was more places to shop, so all the kids got t-shirts and musical instruments, oh and Jaycee got a pretty blue dress. I also got a t-shirt and Mike got a hat. Like I said, it's like they saw me coming from a mile away.
Back on the boat we got shower and went to the show in the theater. This night it was a guy singing oldies songs. Dinner was always fun, and it was nice trying different types of food that I otherwise would probably never try. There was a lot of dishes with mushrooms which I like so it was fun to try them.

Thank you Cozumel we had a blast!

Cruisen Part 1

We went on a cruise February tenth through the seventeenth. Randy and LouAnn, Sarah, Josh, and Jaime and Matt came with us. We caught a flight Thursday night at 11 p.m. and arrived in Miami around 8 a.m. 

 We got on the ship around 11 and set sail headed to Key West around 5.

 We were all set up to have a later dining time, so we didn't eat until 8:30! That was a big change since we are usually in bed by around 8:30.

We did enjoy the sunset our first night aboard.

 Before dinner we went to the Welcome Aboard Production Showtime. 

Then it was off to dinner. Luckily we were able to get a table all together.

After dinner we were beat, we went straight to bed. We had to get up early for Key West in the morning.

We were one of the first ones off the boat Saturday morning. Jaime, Matt, Josh and Sarah all decided they wanted to go para sailing. Me and Mike opted out of that one. While they were out we walked around the docks and did a little shopping.

 When they got back we drove out past the southern most point of the United States. Then me and Mike went to Hemingway's house for a tour.

 It was pretty interesting. We found out he was a pretty big ladies man. He was married at least 4 times. He wrote a lot of his stuff in the years that he was in Key West.

 He liked animals and didn't believe in getting them spayed or neutered. So he had a lot of cats, not just any cats, 6 toed cats.  They were the weirdest things, there thumbs were opposable and everything. I think they said they have 57 cats right now!

 We also learned that he was a good fisherman and could catch a swordfish almost every time he went out.

 After Hemingway's house we did a little shopping, got some souvenirs for the kids, then we headed to the little Whitehouse.

 President Truman spent quite a bit of time there along with several other presidents since.

 We had a great day in Key West. A lot of walking, but we had fun. On our way back to the ship we stopped for some Key Lime Pie...we heard it was a must. It was ok, I was expecting pie and what we got was more like cheesecake. 

 Back on the ship we had a late lunch, then headed up for a ping pong tournament. Matt is the only one to make it past round one. But we all still had fun.

We got all dressed up and around 7 and went to the theater for a comedian, his name was Al Ducharme. He was pretty funny.

 Then we were off to dinner. The food was ok. It was always fun to see what our towel animal would be. This little doggie was so cute.

Now we were ready for a day at sea.

Happy Anniversary!

It really is crazy to think  we have been married for 11 years. It doesn't seem that long ago that we were just friends hanging out!

 At the same time, it seems like we have been together our whole lives!

 I'm so glad Mike had the patience to wait for me to make up my mind. (Was there really ever a question?) I was pretty scared to get married and it took me a couple of years to come around to the idea.

 Marrying Mike was the best decision I have ever made.

 We have been so blessed. We have lived in 3 houses, remodeled/rebuilt a motor home and sold it,  have owned 6 cars, and have 4 of the best kids around!

 Mike has done a great job keeping us out of debt. We have never really used a credit card, and have paid cash for pretty much everything we have, with the exception of our house.

Mike has worked for the IRS our whole marriage with a handful of different positions. Currently he is a tax analyst, he tells me he does work load selection and delivery.  I was in a temple interview one time and the guy asked me what my husband did for a living, and I really couldn't tell him and felt pretty stupid! He told me I should probably find out how my husband supports our family. Since then I try to understand. So he selects work for people to do and then delivers it to them....I think. :)

We have had several different callings in the church. My latest is Young Woman Miamaid advisor and Mike is the Gospel Doctrine teacher.

 I feel like we have grown a ton in  11 years! Not just in size! ;) But we have done that too.

 I remember when we were just about to have Wesley I told Mike I was worried because I wasn't sure how we could love another kid as much as we loved Jaycee. It is amazing how love can grow. And it continues to grow with each child.

 I could have never imagined how much more I could love Mike. I thought I loved him the day we got married, but it pales in comparison to how much I love him now!

 Who knew?

 He is so funny! He makes me laugh everyday.

 He is the best dad. Just ask my kids. :)

 He is the smartest person I know, he's a hard worker, and a great teacher.

I really don't know how I ended up so lucky, but I am so glad God saved him for me.

 Mike, I hope you know how much I love and appreciate you. I'm pretty sure I could not survive without you. 

 I thank Heavenly Father everyday that he let me have you. 

You really are the best thing that ever happened to me!

I love you!

Happy New Year!

We got up and went to Chuck E Cheese. That's always fun. Amber had text earlier and asked if anyone wanted to go. My parents also came with us.

We got there early enough that it wasn't too crowded.

The kids had 100 tokens to share. I think for the most part they got to do everything that they wanted.

Bensen liked all the ride games.

Wesley and Jaycee were all about the tickets!

When Chuck E came out our kids were the only ones that followed him.  He led them in a little dance, and then he threw tickets out to them.

Later that day we headed over to Mikes parents for dinner, family pictures, and games.

 It is always interesting when you try to take a picture of so many people at once.

But I think they all did a good job.  Even the little ones cooperated pretty well.

 The one with everyone is always the hardest.  Don't worry, I took like 30 pictures so we were bound to get a couple good ones.

 Then we took individual family pictures. There is always that one person...Mike! Just kidding, we were all having a hard time.

 Actually, Jaycee and Wesley were cooperating, the rest of us were having a hard time.

Good times. Around 9 we headed over to Trevor and Katie's for more games.

 

 We decided to try one more time for a family photo. Again we failed. Oh well.

Better luck next year. :)

This year we all came up with some goals that we wanted to accomplish.

As a family we would like to have FHE every week, and take turns planning it, and do a secret service once a month.

Mike would like to do better at doing a full 24 hour fast, read all of the D&C, and learn to play a song on the guitar.

I would like to attend the temple every month, sew a dress, and play the piano better.

Jaycee wants to read her scriptures by herself, fast monthly, eat a fruit and veggie everyday, exercise most days, master a back hand spring, get better at drawing, learn to sew and sing better.

Wesley wants to say better prayers, pay tithing, exercise, eat fruit more, get better at drawing and piano, learn to sew and play a song on the guitar.

Bensen (mostly me) would like no more diapers, be more reverent during scriptures and prayers, and eat/try more foods.

Vivian (me again) would like to learn to sleep through the night, and to walk.

It was fun talking to the kids about what they wanted to do this year. They had a paper each filled out. We made them narrow it down. I love that they want to try new things.

New year, new us.