The end of the cruise

Todd and I got up early on Sunday ... too early on accident so we walked up to the top to watch the boat dock in Long Beach. Then we met everyone for some breakfast before waiting for our deck to be called so we could get off the boat. We had to wait about an hour or so before we could get in line to get off. Once we got there things went smooth and fast and we were back on shore. (I still had sea legs for a few days after we got off).

Off the boat waiting for our taxi drivers (My MIL and her friend)

Goodbye....

It was a sad day when it was over. But we are already talking about when to plan the next vacation when as many siblings as possible can get together for lots of laughs.

The Cruise - Day 7

The last day of the cruise was another day at sea. It was too cold to go outside and soak in any last bit of sunshine so we found other ways to entertain ourselves. We slept in then had "bathrobe breakfast". We were laughing about how people would walk around the ship in their Carnival robes so we decided to have some fun and eat breakfast in our robes. After having breakfast on the Lido deck in our robes I went to the gym with Mark, Danny and Emily. We lifted a little weights, Mark led us in some crazy circuit training that kicked my butt then we rode the bikes for a half hour.


After lunch we decided to play sardines (hide-n-seek where you have to hide with the person when you find them). We set up a few rules (no bathrooms, age restricted areas, no leaving the deck, etc) then started playing. If you couldn't find the person in 10 minutes we had a meeting zone where we would regroup. I was it 2nd and I hid under a table that had t-shirts for sale behind some boxes. Only Sherry, Brandon and Todd found me. Woo Hoo. And I had some fun talking while people were buying shirts.

Then it was time for our last dinner and show. In order to make sure we had good seats for the show we went to the Spectacular theater right after dinner. They were playing battle of the sexes. Guys vs. Girls....and the battle was intense. The guys were beating us when the question was asked "In dungeons and dragons what is the name of the person who holds the secret maps?" I used this is as my chance to have some fun and yelled out "I know my husband (pointing to Todd) plays this and he's the dungeon master!" It was hilarious and the entire row of guys by Todd were laughing so hard. Thank goodness Todd thought it was funny too.

The show was the special "Carnival Legends" show. All week they were doing tryouts at karaoke for different singers. Our very own Trent was singing the part of Elton John. The show was hilarious and so much fun. We were in the front row so we could cheer extra loud.

Trent and his dancer coming on stage

His costume was awesome. He sang "Crocodile Rock" by Elton John.

The whole cast
James Brown, Elton John, Brittany Spears, Madonna,
Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Garth Brooks, Elvis and Frank Sinatra

Our whole party the last night of the cruise

It was so sad to head back to my room and pack after such a fun day.

The Cruise - Day 6

After Cabo we had some good times on the boat. Dinner as usual was crazy and fun. Everyone ordered too much food and we were the last ones out just like every night. Then we went to the show. The singers and dancers on the boat performed several different shows and I really enjoyed the performances. Of course I have always loved dance.

Hanging out on the boat after the show.
Jeannie, Trent
Todd, Kathy
Emily, Danny
Steve, Christine

While we were waiting for the comedy show to start there wasn't anything going on in the El Morocco lounge so we just sat around and talked and laughed and took pictures. We decided to say an emotion and have the person make the face associated with that emotion. Everyone did a few different emotions...but I just picked a few of my favorite ones.

Sad
(I love the puppy dog eyes and his pouty lower lip)

Happy, Sad, Mad
(all of Steve's looked the same)

Mad
(she burst out laughing right after this picture)

Emily laughing at whichever emotion we gave her!

This is Danny's "sexy" look

Mad
(according to Todd this is the exact look I give him when I'm mad at him. He said I always twist my tongue when I'm mad. I've never noticed it before this picture. Funny

Blow fish
(ok it's not an emotion ... but it was funny)

Trent doing the George Costanza pose

Confused

Smelling a stinky one

Finding her kids poopy diaper on the floor

Sherry and Brandon decided to hit the dance club instead of the comedy show. Good call on their part since I had to walk out of the show half way through.

The Cruise - Day 6: Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas was a very short day at port. We had to get up early and were off the boat by 8:30 am and had to be back by 3:00 pm. We took small boats to get to shore. When we got there we decided to do some shopping to get things for the kids so we hit the flea market. Todd and I found some awesome luchador wrestling masks for the boys. Todd wore it through the flea market while we shopped...it was hilarious.


This is the water taxi we took to Lovers Beach. Please notice the writing on it "Than's foor yours tip's". Ha ha!

This was the "Funtastic 4" ship and it really was a funtastic ride.

Our boat. The Carnival Splendor.

Lovers Beach was awesome. From one side you could see the Pacific Ocean and the other side (about 1/4 mile apart at most) was the Sea of Cortez. The only way to get to the beach was via water taxi and when we got there it was very empty. It filled up a few hours later but we had a great spot with sun and shade. It had great snorkeling too. I even went out to see the fish with Danny and Trent (Trent even took some underwater pictures that I need to get copies of).

Here's our group at Lovers Beach.
Steve, Christine, Mark, Emily, Danny, Timmy, Me and Todd

We thought it would be funny to take pictures at the sign. The sign says "To Lovers beach: Here all the beauty is natural, just live your trace on the sand." That isn't a spelling error on my part (live). HA HA HA!

Since it's Lovers Beach we had to do funny pictures too.

Steve & Christine

Danny & Emily

Mark and Steve decided to climb the rocks at the beach. Mark borrowed Christine's pink tennis shoes (so funny) and they took off up the rocks.

This boat cracked me up.
Lovers Veach

Jeannie and Trent got a later start than us so we left them with one of the walkie-talkies but we weren't sure where we were going so we knew it was a long shot. Trent called us from the tender boat and it was just close enough to hear us so they were able to meet up with us at the beach and hang with us the rest of the day.

At the end of the day when we were waiting for the funtastic 4 to pick us up Timmy had a great idea for us to make a wave photo. Here is our attempt to be a wave and Mark is the surfer. I'll be honest I don't think it worked out so well.


After Lovers beach we went to find some lunch. We were trying to find "Cabo Wabo" since there was some hole in the wall taco shop by it and after asking several locals where it was and getting the answer "3 blocks that way" and walking 10+ blocks a few of us gave up and ate at a different spot while others walked 3 more blocks and found it. After eating we did some more shopping and bought t-shirts and vanilla. Then we headed back to the boat and made it in line around 2:45. The line was so long to get back on the boat and our tender boat left around 3:05 (last boat was supposed to leave at 3:00) and there was still a very long line behind us.

The Cruise - Day 5: Mazatlan

Mazatlan was another fun day at the beach. Steve and Christine went on a Kayaking excursion and Jeannie and Trent took a tour of the town while the rest of us hit the beach. We found cheap taxi rides to the beach and headed over . The boys put on their snorkel gear and hit the waves.

Mark and Timmy getting ready

Sherry and Brandon

After the first trip out to the water we lost 2 of the masks and one of the snorkels in the water. The water was so sandy that you couldn't see a thing and the waves were very strong and the masks didn't stand a chance. Mark took a hit by a wave and his mask and snorkel were just gone and Timmy threw his to Todd and it landed a foot away from him and before he could reach down it was gone.

Timmy, Danny and Mark ready for the water.

My favorite thing to do on the beach is lay there reading a book. By this point I was already well into my 2nd book for the trip. I'll admit they weren't big books and very fast reading.


I love this picture of the boys body surfing. They would go out and body surf, then come in to rest and relax, then head back out to the waves.


Emily joined them for a few waves and then one got the best of her - she managed to be out there for the biggest wave of the day! I went out there after her and tried catching a few waves too. The first one I caught knocked me into Timmy and Brandon into me and pulled my swimsuit bottom a little more than I liked. The next few waves I would put one arm out then grab my swimsuit bottom. On the third wave my swimsuit top came off and I had to sit there in the water trying to get it back on while a few more waves pelted me. When I rinsed my suit out in the shower I was amazed at how much sand was in my top.


When we got to the beach this guy was completely covered with shade. He didn't stir once the whole time we were there until a few minutes before we left when a local family decided to use the shade for their family and doubled up with him since he was out cold.

We found this awesome truck taxi to take us to see the cliff divers.

The cliff divers.....well we actually never saw him dive because we got there and they said "for $10 my friend will dive for you". Yea right. Danny wanted to get up there and dive off but they wouldn't let him. I would have paid $10 to see Danny dive :)

We went up to the top of this cool building thing for a great view and some sweet photos.

We ate lunch at the Shrimp Bucket. It wasn't our first choice but we were all very hungry and getting grumpy so we ate there and were pleasantly surprised by how yummy it was.

After lunch we hit the tide pools. OK so the boys hit the tide pools and Emily and I sat there watching the bags...but the ocean was beautiful and watching the boys play is always fun.

Danny had to go (yep...poop). The best part of the story (aside from the fact that he went) is that none of us were surprised. Todd got a picture of him "rinsing off".

One of my favorite pictures of the day.
Emily's face when she heard the full Danny pooping story.

After this we headed back to the ship to get ready for formal night and New Year's Eve.