ok, mexico update

So.... how was Mexico??

First we had to get there!
Fri- Oct 17th,
We were supose to be the first ones to arrive in LA. We flew out of Chicago first thing in the morning, we arrived in Denver and ran to catch our connecting flight. My cousin Ellie was going to be meeting us in LA to spend the day with all of our kids. So we run to the connecting flight and its been cancelled. We run to the customer service desk and there is a HUGE line. I call Ellie and give her a heads up, and hear the disapointment in her voice. Seriously, how can we be soooo close, yet sooo far away? I finally get to the front of the line and the best they can do is get us a flight out at 9:30PM. Ok seriously?? 10 hrs in an airport with 3 children? I was not happy and had to completly cancel our visit with Ellie. Katey was in tears. Luckily the airline compensated us very well and we got $900 worth of airline vouchers and food vouchers. 10 hrs later we are on a plane with 3 kids who are about to lose their minds, and 2 parents who are ready to DRINK! We arrive in LA and finally get into bed at 2am.

Sat- Oct 18th,
Today we woke up early and had breakfast and we were very excited to be able to see our cruise ship from our hotel room. We all (24 of us, wearing matching blue shirts) take shuttles to the pier and wait in line to board the ship. It was stressful and HOT, but we were standing in front of the ship and it was HUGE. We make it thru a long reception line, get registered and whoooo hooo, we get to go onboard! We finally found our room, got on swim suits and headed for the pool to relax the rest of the day! That night after dinner, we took the kids to their first show, it was a hillarious juggler and they had a blast!

Sun - Oct 19th,
Today is Chris and I's 12th wedding Anniversary, and also our first at sea day.
It was really cool being hugged and congratulated by family all day. Jim (my father in law) even got us a present... well, he got me a present... BUBBLE WRAP! I am sooo addicted to bubble wrap and cracked up laughing when I opened it. The kids spent almost the entire day at the pool, and it was really nice to just sit by the pool and drink, and chit chat. Very relaxing day. Chris and the kids and I dressed up nice for dinner, Bran even wore his suit. At dinner a very proud Carol (my mother in law) told the wait staff that it was our anniversary, and they brought us a cake and sang "Let me call you sweetheart, Im in love with you". It was really sweet. We got family pics taken that night, and Ashlyn was very exhausted and crashed early.

Mon - Oct 20th,
Today was our first port day. We arrived in Cabo San Lucas and took a catamaran ride to Lands End , and we saw Los Arco's and Lover's beach. Jen and the boys went with us, and Carter even spotted wild sea lions on a rock. Katey was in her glory here as Lands End was in Pirates. We then arrived at a local beach and spent the rest of the day being hounded by people trying to sell us stuff. The kids had fun playing in the sand and in the waves. That night we went to dinner, and it was Chris's twin Uncle's, Tim and Terry's birthdays. The wait staff sang Happy Birthday to them, and Jim gave them each half of a candy bar... together they made a whole.. it was really funny.

Tues - Oct 21st,
Today was our day in Mazatlan, and Jen's birthday. Jen and I settled on this stone island excursion because nothing stood out to us. The only thing we really liked about it was free drinks! Well, this ended up being the best port. We had a catamaran ride around the harbor showing us shrimp boats and the coast line. Then we had a tractor ride, pretty much a hay rack with bench seating. It took us all thru town and to a private beach resort. It was beautiful. There was about 30 people there, and hammocs lined the building. It was paradise. Free drinks, Free lunch, no vendors hounding you, and waves... HUGE waves. Then we got to go on a horseback ride along the beach. The kids and I thought this was the best part. They even wanted to put Ashlyn on her own horse with a seat belt, but we said NO WAY. It was just amazing. Then we went back to the ship and had dinner with the family. Jim, who apparently had a very good time on his excursion wasnt up for dinner, but he sent his gift for Jen. 7 pairs of socks, each for a different season... ie, halloween, 4th of July, Thanksgiving... Carol loves these silly socks and Jen always makes fun of her. Jen was just cracking up as she opened each present. Again the waitstaff sang Happy Birthday, and I am sure by now they are not believing us about all these "special days".

Wed - Oct. 22nd,
Today was our last day at port. We were at Puerto Vallarta today, and this was the day we went on the Pirate ship. This was the excursion that the kids were most looking forward to. Today was cool, because we got to go with Jen and the boys, Carol and Jim, Aunt Vicki, Uncle Terry, Greg, Aunt B, and Uncle Tim. Blaker got picked to go on stage and had to feed Jen blindfolded. He got yogurt all over her and won a Tshirt. Brandon then got picked to be in the main "play". He ended up being the captain's son and then got kidnapped. He had a sword to his throat and even a "gun" to his head. Then the good pirates came and rescued him and he became captain of the ship. It was really cute, and he won a pirate bandana. We were served breakfast and lunch on this cruise and it was really really good. We got to go snorkling, and played at the beach. The kids got to do a treasure hunt and Ashlyn found the burried treasure, and they got to do banana boat rides. It was an adventure they will never forget. Then when we got back to the ship, Me, Katey, Jen and the boys went back out and went shopping at a flea market... it was really neat. We ended up doing our own thing for dinner and had a really great day.

Thurs- Oct. 23rd,
Today was Gma Ann, and Gpa Wendell's 60th wedding anniversary.
It was another at sea day, and the kids spent most of the day at the pool. We had a really nice coctail party before dinner and had drinks and appetisers. Carol, Tim, Terry and Wendy all gave really nice speeches, and we got pictures taken. It was a really nice time, and Gpa hugged my crying and that totally set me off.. I am such a softy. Then we all went to dinner and they sang to them. Im sure by now they were really tired of singing to us, but we were so proud of them. Tonight was also the chocolate buffet. I stayed in the cabin with Ash, but Chris and the kids went and LOVED it.

Fri- Oct. 24th,
Today was our last day at sea. I think you can guess how we spent the day.. Yup at the pool.
However, I didnt drink a whole lot on the cruise, but today was different. They had these really cool glasses, and Carol wanted a set of 8. So Me, Carol, Jen and Wendy got a round of drinks. Well that turned into Me, Jen and Wendy all wanting glasses too. Well that turned into 3 really happy buzzing girls who were in love with their waiter, who were a little loud and obnoxious, and having WAAAAY to much fun! We started wanting 8 glasses... Well, Carol got 8, Jen got 8, Wendy got 8, and I ended up with 10..... Can you say RUM PUNCH! This was soooooo much fun, and I really am glad I got to have a day of being silly and drinking to much, and not having to worry about it.. after all, we were on vacation and nobody had to drive home.

Sat - Oct. 25th,
Today we had to leave, board a plane... no delays, and go home to freezing cold Chicago.
Goodbye 90-100 degree's in Mexico, Hello cold and windy Chicago. Today was only 43 degrees out. I am ready to go back to Mexico.