a cruise (part 1)

The world has finally stopped swaying so now I can tell you all about the cruise that Eric and I went on.

I will start by saying that we planned this trip months ago. Otherwise, there is no way I would've been to be able to leave the world's sweetest 6 week old baby for 5 days and 4 nights! 

Thankfully, B was in good hands with my sister. And my parents kindly managed the day to day and busy schedules of the other school-going four. So I tried not too worry about them all too much and to just enjoy myself while we were away.

And there was a lot to enjoy!

It all started with a breakfast of buffalo wings and ranch and then a six hour drive to CA. It could only get better from there.

We arrived at the port and walked on to our cruise ship.

And that's when I had a mini-freak out and questioned our decision. Everywhere we went there was loud music, drunk people, and swim suits that should not be worn in public. We walked around like scared deer in headlights until we eventually found the Nielsen's.  Then we got ice cream and I calmed down and tried to enjoy the party ship as best I could with all of its gluttony and idle ways (the pounds that I gained by the end of the trip proved that I fully embraced it).

You couldn't see it from the above picture but this was the serene view we had from our window each night.


We spent the first full day at Catalina Island.

We went snorkeling.

 Eric was happy as could be and in his element diving all around looking at the fish and other under the sea life. My deep, deep fear of masks and things covering my face and nose was confirmed and so the mask and snorkel went around my arm like a bracelet for the rest of the time. I was quite happy swimming on top of the water (and would've been even happier with a simple pair of non-nose covering goggles--a lesson learned for next time).






When we got back on the ship, Eric and I had some fun going down the waterslides.
 

What a beautiful view!

We dressed up that night for dinner. Isn't Eric just so handsome?

It almost felt like we were going to prom together when we posed for these pictures. My eyes are even half closed which is pretty standard for me and professional pictures.



We love the Nielsen's so much and we had so much fun with them on this trip!

We played a lot of games together over the course of the week (exploding kittens, canasta, Sushi Go, and more). This was my favorite room that we found to play in.



To be continued soon!

These Days

Someone broke out of her straitjacket. 

I got to take Kacin to see the play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. We started the evening at Oregeno's. We had a great idea to get dessert first before our pizza.

Kyler got some cuddles before bed.

We got two more big happy babies this week.

My nephews were good little helpers with baby B when I was watching them one morning. They were also really good at throwing cheerios on the floor that day.

Someone turned one month old.

Here's to prove that she's not always a peaceful sleeper.

A great quote:

And a great daddy and a great baby on my lap.

motivation

We all know that Perry often needs some outside motivation (aka bribery). Apparently, Perry knows this about himself, too. 

Last night, he sat down with the dinner of champions (yeah, I know, mom win)--frozen taquitos, applesauce, and apple juice. A little while later (we might have been playing nerts with Kacin instead of eating with him), we noticed that his meal was spread out on the table and each item, including each of the individual taquitos, had a chocolate candy next to it. He explained that after he ate each item he got to eat the chocolate he had placed next to it.

We thought this was so funny and clever. He has never done anything like this himself before, but I guess he has been bribed in lots of different ways so he knows how to motivate himself.