Yeah Our Camera is fixed

The first picture taken with our camera. It feels like forever and I have a ton of things to post now that we have our camera back and can upload everything. So brace your self they are kind of long. Gene and I on our way to have Tempura and Chicken before one of our Ballroom Dance classes.

To Mexico, We Go

So we started our adventure by leaving at 10:00pm the night before we were supposed to be in San Diego. We drove all night long and arrived there at 7:00 am where we then proceeded to find the nearest Denny's and started our all week binge fest. After Denny's we still could not board the ship until noon so we headed to where else...Walmart, where else would you go if you needed something anywhere in America, and then Sam's Club looking for sunglasses. After which we found a parking spot in the cruise line lot and took a much needed nap. Around 11:30 we headed to the gate and got on smoothly, all was well, except Bryson was not feeling very well at all. poor Bryson=( After boarding we had lunch were we found the all you can eat ice cream machines which we had to have at least 2-3x per day for the next 5 days he hee. Some of the Highlights of the trip:

* Being with the Solomon's we had so much fun and love spending time with besties he hee. Thanks for going with us guys you are AWSOME. We <3>

* The all you can eat ice cream machine, the 3-4 scoops of ice cream I had every night at dinner, and the molton chocolate lava cake. he hee

* The hypnotist was hillarious and the evening shows were quite entertaining with the lovely 80 style costumes.. mmm interesting.

* Ending every evening with a new towel animal.

* Carrie and I in our matching outfits for the elegant evening. No joke black and white patterned skirts and black tops, with curled hair, and even the matching purses. It was hilarious, and such a coincidence. We both had no clue what the other was wearing.

* Watching the whales breaching and spraying, so close to our little catamaran.

* Sitting at the front of the catamaran and just relaxing as I watched the beautiful coast line and water around me I could have done that for 3 days. Bryson on the other hand, Not so much.

* Snorkeling and relaxing in Cabo. It was so beautiful .... we had such an amazing time.

* Traveling to the La Buffadora and walking through the Mexican flea market for some shopping, churros and tacos that made us late for the bus back to the ship, but they were worth it.

* Gene and Bryson's water balloon fight. It was quite a dead area on the ship, but once the kids saw how much fun the Big boys were having the all rushed over and it became quite a popular spot.

* Resting and relaxing in our room and by the pool, playing cards in the library, listening to Larry in the Kareokee lounge, and dancing in the clubs ( ha ha) and in the "party" area, "go red team, go red team go."

* Sea World was a ton of fun, perfect day, and hardly any people it was great no lines anywhere. All the shows were entertaining and we now have yearly passes. So we must go back to see Shamu #4 again, and again, and again.

* Seeing the beauty of San Diego's Balboa park and botanical gardens. The architecture and landscape was absolutely breathtaking.

* Taking a tour of the U.S.S Midway. We were on that ship for over two hours and did not even see half of it. It is crazy how huge those navy ships are and all that goes on inside to run it and take care of all those on board. I have such an appreciation for all those that serve our great country, Thanks Sean.

* The movie "Paul Blart-Mall Cop" and more ice cream before we headed home for our long drive. Where in we laughed, sang, and drank more Dr. Pepper than ever to stay awake. Thanks Bryson.

I can't wait to do it again!!!! Viva La MEXICO!!!!

Getting ready to board the ship

Gene trying to entertain us with his skills at lunch

I wanted the vanilla frozen yogurt and the chocolate ice cream of course they don't come out of the same machine, so I improvised.Gene and Bryson prepping for the water balloon fightAfter the battleMy favorite towel animal... I love Monkey'sThe beautiful arc in Cabo that we saw from our catamaran as we were heading to our snorkeling spot.Gene sitting at the head of the boatDrinking hot chocolate on the bow of the ship, just the two of us after a great day in Mexico Soaking in the view at the La BuffadoraThe Solomon's at La Buffadora
I wanted a Pina Colada and a Strawberry Daquire (virgin of course) and they couldn't mix them so I just got both, and we relaxed on the top of the ship and watched the sun go down over the ocean.
The Solomons just before one of our evening shows.
Us goofing off in the Kareokee lounge (Sorry Bill and Larry)


Miniature golfing on the tip top of the ship
Me and Gene getting ready to duke it out he hee


The Solomon's and the ship at night (both so pretty)

I just love this picture I think it is one of my favorites I just had to post it

Gene and I in an iceburg at the Antarctic exhibit with the beluga whales and the polar bears at Sea World. All of us except Gene prepping for the excitement that was awaiting us in the Sea Cow (Manatee) Exhibit.The Amazing Shamu (well not the original but like Shamu # 4)!!!

The Dolphin show, where the lady totally biffed it running to the rope, those crazy Sea world workers.I can't remember what it's called but it was beautiful Part of Balboa Park

Gene and Bryson trapped in the brig
Carrie and I also Gene and Bryson pretending to be manicans

Don't they blend in so well, especially Gene with his $8.00 Walmart Aviator glasses

The End of our great trip.

A Quick December

We began our Holiday Season with the Christmas Stroll on Plumas Street. We were volunteered to be in charge of the Santa booth for the City's Annual Chirstmas Stroll. It was Quite the event. Gene was the photographer taking pitures of hundreds of kids and thier families, and I was the developer, printing off all of the pictures and making sure that everyone was happy. It was quite the act of service, but by the end of the night we were having a good time. Here is a picture of the boys just before we became Santa's little helpers.

Gene, Christian and Marc

Our next activity was my mom and Bill's Hawaiian Christmas Lual. It was quite fun. We had delicous strawberry coconut smoothies, pulled pork sandwiches and fruit. We also had a poster contest where each person or team had to draw a picture of one of the twleve days of Christmas in Hawaiian and then we all sang it holding up our posters when it became our turn. After that we played limbo and as you can see the boys were tearing it up. I was surprised how low they could go.

Look at them go...

Marc

Christianand the Winner is. . . . Logan!!!!

The next weekend Mom, Bill, Gene and I went up to Nevada City for thier Victorian Christmas. I was a really fun night. We walked the up and down the little old streets and looked at all cute unique little shops and ate at a little restaurant that served delicious prime rib and salmon. We then looked at all the lights and listened to the christmas carolers and the sidewalk orchestra, and then we got chocolate and bananna filled crepes mmm so good, and I also got a large bag of Kettle corn. It is one of my favorite things to eat fresh hot kettle corn, and so that is what I asked for and made sure that my bag was fresh and hot. Needless to say we all munched on it all the way home and I had half a bag left by the time we got home. Oh, well next year I know to get two bags he hee.

It was so cold we were all bundled up in our down coats, hats, wraps and gloves. You would have thought we had lived in Utah or something. he hee

Bill, Mom, Me and Gene

On Christmas Eve we had the annual Barrow family christmas party and game night. It was a ton of fun. Although we missed Linell, Heidi, Robyn, Darrin and thier families. They are always such a fun and creative bunch. he hee. But Charlene did a great job colaborating with Heidi for our family history trivia game. Which my group lost, but Gene's group won and we got to share the prize....a large pack of gum and these nasty hillbilly teeth. You probably can't see them very well in this picture, but they were hilariously discusting and looked so real especially Ryan's. OH, so gross ha ha ha...

Sterling, Parker and Kim...don't they look comfy!!

Finally Christmas day, We had a wonderful christmas morning together just Gene and I opening our two christmas presents from eachother. It took all of about 5 mins. he hee After wich we looked at eachother and laugh at how quickly the time goes by when there is just two of you. At around 8 we went over to my mom's and opened gifts with the family. I don't know what it is about gifts, but I love to watch other peoples faces when they open gifts, it is my favorite part. To see thier eyes light up and the big smiles that they get, I just love it. After we cleaned everything up we went back over to our house to start our traditional Christmas breakfast. This is the one where all the boys are in the kitchen cooking breakfast and all the girls are sitting in the living room chatting it is wonderful.

The crazy kids

Mom and La-wen

Me and Tay

Mom and Loges

Mom and Bill The breakfast Crew

The Goods Before they were devoured
Just Plain Silly

We had a wonderful christmas season full of all kinds of fun activites, parties and family get togethers.