Cruise Report - Day 1 & 2

I decided to split this out over several posts by day so you (really I) don't get overwhelmed by all this information. I hope it works...if not, don't feel like you have to read.

We left on Sunday, June 13, 2010 which is the day after our 3rd Wedding Anniversary. Our flight left early that morning so we got up and headed to Bountiful where my favorite brother Steen was waiting to take us to the airport. Normally I'm not a morning person but this day I was wide awake and super excited for our new adventure. We arrived in Los Angeles, which was our port, and took a transfer to the pier. The ship was SO HUGE! I couldn't believe this would be our home for the next 7 days. When they let us on board we went and checked out the ship and had some lunch in the Windjammer Cafe. When we got to our room it was all decorated with Anniversary decorations. Kevin had arranged for them to decorate in advance and it was such a fun surprise. That night we got ready and went to a Murder Myster Dinner. It was EXTREMELY campy but a ton of fun.

The next day we were at sea and had plenty to do. We went to a "Cha Cha" class, visited Johnny Rockets (they waiters dance to the music and the food is AMAZING), lounged in the sun, saw an ice skating show, met Captain Per (said like the fruit...Pear), and Kevin sang Karaoke. Throughout the rest of the cruise people would come up to us and ask if Kevin was the one singing. He was a HIT! Around 1 pm we finally dropped into our beds and prepared for our next day of adventure...

Kevin getting on the Mariner of the Seas

Our cabin all decorated...wahoo!

At the Murder Mystery

What diet?

ICE under the BIG TOP (our ice show)

These ice skaters were so good

Dawnie & Captain Per

Kevin singing "Mack the Knife"

Lincoln Anthony Purcell

We have been so blessed to have another baby in the family. Kevin's brother Tony and his wife Abby had a baby boy on June 23rd. We love him so much and have enjoyed seeing him grow so much already. Here are a couple of pictures of the boys.

Good job Abby! I salute you!

Fourth of July

Okay, so you all know that I am new to this blogging thing. We finally downloaded pictures from our camera and now I can catch up on things that have been happening. Here are a couple pictures from the July 4th celebration with Kevin's family (2009 & 2010). Scott and Kitty are always so good to get us all matching shirts so that we can go to the Logan Fireworks. They do a great show and we have a lot of fun. The last couple of years we have gone to dinner at Melina's first. That is where these pictures were taken.

Proud to be American!

2009

2010 (Tony, Abby, and Link are missing...so sad)

Cruise Report #1

Okay, so I'm sure that I will have to post a few times to fit in all of the fun things we did on our cruise last week. This one will be dedicated to swimming with the Sea Lions in Puerto Vallarta. We met the bus at the pier around 9:15 am and drove for about 30 minutes to the "Vallarta Adventures" which has iguanas, dolphins, sea lions, birds, etc. There were only 10 people that were going to the Sea Lion Encounter that day. They took us on a boat to an island type area and we got to see all of the Sea Lions (and more dolphins...those things are everywhere!). They took us back to a private cove that had two Sea Lions (Cassandra & Shanna) waiting to play with us. There was another Sea Lion that wasn't behaving that day so we were instructed to stay away. Yes MA'AM!

They told use that we could pet them as much as we'd like but not to touch their faces or scratch their skin because they don't like that...who would? We got in the pool and each took turns stroking the Sea Lions, going out for hugs and kisses, having them jump over us. It was so cool to feel like you were really having conversations and interaction with these amazing animals. It was definitely one of the coolest things that we have ever done.

I added a few pictures here so that you can share in the fun. I'll be back later to post more about our amazing cruise!

B-I-N-G-O

At the request of Kevin's mom we went to see a musical production of "Bingo: The Musical" at the SLCC Grand Theater last night. We had never heard of this former Off-Broadway production and didn't know what to expect. We really enjoyed it and had a way fun time. When you get your program they give you three Bingo cards that you get to use during the show. They bring the house lights up a certain points and call out numbers (the actors are playing as well) and when you get a Bingo you call out. They come out to the audience and give out prizes. I don't like having attention brought to me (yes Steven...it is true!) so I told Kevin if I had the numbers he would have to call out. We didn't win on round 1 or 2 but then came round 3. I got all five of the "I" column and nudged Kevin in the side. He yelled "BINGO" and the girl came out from stage and verified our numbers. She gave us the prize which was a pair of really pretty earrings made by a local company (they're pink and I love them). If that weren't enough they started the show up again and in the next song they sang about Kevin. They put his name in when they said "if Kevin can win - I can win" and a few other things. It was really fun and we got to recover a portion of our tickets.

It is going on through Saturday, May 22nd at the SLCC South Campus. If you have a chance to go one of these nights I think you'll really enjoy it. We did!

More Information - www.bingothemusical.com

Life Isn't Fair

Okay, so be warned that I might be a little whiny in this post. When you are little you always think that when you are an adult (not sure if I'm quite there yet still) that you'll be able to handle everything that you need to. Who fed me that load of crap? We just paid off our cars this last week and were looking forward to being completely debt free (besides the house) by the end of summer. And then...duh, duh, duh...our air-conditioner decided to stop working. We had someone out to the house yesterday to see if they can repair it and they said it is "virtually impossible" and that it would have to be replaced (and that the furnace should be replaced at the same time since the equipment is pretty much as old as I am). Okay, I was digesting this information and then they inform me it could cost $5,000 just for our condo. WHAT? We don't want to live in an ice box just have it be under 80 degrees. Add to that the bill to "hold us over for a week or so" of $218. It seems really unfair that I have to buy a new unit when I don't even want to live there anymore and would really like to sell the place in 6 months or so (which I'm sure we can't do until there is a new unit installed).

Why don't adults tell us how bad situations like this suck before we get there? In my case probably because I would have fought harder not to grow up. I know that we'll be find but it just seems really unfair. I guess if life was fair there would be pigs and cows everywhere!

Hopefully we'll be able to find a better bid than the first one. Wish us luck!

97,000

Okay, so I hit 97,000 miles on my car today. I can't believe that I personally have racked up so many miles. I have never driven a car with over 100,000 miles so that is going to be significant. That will only take me a few months with driving about 70 miles roundtrip to work each day. It started off not being so bad but now seems like an eternity when I am running late in the morning. It is okay because I'm glad that I have a good job that is flexible. I love my Honda Civic and am glad it has gotten me this far.