Carnival Cruise Part UNO!

For YEARS we have wanted to take a cruise and as our 10 year anniversary approached I was wondering if it was going to happen. We didn't think we could justify leaving our kids that long and so we were leaning of taking the whole family to Disneyland. After talking to a good friend, he encouraged us to go! And as I was thinking about it a cruise sounded a lot more fun than Disneyland but I didnt know how it was going to work. I felt like a cruise would be the perfect way to celebrate all we have accomplished in our 10 years! While I was drowning in my sorrows I jokingly put it out there on facebook of who would want to take our kids not expecting a response at all. A good friend of mine quickly responded and said they would trade us for the same amount of days. I was hesitant because she has 6 kids and I've never left our kids with anyone but family but I said ok! Within a few days we purchased our cruise and flights and we were off on March 2nd for a 3 night cruise to Ensenada Mexico! Here we are at the beginning of our trip taking the tracks to the airport!

 I was surprisingly calm since I expected to have a lot of anxiety about flying, leaving kids and the unknown and I'm so glad I was able to relax. Here's our plane!

 Finally made it on and just waiting. I picked a seat next to a young girl and a happy baby who was so cute! The happiness didn't last for long though and I'm pretty sure the kid screamed most of the flight. And Chad had to shield his eyes and she constantly was nursing to try and console him. Note to self: dont sit next to the baby on the plane! (In all reality I really didn't mind, It was funny to watch those around us who were irritated though and I was happy to try to help her.

 We took a shuttle transfer from LAX to Long Beach and I was so glad we did! The traffic is nuts in LA! It was about a 45 minute ride and then we saw it! Our beautiful cruise ship, The Imagination parked next to Queen Mary which is now a hotel.

 We made it through check ins fairly painlessly and were very anxious to get on the ship!

 14 levels and 2400 people on board! She was a beauty!

 After getting our stuff to our room we quickly ran out to explore the ship! It was beautiful and calm and warm! After a quick safety briefing for everyone on board the party began! (oh and check out my cute pedicure!!!)

 

 For this moment it was quiet and perfect. I could have been happy just sitting there the whole time.

 We had planned on hitting the water slides but it has to be REALLY warm for me to do that.  And it was a bit breezy so we just took pictures of it! But it still was a perfect sunny 70.

 Good bye Long Beach!

 As we wandered the ship we hit an incredible buffet, a candy store and the money machine! This guy couldn't stay away from it! No he never won and neither did any of the other of hundreds of people who played! I'm going to make one of these I think!

 Beautiful staircase in the room where most of the performances were in the Dynasty Lounge. We would visit this room MANY times on this trip!

 We were picked to go on stage one night to play a game called "Sticky Balls!" Chad put on a velcro jumpsuit and I had to throw velco balls over a barrier and we were racing another couple. We both won a bottle of champange, Wine at dinner and some chocolate covered strawberries! Go us! The best part was that the other couple we were racing were also LDS and didn't drink so we donated both bottles to a lady who was having her 90th birthday on board and her party. The strawberries were good though!  Ooooh AND we won a plastic gold trophy of the ship!

 And of course the fun little animals were fun and adorable. Since it was our anniversary they gave us a gift card to the spa and a gift card to the photo booths all around the ship!

 A few views from our room. It was cozy but we enjoyed it.

And we had a window in our room! I loved it! Friday was a fun day at sea so here we go out to enjoy the day on the ship! 

We wanted to take a tour of the whole ship early in the morning but we couldnt get out of bed! We both slept so great the first night and didn't want to move. Besides the black girl cursing and yelling outside our door, the night was perfect. Once we got up and got ready we hit the deck for some sunshine all you can eat ice cream (yes i ate some for breakfast) and Pina Coladas! (virgin of course!)

 After a yummy lunch and a nice nap we hit the Dynasty for some BINGO! No we didn't win.

 We made our way to the front of the ship around sunset for a smooch on the front of the boat. Being with Chad for 4 days straight was heaven. Very rarely do we get a few minutes alone every day. It was so nice to be able to do whatever we wanted whenever we wanted and not have to pack a diaper bag or bring snacks! It truly was a refreshing enjoyable vacation that I hope we can do again some day!

Stay tuned for our day in Ensenada!!

Every day life with my cuties

This post will be completely random but I had so many cute moments this month that need to make the blog book. 

A rare but tender moment of Carter and Mollie SHARING a book to read!

 At my exercise classes I love to see the kids join along doing step or weights. While it definetly would be easier to workout without kids, I hope I am instilling in them a passion for exercise and that they will see how important it is to me. I hope I raise strong healthy kids!

 The latest owie of Rylees. She was wearing a hard pokey headband across her nose like she often does. But this time she fell and hit her face on a chair and it cut her right across her nose! Poor thing! Don't worry a PB&J cheered her right up.

 Carter has become quite the little baller! His confidence has sky rocketed this year in sports and I love seeing him succeed. Its been fun to teach him that playing good defense and making good passes is just as important and sinking a basket. Although he has done quite a few of those. Love my little grown up man! And here is his biggest fan (after mom of course!)

 Another rare but sweet moment....Legos for quiet time! They played together for a long time helping eachother create their master pieces. Maybe they do really like eachother?!!!

 Mollo had a sick day and requested a smoothie once she was feeling better. I snapped this pic because she looks so grown up and teenager like! Stop growing up Mol!

 We took the kids to a Grizzley hockey game. It was fun.....for the first half! Brielle was most excited about the bear walking right past us. I don't think he could see her so he didn't acknowledge her. Darn.

 Some fun little sis moments. They are getting to where they play so cute together and comfort each other when the other one is crying. It's sweet....most of the time. Sometimes it back fires.

 This is Brielles new favorite place in the mornings now.

 The older kids had mustache day at school and they giggled all morning as they caught glimpses of eachother and them selves in a mirror. Of course Bri didn't want to be left out so she got a funny mustache too. Carter said, "Mom, i look like a Mexican!" This was also the same morning I ran to get some groceries and an old man approached me and said,"Are they both boys?" UMMMMM it must have been the mustache that confused him.

 And right after this day was Who-ville hair day. This was the best we could do! I was pretty busy packing for our cruise that we would leave the next day on!!! WOO HOO!!! Here come's the cruise blog!

V-Day!

We escaped with friends the weekend before V day and hit Rodizios! Such yummy food, but such a miserable feeling of fullness when you are done! We really need to quit eating here for romantic occasions!!! ;)

 The kids were so happy when a sweet neighbor "heart attacked" us. We were so surprised!

 For a few days this was the scene as soon as dad got home. She'd want to be wrapped up and snuggled by her dad. If this isn't love, I dont know what is.

 Little love bug

 V day morning with a few treats and goodies.

 Pink hair for the occasion.

 V day lunch at wendy's with dad. I didnt even care it was fast food. It was just nice to meet up with my valentine durring the day!

 We rushed home to help at Mollies School party. Lots of excitement and lots of sugar!

 I was in charge of the cookies. So so yummy! Thanks Nigh Time. And super pricey too.

 All of my Valentines! We spent the evening eating pizza and watching the new Trolls movie.

 And another rare but precious moment at our house. I just had to document. We took one night to heart attack each others doors and write nice things about each other. Everyone enjoyed it so much I think we will make it a tradition. My kids really got into it and wrote some really nice things for each other. See they do like eachother sometimes!!!

Chad and I spent the next few evenings booking and preparing for our anniversary cruise! Stay tuned for the trip of a lifetime!

Konner's baptism

A few weeks after our skiing trip we got another opportunity to head to Idaho for Konners baptism! We got there just in time for his birthday party and we let the kids eat WAY to much sugar and stay up way too late but we made memories. 

 When you get tired, happy adults you sometimes get crazy things happening when you get together with family. We had an impromptu dance session and lots of sing along time. It was fun to hang out with my nephew Chase and see his diverse music choices!

 I woke up and couldnt find any of the kids. I peeked in a bedroom to find them all huddled on a bed on a device of course. But they were all happy and quiet!

 The next day Konnor got baptized and the spirit was so strong. I cant wait to watch these boys grow up together! They are all really close in age and Carter is right in the middle of them. He loves getting together with cousins because he always has a buddy.

 Here's all our kiddos together!

We love cousin time and so do the kids!!!