PUERTO VALLARTA

This was our favorite port of the trip.  We started the day with a fun trip to the Dolphin Discovery Park.  We played on the watersides for a few hours until it was time to swim with the dolphins.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  .

Before we headed back to the ship, our driver took us over to the boardwalk and shopping area.  It was about an 1/2 hour before sundown and we all went to savor the flavor of this Mexican town.  Dad & Jami went shopp'n.  Cars & Ang and the kids went in the little shops and to a fun pizza place.  Todd & I walked 2 blocks to the boardwalk and beach.  We needed to soak up the beautiful waves and sand for one last time.  This small portion of time will always be with me.  Watching the children play tag with the waves while the sunset slowly behind them was just beautiful and fulfilling.  The air was clean and the crash of the waves on the pebbled shore was soothing.  As the water would retreat back each time, the sound of pebbles rolling along with it was really cool.  I took a moment to capture that sound in my heart.  Todd and I took turns snapping fun shots of the children frolicking at the shoreline.  We will cherish these awesome memories. 

SO MUCH FUN! -DOLPHIN POSIDON

 

SO MUCH FUN! -DOLPHIN AURORA

 

DID I MENTION IT WAS SO MUCH FUN?

NOT GRANDPA'S COLTS HAT!!

'DA BOYS- CARSON. EASTON. MCCADE. *PRICELESS.

 

I LIKE HOW THESE SHADOWED PHOTOS AGAINST THE SUNSET TURNED OUT.  IT'S JUST THE KIND OF MOOD IT WAS.

 

LYSSIE LOU IS A HARD ONE TO CAPTURE ON FILM.  THIS TIME TODD CAUGHT IT JUST RIGHT.

 

ONE OF MY FAV'S...

  

THESE TWO PHOTOS BELOW ARE THE VIEW FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE BOARD WALK.  IT WAS REALLY COOL.

 

I CAN HONSETLY SAY I DID' NT ALTER THE COLOR IN THIS PHOTO BELOW AT ALL.  NOT SURE HOW IT CAPTURED THIS WAY, BUT THIS IS TRUELY THE WAY IT WAS RIGHT BEROE SUNDOWN. 

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL.

DAY 4 MAZATLAN & MORE

You know, this Cruise was really not so much about seeing and doing tons of stuff at the different ports.  With the kids in tow, we pretty much stuck to a one or two stop plan each time.  We went downtown to a Cathedral and then across the street to the main market area in the heart of the local district.  What an interesting experience.  It was such a great teaching time for the kids.  To really see first hand how well off we have it here in most of the United States.  We take so many things for granted.  My brother was reminded of the days he spent in Guatemala on his mission.  He said it was like walking down memory lane.  The poverty is so prevalent there.  As we exited our taxi we saw a middle aged man sitting on the dirty streetwalk.  He had no legs.  He had no wheelchair.  He just sat, with a mug in his hand, his head low, saying nothing.  Nothing at all.  As I started across the street, I turned back knowing that if Carson had seen him, he would not walk by with out stretching out his hand.  And sure enough he did.  That's just the kid of man he is.  It would have to be the one that really needed it.  Not just anyone.  Even though there were other down trodden people, even women with children on the streets as well.  This man was different.  So, I watched as he gently slipped a generous bill into the mans palm and took the time to looked him in the eye.  As Carson walked away, he didn't see as I watched the man look into his hand and flatten the bill.  He quickly looked up again as if in a split second he recalled what the meaning of HOPE meant.  When Carson caught up to me, I put my arm around him and said, Thank you.  Thank you.  His reply to me was that of offering a tightening of his arm also around me, and saying simply, there are those who just don't have the same opportunities that we do.  Those that will never have the chance to help themselves.   

Another great thing about this day was that our cousins Steph, Holly & Christine and our Aunt MaryKay were on a different cruise ship at the same time, going to the same ports.  We had tried to find a place we could catch up with one another, but it just never meshed.  Well today, we just 'happened' to run into the girls right outside the Cathedral.  Just as we walked out, they were standing there ready to go inside.  Hmm.  I just love those little co-inkidinks in life.  It was fun to see them there. 

We finished up at the marketplace with a few trinkets and Mexican candy for the kids of course.  Then set out to the ship once more.  The kids had a ball on the water slides the rest of the afternoon and then back to their Kids Zone.  Us adults?  Played games, hung out, slept, ate, read, etc.  Ahh!

 

    

 

BASICALLY, A GOLF CART FOR A TAXI.

      

ONE. DOS. TRES.

 

These are a few photos from our first 3 days sailing to Mexico.  The first port we stopped at was Cabo San Lucas.  The rock formations were stunning.  The Arch is located at a place called Lands End, which is basically at the very tip of the Baja Peninsula.  We stopped at Lovers Beach and played in the surf.  The waves were mighty strong, so we didn't snorkel.  We let the water crash over our bodies, while we tried not to be pulled in with the tide.

Our ship was great.  We were lucky to have Carson &  Angie  pimp'n it out in a beautiful family suite.  His cabin was fantastic.  We all went up and watched the ship sail out of the Harbor while the sun went down.

After we ate, we went to check our rugrats in to the Kids Club.  We were planning on the kids maybe being in their 50% of the time on the Cruise at best.  BOY WERE WE WRONG!  They LOVED it.  LOVED it.  This staff was excellent and we had to drag the kids out at times, just to come with us to eat.  Even when we said we would take them to the water slide or a nightly show- we were denied at times.  WOW!  So I have to give KUDOS to this kids staff.  Our kids had SO many activities and group games and crafts, etc.  The best part is that it was not an extra service to pay for.  It came with the Cruise price. 

We also celebrated 3 birthdays while on the ship.  Carson & Chandlie have the same birthday, so we went to a steakhouse on the ship called Cagnies.  Yumm!  So, we went again the night of my birthday.  Yummo, again! 

 

EASTON. ALYSSA.

CARSON. CHANDLIE. MCCADE. G-MA JAMI. G-PA CLARK.

FABULOUS LOU LOU.  ALWAYS A FANCY NANCY.

OUR LITTLE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT.  SAILING TO LANDS END.

 

LIFEVESTS WERE UNDER OUR SEATS.

 

STINKY PETE.  HAVE YOU EVER SMELLED THOSE THINGS?

ARCH AT LANDS END.  WISH I HAD A BETTER PICTURE.

HEY, LETS STOP THERE.  DAD HASN'T EVER SNORKELED BEFORE.

 

LOVER'S BEACH.  THAT'S WHERE WE WENT TO PLAY.

A FUN LITTLE NOOK AT LOVERS BEACH.

OUR FAMILY BELOW- I KNOW- PASTY GANGSTAS.

 

THESE TWO LITTLE ONES WERE INSEPERABLE.

ALYSSA. EASTON.

VIEW FROM THE BACK OF THE SHIP.  SO COOL.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE 'FUN' PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP OF THESE TWO.