All About Austins

Day at Sea

The last day before we landed on shore we had a full day at sea. We happened to catch the end of the hurricane so we were rocking in 10-15 ft waves of water. At that point I was ready to lie down and die :) However, later that afternoon (around 3pm) things calmed down and we had a lot of fun, TRYING to fly kites off the back of the ship. We didn't have much success because the wind was going so many different directions.

We also went to a few comedy shows, a newlywed, nearly dead dating "game show", dance shows, and bingo night.

It was also fun coming back to our room seeing all the fun towel animals they left.
We had a seal, a swan, and a scorpion!

I even got a virgin pina colada in a coconut at the bar! (scandalous hu?) ;) oh, and it was AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!

The Food was great! I was a HUGE fan of the bread, and I even tried lobster. We loved the chocolate melting cake served with vanilla ice cream. The Dinner entertainment was a lot of fun. There were people dressed up that came around taking pictures with you etc. Our favorite was the magic guy, he could do some pretty amazing things! Towards the end of dinner the first night all the waiters danced to "Low" by t-pain....You guessed it...Nick got up and danced with them..still waiting for a you tube video to come out.

Overall we had a great time hanging out with family, sleeping in, taking long naps, seeing the sites, and not having to worry about anything. :D
&
As always, It is nice to be home!

While we were gone:
1-DAD GOT A JOB!!!- My dad has been out of a job since February. When we got back to port, I was SO happy to hear a voice mail from him telling me that he had been offered a position with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to be their senior operations manager over broadcasting! So Exciting he started this past Monday! We were thrilled!

2- Kylee & Tanner both got and got over swine flu!

3- Samba (our dog) was so happy living with Kynsie and Whitney that she didn't even notice we were gone!

Ensenada Mexico

The Second stop was Ensenada Mexico.

We took a tour of an old (unnamed) hotel that Ensenada is really proud of. It was really big and had a lot of pretty architecture. Inside there were hotel rooms, a cathedral, and a big bar that seated 8 bar tenders.

(Alex Sporting his cute new sun glasses from Mexico)
Alex didn't find the tour all that entertaining, so we spent a lot of time keeping him with the group. :) He did however find ways to keep himself (and us) entertained. haha!

While we were in the bar portion of the hotel Nick kept himself busy by keeping Nathan from seeing the pornographic "art" on the back walls (the reason for no pictures too).
After going through the bar at the end you were able to get a glass filled with mexican coke, mexican beer, or a mexican margarita.

After the tour we headed over to La Bufadora where we stopped at the flea market, and the blow hole.

Here are a few pictures I took from the bus of the city and the outdoor markets we drove past.

(It was a bumpy bus and we were the very last seats, so, I didnt get too many that were clear)

These are some pictures of the actual flea market that we shopped at
I was able to get some great deals haggling with people, and it was even a little fun.

Got a few Mexican dresses, some jewelery, and PURE vanilla (yummy). Nick also got a spiderman Mexican wrestling mask and sun glasses. We had fun.

Now for the pictures of La Bufadora. One of 3 natural blow holes in the world. It was pretty cool to see. and the water was BEAUTIFUL & BLUE!

Dad and Mom at La Bufadora (Tuck behind smiling, and Nathan sitting on the rocks in the wrestling mask he bought. )

(Tucker at the Blow Hole)

There she BLOWS!

Catalina Island

The First stop on the cruise was Catalina Island, a island full of shopping, and little things to see.

(Nick & Alex walking around checking out all the shopping)

The main reason we were there was for the excursions though. Kira, Bobby, Alex, and Mom went on a high speed boat ride. They got back and said there were dolphins and sea lions jumping and swimming next to them :)

(Bob & Alex waiting for the boat ride)

(Kira &Bobby)

(Alex being funny, posing for the camera)

All the other Boys, Nick, Missy, Shalena (Chris's current interest), and Dad got to go snorkeling at Lover's Cove....I was so jealous, I totally could have done it.....(maybe minus the part of getting myself into a wet suit that fit right. :D ) They did let me go down to the cove and watch them get in, and out etc. So that was a lot of fun for me. One day Nick says he will take me back so I can do it too. :)

("Super Nick" waiting for the excursion instruction to begin)

Nick said his favorite part about snorkeling was when they would feed the fish. The guide would throw out food and all the fish would swarm up around everyone. Sounds pretty cool to me!

Everyone looked so great in their wet suits and their snorkeling gear, and it was SO funny watching them get in and out of the water. I didn't think it would be that difficult, but there is a specific way to get in and out!

(Dad Getting Ready to get out on the water)

(Chris & Shalena)

(Nathan all ready to go, and jumping in the water)

(Kyler)

(Missy, Tucker, and Nick)

(Everyone testing out the water)

Nick Looking Good!
I was so glad that Nick got to go snorkeling. he had an absolute blast! He said it was his favorite part of the cruise. :D

While everyone was out snorkeling I took a few pictures of the beach etc. (I had to have something to keep me entertained while I was waiting)

I had to take a picture of this man. He came out of the water about 10 min before the others because he was having a hard time staying with the group. Man, when I am 90 years old though......throw me out in the water snorkeling...I think I would die. Gotta give him Kudos for that!